Action
Here we have all the games in the Action Section.
Wii
Action
Classic gameplay rekindled on the Wii with its unique control method suited to the action as players must hot foot it up skyscrapers avoiding falling plant pots, helicopters, King Kong and even UFOs. A fall after so much hard work getting up fifty storeys is hard to bear making for some determined, precision gameplay. Split screen two player mode is real, frantic fun.
PS2
Action
Superb combat stand this out from the crowd in futuristic, cavernous confines that bring to mind PSO. Go well in your mission.
Nintendo DS
Action
Action RPG which allows players to customise their robots parts and battle them against fellow challengers. With around fifty robots and one hundred and fifty parts there’s a lot here to keep the master mechanics medalling. But the crux of the action is in the battles with well-designed arenas allowing for the mother of all robot wars. A tactical element emerges with the right weapon required to counter your opponents strategy: be it snipering from afar or charging in on you double quick. And its worrying easy to get attached to the robot relishing the after battle reward of a stylus rub down. Known in Japan as Gekitou Custom Robo.
Gamecube
Action
Superb update of the N64 version in which you battle robots but can also customise the main body, legs, gun, bomb and special weapon to last longer. Easy to see why this game was so popular in Japan with some light RPG elements to distract from the heavy metal fights. Quite collectable too on the format.
Famicom Disk System
Action
A superb Nihon centric title as our hero (looking like a Shaolin priest) launches a series of slight of foot attacks: leaping ninja like between tile like platforms and dispatching fireballs in the direction of silent assassin adversaries. Plenty of hidden power ups to give a welcome boost to the quest that has a mystic, Buddhist feel to proceedings. Certainly the giant statue head has a oriental look: but dont admire for too long as its tongue comes out and it jumps around the screen. Known by its full title of Meiwaku Jiin Dababa.
Famicom Cart
Action
Side scrolling platform shooting levels that may have been the inspiration for Cybernator (or Assault Suits Valken) and look lush on the vintage architecture. Gameplay also includes strategic elements as players steer their ship to the next planet and arrange their fleet for the turn based combat.
PSP
Action
Hugely successful series in its native Japan and this PSP update utilises everything that has made the game the success it is. The model based robots have never looked so luscious in their cel shaded glory and the ability to run around the main shopping street before popping into battle world keeps the gaming varied. Yet its the combat where this excels to levels to keep the most demanding otaku happy.
Famicom Cart
Action
RPG elements in the way the mystic, spiritual world is explored inter-spliced with side scrolling boss levels where the demon must be levelled by the sword. Known in Japan as Ankoku Shinwa.
XBOX
Action
Solve the mystery of why Chief O’Leary is determined to stop boarders on Mount Garrick conveniently through nothing more than snowboarding down the mountain mission.
PS2
Action
Solve the mystery of why Chief O’Leary is determined to stop boarders on Mount Garrick conveniently through nothing more than snowboarding down the mountain mission.
PS3
Action
3D battle all out action as New York seems to once again take the brunt of the meteor shower and rampaging giant monsters (but I suppose Tokyo has had more than its fair share of those.) Impressive results from the PS3 hardware and nice pacing to the relentless action.
Dreamcast
Action
Sequel to the Saturn title improving on the graphics as the camera twists and turns away for you to face a fresh batch of gun fodder. With a story mode following on from the prequel and an arcade mode for the trigger happy.
Super Famicom
Action
Desert Strike caused quite a storm when released with its tight controls and excellent mission based gameplay from taking out power stations to rescuing POW, you really felt the power of the chopper to make a difference. Completing a level rewarded a mini sequence of politically charged cinematics. The final level required various briefings to be completed in the one mission and having gone through so much hard work the fear of being shot down was overwhelming.
PS4
Action
Like a Hollywood Blockbuster, Destiny 2 grabs the bull by the horns and charges for its entire duration with relentless combat, huge pyros and dramatic score with obligatory voice acting.
PS2
Action
Gothic Splendour meets Castlevania style Transylvania as our J Rock style hero slices up all and sundry in order to prevent being over whelmed. Stylishly executed both in terms of the gameplay and in terms of the hero’s actions.
PS2
Action
Gothic Splendour meets Castlevania style Transylvania as our J Rock style hero slices up all and sundry in order to prevent being over-whelmed. Stylishly executed both in terms of the gameplay and in terms of the hero’s actions.
