Action
Here we have all the games in the Action Section.
PS2
Action
A very collectable compilation of two fine Biohazard games in Biohazard 4 which gets right under your skin from the off as the sense of foreboding grows with each new assailant from the legions of the undead. The detail is a little too much at times.
In Biohazard Code Veronica all is far from well in Racoon City. The finest Resident Evil title on the Dreamcast complete with added story scenes. Well worthy of a PS2 version with the DC original being a Japan-only release.
Nintendo 64
Action
Rare really warmed to the N64 and they got off to a flier with this highly original demolition extravaganza known as Blast Corps in the West. Smashing variety in the vehicles from dumper trucks to robots which must be used to clear a path for the explosives truck to pass.
Nintendo DS
Action
Treasures work remains innovative and refreshing as the developer continually reinvents itself never resting on the laurels of its underground hardcore fan base. The anime’s distinct and sometimes creepy look with lurchingly tall characters has carried over effortlessly and the whole production oozes the sort of vintage claret class you’d expect from the aptly named developer. Mass four player brawls are possible, but the one player mode makes for interesting battles with what look like extras from Spirited Away but the lightening gameplay gives little opportunity to admire the scenery.
PSP
Action
With a mighty cast of assailants, there’s certainly plenty to get your teeth and fists into in this off shoot of the chic, cel shaded combat extravaganza. More of a cutesy approach has been taken with the look and the action is firmly rooted in 2D scrolling fight fun making for some frantic action using the dash attack. The in game action has the feel of the anime having captured the essence excellently – a definite thumbs up.
Famicom Cart
Action
An unusual action title where players negotiate maze like screens to free up hostages from angry hordes of ninja who soon join your pursuit.
GameBoy Original
Action
Bomberman style action where players use carefully placed bombs to take down opponents and clear the stage. Care must be taken to not back yourself into a corner with a ticking bomb for company. The levels become more and more devious as progress is made, but never unfair. Known as Atomic Punk in America and Dynablaster in Europe.
Famicom Cart
Action
Known as Robo Warrior in the West, the Bomber King must get through the levels by dropping bombs to clear a path whilst taking down the array of enemies taking pot shots at your mecha suit. Good blend of tactics and action.
PC Engine HU Card
Action
Absolute classic gameplay assures Bomber Man a place in the gaming hall of fame. Simple graphics suit the fast pace perfectly as later 3D attempts remonstrated. Multiplayer is where this comes into its own.
Famicom Cart
Action
Absolute classic gameplay assures Bomber Man a place in the gaming hall of fame. Simple graphics suit the fast pace perfectly as later 3D attempts remonstrated. Multiplayer is where this comes into its own.
Super Famicom
Action
An inventive twist on the Bomberman World in the form of an action puzzler. The bombs move across the screen in formation and players must detonate them at the right time and target the right bomb in order to create a chain reaction and clear the stage. Quick thinking is a must.
PSP
Action
Bomberman has a charm that seems eternal, especially hard to beat in multiplayer. Handhelds are perfectly suited for the game as its not possible to keep a close eye on opponents adding much adrenalin as a tidy amount of TNT suddenly rolls past. Hudson has done a very fine conversion: not overcooking the processing power to compromise the tasty morsels of gaming heaven on offer. Instead a funky, fly Tokyo style gives the title new impetus.
Famicom Cart
Action
A more refined look in line with the PC Engine incarnations of the bomb and run blast from Hudson. A simple concept, but remains the height of multiplayer gaming and, as later versions prove, the formula is best suited to the full screen, 2D look.
PSP
Action
Not too sure how excessive amounts of TNT help ensure that colourful Bomberman Land is pieced back together again, but that is the challenge of the one player story mode. The excellent four player mode is possible with only one copy of the game though making for some devilishly delightful gameplay – one of the most engrossing multiplayer mash ups ever. Also included are the mini game attractions from the PS3 big brother making for a well-rounded package.
GameBoy Color
Action
Bomberman uses all his nous to clear the screen of enemies and whatever needs clearing to complete the mission such lumps of meat on the Neanderthal level. Tactical positioning, use of power ups and quick thinking are a must to stay alive. Subtitled Yami no Senshi.
