Action
Here we have all the games in the Action Section.
PS2
Action
Eidos goes out on a limb to show the Tomb Raider developers diversity in creating an almost Nintendo-esque shepherding game. Animals need guiding back to their pen, but certain creatures will sink in water or be unable to jump adding to the lateral thinking of the shepherd. Very enjoyable and underrated.
Famicom Cart
Action
Could be (badly) translated as Evil World Island and there are plenty of sea related escapades as our hero tosses barrels at all and sundry to clear the level. That includes the ginormous proportions of the bosses based loosely on Popeye’s rival Brutus at times. A good title from a solid stable.
Famicom Cart
Action
Cherished action RPG that takes a martial arts theme skilfully blending tough looking avatars, hit points and actual fight sequences in the martial arts mecca Temple of Shaolin itself.
PS3
Action
Immortalised by the line ‘You are already dead’ and Kenshiro’s lightning fast attacks, the post-apocalyptic world of North Star was one of the first animes released in the West. Think of a cartoon Mad Max where you meet adversaries and more often than not, their heads explode. Koei gets nasty and heads roll with their multi character mechanics working a treat in a top, top license.
PS3
Action
Immortalised by the line ‘You are already dead’ and Kenshiro’s lightning fast attacks, the post-apocalyptic world of North Star was one of the first animes released in the West. Think of a cartoon Mad Max where you meet adversaries and more often than not, their heads explode. Koei gets nasty and heads roll with their multi character mechanics working a treat in a top, top license.
Super Famicom
Action
Protect the house from the burglars trying to pilfer what they can by getting there first and using a bit of well directed force in this video game stake of the huge Hollywood smash. Kevin leaps around the house with plenty of well placed platforms to obtain hard to reach items.
PC Engine HU Card
Action
Packed with cultural references in the form of geta wearing devils, machine gun wielding octupuses and Chinese lions. Play as the phallus shaped Honey. Hopefully the designers had the ancient Japanese clay ‘Haniwa’ images in mind when designing this action title which uses a clever pseudo-3D. Well ahead of its era.
Famicom Cart
Action
Dig through the mazes utilising warps and power ups to clear the section, plus the odd blast from the laser gun. Full title: ‘Hottaman no Chitei Tanken.’
PS2
Action
Futuristic racer similar to ‘Wipeout’ and ‘Quantum Redshift’ with adrenalin flushed, sweaty palm, retina ruiningly rapid gameplay.
PS2
Action
Full of the vibrancy of the source anime yet a really enjoyable game in itself with the emphasis firmly on action with lots of battles and fluid combat moves. Highly commended.
Famicom Cart
Action
Players chip away at the blocks of ice forming the platforms to make their way up the screen to get to the top before savouring the bonus level. A tactical ice mallet puts paid to anyone trying to stop you enjoy the view. Classic gaming from the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Famicom Cart
Action
Collect the money whilst avoiding ninjas made far more appealing by Sunsoft’s imagination: daikon and lantern power ups as well as the appearance of a rather rough looking geisha of questionable gender to be avoided at all costs. Classic Famicom material of gameplay over graphics.
Famicom Cart
Action
Collect the money whilst avoiding ninjas made far more appealing by Sunsoft’s imagination: daikon and lantern power ups as well as the appearance of a rather rough looking geisha of questionable gender to be avoided at all costs. Classic Famicom material of gameplay over graphics.
Famicom Cart
Action
Charge into the screen Space Harrier style, but this is a platform style escapade and the player must avoid gates and space critters on the planets surface. The 3D effect is impressive and quick reflexes are needed to keep up with the rapid pacing. The Sequel to Tobidase Daisakusen.
PS4
Action
The Ryu ga Gotoku team are in fine fettle as the player takes the role of a private eye investigating Yakuza murders. The combat system will be familiar to those who have cracked their knuckles in the Yakuza series. And the neon of Japanese cityscapes never looked so stunning. This version of the game became particularly collectable when Sega pulled it from sale due to the real life misdemeanours of one of the actors involved in the game.
Nintendo DS
Action
Brings the vibrancy and speed lines of the manga alive on the DS as it socks a real punch in its platform fight action. Relentless battle action, full of well-known characters from the world-famous manga books.
