Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Incredibly emotive chip tunes that strum the heart strings in this fine specimen of a Famicom RPG. Taito have done an excellent job of keeping the sprites cute, but to scale so that a vast world can be explored. The boat makes traversing the world a real pleasure. Square may have grumbled on seeing the results, yet what better a company to model your fantasy RPG on? And Taito have put their own twist on the combat with shooting as opposed to number crunching against adversaries. Subtitled Ragon no Fukkatsu.
Playstation
A Bit Special
J Pop all girl quartet Mini Moni get involved in some Konami capers with a variety of mini games such as paper, scissors, stone, rhythm action dancing sections and skipping where timing is crucial. Nothing too taxing but perfect for a quick laugh with solid Konami play mechanics under the candy sweet exterior.
Playstation
Rhythm
Compatible with the Dance Dance Revolution controller, this Mini Moni themed rhythm title allows you to work on your para para step to the all-girl, J-Pop band’s back catalogue. There is also a mini game mode for when feeling fatigued keeping up to the spritely tunes.
PS2
A Bit Special
More of the madcap mayhem that made the prequel such a popular title with plenty of bizarre inhabitants as the giant ball engulfs all that it can rolling around Japanese towns all wondrously realised in the games unique style. Not just towns though – a school, ski resort, even the bottom of a lake keep things fresh and innovative. Tactical additions to gameplay such as having to race your katamari or having to become a giant fireball through collecting wood and rubber. Known in English as We Love Katamari.
PS2
A Bit Special
More of the madcap mayhem that made the prequel such a popular title with plenty of bizarre inhabitants as the giant ball engulfs all that it can rolling around Japanese towns all wondrously realised in the games unique style. Not just towns though – a school, ski resort, even the bottom of a lake keep things fresh and innovative. Tactical additions to gameplay such as having to race your katamari or having to become a giant fireball through collecting wood and rubber. Known in English as We Love Katamari.
PSP
A Bit Special
A short story in Japanese that is a great language tool for those wishing to brush up on their mobile skills with plenty of street savvy language and a few nice images to kindle the love story.
Playstation
Sports
The start of the series and its clear how much planning Sony put into making the definitive golf game, just as it did with Gran Turismo and the driving circuit. The course design excels, as does the character design with a colourful roster of players. Fine weather effects and the feel of the great outdoors (albeit a little over-done) to truly refresh like the effect of a stroll round eighteen holes would have.
Playstation
Sports
The start of the series and its clear how much planning Sony put into making the definitive golf game, just as it did with Gran Turismo and the driving circuit. The course design excels, as does the character design with a colourful roster of players. Fine weather effects and the feel of the great outdoors (albeit a little over-done) to truly refresh like the effect of a stroll round eighteen holes would have.
PSP
Sports
Keeps up the series impeccable presentation with the cute characters, over the top reactions to success or defeat and some devilishly designed courses looking ever so stunning on the small screen. You can almost feel the sun on your back teeing off on a sunny day with the birds singing. Thankfully includes a putting practise mode to hone your skills on. Best shots can be saved too a la Virtua Striker allowing you to show off your eagle. Perfect way to whittle away long journeys. Known also by its English name of Everybody’s Golf.
Playstation
Sports
Includes multiplayer match play mode for some fine showdowns as even with a double bogey there’s still a chance for a comeback on the next hole with each hole being awarded, not accumulative score. Still there’s always the training mode if you find yourself in the rough a bit too much and are getting sand in your ears. And a nice club upgrade wouldn’t go a miss too. Fine character animation on missing a shot helps relieve some of the frustration with a good chuckle.
PS2
Sports
Tribute must be played to this superb golf game in the fact that it brings the freshness of a round of golf to the living room with sunshine and birds tweeting in the trees. Solid game engine underlines the fine look to inspire players to knock a shot off their score. Known as Hot Shots Golf in the West.
PS2
Sports
Few games can sooth like Everybody’s Golf, possibly designed to ease the tensions of Japanese workers and students. Beautiful courses have detailed rendering and the sounds of nature are never too far away. Any one of the series titles show why it has become the definitive golf game and its not just big in Japan.
PS3
Sports
With superbly modelled and adorable characters and a new shot system, Everybody’s Golf looks as good as ever on the PS3 as the golfer shapes up to the tee. The shot interface is easy to pick up. But it’s the attention to detail with the caddy chasing after a nice shot or the grumpy reaction at having shot a bogey that Minna no Golf really turns on the charm. Combined with birds singing, the department store soothing soundtrack and plenty of sunshine, this looks like being the definitive PS3 golf game.
