Neo Geo Pad USB

Genki has been to the depth's of Neo Geo addiction and recovered to tell the tale, thankfully without bankruptcy. But a good wedge of cash was blown on SNK's baby making the Sega Saturn assisted rehab a cheap experience. From time to time temptation returns however and this PS3 joypad gets the old fingers twitching once more. Based on the popular Neo Geo Pad 2, this pad has a USB port making it suitable for both PS3 and PC use for thew doujin fight fans. Comes with a special Playstation button. For SNK fans who just can't get enough of the Neo Geo CD 'clicky' pad for use with fighting games. Makes executing special moves a far more exact science with the shoulder buttons on the pad: exactly where you'd want them.

Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire

Genki was pleased to hear of the PSP version one of the most expensive and rare PC Engine games because it was never actually released commercially due to it arriving too late in the PC Engine's life cycle. (Sapphire was just handed out at a game show.) Not because it might potentially upset owners who had splashed out on the original (who should never let 'her indoors' or their bank manager see the price, but your financial investor may back you that its a sound investment.) No more because its a technical marvel, proving that it takes time to fully grasp the capabilities of a console's architecture. But also because there is a fear of spending such a hefty wodge of cash on a pirated copy. Genki has no such fears though only utilising respectable and reliable suppliers in Japan.
Sapphire is a polished gem utilising massive sprites with scaling, morphing, pre rendering, ray tracing and rotation effects. Four pretty pilots, four ships and five time travelling levels-not quite as long as you may have hoped. Still if you can resist the continues, this is a shooter fan's dream.
The PSP version combines classic Engine RPG action in Yuna with the shooter to destroy all shooters in this value pack. And it is amazing value in fact compared to the PC Engine release of Sapphire. Huzzah!

 

Baito Hell 2000 Hurrah!

Genki was overjoyed to recently see Baito Hell 2000 is getting a reprint. A good couple of years after its original release it was a very pleasant surprise to see its not just Genki which pine for its charms. Think of the Wario Ware series, but set as a series of part time jobs, some based on the monotony of the real world, some based on a seemingly alternate reality.

Vast variety of mini games as the PSP potential is firmly focussed on fiun

Intriguing project that exudes Sony chic on the PSP. Basically a compilation of mini games pulled together on the premise of the rise in part-time work in modern Japan. Players save their very hard-earned cash to buy strange gashapons in the hope of unlocking another job, whilst chatting to their fellow part-time friends via the in game emails to pick up tips. An initial four games are available: catching baseballs to try and get up to a thousand. Putting pen caps on Biro's with an unhinged soundtrack to really feel the daily grind and mess with your sanity. Crossing the road frogger style avoiding the high speed cars. Finally counting pedestrians as they dart across a busy street. All executed with great style. A surprising unknown cracker in the PSP world. Roll on November!

Sega Toylets

Battle the bad boss by pee-ing harder!

In all her beauty with the pressure sensor in blue.

At danger of much loved (by the British anyway) toilet humour, Genki recently came across a Sega Toylet. A urinal based game where the pressure tab in the urinal situated is used to give a pressure reading to the game. So power pee-rs will be lapping this up as they fight the boss with the strength of attack determined by the volume and flow.
The boss battle game can be seen here:

This next title involves going for broke in order to increase the power of the wind and get a glimpse at the underwear of this unsuspecting weather caster busy doing her report...

Why? Well aiming for the pressure spot causes less mess, though Genki can imagine some unfortunate horseplay during competitive bouts. But also it allows the bar owner to award a prize offer at the end such as cheaper beer for the next hour. The simple pleasures in life eh?

Anime & Gaming

The link between anime and gaming has always been strong, but Genki had to relive the harrowing memories of Galaxy Express 999 recently in reviewing the game. The cruellest of opening sequences as the young Tetsuro sees his mother getting shot. Granted its done with the audience in mind with no gruesome imagery, but the devastation of the loss will leave an impression on all who witness it (and possibly the Japanese psyche, such is the popularity of Matsumoto's opus.) Genki can't imagine Disney opening with such a sequence, yet perhaps we crave the cotton wool comfort of the Walt Disney production.  We just hope there isn't a video game version of the Dog of Flanders in the pipeline or on retro release...

Sites We Love: Hardcore Gaming 101

There have been so many games released over the years that it is always a real pleasure to come across one that totally slipped under the radar. And that gaming radar is often given a mighty boost by the super HardcoreGaming101. With such dedication to each title on there giving it a full and proper review (unlike Genki's five minutes of fame...), its hard not too check slavishly for an update and another possible radar evader such as Samurai Pizza Cats which has just been added to the hitlist. If Hardcore Gamer was a bar, Genki would be there eagerly eves dropping and tipping the bar staff big time for a few nuggets of info (before no doubt having a couple of frothy ones and getting all misty eyed about Goemon...) Keep it Hardcore - you know the score.

Autograph Hunters

Whilst autographs are usually more associated with superstar footballers and Indian Premier League cricketers, games developers could be refusing to sign that copy of Worms for fear of it going straight onto Ebay. Perhaps the nature of developing games with long hours at unsociable times means they will remain relatively unknown behind shades hiding well worn eyes...? Yet recently publishers have been keen to big up their leading lights to strengthen the bond between gamer and label. Miyamoto san, Kojima san on the box: must be good.

Recently the Genk has come across a couple of signed versions: Death Crimson on the Saturn with a signature as pictured. Special Prize Edition with Treasure designed Bangaioh signed phonecard is another. It appears 'Prize Bangaio' was given out to the five highest score contestants in a Japanese gaming contest. Only five exist so the chances of it restocking are slim. If you are curious the winning score was 60,199,689 - not sure how long that took to clock up! The contest took place on the 31st of January 2000. We'll keep you posted on the next one...