Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Playstation
RPG
Sacnoth takes on the Silent Hill mantle with a fantasy style exploration through 3D levels to meet some seriously unhinged opponents in the darker and danker corners. Sacnoth’s approach differs from the usual path taken and is intriguing as such.
GameBoy Original
Simulation
A tidy RPG from Konami whose high production standards shine through. Also stars Koukiatsu Girl and some imaginative characters.
Super Famicom
Puzzle
A fine action puzzle title as players take on the role of the Simpson’s Krusty the Clown and direct mice to meet their maker, thanks to Bart, in the platform levels. Tactical blocks must be added and removed to get the mice to where you want them and the difficulty level gets gradually cranked up. Some good posters strewn through the levels to remind us of the licenses charm. But Krusty is, of course, always a great ambassador for clowns.
Super Famicom
Sports
Kunio’s charm comes to the dodgeball court as players avoid being hit by the ball in arenas such as the ice of Iceland, waters of the Taj Mahal, Mount Fuji and London with Big Ben in the background. Classic retro gaming in a very cult series.
GameBoy Advance
Sports
Compilation of two Kunio Kun games: dodgeball and basketball. Dodgeball is similar to ‘kingy’ in the UK: throw a ball at your opponents. Hit them and they take damage until turning into an angel and floating up to heaven. Unfortunately each team has a big bruiser far from being an angel, complete with powerful super move. Kunio and his motley crew add a great deal of fun to an otherwise limited genre. Starting under the gaze of Mount Fuji and the cherry blossom, a victory brings a trip to Naxat International for a flight (on Naxat Airlines) to London complete with Beatles style chip music. Next: a trip to Iceland complete with penguins. The basketball is set at a US Military base and being able to kick and punch somewhat changes the flow of the games a crucial times. And with multiple baskets, being able to score in your own net and teams with teleport powers, theres never a dull moment. Feels like a title made by gamers for gamers though.
GameBoy Advance
Sports
Compilation of two more Kunio Kun games: Sports Day and Soccer. Sports Day has track & field events spiced up by the ability to throw punches, bottles and even bowling balls during your rivals attempts. Soccer allows players to 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. Pretty difficult to track down as the games star and biker gang look-a-like Kunio Kun has a strong following in Japan.
Famicom Cart
Sports
Brutality on the pitch as players slug and kick it out for possession with the referee seemingly missing in action. The ball can be chipped up to set up an overhead or at least try and avoid an onrushing defenders attention.
Famicom Cart
Action
A Jidaigeki is a historical drama as Kunio takes a trip back in time to enjoy some of Japan’s rich feudal history with samurai and chonmage hairstyles. Our Kunio fits the bill just fine though: equally at home fighting bad dudes down the game centre as unhinged bullies trying to capture his girl.
Famicom Cart
Action
A Jidaigeki is a historical drama as Kunio takes a trip back in time to enjoy some of Japan’s rich feudal history with samurai and chonmage hairstyles. Our Kunio fits the bill just fine though: equally at home fighting bad dudes down the game centre as unhinged bullies trying to capture his girl.
Dreamcast
Simulation
Super natural goings on to this seemingly innocent adventure add that air of Japanese horror and spine tingling chills.
Miscellaneous Games
Simulation
A compilation celebrating young Japanese boys’ love of vehicles with footage of bulldozers, ambulances, tourist buses, post vans, police cars and fire engines.
PS2
Sports
Old school nostalgia in this Japanese anime charting the story of young Hoshi as he battles through gruelling training and beatings from his strict father to become a pitcher for the Tokyo Giants. The game involves mini games that must be successfully completed to unlock the hidden episode with plenty of rewards along the way.
Famicom Cart
Action
Ever since seeing Mr Vampire on Channel 4, Genki has had a soft spot for the Kyonshi: an undead vampire which only seems to be able to jump at your relentlessly with arms held out. This has progressed to a(n) (un)healthy fascination with ghosts of the Orient and Kyonshis 2 is bursting with them. Holding your breath doesn’t seem to help here, but mastering the moves of the young disciple will certainly assist. (As will ignoring any perceived charms of multi limbed femme fatales.)
