Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Game Gear
Sports
Reminiscent of World Stadium on the C64 if that doesn’t give away Genki as a bit of a veteran with less hair than Sir Clive Sinclair. Covers all bases with aplomb.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Highly playable platform version of the popular anime series involving plenty of ghostly goings on. Japanese Scooby Doo with spooky eastern ghouls that make for a culturally refreshing and delightful platform romp.
Famicom Cart
Shoot Em Up
Incredibly fast into the screen 3D shooting action which handles some impressively sized bosses. Very impressive results from the hardware and no sign of a struggle. Clever use of colouring and backgrounds to give a varied feel to the relentless action.
Playstation
Shoot Em Up
Pixel pefect reproduction of the two player coin-op vertical shooter. The mighty power ups are needed to combat the steep difficulty curve. Incredible attention to detail with even falling debris causing a splash in the background. The squid boss is a Genki fave in a twisted way!
PSP
Simulation
Set in the warring period in Japan’s history, this title involves plenty of action in the battlefield with a bit of tactical nous needed every now and then to help your quest. Take on rival clans in fully pitched battles to become the ultimate Daimyo, but be warned desire can never be quenched; so choose your battles carefully so as not to stretch your resources too thinly on the ground.
Famicom Cart
Action
Japan exclusive, four wheel drive action racer with smaller cars to allow plenty of on screen action. Feels like the inspiration behind Micro machines, but don’t let Codemasters hear that. Its necessary to bash opponent vehicles off the screen and quite satisfying to do so. Especially when tuned up with a raging power up on the go.
Sega Saturn
Sports
High school baseball game with some nice 3D animation for the Saturn, although admittedly the modelling does feel a little like a Virtua Fighter style demo due to the similarity of the players to artists models. With this being a huge attraction in Japan, all the high school teams are covered and there are thousands of them for devotees and ex-JETs to look up. Plays a good game covering all bases.
PS2
Action
Fast and throw away fun which is easy to pick up and play and not too much character depth are the hallmarks of the Simple series. Here players are stuck in a maze and must find keys and weapons ahead of their opponent to escape first.
Sega Saturn
Board Game
Incredibly atmospheric representation of the Japanese table game Shogi due to the cracking avatars and superb voice acting. Mind you, Genki wouldnt like to meet a few of the players down a back alley having just knocked them out of the competition in the Tokyo Dome.
Mega Drive
Action
Tongue in cheek take on a battle game with close hand combat and much more hedged on the action side of the genre. Plays like a large sprite version of Cannon Fodder with Metal Slug like combatants on screen players steam into enemy, or at last to a safe spot on screen. Tactics are required, but the game eases one in gently until you find yourself grenade pin in teeth, machine gun in arm.
PS2
Action
Samurai themed action slicer set in feudal Japan from the crack Capcom break away unit Game Republic. Captures the essence of the period beautifully in the graphics, musical score and presentation and shows great promise from those old Onimusha hands.
PS3
Action
Based in in ancient Japan, Genji really brings the Heian period to life with graphical splendor in the rich, colourful kimonos where you can make out every thread. The cut scenes are of sublime quality as the scene is set: Genji clan must once again defeat the rival Heishi clan with a seeming supernatural influence. As you’d expect from a game of rich samurai heritage the action is hack and slash, or dice and slice more appropriately with the sharp sword used and the combos soon roll off the joypad. With progress comes the opportunity to play as new characters: the slow, but powerful Benkei, the spear armed Lord, but its the nimble priestess Shizuka with her nifty grapple hook that looks most stunning. All group members must be equally protected if you don’t want the credits to roll early – one death of any member means game over. The game also utilises the systems motion sensing controller.
PS2
Action
Samurai themed action slicer set in feudal Japan from the crack Capcom break away unit Game Republic. Captures the essence of the period beautifully in the graphics, musical score and presentation and shows great promise from those old Onimusha hands.
Famicom Cart
Board Game
A fine collectable and curio for the Famicom combining board game and video game in one very fine package. The attention to detail in the production is staggering as up to four players traverse the game world and board map simultaneously.
PC Engine HU Card
Platform
Like many sequels, Genpei further raised the stakes with bigger sprites and clearer sound effects. Yet a high difficulty level left many warming more to the prequel. A fine piece of Namcot programming though for the harder core. Also known as ‘Samurai Ghost 2.’
Playstation
RPG
The Suikoken series is based on the Chinese classic Water Margin and is a highly regarded RPG amongst the cognoscenti. Full title: Genso Suikoden.