Famicom Cart
Action
Players charge through ancient Japan in snow filled ravines and craggy cliffs s represented in the RPG exploration style map and also in the action sequences which are side on fight sections requiring a swift sword slice and dispatch of a handful of shurikens. Makes a good change for those jaded by stat heavy fight sequences.
PS2
Action
Stealth in the city as our raccoon like hero negotiates traps and tight platforms to beat the well planned levels.
PS2
Action
Its no use being all fingers and thumbs when the rapid combination button presses are required in order to unleash the latex clad special moves from our masked hero. A superb license that savours Japans great super hero tradition and the lashing of action have translated across well to the PS2.
Famicom Cart
Action
Simple puzzle based platform sections with the odd switch combined with an unusual, turn based battle sections. Kamen Rider has a cult following and it does certainly have an abundance of characters in latex.
Famicom Cart
Action
Master piece in animation moving as slickly as Prince of Persia on your quest to rescue the kidnapped princess. Hardcore old school difficulty ensures you must be able to block your opponents assaults as well as dish out your own flaying fists. The ultimate showdown with Master Karateka will have your palms sweating, but the thought of having to fight all those tough nuts again to get to him will spur you on.
PS2
Action
Traditional sword fighting in the ancient Japanese way with tactics required to live to tell the tale. Highly atmospheric with tatami mats and sweeping temple roofs.
PS2
Action
Fine sequel to the popular traditional sword fighting game in the ancient Japanese way with tactics required to live to tell the tale. Highly atmospheric with tatami mats and sweeping temple roofs.
Super Famicom
Action
Impressive Takara conversion that doesn’t have the full clout of the Neo Geo version, but considering the hardware and lack of memory, the results are mightily impressive. Tidy controls as players crash down buildings on each other as well as utilising their monsters special manoeuvres.
PS2
Action
An update of Kingdom Hearts II with extra battles, maps and events re-released in Japan for the English voice actors it features along with Japanese subtitles. Comes as a two disk set with the second disk featuring a remake of the GBA title Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories with again a few unexpected extras over the original in the cut scenes and voice acting. A smashing series that shows that big budget collaborations can bare succulently sweet fruit when in the right hands.
Playstation
Action
Self-described ‘trap simulation game’, torch-lit dungeons mask undead inhabitants awaiting in the shadows which players must lure into traps to save ones soul. Increasing ingenuity is required to progress and capture those that mean you malice. Genki’s favourite must be the gachapon style UFO catcher that grabs the Roman Legion in a comic twist from the sombre mood.
Gamecube
Action
With a full complement of the series totalling twenty characters, Bandai has pushed the boat out to bring the full on anime to life. Plenty of fisticuffs as fans would expect when such a spontaneously combustible crowd are confined together. Controls are simplistic making this one not only for the joypad dexterous. Initial story mode play is required to unlock a lot of the many stages with frequent special requirements to complete a story mode level, such as within the time limit. Mini games are fun to enjoy too with challenges such as sneaking into a building unnoticed or collecting stolen sweets plus multiplayer varieties aswell. Also known as Zatch Bell Mamodo Fury.
PS2
Action
With a full complement of the series totalling twenty characters, Bandai has pushed the boat out to bring the full on anime to life. Plenty of fisticuffs as fans would expect when such a spontaneously combustible crowd are confined together. Controls are simplistic making this one not only for the joypad dexterous. Initial story mode play is required to unlock a lot of the many stages with frequent special requirements to complete a story mode level, such as within the time limit. Mini games are fun to enjoy too with challenges such as sneaking into a building unnoticed or collecting stolen sweets plus multiplayer varieties aswell. Also known as Zatch Bell Mamodo Fury.
PS2
Action
Beautiful combination of the skills of the anime artists to draw cel shaded sprites with dynamic effects and intriguing locales to really bring the animated series to life. The tag option works well and adds much depth and fun to the frolics.
Gamecube
Action
Mass brawls with more speed lines than Akira and a stupendously slick cel shaded look as you’d expect from anime artistes Bandai. Bizarre group of characters each with an extra persona like Ranma.