PS2
Action
Fluid and frantic gameplay as players leap around levels avoiding the undead with rolls and leaps before unleashing a volley of fire from the twin pistols or slicing and dicing with a traditional katana. Epoch defining PS2 action.
PS3
Action
Capcom injects new life into its DMC series with stunning cityscapes to test out your combo skills and a quite staggering attention to graphical detail promoting this to the high art genre. The waves of assaults can be relentless, yet the control remains intuitive giving great satisfaction when a perfect slice and dice combination rolls off the pad. Top hats off to Capcom for maintaining its triple-A status despite the shift in format to the PS3.
PS4
Action
Capcom injects new life into its DMC series with five playable characters, stunning cityscapes to test out your combo skills and a quite stunning attention to graphical detail promoting this to the high art genre. Alas the waves of assaults can be relentless, yet the control remains intuitive giving great satisfaction when a perfect slice and dice combination rolls off the pad. Top hats off to Capcom for maintaining its triple A status despite the shift in format.
PS2
Action
Its hard to avoid the cliche gothic splendour when sampling Capcom’s tribute to the darker side of life as players bask in moonlight diffracting through stain glass windows and the broad moonbeams formed in the dusty cathedrals. Yet little time for basking is permitted: the action is fast and relentless as the series really hits its straps.
Famicom Cart
Action
Classic and little known action title in the mould of PacMan, but a bit more cerebral as players are required to collect various power ups and holy books in order to seal the tomb and complete the stage. The forced scrolling tends to change direction and force well made plans into reverse, but its all part of the hard to put down fun. Pure Nintendo magic.
Game Gear
Action
A break out game in which the paddles scroll vertically along the screen so as to be able to progress attacking enemies on the way. The paddle can also be rotated vertically and players are blessed with a second paddle to be able to keep the ball in play. Gothic theme like Devil Crash.
Mega Drive
Action
Captures the prohibition era feel of the gangster flick well as Mr Tracy goes after the mob. The levels scroll along and the tommy gun and old knuckle sandwich are used to progress. But an eye must be kept on underground activity in the background as gangsters take pot shots at our main man. The machine gun is used to take up an into the screen perspective to dish out some rough justice to these shady background scene shifters. Enjoyable bonus levels ensue where the quick witted private eye must distinguish between good and bad in a split second and dispatch one of them using the A, B or C buttons depending on their position. A nice film tie-in.
Famicom Cart
Action
Builds on the classic tunnel digging coin op cracker by this time using a harpoon to lance adversaries before bizarrely pumping them up. Players must be wary of the terrain collapsing around them though: no doubt due to too much tunnelling below. Got to keep on pumping it up: I like it.
Playstation
Action
Builds the tension up slowly like the original Jurassic Park film and then cranks up the sweaty palm factor just when your least expecting it. Some great cinematic quality moments Spielberg would be proud of.
Gamecube
Action
A quest based adventure as the mouse everybody loves seeks the pieces of the broken mirror to get back home. The gaming world looks a treat, as if Disney would have it any other way but with the added Capcom polish it really shines with a sparkle. In game events can set off a frantic button bashing sequence to overcome the challenge. And the mini games such as flying a plane around collecting items or snowboarding down the slopes provide a good clean fun diversion.
Can be linked to the GBA through the link cable (game and cable sold separately) to change around the Magical Mirror world.
Miscellaneous Games
Action
Arcade level graphical achievements and gameplay to match as the players penguin pecks platforms to negotiate a safe passage for the egg through the screens laden with traps and adversaries. A real gem in Sega’s crown that shows why it enjoyed the fine times ahead.
PS4
Action
Brutal battles as the terrifying force of the weaponry is felt. Starkly mixes cyborgs and giant organic insectoid bosses, creating a cinematic like experience.
Wii
Action
A race through the skies over jungles, blue sea and volcanoes with the faves of the Nintendo world in this bright and bold racing title. Items are available to power up and hinder opponents and it wouldnft be a Kong game without a few lovely bananas to give a turbo boost. Four player match ups look a real Mario Kart style treat.
Famicom Cart
Action
A simple concept, immaculately executed as our egg-like hero must lead on screen aliens and the like to the nearest door. Provided they have been opened, the on-screen adversaries will politely take their cue to leave and hopefully mean the level is cleared. Quick thinking is needed to suss out the escape route.