Little Witch Nobeta – PlayStation 4 Review

Overview – developed by SimonCreative and Pupuya Games, with publishing by Idea Factory International, Little Witch Nobeta is an adventure with a focus on magical shooting action. Delve through an ancient castle, discover the mysteries that it holds and battle the monsters and souls within on the way to the throne. This version is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Steam, with a link to the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Idea Factory International for providing the copy of Little Witch Nobeta used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. Please note, I will be covering the core experience of the game, omitting some details to prevent spoilers. I also reviewed the Switch version of the game a few years ago, with most of the content being similar to this review, which you can find (HERE).

Story – Nobeta, a young witch has travelled to a mysterious castle, looking for answers about who she is and her life. As she explored the castle, looking for the throne room, she comes across a mysterious black cat with magical power. As she ventures through the castle, Nobeta will gain new magical powers, while encountering Crafted Souls, powerful beings that posess great magical power. Can Nobeta overcome the challenges, uncover the castle’s secrets and find the answers she seeks.

Gameplay – Little Witch Nobeta is a third person action adventure, where players take the role of the titular witch. In this adventure, players will explore the different areas of the castle, fighting monsters and taking on powerful bosses. The core game loop for this release focuses on exploration, puzzle solving and some platforming challenges. While doing this, players will encounter monsters, spirits and crafted souls that will attack the player on sight.

In order for the player to protect themselves from the dangers of the castle, they have access to two forms of attack. The first is the melee attack, where the player strikes enemies with Nobeta’s wand, dealing a limited amount of damage to enemies. Then there is the magic power, which consists of magical elements, with four of them being used for to fight monsters. The other two are passive effects, which can be throughout the adventure.

During combat with enemies and monsters, the player will need to stay on their toes, as there will be close quarters strikes and long range battle. To survive the battles with the dangers of the castle, players have a couple of options. Nobeta can dash, jump and dodge, which will let them avoid damage from different attacks. However, these use Nobeta’s limited stamina meter, which will cause her to fall over if she tries to run when it runs out.  

At the start of the adventure, the player will have access to the basic power Arcane, which is used as a mid-range magical attack. This is an all-round attack, which can be used to battle many of the monsters and apparitions that appear, firing single shot blasts at enemies. As the adventure progresses new magic can be found, which each have different properties with the Ice being rapid fire, Fire being a spread shot and Thunder being a long range blast.

To use Nobeta’s magic, players will use up Mana which is the essence of magic itself. Each time magic is used, Mana will be taken from the bar below the green health bar on screen. If Nobeta runs out of magical Mana energy, she will be unable to use any of her spells. Mana will be recovered naturally as players use melee attacks, defeat enemies and from blue gems in set zones. The biggest drain on Mana is through channelling magical power.

Each of the magical powers can be charged up through channelling, which will increase the power of the magic attacks. By channelling the magical power, Nobeta can unleash a powerful magical attack, dealing significant damage to enemies. This will also empower Nobeta with a special qualities, like the Ice power protecting her from fire. But be careful when trying to enhance her powers, as it can be interrupted by enemies attacking her or environmental damage. All magic powers can be upgraded by finding special books hidden in chests.

Alongside the active magical arts, there are two additional powers that can be collected which will aid the player in their exploration of the different zones. These powers are Wind and Absorption, which are passive abilities that are activated when picked up. The Wind magic allows for Nobeta to have more mobility, like double jump or air dodge. Then there is Absorption, which will let Nobeta siphon magical energy from enemies when dodging.

There is a lot of fluidity with the combat, with the magic working in a third person shooting style, alongside hack and slash melee combat. Players can change their attack style on the fly, switching between up close and distant attacks. When battling enemies, players can manually aim or use lock-on targeting, offering some flexibility to battle. Thankfully, there arent any issues when the combat becomes more frantic, or when fighting bosses.

