Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Pop a couple of maracas in the hands of a non-gamer and sit back and enjoy the show. Mould breaking, pure distilled fun from the Sonic Team.
Wii
Rhythm
Updated version of the arcade smash with plenty more tracks to choose from and where moving the Wii remote and nunchuck around in time to the beat is the central premise. Preach no more: this is the game to convince non gamers to get involved and samba. Bursting with colour and sunshine – at least when you’re hitting the beats. Plus Sega fans will appreciate the appearance of Sonic and Space Channel 5’s Ulala.
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Pop a couple of maracas in the hands of a non-gamer and sit back and enjoy the show. Mould breaking, pure distilled fun from the Sonic Team.
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Updated version of the arcade smash with plenty more tracks to choose from including a rock version of A-Ha’s “Take On Me.” Also includes Hustle mode where moving the maracas around in time to the beat is the central premise as opposed to hitting the beats. Then there’s Love Love mode where success is measured by how many beats you can hit together with your partner. Preach no more: this is the game to convince non gamers to get involved and samba. Bursting with colour and sunshine – at least when you’re hitting the beats.
Super Famicom
Puzzle
A real retro romp with players basically matching lines of Hudson inspired characters faces such as the Aladdin inspired heads or the ghosts. Strangely compelling with the main gimmick being the base cart remains the same whilst the smaller cart fitting into the slot can be interchanged. The title is a pun on the characters for shark (same) and turtle (game.)
Playstation
Simulation
Beautiful fan book with plenty of screen shots to discuss the Playstation drama game. Every decision seems to have an influence over the very enjoyable story.
GameBoy Advance
Action
Seemingly taking inspiration from SNK in the period setting, this action fight fest has scrumptious fight areas and extensive attention to animation detail. Plenty of hidden characters and accomplished effects. A very appropriate tribute to the samurai slicing anime series.
Super Famicom
One on One Beat Em Up
Absolute treat of a game with atmospheric backgrounds from kabuki theatre, snowy Ainu inspired Hokkaido to Mount Fuji. The giant ‘Earthquake’ character is still jaw dropping even today. A very classy conversion from Saurus. Known as Samurai Shodown in the West.
Neo Geo AES
One on One Beat Em Up
Genki can still recall the incredible atmosphere generated by this monster one on one scrapper from SNK. Taking a distinctly Nihon-centric approach to the fight genre, right from the off we are clear this game positively oozes Eastern atmosphere as the lone samurai sits under the cascading sakura blossom. Creating a feel of life and death being on whim of a falling petal, we are soon treated to sea spray from island backdrops to the fires of hell themselves. Absolute treat of a game with atmospheric backgrounds from kabuki theatre, snowy Ainu inspired Hokkaido to Mount Fuji. The giant ‘Earthquake’ character is still jaw dropping even today.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
A very popular compilation on the PSX with the first two parts of the Samurai Shodown series looking just as savvy as the AES versions. Weaponry adds an extra element to the fighting in this exciting series with all the drama of Kabuki theatre.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Darker third installment from the Garapagos team with many new characters and more damaging specials. Loved by some, others resented the increased damage level decreasing bout time. Still slicing an opponent brings a worrying degree of satisfaction.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
Darker third installment from the Garapagos team with many new characters and more damaging specials. Loved by some, others resented the increased damage level decreasing bout time. Still slicing an opponent brings a worrying degree of satisfaction.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Spine tingling atmospherics set by the excellent oriental orchestral score with tumbling leaves or snow falling. There are some pretty gruesome moves to add a bit of colour to the snow, including self inflicted seppuku. Big, bold sprites make this an SNK winner. Subtitled Amakusa’s Revenge Special, the series is also known as Samurai Shodown.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
A host of crazy characters, almost as many as there are in game modes and health bars to keep track of your layers well being, temperament, weapon etc. Samurai Spirits Zero is not shy on a drop or two of claret either – all in the proper red colour unlike the Western versions of some SNK titles. But unfortunately SS Rei never made it out of Japan. Extra pugilists have been entered over the arcade versions and there’s a practise mode too to help hone that samurai like timing. A superbly solid scrap and slicer.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
A rip roaring CD with two games covered in the eighteen tracks from Hyper Duel and the four arrange tracks from Thunderforce III including the bizarrely named ‘His behaviour inspired us with distrust.’ Shame the Technosoft Store is no more.
