Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Dreamcast
Simulation
KID really is the goat of these dating sims with a rich heritage of winners in its stable. Tensions run high in this high-school based game.
PS2
Simulation
A dating game with roster of ladies to cater for all tastes, for want of a better term. With the girl next door to the feisty foreigner personality, players should find fun and frivolity here. A bizarre ‘osu’ or ‘push’ game sees players having to hit targets rhythm action style to clock up a big score.
GameBoy Original
Shooter
A similar title to Kikikaikai with its scrolling shooting action, Shinto priestess and many references to Japan of old in lanterns, Oni bosses and hopping, one eyed umbrellas. In the GB game however the action is force scrolled along, but this is a fine little blast for fans of a Japanese flavoured broth with many varied ingredients thrown into the stock. Ninjas, a Shinto priestess, a Buddhist priest rumbling along dispatching feudal adversaries in ancient Japan: Genki would love to claim the glory, but if we were let loose on a project, this wouldn’t be far off. Think Kikikaikai for the GameBoy. Known in Japan as Tenshin Kaisen.
Mega Drive
Shooter
The sheer pace of Mercs makes for a fun run and gun where the run is at a good pace. As such the players has to think fast in this old school combat game and be wary of dynamite instead of power ups. Thankfully there are plenty of weapon upgrades on offer. Known in Japan as Senjou no Ookami II.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
A highly collectable Saturn title that is more like a digital magazine with horoscopes, guides to popular spots such as restaurants, a cosplay market with digitised photos, fashions from the streets etc.
Playstation
Simulation
Dating sim mixed with mech battles making for lashings of mayhem and plenty of work for the voice actors.
XBOX
RPG
Space-age style, dank, metallic dungeons reminiscent of Kileak the Blood back on the Playstation in terms of its setting. Players explore RPG style before tackling opponents in well-presented isometric way.
PS3
Action
Snake is starting to develop that thousand yard stare that a veteran of so many conflicts is in danger of. Yet the gameplay is invigorating and far from jaded as it once again ups both the gameplay and visual ante with seeming ease. Granted the action ante has also been upped and some will bemoan the lack of stealth. May will have little chance to notice amongst the strafe and shrapnel.
PS2
Action
Few can be as deserving of the nick name Solid Snake as Kojima’s hero. This one man war machine again dons John Rambo style headband and uses the art of stealth to progress without too much attention drawing strafe. Snake: beret off, we salute you.
PS2
Action
The stealth requirement distinguishes Metal Gear from more action orientated titles as players slip in and out of the bushes. Kojima deserves notoriety for such dedication to the project, not known since Miyamoto san.
PS3
Action
High tension and even higher stakes calls for a cool hand from Snake when stealthily sneaking past guards and taking down CCTV cameras to free the key hostage. As ever, the twist awaits…
Merchandise
Guide Book
160 page guide to the main base, mother ops and techniques of stealth needed in Peace Walker. Subtitled The Basics.
PSP
Action
Stealth can be fun as Solid Snake sneaks up on unsuspecting guards and utilises the silenced sniper to take them down with a slug. A real credit to Konami and Kojima san.
PS4
Shooter
The survival battle action of the like of FortNite where players can co-operate or go it alone, Rambo-style against the hordes of zombie invaders. The use of materials to build bases or block gunfire is a must, along with unleashing brutal bursts of firepower, but the use of stealth in chucking a grenade or using the sniper rifle is a nod to the Metal Gear license.
32X
Action
The Metal Head is a giant mech requiring piloting around the cityscapes taking down enemy targets and accidentally blasting chunks out of surrounding skyscrapers. All very impressively realised in textured polygons showing the prowess of the 32X in the right hands.
Playstation
Shooter
Early Playstation mecha shooter with similarities to Metal Head on the 32X and Iron Soldier for those familiar with Ataris big cat. The cross hair surveys the landscape but the tranquillity only lasts briefly before a barrage of missiles hone in. Coming under attack causes glitches to the gamers view to simulate the damage being incurred. It must have been nice for the developer to be allowed a glitch in the actual game.
