Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Super Famicom
Sports
Plenty of thrills and oil spills in this overhead F1 treat backed by legendary racer Nakajima. Rev heads will rejoice at the fast paced action. Popular on the Mega Drive too.
Dreamcast
Simulation
Dreamcast adventure starring the Samurai Spirits Heroine Nakoruru in a quest that takes players deep into her world and keeps in fitting with her role in the savvy SNK scrappers. The snowy Hokkaido wilderness is the inspiration for the setting of the Ainu Nakoruru’s adventures whose ancestors were the original inhabitants of Japan.
Playstation
A Bit Special
A compilation of Namcos highly treasured back catalogue with four titles in their original form and updated 3D incarnations. The four titles are: Babel, a tower adventure, Star Luster, an Elite style space blaster not quite as cerebral as the BBC Micros masterpiece, Wrestle Ball, a video game take on the cult film RollerBall meets the BitMap Bros Speedball and finally Haou no Tairiku, a strategic intervention into Dynastic China.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Once again hats off to Namco: Adventure of Valkyrie, Pac Attack, King of Kings and Namco Classic II. Valkyrie is an absolute treat with its Kikikaikai style free roaming shooting gameplay and pixel perfect realisation of the fantasy styled world. Pac Attack throws the infamous ghosts into a Tetris style puzzle game and the odd Pac drops down from the heavens too to gobble them up. Namco Classics is a golf game with Neo Geo style kawaii caddy and King of Kings is a little known war sim.
Merchandise
Merchandise
Key ring with sound effects from the much loved Famicom series Family Stadium to bring a nostalgic smile and a misty eyed tear to jaded commuters on the Yamanote line.
Merchandise
Merchandise
Looking good on any bag, phone or key ring comes this fun little accessory with the sound effects to the seminal shmup Xevious that established a huge fan base back in the Famicoms day. Frivolous, but much fun.
GameBoy Original
A Bit Special
A fine compilation of Mappy, Galaga, Namco Classic and Battle City. The platforming delights of Mappy, shooting action of Galaga and golfing exertions of Namco Classic are well known and summaries are on the site. Perhaps the lesser known element in the package is Battle City which involves the players tank defending a position against a whole armoury of opponents tanks with cool calculated shots a requirement to progress.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Features Pac Man, multi-directional shooter Bosconian, Galaga, Rally X, Rally X New, arcade puzzler Toypop and Pole Position. Galga is most fondly remembered for the tractor beam that can capture your ship and for the frantic bonus stages that put the pride back into high scores. Rally X has solid, old school gameplay behind the simplistic graphics which sees you picking up flags using smoke screens to distract the opposition. Complete with scans of the original arcade posters and photo’s of the motherboards. Games can also be played vertically as initially intended.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Very well rounded compilation from the original masters of back catalogue categorising containing Cutie Q, Gaplus, Xevious, Grobda, Mappy and Dragon Buster. Bomb Bee is hidden in there somewhere too. The titles are all a very pleasant swim in the retro paddling pool with presentation that is proof of the time and effort put into this series.
Playstation
A Bit Special
A delve into coin ops of old with Galaxian, Pole Position II, Ms. Pac Man, Dig Dug, Phozon and Tower of Druaga. Phozon is a bit of a bizarre and unknown action puzzler where shapes must be attached to you ship in the correct pattern whilst avoiding a big bunch of balloons.
PS2
Simulation
A turn-based combat game making great use of the fabulous characters on offer from Namco and Capcom. Its hard to choose but Valkyrie from Namco and Strider from Capcom are two fine avatars brought to life with slick animation and superb voice acting. Great to meet them all in greater depth.
Super Famicom
Sports
The triple A presentation you might expect from a Namcot sports title with twinkle eyed caddy to lead you by the hand through the club choices. The gaming engine is very smooth too making it a pleasure to stroll the fairways, almost feeling the sun on your back with the birds tweeting away.
Super Famicom
Platform
Stands on a podium (probably a bamboo pole) above its many platform peers on the SFC. A kung fu style hero battles all manner of Japanese folklore with one legged umbrella and Dharma dolls rolling around. The levels are very atmospheric with a blend of Kyoto temples and urban skyscrapers with some lovely Mode 7 and parallax effects. Clever, compact programming and a host of imaginative characters and the ability to level up as players defeat enemies. Bravo!
PS2
Sports
Sydney olympic champion Ms. Naoko Takahashi brings her running attributes to the PS2 in this strangely compelling marathon game. Plenty of options to play around with including player stats and courses in what remains an under populated genre.
Dreamcast
RPG
Beautiful action RPG – think a 3D Princess Crown with an elliptical world, with fine attention to detail and platform action sections with tight jumps and steady nerves a prerequisite. Subtitled ‘Arsia in Day Dream.’
Gamecube
One on One Beat Em Up
Outstanding graphical talent must make opponents of the Naruto series despair, such is the flair which the fox spirited ninja and accomplices are realised. And the graphical flavour really excels in four player mode – if only there was more time to appreciate it. The multiplayer grapples work well with the addition of auto targeting missing from Guilty Gear and ilk that really makes it workable. The counter moves to diffuse an opposing technique also add to the tactical nous required to flourish in this ninja world. But the super specials unleash purely devastating results.
