Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Sega Hardware
Accessory
A wonderous add on to the Mega Drive Mini in this Mega Adaptor which allowed owners of the proper, full release version (rather than this toy one) to play Master System (Mark 3) games on their Mega Drive. As such, it comes with eleven dummy Mark III carts and also a Sega My Card. But alas, this is just for fun.
Mega Drive
Sports
Nice into the screen quad bike race game from coin op veterans Namcot. Good mud effects and variation in height of terrain to keep players glued to their bikes. And quite a selection of bikes to choose from such as Red Devil, Green Monster and Blue Thunder. Also known as Quad Challenge.
Mega Drive
Simulation
Players build up their civilisation encouraging them to construct dwellings and mine resources, before raising an army to battle other countries. Known as Tyrants in the US.
Switch
Action
Attaining new levels with its all out action gameplay as the player’s mech is often dwarfed by the ginormous bosses that need to be taken down. The sense of destruction and the all out pyrotechnic action make for an adrenalin filled, explosion-a-minute thrill.
Merchandise
Magazine
Full colour guide to this special doujin fight title with all the specials listed and some lavish lines illustrating the games varied protagonists and pugilists. Incredibly comprehensive.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Futuristic sci-fi simulation with a fast paced storyline and plenty of instalments making this Imagineer’s rival to Sega’s Sakura Wars.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Contains two real gems from Sunsoft’s back catalogue: Ikki and Super Arabian. In Ikki you must collect the money whilst avoiding ninjas – made far more appealing by Sunsoft’s imagination: daikon and latern power ups as well as the appearance of a rather rough looking geisha of questionable gender to be avoided at all costs. In Super Arabian letters must be collected to form a word and clear the Middle Eastern themed level. Simple, yet fiendish: classic old school material of gameplay over graphics.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Two retro tinged titles from yesteryear get a Playstation makeover but no graphical glitz is required when the gameplay is as pure as this. Puzzle of Atlantis is a definite Super Mario tribute complete with warps and all but the developers have also taken note of the talent behind the level design. Route 16 is a maze based racer where players dip in and out of levels in order to get to the chequered flag. Happy days.
PS2
Simulation
The second instalment of the popular Memories Off doesn’t disappoint, capturing the raw emotions of the game in beautiful visuals and striking orchestral score.
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.
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.