Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Figures
Figure
A very fine tribute to Mario’s epic Wii adventure with an attention to detail far beyond their budget price would suggest. Captures the innocence of the Galaxy adventure with a real twinkle in their eyes.
Merchandise
Figure
Genki doesn’t mind the odd Goomba: very agreeable adversaries that don’t hang around for too long and annoy. Known as a Pata Kuribo in Japan.
Super Famicom
Sports
The essence of Nintendo’s brilliance captured in a piece of software that draws in the beginner gently but demands hours of dedication to fully master the power slide turns. Perfect controls plus simple mode seven graphics equal the definitive Mario Kart version. Even the battle mode would beat other rivals as a stand alone title as you stealthfully attack fellow competitors. A seminal title and a lesson in programming guaranteed to give prickly armpits and sweaty palms on latter levels.
GameBoy Original
Platform
Chirpy, cheery chip tunes and a suitably sized up Mario sprite make for a fine outing for Nintendo’s loveable mascot on the GameBoy. Using wings to gain extra distance on jumps, underwater sections, pipes – its all here and the wee man is in fine fettle.
Merchandise
Figure
A soft plush figure of the man from the Big N with the moustache. Looking good in vibrant red and blue.
Super Famicom
RPG
A dream collaboration between Square and Nintendo gives Mario the fondest of farewells in this last SFC release from the plump Italian plumber. Brings next generation levels of graphical prowess to the humble 16Bit console but as ever with the big N the focus is intently on deliriously fluid gameplay. And as you might expect from the Kyoto company, the game eases you in gently with controls fit for those unfamiliar with Square’s RPG-ing world. Draws on the massive potential of the Mario universe with the emphasis firmly on fun and the balance favoured on action.
Gamecube
Platform
To tire of Mario is to lack a zest of life itself, such is the childlike twinkle in Miyamoto sans eye that shines through like the dazzling lens flair in ample evidence. Certainly exudes sunshine and a wondrous gaming world to explore.
Merchandise
Figure
Toad makes for a very cheery plush for fans of Kyoto’s Nintendo to savour his understated role in helping Mario, Peach et al.
Merchandise
Figure
Put together the Japanese word for bad (warui) and tag it on to Luigi and you get this villain looking like our friendly Luigi, but with bandy legs and upside down ‘L’.
Super Famicom
Platform
Miyamoto san’s finest moment? Certainly packed full of the creative genius of a man who can recall the innocence and fun of childhood. Vast diversity from the spooky Ghost House levels and their translucent ghouls to bouncing off fugu fish over sea levels to skimming under a platform ledge with cape fully extended to swoop in on that hidden coin. Perfectly suited to the 2D medium and so much to explore to obtain a perfect score. Set a bench mark never realised again and that was on the machine’s release. The finest 2D Mario title amongst some pretty strong competition.
Super Famicom
Platform
Lovely artwork, low Japanese sales and the popularity of the GameCube versions has made Super Metroid quite a collectable. Yet it wouldn’t be right to leave this on the shelf with such carefully crafted gameplay. A truly expansive gaming area full of hidden pockets only accessible when suitably powered up, but the map keeps you right. Atmospherics other titles can only dream about. A true Nintendo classic.
Famicom Cart
Action
Genki lacks the will power to resist a retro game that comes with gaming mat and plastic mallet to bash to moles that appear on screen on the corresponding spot on the game mat. Great fun and a wonderful kitsch release. Title translates as Super Mole Bashing.
Game Gear
Simulation
Enjoy the legend of Momotaro which is a well known fairytale deep in the Japanese psyche and rich in oni demons and intriguing cultural references in this card and dice based title.
PC Engine HU Card
A Bit Special
Tongue in cheek take on the Momo Tarou of Japanese folklore. The name refers to the train element of the game (‘den’ from train and ‘tetsu’ from iron) rather than the usual densetsu (‘legend’.)
Game Gear
Sports
A fine F1 title that heralded the arrival of a console a bit special. Realistic in the sense that your team matters as in real F1 and careful choice is a must before you can consider clambering onto the podium. Also includes an arcade mode for a frantic quick fix for rev heads.
