Platform
Here we have all the games in the Platform Section.
Super Famicom
Platform
Played with classic Japanese game humour as you charge around with your oversized head armed with an upgradable mallet – so what explained by your carpenter occupation. Also features a level where you drive through the town on a moped which is a real scream. Also known as Hammerin Harry.
Super Famicom
Platform
The first title to make it to the West and with the original being so full of Eastern promise plenty survived the cut. But here in its unadulterated Japanese form the true genius behind the Goemon series shines brightly drawing in many a gamer moth into its fun filled villages to gamble, eat, rest even have a blast on Gradius. Its enough just to try and take it all in – festival masks, ninja cats, the village drunk, the fisherman rushing through town with his catch, not forgetting Ohana chan in her kimono. Also known as the Legend of the Mystical Ninja.
Nintendo 64
Platform
Three Dimension update of the series that seems from another dimension at times, but thats why we love it. Has a great feel of a Japanese town of old as you meander around the streets chewing tako yaki and small talk with the residents. The Japanese version is also the full version with no subtle changes. God bless Goemon. Full Japanese title: ‘Ganbare Goemon Neo Momoyama Bakufu no Odori.’ Known as Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon in the West.
Super Famicom
Platform
The first title to make it to the West and with the original being so full of Eastern promise plenty survived the cut. But here in its unadulterated Japanese form the true genius behind the Goemon series shines brightly drawing in many a gamer moth into its fun filled villages to gamble, eat, rest even have a blast on Gradius. Its enough just to try and take it all in – festival masks, ninja cats, the village drunk, the fisherman rushing through town with his catch, not forgetting Ohana chan in her kimono. Also known as the Legend of the Mystical Ninja.
Super Famicom
Platform
Putting the fun back into gaming, Konami expertly combines tight platform sections and clever 3D effect bosses with exploring the hospitable towns to stock up on octopus dumplings and rice balls. Its hard not to smile taking control of the rampant Impact Robo and running riot. The resulting explosive mixture is a firework of intense and long lasting beauty – a real gem in the series and a must have Super Famicom title.
Super Famicom
Platform
Full of the characteristic humour that has made Goemon one gaming character to get those who savour their retro gaming with an Eastern infusion misty eyed. Clever use of mode 7 in the Goemon mecha battles as was de rigueur with a top SFC title. A tuneful, traditional Japanese soundtrack bodes well with the warm feel to the towns and their friendly folk. Slightly more cerebral than previous installments with the townsfolk yielding important assistance at times. But its the tactical switching of characters that is most intriguing: be it for Ebisumaru’s ability to shrink, Sasuke’s powerful ball destroying bombs or Yae’s swimming ability. Goemon of course remains the good all-rounder.
Super Famicom
Platform
Action orientated title with Goemon landing on a planet where he is worshipped like a god. Some small puzzle elements including a mini game on the Puyo Puyo style Taisen dama. Goemon at its craziest best, pure genius. Subtitled The Reason Why I Became A Dancer.
Playstation
Platform
Isometric 3D style towns with platform sections and bosses to battle in mecha suits: yes its Goemon alright. The towns as a pleasure as ever with traditional warm-hearted friendliness to welcome you. And the 3D style boss battles add another dimension to the already varied gameplay. Overall the 3D effect has been well implemented with pretty shading and the proper balance between the trade-off of gameplay and graphical glitz.
Playstation
Platform
A brilliant version containing all the elements that make Goemon so special: brilliant platforming sections, wandering around town getting some octopus dumplings or staying for a nights sleep, crazy, super hero style 3D mecha sections and above all the wacky humour that makes Goemon stand head and shoulders above other gaming characters. Ganbare Goemon!
Famicom Cart
Platform
Highly playable platform version of the popular anime series involving plenty of ghostly goings on. Japanese Scooby Doo with spooky eastern ghouls that make for a culturally refreshing and delightful platform romp.
PC Engine HU Card
Platform
Like many sequels, Genpei further raised the stakes with bigger sprites and clearer sound effects. Yet a high difficulty level left many warming more to the prequel. A fine piece of Namcot programming though for the harder core. Also known as ‘Samurai Ghost 2.’
Famicom Cart
Platform
Toe tapping chip tunes do justice to the original soundtrack as players cruise the streets in Ecto 1 to scale buildings to capture the ghosts inside. A memorable boss rush run in with a naked Keymaster awaits! A very solid licensed title – a combination that not often goes together – based on the blockbusting film.
Mega Drive
Platform
Bitmap Brothers on top form taking inspiration from Roman and Greek mythology and putting plenty of their own unique twists into this platform shooter. As with all Bitmap Bros titles, the tunes are inspired, touching on Xenon’s genius. And the shop provides welcome relief in the game.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Cracking retro blast as players bound around on screen with a bold palette, funky tunes and full on action gameplay. Bombs are dropped to reveal items to help progress whilst avoiding the mice and the hot pursuit of the gun wielding authorities. A superb license that shouldn’t be missed.