Playstation
RPG
Stunningly illustrated sprites along with soothing soundtrack that can snap to contain more menace than the Flight of the Valkyries within an instant. Genki wonders how its possible to weave together so many different, deep characters.
PS2
RPG
Lusciously shaded in pastel colours making for a beautiful world to romp around exploring. Once accustomed to its ways, you will barely notice the talking duck in helmet or the giant eagle to hitch a lift. Vastly underrated series.
PS2
RPG
Exquisitely detailed gaming world that is very accessible due to the isometric perspective. Set in a ancient European town, the castles, markets and inns look stunning and Konami has clearly put the hard yards in to ensure the ongoing success of the series. It may not come as a surprise to hear those castles also feature dark and pretty dank dungeons.
Dreamcast
Sports
Whittle away a few peaceful hours on Lake Paradise trying to land a big bass renowned for their fighting ability. Tactical choice of lure is essential as you cajoule the bass to take the bait. Once you have a bite the line tension guage must be carefully monitored to stop the line from snapping. Arcade and DC original modes to select with the latter being far more forgiving than the arcade mode in which you must land sufficient weight within the time limit to you move on to the next stage. Failure to bag anything will leave you gutted.
Dreamcast
Sports
Whittle away a few peaceful hours on Lake Paradise trying to land a big bass renowned for their fighting ability. Tactical choice of lure is essential as you cajole the bass to take the bait. Once you have a bite the line tension gauge must be carefully monitored to stop the line from snapping. Arcade and DC original modes to select with the latter being far more forgiving than the arcade mode in which you must land sufficient weight within the time limit to you move on to the next stage. Failure to bag anything will leave you gutted.
Dreamcast
Sports
Beautiful weather and water textures add to the natural healing that comes from cruising the lakes in the great outdoors, dropping a line every now and then. The boat can be manoeuvred to a favoured spot on the lake adding an extra dimension to gameplay, particularly with the boat being equipped with a depth monitoring device. Spiritual healing for the urban oppressed.
Dreamcast
Sports
Whittle away a few peaceful hours on Lake Paradise trying to land a big bass renowned for their fighting ability. Tactical choice of lure is essential as you cajoule the bass to take the bait. Once you have a bite the line tension guage must be carefully monitored to stop the line from snapping. Arcade and DC original modes to select with the latter being far more forgiving than the arcade mode in which you must land sufficient weight within the time limit to you move on to the next stage. Failure to bag anything will leave you gutted.
Sega Saturn
Shooter
Giant robot themed first person shooter in which you take on the Ghen race out in space. Plenty of cheesy FMV with a few switches thrown in to keep you on your toes.
NEO GEO CD
Shoot Em Up
Vertically scrolling World War fighter planes feature in this smooth shooter port with little in the way of loading times. Includes a two player mode for a bit of wing side back up against the bad B52’s and squadrons that dart at the pilot’s plane in various formations. But ground based vehicles are just as lethal – best to take them out first to leave just a smouldering crater. Makes good use of the theme with nice presentation and a decent length for a Neo Geo title.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Simulation
GS Mikami has plenty of Shinto inspired high jinx as Mikami links the modern world with a spiritual universe. Plenty of cultural confusion reminiscent of a Rumiko Takahashi manga escapade. Great humour and with plenty of options.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Toe tapping chip tunes do justice to the original soundtrack as players cruise the streets in Ecto 1 to scale buildings to capture the ghosts inside. A memorable boss rush run in with a naked Keymaster awaits! A very solid licensed title – a combination that not often goes together – based on the blockbusting film.
GameBoy Original
Action
HAL always gets to grips with the architecture of its chosen hardware and it fits like a glove, as well suited as the Ghostbusters team are to their Gothic HQ. Said team are well represented on the small screen and instantly recognisable as they go about taking down the supernatural around New York city whilst avoiding excess exoplasm.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Concise Capcom programming at its pinnacle. Brilliant gameplay, unforgiving yet always fair. Whilst the green grass of the first level is very familiar to Genki, the rest is a bit of a blur. Title translates as big devil world village.
Dreamcast
Sports
The Giant Gram series actually follows on from where Virtua fighter based All Japan Pro Wrestling left off on the Saturn. This makes the 2000 version the third instalment and an enjoyable hoedown even for those who leave the leopard spot leotards to the professionals. A bucket load of techniques to master including some super charged specials and counter moves, a commentator as keen as mustard, a crowd that’s easily whipped into a frenzy – what more could a grappler ask for apart from perhaps Giant haystacks on the roster of many All Japan Pro Wrestling legends? Four players can really have some button bashing fun.