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🏆Brilliant!
Brilliant Merchandise
Merchandise
Superman, Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern make up the five super heroes and heroines realised in cute, cartoony, binary art form in these soft toys.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Juvei has plenty of cute, Mother-style sprite characters to join him, resplendent in his Black Jack eye patch, as he traverses the detailed RPG in this Famicom classic. Well worth investing the time that Namcot has clearly put into this exquisite adventure.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Genki Gurus will know it only takes a few Japanese ghosts, a wise sage and a few ninjas and Genki is sold on the concept. Where Ja Ja excels is utilising a smaller player character to allow so much going on on screen. A superb conversion and a tip top example of the genre. Oh, did we mention riding on giant frogs?
Famicom Cart
RPG
Similarities to Goemons escapades as players must negotiate the hoards of enemy fighters but then be rewarded for a hard days work with a stay in a traditional Japanese inn. The use of Ninjutsu makes good use of the ninja element to the game and separates it from the fantasy RPG genre with a more traditional, ancient Japanese setting.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Plays like an anime version of The Water Margin, no surprise seeing as the original source material is based on Chinese legend. Action RPG with quick fix combat and very stylised, watercolour characters offering advice with big beards and rotund figures. Highly competent and full of katakana text sound effects making it play like a live manga strip.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Konami goes head to head against Capcoms Pride series and can stand toe to toe with just as much pride in its mixed martial arts fight fest. The fighters are solid, the glitz OTT as you might hope and it captures the adrenalin of a K1 bout. Fighters are realistically represented right down to moles on the skin and the action is relentless as the soundtracks beat.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Mixed martial arts mayhem in the form of the K1 world in which knock downs play a huge part with the commentators excitement reaching crescendo as the camera zooms in on the befallen fighter. Button hammering is a must to get them back up, but its much more tactical as the different body parts can be targeted to get a quicker knock down. But theres emphasis on defense to avoid button mashing.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
The multi-discipline martial arts fest known as K1 – a contest that enjoys much popularity in Japan – brought to the PS courtesy of Xing. Features the real contestants realised in full 3D and looking very good for it with full 3D backgrounds and sizeable fighter models doing justice to their real life dimensions. Xing once again show their hand as cunning 32Bit programmers.
Dreamcast
Simulation
Adventure set in modern Japan with bullet trains but with mysterious goings on. Subtitled The Virgin on Megiddo.
Famicom Cart
Action
Players charge through ancient Japan in snow filled ravines and craggy cliffs s represented in the RPG exploration style map and also in the action sequences which are side on fight sections requiring a swift sword slice and dispatch of a handful of shurikens. Makes a good change for those jaded by stat heavy fight sequences.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Cheerful chip tunes and big, bold sprites, plus the character of Kai ensure this is a well treasured Famicom title. Collecting keys and potions, avoiding fire breathing dragons and escape to the door out of the level by the skin of your teeth are the order of the day. Translates as Kai’s adventure. Also known as The Quest of Ki.
Gamecube
Simulation
The game that allows players to create their own customised Kaiju monster with the initial appearance based on a few choice questions players get asked. The monsters can gain experience, but the overall aim is to keep the peace on the island and protect it from attacks from Godzilla wannabes. Title translates as Monster Island. Subtitled Amazing Island. Features a GBA link up for an added dimension to play.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Kaijyu are the huge monsters, the likes of which give Godzilla a tough time. And with a title that translates as Monster Story, there are plenty to battle in this action RPG, all very nicely drawn on the fine Famicom.
Playstation
Rhythm
Based on the boy band, bishonen anime with the real voice actors, plus an abundance of footage and an introduction from the series, Kaikan Phrase pits the player on stage needing to successfully hit the beats to progress. Initially only the anime’s intro song is available, but loads more are available to be unlocked. Each band member varies in difficulty regarding the speed and frequency of beats with the drummer being a particularly tough nut to crack. A Tour Mode keeps interest in a very stylish title.
