Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dreamcast
Sports
From the Virtua school of wrestling comes this well executed special with tag options and plenty of wrestlers to choose from. The presentation is smooth with plenty of flashbulbs going off as the wrestlers ham it up as they head for the ring. Grappling is never dull with the array of specials on offer.
Dreamcast
Sports
From the Virtua school of wrestling comes this well executed special with tag options and plenty of wrestlers to choose from. The presentation is smooth with plenty of flashbulbs going off as the wrestlers ham it up as they head for the ring. Grappling is never dull with the array of specials on offer.
PS2
Rhythm
Trial version in which players transform into the uber funky Giatroo Man by picking up an electric guitar and strum some riffs to dispatch of your adversaries in a unique twist on the rhythm action genre. Get in the groove and react in sync and the music plays along more smoothly. As exquisitely colourful as a trip to Shibuya and full of Eastern insanity making this a must have purchase.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Popular role playing game that unusually seems set in ancient Greece or the Roman empire. A good emporium is needed to ensure being sufficiently equipped to progress in the turn-based combat.
Super Famicom
Platform
Fun packed sequel as bad boy Ackman scraps his way through the platform levels, including a level spent driving across the platforms in a car. Does contain some Japanese language story, but not really essential to gameplay.
Wii
A Bit Special
A little bit of a different experience with the games main protagonist and hero Minon being able to alter the domino action world. Fingers crossed this can be as enjoyable as No One Can Stop Mr. Domino on the PSX. Eight stages to enjoy with a battle mode and two player play possible.
PSP
Action
Humongous, huge monsters require equally monstrously proportioned weapons to slice at them in this action themed series with anime overtures and J pop soundtracks making it a well-respected series.
Merchandise
Guide Book
Beautifully illustrated guide to the game with the wondrous characters and monsters promoted to the high art they deserve. Also includes skill listings.
Gamecube
Action
Brings back warm memories of Rampage as the kaiju get to toss around boulders, buildings and fellow monsters to destroy opponents, usually the city gets flattened too.