Super Famicom
Platform
Side scrolling platform shoot ’em up with giant sprites and a rich colour palette as players pilot a mech against a legion of cannon fodder. Often the action comes down to a battle with a single mech at a time and the shields and ability to fly come in handy at out manoeuvring a tricky opponent. Tasty cut scenes build up the tension and the standard of presentation is high.
Super Famicom
Platform
A take on the mighty Contra licence this time with mech style power suits and massive adversaries to test the mode 7 to the limits. Tough like Konami’s opus with one hit kills, yet some supreme weaponry soon gets players in the necessary gung-ho spirits. A few tactically placed vehicles also helps – its always a joy to tear through enemy lines in motorised marauding machine. As does the two player mode with a bit of teamwork.
Famicom Cart
Platform
A solid Famicom platformer made more challenging (to say the least!) By being played as two characters simultaneously. Jumps must be timed to perfection and the male brain at least may suffer a bit of melt down trying to keep an eye on both our gaming heroes as they journey through Tokyo.
Famicom Disk System
Platform
Delightfully old school platform shooting as Square begins on its quest to become one of the finest developers in the world. Humble roots can be found here, but the attention to detail shines as beautifully as the sunshine level.
Also known as Hao Kun no Fushigina Tabi and known in the West as Mystery Quest.
Playstation
Platform
A very likeable 2D platformer in which our hero is joined by a batch of eggs. These eggs will in turn hatch into animals that assist our Hermie on his way to platform hopping nirvana by attacking adversaries. Some require a little assistance such as the turtle that can only be gently hoofed towards an advancing adversary. But be kind to them and you will be rewarded by getting a helping hand (paw) out of a tricky situation.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Light hearted platform action as the Asterix style lead character collects squashed opponents to use them as platform blocks when it a tight fix in order to progress. Plenty of variety in levels from pre historic to space age as the mosaic like picture is gradually pieced back together.
GameBoy Original
Platform
Never has a game character been more suited to rolling around on screen more than Kirby – Hal Laboratory’s rotund, pink creation. Cute, cuddly and colourful with the tight play mechanics Nintendo always delivers.
Playstation
Platform
A compilation of mini games all tied together by the pretext of Rocky and Hopper being private detectives trying to rescue Pinkyfs cat from the mad scientist poodle. The mini games include frantically dialling phone numbers as quickly as possible, games of snap with animal sounds requiring pairing up, bursting balloons, taking aim at a shooting gallery, a game of escalating simple simon and even gobbling up as much popcorn as possible from an out of control popcorn maker. As with most mini game compilations multiplayer is where it comes into its own. But the premise of unlocking some bizarre penguin adverts should hopefully be ample motivation for most gamers.
PS2
Platform
Spikey, vibrant hero unleashed in a 3D world to explore and utilise its resources such as the electricity charge. Packed with innovations and the packing keeps ticking along nicely bringing Sony a mascot it so desires.
Super Famicom
Platform
A very colourful and little known platformer with a very manipulative jelly ball as our hero. The malleable nature of the protagonist makes for some fine platform manoeuvres. Interludes from the levels are set in small towns and even under the sea with whales to help players unwind. Known as Smartball in the West and also Jelly Boy.
Mega Drive
Platform
A projectile spitting and fire breathing ape makes for a versatile character to take on the imaginative platforms and bosses inspired by Buddhism and certainly harder to credit end of level adversaries. A very fine MD platformer and well sort on the system. Also known as Toki.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Genki Gurus will know it only takes a few Japanese ghosts, a wise sage and a few ninjas and Genki is sold on the concept. Where Ja Ja excels is utilising a smaller player character to allow so much going on on screen. A superb conversion and a tip top example of the genre. Oh, did we mention riding on giant frogs?
Famicom Cart
Platform
Cheerful chip tunes and big, bold sprites, plus the character of Kai ensure this is a well treasured Famicom title. Collecting keys and potions, avoiding fire breathing dragons and escape to the door out of the level by the skin of your teeth are the order of the day. Translates as Kai’s adventure. Also known as The Quest of Ki.
PC Engine HU Card
Platform
Zany platformer with the stars of a Japanese variety show Kato Cha and Ken Shimura. Bizarre goings generally centre around toliets: birds drop ‘unchi’ from the sky, the pair can fart to dispatch enemies – even energy power ups come shaped as toilets. Interestingly, the American version had the fart attack removed proving toilet humour may not be universal after all.
Playstation
Platform
Fine 2.5 dimension platform romp with Klonoa being able to utilise its ears to float back to earth. Its the way Klonoa inflates enemies to utilise then to bounce to higher platforms or hit switches that really makes this stand out though. Buzzing around with the propeller unit is a joy too. Very underated, possibly down to the lead character?
Super Famicom
Platform
Colourful, comic capers as Kid Clown avoids the hazards of his chosen occupation with exploding bombs, rolling logs and hurricane winds all sent to blow him off his isometric level course.