Mega Drive
Sports
Whilst not always obeying the laws of physics, Super Monaco 2 has some fine circuits to hone the drivers handling skills, even if its firmly arcade in its approach. Includes the Senna GP with tracks designed by the great driver himself alongside the World GP with its mighty challenge to make sure its you spraying the champagne, not down in the pits.
Game Gear
Sports
Whilst not always obeying the laws of physics, Super Monaco 2 has some fine circuits to hone the drivers handling skills, even if its firmly arcade in its approach. Includes the World GP with its mighty challenge to make sure its you spraying the champagne, not down in the pits.
Game Gear
Sports
Whilst not always obeying the laws of physics, Super Monaco 2 has some fine circuits to hone the drivers handling skills, even if its firmly arcade in its approach. Includes the World GP with its mighty challenge to make sure its you spraying the champagne, not down in the pits.
Gamecube
Action
Sega uses its cute monkey to promote a devious version of Dizzy with pixel-perfect stops and a fine sense of momentum needed to complete the levels. Fun and never the play engine’s fault.
Gamecube
Action
More monkey mayhem as players take a spin inside the Monkey Balls and roll through the levels collecting bananas. A feel for momentum must be attained to avoid dropping off levels, but the ball physics are well designed making it always, alas, the players fault for taking a tumble or making a simian slip. Full of Sega’s colourful charm.
Gamecube
Action
More monkey mayhem as players take a spin inside the Monkey Balls and roll through the levels collecting bananas. A feel for momentum must be attained to avoid dropping off levels, but the ball physics are well designed making it always, alas, the players fault for taking a tumble or making a simian slip. Full of Sega’s colourful charm.
Nintendo Hardware
Multitap
Bomberman themed multitap for the Super Famicom that takes inspirational from one of the finest multiplayer titles and has simple colour coded slots to help players remember who they are when burning the midnight oil on gaming sessions.
Super Famicom
Sports
Genki is a big fan of Kid Dracula and his appearance in this golf game adds much intrigue with special shots and a belfry load of bats. Dorabochan is not the only colourful, pixelated character though and Naxat have cut loose to bring us the best of their rich imaginations.
Super Famicom
Puzzle
A nice twist on the squishy Puyo Puyo empire that sees players having to tackle predetermined screens of the jelly like beans. But there are RPG elements first before the player gets to the puzzles as our heroine, Rulue, takes centre stage. Full title: Super Nazo Puyo 2 Ruru no Tetsuwan Hanjyouki.
Super Famicom
Action
Players fire up a grappling style hook to pop open larger balls to break them up into smaller balls which in turn must be popped to clear the stage. Ladders and blocks add to the equation as do adversary attacks. Delightful backgrounds from Thai temples to Chinese houses as players tour the globe.
Super Famicom
Platform
Imaginative bosses and use of the console’s splendid palette make Super PC Kid a very colourful game. Transformation are in there as in the seminal PC Engine versions: this time PC Kid can change into an ostrich, a crab or a dragon. Putting the fun and blue skies back in gaming. Also known as Super Bonk.
Super Famicom
Platform
Also known as Genjin, this wee man has to rate as one of the coolest and talented game characters around. Spin, head slide, bite, climb trees and waterfalls, perform rhythmic gymnastics, turn into a bird, a drill, an angel, even a tank to help deal with some even more zany adversaries. Putting the fun back into gaming.
Super Famicom
Platform
Also known as Genjin, this wee man has to rate as one of the coolest and talented game characters around. Spin, head slide, bite, climb trees and waterfalls, perform rhythmic gymnastics, turn into a bird, a drill, an angel, even a tank to help deal with some even more zany adversaries. Putting the fun back into gaming.
Super Famicom
Sports
Bit of dark mystery behind this digitised pinball game and as such the ball mechanics arent quite as smooth as a more cartoony interpretation of the table top title. But the tables are nicely done with plenty of atmosphere and this is a welcome addition of an undercooked genre on the SFC.
Super Famicom
Sports
The sequel has twelve teams for you to try and guide to glory. Hudson has had to remove the hu Stadium of the PC Engine edition, but there are plenty of extras to compensate. Classic match ups possible between the likes of the ‘Wholes’ and the ‘Buffers’. Two player mode.