Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
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
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.
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.
Super Famicom
Sports
Live the F1 dream in this popular Super Famicom split screen racer with appropriately noisy engine effects. An early release and much coverted by the early adopters of the SFC at the time.
Nintendo 64
Sports
Suitably whiny engines and plenty of sparks both visually and literally as the N64 gets a challenging work out and handles it without breaking sweat. The starting line up being displayed is a nice touch (with plenty more attention to detail in the anchor lights) and the essential speed makes the cut to appease fans of the series with little time to admire the sponsors signs, bridges or grandstand.
Super Famicom
Sports
Suitably whiny engines and break neck speeds exploiting Mode 7 like the manufacturers make the most of their cars. Classic old school racing with the simpler pick up and play mechanics many pine for.
Super Famicom
Sports
Mode 7 made for such a game with the engine revs blaring out. Effortlessly copes with the split screen multiplayer too – impressive results putting the hardware top of the podium.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Sports
Three in one bumper bargain from Human Creative Group. The games all crammed onto the one CD are Formation Soccer, Final Match Tennis and Fine Shot Golf.
Dreamcast
RPG
Gorgeous Sega online RPG when the company poured its heart and soul into its dream machine. Superb, intuitive combat engine with slick presentation, stunning cut-scenes and emotional avatars.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
An anime adventure with similarities to Ranma 1/2 in which the jewels scattered over earth have to be rounded up – a bit like Dragon Ball Z. Anime otakus will enjoy the lavishly illustrated graphics that play as the anime series with a choice of options during the stills.
Famicom Cart
RPG
A role player set in a feudal Japan of temples, samurai and giant cat fish with human faces. Players traverse the landscape getting into the odd scrape with a grizzly bear or two.
PS2
Simulation
A spritely romantic adventure set in a senior high school with great tunes to back up the action. Its most likely a decrease in Genkis already limited kanji capacity, but it does seem easy to upset a few of the feistier characters.