PSP
Sports
More classic golfing action in the chou kawaii Everybodys Golf style. The main gimmick of this title is to be able to use it in conjunction with a Global positioning System to be able to see exactly what hazards lie where on the real life courses of Ibaraki and Hokkaido. Thirty four courses of pure golf swinging pleasure complete with birds singing.
PSP
Sports
More classic golfing action in the chou kawaii Everybodys Golf style. The main gimmick of this title is to be able to use it in conjunction with a Global positioning System to be able to see exactly what hazards lie where on the real life courses of Kansai and Chubu. Thirty-two courses of pure golf swinging pleasure complete with birds singing.
PSP
RPG
Keeps up the series impeccable presentation with the cute characters, over the top reactions to success or defeat and some devilishly designed courses looking ever so stunning on the small screen. You can almost feel the sun on your back teeing off on a sunny day with the birds singing. Thankfully includes a putting practise mode to hone your skills on. Best shots can be saved too a la Virtua Striker allowing you to show off your eagle. Perfect way to whittle away long journeys. Known also by its English name of Everybody’s Golf.
PSP
Sports
Sony turns its fair hand to tennis with its more familiar to the golf world Minna No engine. The sun shines as wide-eyed players tackle a variety of courses with patchy grass being one; and an array of locales such what looks like a university. The RPG mode is great fun and players can customise their outfits to add to their distinction.
Sega Saturn
RPG
An investigative RPG sees you as Inspector Minton scrounging for clues as to why the murder took place.
Famicom Cart
Platform
The versatile Ropitto robot negotiates the platforms nicely warping between sections and firing off a few volleys to keep unwanted attention at bay. Once taken out, players continue as the boy who controls Ropitto. Subtitled ‘2100 no Daibouken.’
Playstation
RPG
Konami’s cult Mirumo world looking mighty fine on the Playstation with four adventure quests to savour full of brightly drawn fairies, luscious green backdrops and plinky plonky chip tunes matched and blended perfectly to the in quest action.
Playstation
Puzzle
A simple concept involving comparing two images side by side and finding the differences. Enjoyable and relaxing, yet strangely satisfying to complete the challenge. Full title: Machigai Sagashi Game Missland.
Playstation
Puzzle
A simple concept involving comparing two images side by side and finding the differences. Enjoyable.
Dreamcast
Simulation
Dating simulation with ladies as bright as the blue, sunny skies that shine through in a well-drawn game, like a fine anime, capturing the mood and atmosphere.
Sega Saturn
Action
Side scrolling shooting action as mechs go cockpit to cockpit with nicely rendered fighters and smooth backgrounds that smoke away in the background adding to the at war feel. Players also take to space similar to Cybernator, but the fight action is closer combat. The slick anime cut scenes are a given with Bandais backing.
Playstation
Simulation
Side scrolling shooting action as mechs go cockpit to cockpit with nicely rendered fighters and smooth backgrounds that smoke away in the background adding to the at war feel. Players also take to space similar to Cybernator, but the fight action is closer combat. The slick anime cut scenes are a given with Bandai’s backing.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Continuing the otaku’s favourite Gundam series with cut scenes straight out of the anime to literally blow you away.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Continuing the otaku’s favourite Gundam series with cut scenes straight out of the anime to literally blow you away.
PS2
Action
A fine Gundam title but more importantly a fine game in its own right with ginormous mech going for it in the confines of the sphere or in the more tactical open spaced mode. A massive multitude of mecha to unlock too but playing through the mission mode is a pleasure in itself with the controls soon feeling right after only a short bit of practise. Zone of Enders fans will be right at home here. Subtitled ‘Encounters in Space’ in the English version.
Wonderswan
Simulation
A must for anyone who can sing the Gundam theme tune. Great shading make this a very atmospheric title that does justice to the WonderSwan. Mr. Gunpei Yokoi would have been very proud.
PS2
Action
Bringing their own style to the table comes hard negotiator Namco tossing the player into the full on One Year War against the Zeon in this intriguing collaboration with Bandai going by the moniker of Project Pegasus. Distinctive retro feel to this off shoot in terms of the late 70’s section of the mecha series it is based on, but the graphics engine is far from outdated. Freshening the series up with ground and space based missions offering freedom and a refreshing twist of Namco style. Also known by its Japanese name of ‘Kidou Senshi Gundam Ichinen Sensou.’