Gamecube
One on One Beat Em Up
Outstanding graphical talent must make opponents of the Naruto series despair, such is the flair which the fox spirited ninja and accomplices are realised. And the graphical flavour really excels in four player mode – if only there was more time to appreciate it. The multiplayer grapples work well with the addition of auto targeting missing from Guilty Gear and ilk that really makes it workable. The game engine has been under scrutiny too with combos more rounded and the additional ability to keep an adversary in the air with a few additional well-timed strikes. The counter moves to diffuse an opposing technique also add to the tactical nous required to flourish in this ninja world. But the super specials remain in there with devastating effect.
Gamecube
One on One Beat Em Up
Evolves the fighting engine more honing it down rather than taking a chisel and hammer to it but whilst subtle, the improvements are welcomed. Countering moves makes for some slick comebacks and the uber specials are only possible in certain circumstances such as when low on energy. A Mission mode adds welcome distraction and a challenge worthy of a ninja. Mana from heaven for Naruto fans.
Gamecube
One on One Beat Em Up
Beautiful ‘new age’ anime graphics with a cel-shaded, mean and moody look making this a must have for fans of the Naruto series. Slick presentation and seamless cut scenes as you’d expect from an anime tie in. Ginormous o.t.t. special moves and solid play mechanics mean even those not aware of the series will have plenty to get their teeth (and fists) into here.
Nintendo DS
Action
Naruto’s ninja skills are well tested in over sixty varied missions involving taking enemies down, collecting items, even acting as bodyguard. Utilises the stylus and microphone well to initialise special attacks during the heat of battles. Also allows for selectable extra moves to be added to your characters repertoire pre mission adding a tactical element. Plenty of unlockable characters hidden in there too.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
A fine preorder gift with Killer Bee stinging us with their first single: ‘Rap Tap Out.’ Befits the series with good tempo.
GameBoy Advance
RPG
Opens up the Naruto world to explore in greater detail than the action based games on the GBA of the series. True to the anime though a bout of fisticuffs is never far away, though its tactical turn based combat with wise choices of moves a must. Scrolls need collecting and jutsus need mastering as Naruto stealths his way towards becoming a fully fledged ninja.
PS2
RPG
Any game with such a healthy dose of ninjitsu can’t be bad as Naruto lays into an array of assailants often using their ninja skills to control puppets to attack him. Action RPG with emphasis firmly on the action side with it playing out like an episode from the immense anime. And the lush cel shaded look makes this appear closer to the anime than ever before. Splendid settings from caves, villages to waterfalls but often prime locales for a ninja ambush. The Versus Mode allows keen pugilists the opportunity to take on their least favoured opponent in a visually stunning scrap.
PS2
RPG
Any game with such a healthy dose of ninjitsu can’t be bad as Naruto lays into an array of assailants often using their ninja skills to control puppets to attack him. Action RPG with emphasis firmly on the action side with it playing out like an episode from the immense anime. And the lush cel shaded look makes this appear closer to the anime than ever before. Splendid settings from caves, villages to waterfalls but often prime locales for a ninja ambush. The Versus Mode allows keen pugilists the opportunity to take on their least favoured opponent in a visually stunning scrap.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Beautiful ‘new age’ anime graphics with a cel-shaded, mean and moody look making this a must have for fans of the Naruto series. Slick presentation and seamless cut scenes as you’d expect from an anime tie in. Ginormous o.t.t. special moves and solid play mechanics mean even those not aware of the series will have plenty to get their teeth (and fists) into here.
Couple of slight disk scratches. Tiny bit of wear on manual edge.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Furious, frantic fight action as the tradition of martial arts and manga collide in a rather noisy world. The specials are truly worthy of the name and summon spirits and even pet frogs in order to overcome an opponent. The backgrounds have depth and look superb, yet alas the noodle (or ramen) shop cant be visited. Known as Naruto Ultimate Ninja in the West.
PSP
One on One Beat Em Up
Introduces mini games to the successful series as players start with an initial party of four which can be expanded to take advantage of the rich characters on offer. Beautiful ‘new age’ anime graphics with a cel-shaded, mean and moody look making this a must have for fans of the Naruto series. Looks particularly fine on the PSP’s high detailed screen. Slick presentation and seamless cut scenes as you’d expect from an anime tie in. Ginormous o.t.t. special moves and solid play mechanics mean even those not aware of the series will have plenty to get their teeth (and fists) into here. Fighters battle it out in front of traditional scenes such as Japanese houses at dusk or Ramen noodle shops and there are oodles of speed lines and manga style effects keeping it fresh and fast. Plenty of background interactions, translucently realised special moves and shouts of martial madness. Subtitled Mugenjou no Maki.
GameBoy Advance
Action
Improves on the prequel offering more ninja related high jinx with jutsu moves available when in a tight fix. Faithfully recreates the high pitched battles of the anime series and as a result is a solid action scrapper even for those without the slightest interest in passing their Chunin exams. Impressive cut scenes for the small screen and bold boss battles set to swathes of bamboo forests.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Famed anime utilises the DS stylus in fine fashion as players must pull off special moves. The platform fight action is pretty relentless and the ninja theming makes for beautiful bamboo backgrounds and some catchy chip tunes in a Japanese style. Full title Naruto Shippuden Ninja Council 4. Known in Japan as Naruto Shippuuden Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 5.
PS4
One on One Beat Em Up
Online battles for your team of up to four ninjas going head to head, foot to foot and fist to fist with other teams making for great tension and epic battles.