Sega Saturn
A Bit Special
Tanto R is a popular Sega developed party game title that was followed up by Ichitanto R and re-released on the PS2 under the Sega Ages banner. Here we have the third release in the series. Light hearted action and puzzle mini games make up the action which is fast and frantic but most importantly plenty of fun. For example, a towel must be rubbed along the kung fu mans back to keep away colds. Or passengers must be pushed onto the overcrowded trains.
PS3
Action
Thanks to clever snow and fogging effects, it really does feel that you are in the midst of an epic battle with quick combos required to avoid getting swamped in a mass of foot soldiers. Lavish costumes and triple A acting are evidence Koei has really gone to town once again on its silky dynasty.
PS3
Action
Ancient China never looked so good as Koei not only takes advantage of the beautiful setting, but also uses the artistic license provided by rich mythology as players fend off tigers and use a giant mushroom to sweep away the armies of ten thousand. The lighting effects and sheer amount of on screen action truly boggle.
Mega CD
Simulation
Introducing items to the mix along with the all defining strategic importance of a strong naval fleet to prevent enemy supplies from getting through. Unify China for the glory of heaven and earth. Known in the West as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
PS2
Simulation
With similarities in gameplay to the Final Fantasy tactics series, Sangokushi embarks on a sweeping crusade to build up the biggest army in ancient China through conquering all others. Some epic battles all very nicely realised and true to the period costumes and weaponry, even if the specials touch more on fantasy. Playing like a game of military chess but alot more exciting than that may sound. Known as Dynasty Tactics in the West.
Dreamcast
Simulation
This Japan exclusive version of the warring kingdoms embarks on a sweeping crusade to build up the biggest army in ancient China through conquering all others. Some epic battles all very nicely realised and true to the period costumes and weaponry, with some nice effects. Known as Romancing of the Three Kingdoms VI in the West. Raise the torch and burn the sky.
Super Famicom
Simulation
Genki loves the kabuki themed cabinet and the chip tunes and sound effects are cheerful.
Famicom Cart
Puzzle
Line up the colourful characters from the famed Sanrio series, with none more infamous than Hello Kitty herself, in this fine and dandy Puyo Puyo tribute.
Super Famicom
RPG
Captures that classic, regal look that screams Super Famicom polish, but has plenty of its own character and non-player characters keeping it interesting and fresh.
Sega Hardware
Cable
S Video cable for the Sega Saturn with generous length to provide a crisper picture according to many Saturn head.
Sega Hardware
Cable
Third party AV cable with the red and white stereo outputs and the yellow visual output. For use with the Sega Saturn.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
A patriotic American wrestler called Eagle, an overweight policeman called Gordon and a gymnast called Carol who tosses medicine balls at you from out of her hair – it could only be Savage Reign. Interactive backgrounds including a go kart that’ll knock you down if you lurk in the rear too long. The Genki fave has to be the Chinese Chun Li tribute stage, though we doubt Capcom enjoyed it as much.
Nintendo DS
A Bit Special
Multitude of mini games bring the Nintendo magic back to jaded gamers with fresh and pure pick up and play gameplay. Ideal for the busy gamer lacking time for Konami and Squaresoft style cinematic epics. Makes great use of the stylus controller.
Nintendo 3DS
Platform
With heavy respect to the prestige the original Playstation and Super Famicom versions are held in comes the 3DS update from the original team. Ms. Kawase is joined by fellow platform protegees Emiko and Ms. Nokoyama offering differing abilities. The core remains the use of a line to swing between platforms all looking very smart in 3D with the players characters themselves looking like a character from the Wii Animal Crossing. Lets just hope it isn’t sayonara yet.
PS Vita
Platform
Great to see the series get back to its roots in this tribute to the highly collectable Super Famicom version. The visuals are spot on – the Vita hardware has added much to the visual impact. But Genki are grateful the gameplay has been left as it always was. Unlike most platformers super hero style jumps aren’t possible here – instead a trusty fishing rod is used to latch onto platforms and guide our schoolgirl heroine around. It is also used to catch fish adversaries in an imaginative twist that can then be stashed in her backpack if so desired. Fresh gameplay even today that you soon get into the swing of.