Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
GameBoy Color
RPG
Clever sprite world with emotive chip tunes and a beautifully woven plot to match the Bayeux Tapestry. A real gem in the crown of GB gaming and the use of colour palette adds much to work of art version.
GameBoy Color
Simulation
Off-shoot of the mega series with authentic avatars and card-based combat as players explore the Shin Megami world and meet its mystery inhabitants.
Playstation
Sports
Similar to the Virtua wrestling title on the Saturn with the Playstation’s tell tale grasp of polygons and hopefully that’s all that will be grasped in this wrestle fest. Contestants have a wide roster of moves and the shift to polygons allows for more realistic representation of the famed, Saturday afternoon sport.
Super Famicom
RPG
A game comparable to a Hiroshige picture and not just in the way the characters are written on scrolls. Some of the finest game music which hasn’t aged in the way true classic shouldn’t. Text fills in the story with this being from the era of the Famicom Disk System but the graphical representation is still stylish and on a par with the fine tunes. Draws on Japanese mythology to create a game worthy of being one of the classics.
Super Famicom
RPG
A game comparable to a Hiroshige picture and not just in the way the characters are written on scrolls. Some of the finest game music which hasn’t aged in the way true classic shouldn’t. Text fills in the story with this being from the era of the Famicom Disk System but the graphical representation is still stylish and on a par with the fine tunes. Draws on Japanese mythology to create a game worthy of being one of the classics.
PS2
Action
Few games capture the heat and sheer scale of the battlefield like the Koei series of Dynasty Wars and its off shoots. Strategists will relish the planning and formulate there pincer movements to ensnare the opposition, but leaping from your horse and laying waste to the enemy hordes (easily identified in their plain uniforms and lack of elaborate facial hair) brings great satisfaction.
PS2
Action
Captures the heat of being involved in a huge battle with the player fulfilling vital missions utilising a spear in the true martial tradition. Atmospheric lighting as laterns burn brightly to illuminate the enemy hideout. Perfecting the ability to sweep away the army of ten thousand is a must.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
A pre order gift for those lovers of the Atlus series buying the 3DS version. Atlus enhances its reputation for fine game art with some stylish brush strokes, even by its high standards. The tracks are as easy on the ear as its art is on the eye too.
Game Gear
RPG
Graphically squeezes the Game Gear for all its got and the results are pretty amazing. Its easy to see why many miss the innocence of sprite based RPG worlds looking at this. Imaginative, engrossing, enthralling, engaging: enjoy.
Mega Drive
RPG
The final slice of Shining Force on the 16 bit platform that left fans awaiting the 32 bit sequels with real anticipation. Graphically squeezes the Mega Drive for all its got and the results are pretty amazing. Its easy to see why many miss the innocence of the 16 bit sprite worlds looking at this. Imaginative, engrossing, enthralling, engaging: enjoy.
Sega Saturn
RPG
A splendid, sprawling epic cocooned in a wonderful threads of story. Similar to Grandia except with the camera zooming in on the battles scenes in a cinematic style. The finest Saturn RPG?
Sega Saturn
RPG
The final installment on the Saturn and its a shame such slick design was restricted to a Japanese-only release with the entire engine having been delicately tweaked into this masterpiece by Sega’s finest craftsmen.
GameBoy Advance
RPG
A splendid, sprawling epic cocooned in a wonderful threads of Shining Force story. Lovingly crafted sprites reminiscent of the halcyon era of the Super Famicom.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Fans of the great Shining Wisdom series will not be disappointed with Working Designs great update. The sickly sweet sprite world draws you in for an epic, Zelda like adventure.
Switch
Platform
Not so sure on the art of vengeance, but the art of this game is truly gorgeous: like a tour of Japan itself with high, snowy peaks, speed lined neon backdrops, bamboo forests – not that the old school platform hack, slash, bounce from wall to wall avoiding the rotating chainsaw blade gameplay gives any respite for sight seeing. Truly 2D at its roots and its a triumphant game thanks to the skill of Sega’s select ninja few programming crew.
Merchandise
Magazine
A tribute to the crack unit that was Toaplan and its beast Ultimate Tiger. Definitely the A-Team of shooter stables. The art is exceptional bringing the action and explosions to life. Also features Musihimesama, Under Defeat HD, Steel Empire (MD) and little know Windows shooter Valhellio.
