Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Light hearted platform action as the Asterix style lead character collects squashed opponents to use them as platform blocks when it a tight fix in order to progress. Plenty of variety in levels from pre historic to space age as the mosaic like picture is gradually pieced back together.
Famicom Cart
Action
Could be (badly) translated as Evil World Island and there are plenty of sea related escapades as our hero tosses barrels at all and sundry to clear the level. That includes the ginormous proportions of the bosses based loosely on Popeye’s rival Brutus at times. A good title from a solid stable.
PC Engine CD ROM
Simulation
Set in a grim future where nations battle for control of the earth’s depleted resources, this is a turn based war game.
Playstation
Simulation
Plenty more goings on than meets the eye in terms of supernatural demons as the Japanese board game gets an exciting adventure as only a top developer could do.
Famicom Cart
Side Scrolling Beat Em Up
A long standing series unlike Genki when surrounded by the thugs in the game who soon gang up on those initially lacking the necessary martial skills. Yet the games appeal is strong as players meet plenty of characters on their way through the platform levels on to a showdown with the big boss. Playing like Double Dragon on platform levels makes for an interesting twist on the side scrolling beat ‘em up.
PC Engine HU Card
Simulation
Plays similar to Nectaris in that it’s a militaristic strategy title that’s quite easy to get into thanks to the almost Nintendo-esque way Masaya lead the player by the hand through the early stages. Yet once the simple control face is mastered the adventure really opens up. The Gaiserds of the title are the mecha robots of varying strengths and abilities that are placed throughout the space stages. When a ruck kicks off the animated sequences are very impressive for a HU based title.
Famicom Cart
Action
Cherished action RPG that takes a martial arts theme skilfully blending tough looking avatars, hit points and actual fight sequences in the martial arts mecca Temple of Shaolin itself.
Nintendo DS
A Bit Special
Set in a hammed up seventies kung fu movie, players have to exhibit their kanji (or Chinese character) prowess rather than any praying mantis forms. The stylus is used to write the hiragana reading of characters, the kanji of hiragana words or even identify the correct radical. So its definitely a study aid, but a very well executed one with plenty of style and tight character recognition.
PS2
Action
Played as a doctor who works part time as a very effective assassin set in Edo. In the true honourable style of the chanbara (period samurai drama) the good doctor works hard during the day learning of the injustices in town before using the sword to slice up some rough justice at night. Crafted by those master swordsmen who created both Bushido Blade and Kengo so the samurai credentials are unquestionable.
PS2
Simulation
Part of the Lady genre in Japan: a romantic adventure from a girls perspective as players negotiate a love minefield not getting too distracted in the quest to find the kidnapped sister. Divine voice acting and illustration.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Crazed, manga-inspired fight fest with plenty of speed lines and manga style sound effects in katakana. Players can literally take a whipping in their undies, such is the roster of pugilists to choose from. The action and specials are as relentless as the tunes.
PS2
Simulation
Crazed, manga-inspired action with plenty of speed lines and manga style sound effects in katakana as the anime action comes to life.
Merchandise
Merchandise
Set of two mascots from the popular anime based Hitman game. In true Japanese styel, doesn’t look as mean as you might expect from a hitman in miniature form.
PS3
Action
Immortalised by the line ‘You are already dead’ and Kenshiro’s lightning fast attacks, the post-apocalyptic world of North Star was one of the first animes released in the West. Think of a cartoon Mad Max where you meet adversaries and more often than not, their heads explode. Koei gets nasty and heads roll with their multi character mechanics working a treat in a top, top license.
PS3
Action
Immortalised by the line ‘You are already dead’ and Kenshiro’s lightning fast attacks, the post-apocalyptic world of North Star was one of the first animes released in the West. Think of a cartoon Mad Max where you meet adversaries and more often than not, their heads explode. Koei gets nasty and heads roll with their multi character mechanics working a treat in a top, top license.
Super Famicom
Sports
Cheery chip tunes to get you in the relaxing mood for a round of eighteen holes seeking the elusive eagle, dodging the bunkers and keeping on the leader board in this highly accomplished golf game from the cult, crack unit HAL Laboratory.
Famicom Cart
Platform
A superb platform game in the Castlevania mould resurrected by Retro Bit to bring it to the West as it was only a Japan exclusive, until now. A true labour of love, but well-worth the effort and the dedication shines through like sunlight through a stained glass window.
Super Famicom
RPG
Well-respected Super Famicom title that has stood the test of time due to its massive slant on action in the RPG dungeon arena. Players control an orb and use it to fire at the hordes hidden in the dank depths or to break through the ice blocks to progress. Excellent boss battles ensue – ones to savour for those that don’t mind taking down the big fish, or dragon or two. Known as Firestriker in the West.
Super Famicom
Action
Protect the house from the burglars trying to pilfer what they can by getting there first and using a bit of well directed force in this video game stake of the huge Hollywood smash. Kevin leaps around the house with plenty of well placed platforms to obtain hard to reach items.
PC Engine HU Card
Shoot Em Up
Rather bizarre titles seem to be Genki’s speciality on the Engine and the phallus shaped Honey does little to redress the balance. Well worth persevering with as the developers really get into the swing in later levels in this lesser known, vertically scrolling shooter.
PC Engine HU Card
Shoot Em Up
Rather bizarre titles seem to be Genki’s speciality on the Engine and the phallus shaped Honey does little to redress the balance. Well worth persevering with as the developers really get into the swing in later levels in this lesser known, vertically scrolling shooter.
PC Engine HU Card
Action
Packed with cultural references in the form of geta wearing devils, machine gun wielding octupuses and Chinese lions. Play as the phallus shaped Honey. Hopefully the designers had the ancient Japanese clay ‘Haniwa’ images in mind when designing this action title which uses a clever pseudo-3D. Well ahead of its era.
Nintendo Hardware
Controller
Funky Famicom controller that works one handed, though perhaps Genki lacks a bit of dexterity and needs a bit more practise. Comfortable layout and a fine additional controller for the system.
GameBoy Original
Platform
Never has a game character been more suited to rolling around on screen more than Kirby – Hal Laboratory’s rotund, pink creation. Cute, cuddly and colourful with the tight play mechanics Nintendo always delivers.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Sports
Enjoy the fierce rivalry of rather over competitive football between Japanese high school teams. Similar to the Neo Geo classic Soccer Brawl in terms of the violent challenges possible.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Sports
Enjoy the fierce rivalry of rather over competitive football between Japanese high school teams. Similar to the Neo Geo classic Soccer Brawl in terms of the violent challenges possible.
Famicom Cart
Action
Dig through the mazes utilising warps and power ups to clear the section, plus the odd blast from the laser gun. Full title: ‘Hottaman no Chitei Tanken.’
PS2
Action
Futuristic racer similar to ‘Wipeout’ and ‘Quantum Redshift’ with adrenalin flushed, sweaty palm, retina ruiningly rapid gameplay.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
Champion Wrestler, Hell’s Journey, Kikikaikai, Rastan Saga II, Parasol Stars, New Zealand Story, Don Doko Don and Cadash make up the toe tapping roster to bring back the nostalgia of some sublime games and tunes.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
Some fine chip tunes from the PC Engine Hall of Fame including tracks from CD Denjin, PC Kid 3, and Y’s IV. A great tribute to some of the finest 8Bit games out there and PC Engine fans will lap this up.