Action
Here we have all the games in the Action Section.
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.
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.
PS2
Action
Uber slick blend of the immense Gundam universe (and seemingly all its inhabitants) and lush production values as a thousand speed lines and jagged fringed avatars are spliced with intense battle pyrotechnics burning a hole in the TV screen. A superb culmination of the series and a fine title in its own rights, not just for fans.
Wii
Action
Uber slick blend of the immense Gundam universe (and seemingly all its inhabitants) and lush production values as a thousand speed lines and jagged fringed avatars are spliced with intense battle pyrotechnics burning a hole in the TV screen. A superb culmination of the series and a fine title in its own rights, not just for fans.
Super Famicom
Action
Varied gaming action from scrolling platform shooting sections to whizzing around on a motorbike with only a small spotlight to guide the way. Great mix of Gundam and Kamen Rider characters.
Mega Drive
Action
SD stands for Super Deformed – taking established characters and making cute little mini versions. A little like Telenet has done here with this anime series. Saccharine sweet graphics including some fine recreations of Japan Railway stations – perhaps taking the platform theme a little far? Tragically known as Syd of Valis in the Occident leading to lead character Yuko being given a man’s name.
PS2
Action
Cruise the highways on a CHIPS style police bike protecting VIP’s in their cars from terrorists. The players guns are auto fire and its possible to take a hail of bullets on behalf of the presidents as its only their health that depletes. More fun than a can of spray cheese.
Famicom Cart
Action
Players ride on bikes like the speeders from Return of the Jedi and try to knock opponents into the on screen traps, such as laser beams. The speeder also has a gun to shoot itself as the screen forces the battle onwards.
Famicom Cart
Action
Players ride on bikes like the speeders from Return of the Jedi and try to knock opponents into the on screen traps, such as laser beams. The speeder also has a gun to shoot itself as the screen forces the battle onwards.
PS2
Action
Set in the warring period in Japan’s history, this title involves plenty of action in the battlefield with a bit of tactical nous needed every now and then to help your quest. Take on rival clans in fully pitched battles to become the ultimate Daimyo, but be warned desire can never be quenched; so choose your battles carefully so as not to stretch your resources too thinly on the ground. Known as Samurai Warriors in the West.
PSP
Action
Has the high production values feel of Evangelion as players utilise their mech to take on some pretty crazed robots threatening the good citizens of a Neo Tokyo. The action sequences allow players to let rip, yet there are still plenty of tactical special moves which can be utilised in order to take down the mechanical monstrosities with minimum mess.
PS2
Action
From the SNK break-away, crack unit that also produced Inuyasha on the PSX comes a 3D extravaganza on the PS2 where despite having sword based battles a degree of artistic license has been granted to bring pyrotechnic explosions to the stand offs. Based on the seminal Kurosawa film ‘The Seven Samurai’ with opening and ending theme songs from the untouchable Ryuichi Sakamoto; gameplay is strictly slice and dice with some light RPG elements as the loveable rogues get a futuristic interpretation.
GameBoy Advance
Action
Not sure if you can have a platform game in the deep blue sea, but Shark Tale follows the plot of the film with snazzy, digitised cut-scenes as our colourful fish friend negotiates sharks and jelly fish.
PS4
Action
The legend returns to the PS4 to bring joy to the many devotees who never lost hope of a revival of their flame for Ryo and his quest to avenge his fathers death. Albeit not a sequel, but fingers crossed for a successful release and the momentum that would create. Said to be the originator of open world exploration, the towns and cities look beautiful and the characters in them are either charming or despicable. And we need the less savoury street vermin for Ryo to dispatch. It wouldn’t be the same laying into the fine folk. And the fight system, based on the Virtua Fighter engine, is still purring like a treat, now also coming with the choice of fighting style.
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.
Playstation
Action
Dogfight plane game with souped up mach speed frame rate making a cool hand a requisite.
PS2
Action
Sky diving on a snowboard to pull off tricks through sheer joypad dexterity. Sub game is a Pilot Wings style ‘Beat Balloon.’
🏆Brilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Action
Cult developer Beep turn their fine hand to a 2D slash ’em up with a real nod to the fine retro heritage that exists in this genre whilst clever use of pseudo 3D to keep the player perspiring and their adrenalin flowing. Gamers of a certain vintage will lap this up and be left positively purring.
Switch
Action
Cult developer Beep turn their fine hand to a 2D slash ’em up with a real nod to the fine retro heritage that exists in this genre whilst clever use of pseudo 3D to keep the player perspiring and their adrenalin flowing. Gamers of a certain vintage will lap this up and be left positively purring.
Super Famicom
Action
Arcade smash converted very suavely to the Super Famicom losing none of the all action gameplay with swarms of enemy assailants nor lacking any of the over the top ‘Running Man’ presentation that sees competent play rewarded with prizes. The two stick control method of the arcade is replicated well with the direction pad for movement and the buttons for firing and it soon becomes second nature once practised a little. A right royal romp in two player mode.
Super Famicom
Action
Arcade smash converted very suavely to the Super Famicom losing none of the all action gameplay with swarms of enemy assailants nor lacking any of the over the top ‘Running Man’ presentation that sees competent play rewarded with prizes. The two stick control method of the arcade is replicated well with the direction pad for movement and the buttons for firing and it soon becomes second nature once practised a little. A right royal romp in two player mode.
Gamecube
Action
Moves like a YouTube speed play video as Sonic zips across the platform levels with forays into 3D platforms too to take breath. The F-Zero tribute race stage is well worth a ride. Can also link to the GBA games to add extra special options.
Wii
Action
Sonic back to his mach speed best in this Arabian themed expedition with tight, confined tunnels, glistening waterways and vast expanses of desert to explore. Gameplay positively zips along as the irrespressible Sonic grabs the rings and hits the turbo boosts for an adrenalin soaked experience. The setting is exploited well as Sonic sprints up sheer cliffs and edges along sheer drops all with deft control from the Wii remote.
Sega Saturn
Action
Sega farmed out the work for Sonic R, but you’d do well to tell as it seems to have been programmed with an inside out knowledge of the Saturn hardware such are the stunning effects in this 3D racing title that positively flies along. Collect the rings as you go but enjoy the ride and fine scenery too.
Spine sun faded.
Switch
Action
All-action soundtrack to keep players eyes wide open in order to thrive and not just survive the velocity fest as Sonic whizzes over twisted 3D roads. Yet Sega nods to the rich 2D heritage of its hero and the side section platform skill sections will raise the pulse of gamers of a certain vintage. Seamless presented as you would expect with fine cut-scenes.
PSP
Action
Battle to save the country against the invading force mech on mech in this anime inspired action title. Looks very sharp on the small screen with thoughtful attention to detail such as weather effects and in the anime cut scenes. Subtitled Dead Aggressor.
Super Famicom
Action
Super Famicom take on the famed laser disk title that wowed arcade gamers back in the early nineties. The action tries to replicate the hurried need to react quickly to the changing terrain and forced scrolling which would test the joypad dexterity of even the GamesMaster himself.
Switch
Action
Running a space station is quite a complicated conundrum at times, so if feeling stressed, maybe head for the entertainment decks with its funfair and cat cafe? The bio deck is prone to the occasional extra terrestrial invader, but its all in a days work.