Playstation
Action
Isometric take tried to drag the PC Engine success of Bomberman into the 32bit world, but the new improved graphics add little to gameplay in Genki’s humble opinion. A must for fans of the series though with highly amusing story mode.
Playstation
Action
A interesting take on Bomberman as he busts out of his maze to take on 3D isometric levels which need some degree of bad guys and blocked paths clearing before the goal can be reached. As such it is more suited to a one player story mode than its usual incarnations and looks mighty fine in its graphical approach.
Famicom Cart
Action
This race game has a twist in the road in that the car can get some sky time to squash rival vehicles and make the Dukes of Hazard style jumps between different sections of the course. Known as Buggy Popper in Japan.
Sega Saturn
Action
Sonic Team once again underlines it’s prowess and originality when given a free hand. Saving trapped souls from burning buildings is the order of the day. Unfortunately coming too late in the day to save the Saturn…
Super Famicom
Action
Casper and young helper manoeuvre round the isometric houses looking for clues in order to progress to the next section of the level. Its possible for Casper to go off on his own in search of clues through use of his abilities as a ghost. Very nicely drawn and realised.
Famicom Cart
Action
Delightful chip tunes add a cheery, medieval banquet feel to the old school platform action. The hero is a pixelated Robin Hood look-a-like who nimbly negotiates moving platform lifts to collect the keys to clear the cavernous levels.
PS2
Action
Frees Master Belmont up in the third dimension to be able to take on all and sundry from the fourth dimension in spiffing Gothic splendour. The 3D perspective also allows the combat to come to the fore more than leaps of faith from platform to platform, whip lassoing chandeliers as Simon goes.
PS3
Action
Konami utilises its experience of all out action titles to good effect combining it like an expert chef with gothic decay and organic backgrounds as players face colossus proportioned bosses (without wishing to give too much away) alongside what looks like an extra from Colossus besides swinging across cliffs. Hats off.
Nintendo DS
Action
Reminiscent of the seminal Super Famicom ‘Yoshi’s Island’ both in terms of gameplay and pastal shaded graphics, play involves using the stylus to sketch clouds to protect baby Mario.
Super Famicom
Action
A platform setting for a fight based title in the action sense as players whop each other round the screen. Made special by a few familiar looking mechs appearing along side a shrunk down Devilman. Fun, action based title well worth a look.
Famicom Cart
Action
A single screen action title with a bird as star character that looks like he has been moonlighting in New Zealand Story. Taito excels in such games and its full of plenty of wholesome, good, clean gameplay.
Famicom Cart
Action
Scroll freely on the open plain firing at adversaries and then tackling the platform sections with pixel perfect jumps. Nicely paced, wholesome 8bit action.
Gamecube
Action
A fun, all-action racing game with super deformed characters from the Ultraman and Kamen Rider roster making up the majority of the starting line with other well know live action heroes thrown in to the mull. Courses take a variety of routes even through homes and the bath house at times and the emphasis is on fun rather than a serious race. And the humour combined with the colourful look produce a worthy import cracker. Can be translated as Bike Hero.
Playstation
Action
Genki can’t resist the charms of a Chocobo: even our stony features raise a smile when seeing the legs of the bird like creature whizzing along in this Mario Kart style racer. Shortcuts are great, when remembered that is. Well thought out and varied courses and some superb power ups. Whilst it may lack marks for originality, when the source material is so fine, who is complaining?
PS2
Action
Highly original in the choice of helicopter that must be piloted to dowse city fires and rescue pregnant ladies, gentlemen and even dogs on roofs. Not too sure how they get on the roof on some occasions, but no time for such superfluous questions when on missions where time is of the essence.
🥇Game of the Week
Game of the Week Switch
Action
A huge license in Japan based on the classic manga. You play the role of Mr. Saeba – a bit of a Japanese bond, fond of both ladies and firearms. Good advise would be to keep em peeled for the helpful nurse on each level. Reminiscent of Rolling Thunder in parts. Brought back for the modern era thanks to a fabulous live-action film on Netflix.