Action
Here we have all the games in the Action Section.
Switch
Action
Attaining new levels with its all out action gameplay as the player’s mech is often dwarfed by the ginormous bosses that need to be taken down. The sense of destruction and the all out pyrotechnic action make for an adrenalin filled, explosion-a-minute thrill.
PS3
Action
Snake is starting to develop that thousand yard stare that a veteran of so many conflicts is in danger of. Yet the gameplay is invigorating and far from jaded as it once again ups both the gameplay and visual ante with seeming ease. Granted the action ante has also been upped and some will bemoan the lack of stealth. May will have little chance to notice amongst the strafe and shrapnel.
PS2
Action
Few can be as deserving of the nick name Solid Snake as Kojima’s hero. This one man war machine again dons John Rambo style headband and uses the art of stealth to progress without too much attention drawing strafe. Snake: beret off, we salute you.
PS2
Action
The stealth requirement distinguishes Metal Gear from more action orientated titles as players slip in and out of the bushes. Kojima deserves notoriety for such dedication to the project, not known since Miyamoto san.
PS3
Action
High tension and even higher stakes calls for a cool hand from Snake when stealthily sneaking past guards and taking down CCTV cameras to free the key hostage. As ever, the twist awaits…
PSP
Action
Stealth can be fun as Solid Snake sneaks up on unsuspecting guards and utilises the silenced sniper to take them down with a slug. A real credit to Konami and Kojima san.
32X
Action
The Metal Head is a giant mech requiring piloting around the cityscapes taking down enemy targets and accidentally blasting chunks out of surrounding skyscrapers. All very impressively realised in textured polygons showing the prowess of the 32X in the right hands.
Famicom Cart
Action
Famicom arcade conversion in fine fettle as participants have to run a gauntlet of futuristic obstacles to get to the other end of the course. Hurdles must be lept, ramps and booster squares propel the runner to the goal and its possible to leap from power square to power square in order to reach the finish line in record time.
Gamecube
Action
Well-planned levels and deep space atmospherics that would make even Sigourney Weaver jump. Its easy to understate just what a fine job has been made of transferring one of the most cherished SFC platformers into full 3D and maintaining the series high standards. Cavernous levels lit up by incredible strafe effects and incredible attention to detail.
Sega Saturn
Action
Madcap mayhem with up to eight players competing for dominance in the various off the wall mini games. Makes great use of the light gun and mouse which not many titles can claim. Fun variation between the games too making this well worthy of a place in a collection needing something other than smooth 2D fighters and blister inducing shooters.
Famicom Cart
Action
Milon dons his night cap and blows a few bubbles at enemies as he scales up the castles platforms. Secret doors and breaking walls can reveal hidden routes and surprises. Good, solid platforming fun. Apart from the crumbling ones… Known in Japan as ‘Meikyuu Kumikyoku Miron no Daibouken.’
Sega Saturn
Action
Side scrolling shooting action as mechs go cockpit to cockpit with nicely rendered fighters and smooth backgrounds that smoke away in the background adding to the at war feel. Players also take to space similar to Cybernator, but the fight action is closer combat. The slick anime cut scenes are a given with Bandais backing.
Dreamcast
Action
Utilising the weighty license, as heavy as the mecha suits that do battle themselves, to great effect with Battle of the Planets style retro anime giving players updates and cranking up the tension further. The action is intense and the controls make for an epic battle.
PS2
Action
A fine Gundam title but more importantly a fine game in its own right with ginormous mech going for it in the confines of the sphere or in the more tactical open spaced mode. A massive multitude of mecha to unlock too but playing through the mission mode is a pleasure in itself with the controls soon feeling right after only a short bit of practise. Zone of Enders fans will be right at home here. Subtitled ‘Encounters in Space’ in the English version.
PS2
Action
Bringing their own style to the table comes hard negotiator Namco tossing the player into the full on One Year War against the Zeon in this intriguing collaboration with Bandai going by the moniker of Project Pegasus. Distinctive retro feel to this off shoot in terms of the late 70’s section of the mecha series it is based on, but the graphics engine is far from outdated. Freshening the series up with ground and space based missions offering freedom and a refreshing twist of Namco style. Also known by its Japanese name of ‘Kidou Senshi Gundam Ichinen Sensou.’
GameBoy Original
Action
Miyamoto magic at hand here yet somewhat slipped off the radar due to a certain yellow monster that radiated strange rays from its eyes. The bespectacled mole is out to rescue his poor folk kidnapped by the tough, gruff farmer. Levels are puzzle is style and players seek out a way to dispatch the bomb to move onto the next challenge. Bosses a plenty, but it’s the ability to dig that help players get out of a tight spot and takes the game onto a different level. Its Japanese name is Mogura Nya.