Mega Drive
Sports
Conversion of the popular Japan exclusive, early nineties coin op in which players get to focus on pitching and batting the baseball and the fielding is kindly taken care of by the rest of the CPU controlled team.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Simulation
A battle simulator that makes fine use of the CD format to splice retro anime cut-scenes between the action.
Playstation
RPG
Utilises Little Big Adventure style ellipses to make up the characters and has very much the look of its era as a result. The lighting effects on the magic spells are very impressive and Sony has clearly poured its heart and soul into this realising the significance of the genre.
Dreamcast
Sports
Realistic approach to casting a few lines with plenty of imaging taken from some of Japans most picturesque waterways. With eighteen lakes, budding fishermen will have plenty of tales to tell by the time the Travel Mode has been completed.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Bishonen anime inspired action, the first in the series to have 3D graphics. Multiple endings are also possible.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Bishonen anime inspired action, the first in the series to have 3D graphics. Multiple endings are also possible.
Sega Saturn
RPG
A sprawling series in terms of man hours, but the plot keeps it all closely knit in the fantasy RPG and battle sim stylie.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Welcomed sequel to the atmospheric samurai slasher set during the Meiji restoration in Japan’s modernisation. Includes new fatality moves subtly executed with the series distinct style. And with it being samurai based there are lethal weapons to utilise. Adds deflect moves to the equation: rather than blocking outright, players can deflect an attack leaving their opponent wide open to a counter. Fine attention to detail in the backgrounds with even the puddles making splashes as the fighters square up to each other. The lavishly illustrated manual looks like it was drawn by Hokusai and similar high art can be found in the games gallery.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Sega’s AM developed model 2 arcade game made a smooth transition to the Saturn with some very clever programming giving a pseudo 3D impression. The Japanese version of this tooled up fight fest comes with bonus special disk containing plenty for fans of the title. Gang wars gone wrong in futuristic Tokyo Metropolis with loads of secrets to unlock. Worthy of greater attention having been released in the shadow of VF3.
PS4
Action
Square Enix takes on Metal Gear Solid with stealth the order of the day, such as tossing an object over the barricade to distract the guards. Equally the odd Molotov cocktail does the same job. Set in a wintry East with snow falling, the mission is to regain control through sabotage of the rogue Mechs taking over.
Gamecube
Sports
Beautiful courses and the opportunity to make your own character with a clever analogue shot system to make this club the competition. A formal approach to the sport with a good variety in courses from desert, to mountainous, to volcanic island via Egypt.
Playstation
RPG
Remaining firmly rooted in 2D and looking wonderful for it with imaginative gameplay adding the third dimension to proceedings. Aurally maintains the high standards you’d expect from Square. But the real time battles and Zelda overtones make this one for all RPG fans to savour. A true Legend.
PC Engine CD ROM
Simulation
A life simulation game where you must guide a young woman through her daily routine with great anime cut sequences. Japanese title: Kagami no Kuni no Legend.
PS4
RPG
A stable with a fine production line of shiny coated thoroughbreds and this particular RPG is as shiny as they come with outlandish graphics. But from such a wise old stable comes the story worthy of the legendary status Nihon Falcom holds in the role playing world. Known in Japan as Nayuta no Kiseikai: Kai.
Merchandise
Guide Book
Popular GBA series amongst retro fans and the colour and sparkle translate well to this guide to the second instalment.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Ver much a feel of the empire from Star Wars with such pageantry in deep space in this anime, inter galactic space opera.
Famicom Cart
Action
Any game with a guest appearance of Genki hero Xandra of Super Famicom Xandra’s Big Adventure fame is worthy of any collection in Genki’s humble opinion. RPG elements in this action title not very well known outside Japan. Catapulting around levels is great fun and saves having to revisit areas of this huge game.