PS2
Shoot Em Up
Competent conversion of the until now Dreamcast exclusive that keeps its arcade roots in the high adrenalin, verticle on screen action. Whilst still lacking the wow factor in terms of visual impact, gameplay has clearly been made the all important goal of the developers for which praise is deserved. Besides you’re not given much chance to admire the scenery as you need your eyes to work independently to avoid the on screen onslaught. Also includes five mini bonus games not found on the DC where you must shoot the right balloons for example with more precision shooting required as well as evasive skills. A sort of training for the main event with high scoring being the goal.
PS2
Simulation
Bishonen romantic game with gothic look to the locales as Interchannel recreate a Japanese interpretation of a European setting.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Brother to the Crane Master and Machine Master games, this time players get to savour the delights of operating a power digger – not as simple as it may seem. The digger must be manoeuvred into position before the various training tasks can be completed. Successfully graduating training leads to a job on the real construction site and a tough boss will leave you pining for the days of the carefree construction school teacher. Sponsored by Komatsu. Full Japanese title Shovel Master ni Narou – a part of the Kenki Ippai series.
PC Engine HU Card
Platform
Three basic style: park, city or factory levels to be negotiated at day or night with a sword that powers up to release fireballs to help to defeat the robot or dragon boss. Reassuringly familiar gameplay for those who feel like there’s a disturbance in the force with today’s mass market fodder.
Super Famicom
Platform
Just like buses, another delightful looking Super Famicom game comes along and gamers of a certain vintage feel their fingertips feeling a lot less arthritic. Kaizou Chounin Shubibinman has fine heritage on the PC Engine and is known as Shockman in the West. This SFC re-release is a very exciting development that will hopefully be well supported and keep the trend going.
Dreamcast
Sports
Night time racing with blurry taillights, well illuminated road signs and realistic roadside scenery that adds much to the underground feel of illicit petrol head rallies. Includes the two player mode adding much longevity and excitement which was sadly shunned for the sequel.
Super Famicom
Sports
Released on many formats including the Saturn (as the saucy ‘Wangan’ series) and the Dreamcast and later platforms as the ‘Tokyo Highway Battle’ and variants, the roots of the series can be found here on the Super Famicom. Plenty of appearances of the Drift King who endorsed the series and looks slightly suspicious in his large sunglasses. Race against an opponent or solo in illegal highway showdowns through Tokyo Metropolis.
Playstation
Sports
Always endearing to its devoted fans as players sample the night time racing scene in Tokyo with big, looping tunnels and highways to put spaghetti junction to shame.
Playstation
Sports
Demo version of the popular Genki series of street racing that takes place once the sun goes down and the smell of unburnt hydrocarbons fill the air as the neon starts to flicker. Only released as a promotion, so not given a full release.
Super Famicom
Sports
Nothing too flash: the Willy Thorne of the pool genre. Not that it doesn’t dazzle at times and its not just the glare off the hot spot, but the fine ball mechanics and presentation. A very accomplished Super Famicom table game.
Playstation
Action
Dogfight plane game with souped up mach speed frame rate making a cool hand a requisite.
Dreamcast
Shooter
All the frills of the arcade on this home version. Alas a giant snipers rifle may not have proved the most practical so is sadly missing. But other than that, this is a fine light gun game that works a treat on the standard controller as the sight is zoomed around the screen before zooming in for a better look. That is a better look when the power has not just been shot out in the claustrophobic, near darkness levels. The tactical element is grand too with adversaries being taken down through hotel windows within the time limit to preserve the peace. And some fine Bond like tunes.
Mega CD
Simulation
Conversion of the PC Engine version which never quite saw the light of day, sees you playing as a young girl skilled in magic on an RPG style quest. The three quarters overhead perspective exploration scenes are blended with some luscious animated cut and dialogue scenes. Quite a rare find nowadays.
Mega CD
Shoot Em Up
Giddy, on the rails shooting action which works well and looks very impressive on the Mega CD. Unrelenting action as your ship skims the surface of far away planets. Not for those who suffer from motion sickness. Starfox for the Sega CD.