Nintendo DS
Simulation
A perfect way to crack into the 1006 essential kanji used in Japanese elementary schools and as such get a real footing in the Japanese language. Regardless of not needing to write, kanji provide the building blocks of the language as they can be pieced together for different meanings; but an understanding of the stand alone meaning can help no end. As endorsed by those dedicated RPG players at Genki.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Enjoy some fine lift music for shogi as the lady very respectfully announces each move on the board reminding players of the sense of honour behind the game.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Play your words right and avoid a slap in this dating sim with plenty of locales around the town such as the clothes shop (complete with gangster looking proprietor) and cafe. As a word of warning though: its best not to be too friendly with all the protagonists.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Ticks all of Genki’s boxes: fighting blokes in rubber suits, cheesy 70’s soundtrack and our Kamen Rider himself looking like a big-eyed fly. Superbly captures the essence of the series.
PS2
Action
Its no use being all fingers and thumbs when the rapid combination button presses are required in order to unleash the latex clad special moves from our masked hero. A superb license that savours Japans great super hero tradition and the lashing of action have translated across well to the PS2.
Famicom Cart
Action
Simple puzzle based platform sections with the odd switch combined with an unusual, turn based battle sections. Kamen Rider has a cult following and it does certainly have an abundance of characters in latex.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Very fluid animation and the screen zooming in and out add much drama to the proceeding as the fly like Kamen Rider puts paid to many a latex loving bad guy and ensures a legion of armchair followers in the process. Very smart backgrounds too: impressive performance levels from the PSX.
Figures
Figure
Sofvi Sculpture Studio tribute to the famed Kamen Rider to adorn any desktop with pride.
Merchandise
Merchandise
The bug-eyed Kamen Rider world has stood the test of time due to its intriguing characters and these figures are a fitting tribute to its charming cast.
GameBoy Advance
Simulation
Trading card game with Konami’s class shining through like the beams of sunlight in its European style fantasy world.
Nintendo DS
A Bit Special
Not a game as such but an electronic dictionary with writing recognition thanks to the DS stylus. The equivalent machine would cost significantly more than price of a DS and this cart making it a serious alternative to the Casio WordTank for the budding linguist. Includes Game and Watch titles that can be unlocked as rewards for your hard studies making this the perfect balance between work and play. Also features a kanji quiz such as the different characters for country names. And the writing recognition works well assisting in progressing studies as its simple to look up a kanji character. Both Japanese to English and English to Japanese modes. Great for those import gamers looking to attain the next level.
Dreamcast
Simulation
A winter’s romance on the main shopping streets of a Japanese city with five different outcomes depending on the in-game choices. Beautifully presented with exquisite avatars.
PS2
Rhythm
Winter theme to this instalment of the chance to shine like the Christmas star of wonder (or finally make the neighbours move out.) Plethora of 90’s J-Pop with Chemistry, Globe, Dreams Come True, Kiroro and X Japan amongst others.
Switch
Shoot Em Up
Much-cherished Milestone shoot ’em up gets a Switch reboot and there are Hitchcock overtones for this crow related shooter. Utilises power ups for the shot, sword and shield giving it a strategic element. Known as also ‘Crows’ and ‘Karous’.
🥇Game of the Week
Game of the Week Switch
Shoot Em Up
Much-cherished Milestone shoot ’em up gets a Switch reboot and there are Hitchcock overtones for this crow related shooter. Utilises power ups for the shot, sword and shield giving it a strategic element. Known as also ‘Crows’ and ‘Karous’.
Famicom Cart
Action
Master piece in animation moving as slickly as Prince of Persia on your quest to rescue the kidnapped princess. Hardcore old school difficulty ensures you must be able to block your opponents assaults as well as dish out your own flaying fists. The ultimate showdown with Master Karateka will have your palms sweating, but the thought of having to fight all those tough nuts again to get to him will spur you on.