Super Famicom
RPG
Max and his war weary pals once again must all they can manage in the face of some unusual mechanical foes. A tank certainly helps cover explored terrain rapidly. And the combat remains as catchy as ever in this highly polished sequel.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Set in a myopic future where man has a created a computer to solve the seemingly inevitable environmental destruction yet unfortunately the computer has decided to destroy mankind is the solution to the problem. Very stylish setting with a gritty, apocalyptic feel to proceedings as players travel from town to town battling monsters to earn welcomed cash. Luckily there are stores that can be visited advertising the various rewards on offer for the capture of the most heinous monsters – dead or alive.
Playstation
Platform
SNK truly mastered the ability to produce fun games in 2D such as Metal Slug which reminded the gaming cognoscenti there was life and gameplay without polygons. Pure refined game mechanics to bring a smile to the face of the most grizzled gaming veteran.
Playstation
Shooter
SNK truly mastered the ability to produce fun games in 2D such as Metal Slug which reminded the gaming cognoscenti there was life and gameplay without polygons. Pure refined game mechanics to bring a smile to the face of the most grizzled gaming veteran.
PS2
Platform
Saving hostages who show their gratitude, looking at the sheer shock on faces of enemy soldiers as they get snuck up on by stealth, charging all guns blazing with a tidy power up including the tasty double machine gun, feeding your face until it grows a little too big, and vehicles galore…. Enough to make you well up with pride. Plenty of nw vehicles to command and giant boss ships to let rip into. A distinct shift in this instalment, but gives the player more chances (at times) and plenty of firepower for encouragement. Wearing its 2D tats with pride, Metal Slug: we salute you.
GameBoy Color
RPG
With a graphical look of Mother/Earthbound combined with adversaries to fight looking like extras from Rockman/Megaman, its easy to see why Metal Walker is a cherished part of Capcom’s back catalogue. Innocent RPG gaming from a simpler era of gaming.
Dreamcast
Simulation
Plenty of opportunities to practise conversational Japanese by choosing the right riposte in this simulation game which has a dark undertone to the proceedings.
Famicom Cart
Action
Famicom arcade conversion in fine fettle as participants have to run a gauntlet of futuristic obstacles to get to the other end of the course. Hurdles must be lept, ramps and booster squares propel the runner to the goal and its possible to leap from power square to power square in order to reach the finish line in record time.
Gamecube
Action
Well-planned levels and deep space atmospherics that would make even Sigourney Weaver jump. Its easy to understate just what a fine job has been made of transferring one of the most cherished SFC platformers into full 3D and maintaining the series high standards. Cavernous levels lit up by incredible strafe effects and incredible attention to detail.
Wii
Shooter
Exquisite lighting effects, a rising soundtrack, a dank, moody atmosphere that feels straight from the creative genius of Ridley Scott, fluid, intuitive controls and gameplay worthy of the weighty license which respects the heritage whilst pushing the boundaries of the modern FPS.
Mega Drive
Platform
Busts out the familiar Moon Dance as a special move along with plenty of checks to the family treasure to superb chip versions of all the classics. It can get a little surreal at times, but perhaps thats a fitting tribute to Mr Jackson and his flamboyant character. Just wait until bubbles pops up.
Super Famicom
Platform
Capcom excels in these Disney backed licenses producing killer app visuals to back up its ever dependable gameplay. No doubt the results would please the Disney big wigs with such extravagant attention to detail and colourful, rich sprites utilising the circus theme to the hilt. Gameplay is kept fresh by collecting uniforms that change the players abilities – be it tossing enemies around screen, climbing walls or a hoover to vacuum up coins. Subtitled ‘The Great Circus Mystery.’
GameBoy Advance
Platform
Disney’s demands on Capcom to ensure it cherishes its license brings out stunning results on the hardware be it the SFC, MD, GG or here on the GBA. Crisp sprites with astounding attention to detail make you feel your stay is at a five star hotel. Good, clean platform fun executed with a panache and design flair few developers can match.
Super Famicom
Platform
A dream collaboration between Capcom and Disney that really came up trumps. Capcoms attention to detail more than matches Disneys demands and the gameplay is fluid and inventive with looks to kill. This initial instalment is actually harder to come by than the sequel.