Nintendo DS
Action
Power up the coloured spheres on the bottom screen to unleash their super-charged protons on the top screen which is frequently overloaded with marauding monsters. Easier to play rather than explain and compelling, frantic gameplay perfect for the hardware and its dimensions.
PS2
Action
Turn hunter gatherer as players explore the pre-historic locales trying to bring down the big one and claim its hide as your own. The pure thrill of the chase goes a long way to explaining the series enduring popularity.
Nintendo 3DS
Action
Beast battling game with quite a legion of followers in Japan so it is with some pride Nintendo bring it to the 3DS. Its easy to see why though with expertly rendered ogres to lay into with precision planned armouries all looking very easy on the eye and making the very most of the hardware. Oozes with the Capcom polish of a triple A release.
Nintendo 3DS
Action
Beast battling game with quite a legion of followers in Japan so it is with some pride Nintendo bring it to the 3DS. Its easy to see why though with expertly rendered ogres to lay into with precision planned armouries all looking very easy on the eye and making the very most of the hardware. Oozes with the Capcom polish of a triple A release.
PSP
Action
Epic proportions to Capcom’s tasty slice of monster battling with a posse of well designed beasts and some mean armour to bring them the cold justice of steel. Graphically very polished as one might expect from a series that is building up quite a following in Japan. The attack patterns have been improved and with it being possible to miss attacking through lack of player skill; there’s plenty of variety and substance to keep players going for a good while.
PSP
Action
Epic proportions to Capcom’s tasty slice of monster battling with a posse of well designed beasts and some mean armour to bring them the cold justice of steel. Graphically very polished as one might expect from a series that is building up quite a following in Japan. The attack patterns have been improved and with it being possible to miss attacking through lack of player skill; there’s plenty of variety and substance to keep players going for a good while.
PS2
Action
Unfortunately Genki’s only run in with a biker gang was when sat on a push bike. Still it was nice to see a few faces missing from class. The underground, midnight bike scene has many devotees in Japan as many a sleepless night will attest. Plenty of Yankee style attitude and covers a niche genre very aptly, as you’d expect from D3.
XBOX
Action
Mech based shooting game where you are the hunter and the hunted. Allows a selection of weapons depending on the situation of the mission – some requiring great haste to take down the enemy android in time. Tight, intuiative controls making good use of the shoulder buttons for speed control. Really enjoyable to zip through the stunningly realistic skyscrapers at mach speed. Some nice bonus extras to unlock help you to strive to meet each goal.
Nintendo DS
Action
An off-beat beetle battling title from Sega in which players look after a fairly sizeable insect such as a helmet beetle. Other beetles can then be challenge to bouts with entertaining techniques and secret specials used to take down the rival bug. Although insect collecting is more acceptable in Japan, this sort of game could see the phenomena spread. Known in Japan by its full title of Kouchuu Ouja Mushi King Greatest Champion e no Michi DS.
PS2
Action
The feudal Japan setting in the winter months makes the visual pyrotechnics stand out as players soon discover you are no ordinary samurai. Koei is a real master of such action titles and Genki kowtows to a fine developer. Known as Warriors Orochi in the West.
Nintendo DS
Action
Naruto’s ninja skills are well tested in over sixty varied missions involving taking enemies down, collecting items, even acting as bodyguard. Utilises the stylus and microphone well to initialise special attacks during the heat of battles. Also allows for selectable extra moves to be added to your characters repertoire pre mission adding a tactical element. Plenty of unlockable characters hidden in there too.
GameBoy Advance
Action
Improves on the prequel offering more ninja related high jinx with jutsu moves available when in a tight fix. Faithfully recreates the high pitched battles of the anime series and as a result is a solid action scrapper even for those without the slightest interest in passing their Chunin exams. Impressive cut scenes for the small screen and bold boss battles set to swathes of bamboo forests.
Nintendo DS
Action
Naruto charges around in his much loved way, never being far away from ninjas jumping out of the bamboo forest (at least the wolves had an excuse to be sniffing around the trees.) The combat is fast, suiting the pacing of the anime in this superb, delightfully drawn action RPG.
Famicom Cart
Action
The classic title involving digging holes, trapping the aliens and then digging them into the ground without getting caught. Comes in new fangles mode with some impressive sprites and the old school version for the real purists. The music is where these Compass Circle titles really excel and this is no exception. Its really possible to feel the love of the developers in this impressive labour of love.