DS Shmups

Perhaps the DS isn't the most notorious format for shooters, but it has a couple of fine examples that are worthy of a post. Perhaps the lesser know of the two we have in mind (one for each of our subscribers..) is Danshaku which lures in the modern gamer with smooth 3D graphics yet its mechanics are strictly retro. Its an old school shooter but done in the third dimension producing quite stunning results with crisp, colourful pixels on the small screen. Utilises the dual screen and touch function well with a useful radar, but its wireless two player with only one cart that really whisks up a hail of bullets frenzy. Quite rare of late.
The other gem we have in mind for a bit of a blog buff up is Bangaio Spirits. A National Treasure which gets a worthy update to hopefully woo more with its charms.  Full of tongue in cheek humour as you'd expect from this developer and some very funny English translations. Huge title with plenty of levels and even a level editor for the DS version. Cunning counter attack method involves waiting until your ship is in imminent danger before launching the counter, and the results are the more spectacular depending on the level of danger. And based on the experience of past competitions, Treasure have made data transferable via sound so that another DS can upload it or even it can even be sent onto the net for the real high rollers.
So there you have it: the DS is more hardcore than it may look being played by the young person on the train next to you...

Where Anime meets Gaming: Hajime no Ippo

Japanese gaming and animation have cross pollinated for decades, but as hardware has caught up many games play like an anime episode with speed lines and super human powers done justice on both the big and small scenes through cut scenes. In Hajime no Ippo Treasure tred the tightrope between the two media with all the panache you'd expect keeping the balance firmly on action and giving players the power in their fingertips to be the champ. The gym in which to train is the ring: always challenging as its always fair - knock downs are always because you just didn't keep your guard up well enough. Action is viewed by two boxing gloves giving an unrestricted view of your hard knock opponent. Deserving of a wider Western audience with such glorious gameplay. Wonderful interpretation of the boxing world which holds your gloved hand to get you trained up ready for the big bruisers. Treasure: we wear your badge with pride.