Located at set points throughout the castle, players will encounter statues that Nobeta can pray at. These allow the player to recover health, while also acting as checkpoints that Nobeta will reappear at in the event of death. The statue also provide a levelling service, where souls collected from defeating enemies can be used, increasing Nobeta’s health, stamina, total magic and more. Players can also trade at the statue, exchanging souls for magic gems.

Inside boxes that are in the different rooms and spaces of the castle, gems can be found inside boxes. The different gems offer a variety of effects, which can be deployed whenever the player wishes to use them. Gem effects are based on their colors, with green for healing and blue for Mana recovery as the most common. However, some of these items may be cursed, taking souls away upon player death, but curses can be healed by praying at statues.

The castle itself is broken up into regions, with each of them having their own distinct thematic elements to them. There is the main castle itself, made up of grey walls and large halls, the underground cavern and the volcanic ruins that sit in lava. The different areas are mostly interconnected, with gates and locks that will block progress. To open the paths up, players will need to solve puzzles, defeat deadly enemies and destroy seal locks.

At key points in the adventure through the castle and its settings, powerful bosses will appear. These are Crafted Souls, which are puppets that have gained consciousness and act on their own. During battle with these imposing foes, players will need to focus as attacks will come thick and fast. Players will need to focus on dodging attacks during the boss phases, as they hit hard and can lead to a quick death if the player is careless.

The last thing to discuss is the side content, which consists of special unlockable content. Over the course of the adventure, players will find special items that get added to the collection, containing lore about the world. Then there are the costumes, which provide a variety of looks and cosmetics to dress Nobeta up at prayer statues. After the game has been cleared, some extra content will open up, offering even more challenges for players to dive into. (Note: Trial Tower and some costumes are post release free content)

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – from a control perspective, this game is very comfortable to play, with all of the combat actions on the shoulders and movement/actions on the face. The general flow of action works well, without delay and or lag for inputs, especially during movement and highly tense situations. But there is one minor issue when it comes to control, which is the camera can be jittery at standard settings, but this can be remedied with a quick settings adjustment.

Difficulty – there are two difficulty settings for Little Witch Nobeta, offering players a Standard and Advanced mode to challenge. If the player chooses the Standard mode, Nobeta will get some adjustments to her abilities, making it an easier experience. Then there is the Advanced mode, which is the intended gameplay experience, with a higher difficulty and no enhancements. Both modes offer a challenging experience, with the bosses being the hardest part.

Presentation – visually, this release is a mix of cuteness and dark fantasy, which work well together making it feel creepy yet cute. The textures and on screen assets look crisp and bold, with the standout being the puppet and crafted soul enemies. There is some darkness in places, but it doesn’t spoil the game. Compared to the switch version, the appearance is improved, with sharper visuals while retaining the stable pacing and flow of action.

For the sound, there is a lot of atmospheric music that enhances the adventure, with compositions that are diverse in their instrumentation. This is achieved through soft piano, choir style harmonies, gentle chimes and strings that can build tension in the haunting areas of the castle and its grounds. The dialogue for this game is entirely in Japanese, with performances from Konomi Kohara (Genshin Impact) and Hololive talents Omaru Polka, Shirikami Fubuki and Shirogane Noel.

Final Thoughts – when I first reviewed Little Witch Nobeta a few years ago, I had a fantastic time with the switch version, so when I got a PS4 and the opportunity to play it again arose, I happily took it. Upon revisiting the game, the same feelings of wonder and emotion were still there, with the new free content being a fantastic bonus. The action flows fantastically with a soft souls-like gameplay, as the challenge doesn’t feel overly difficult, even if the boss fights can feel a little intense and frantic.

While there are areas where the challenge can spike, it isn’t punishing so the skill level required to play is very low, which is rare in the modern action adventure genre. While there are comparisons to other souls style games, the game has a unique personality and feel of its own. This is most evident with the enemy variety, like giant creepy dolls with scissors and the cute yet deadly bosses. So I am happy to recommend this to everyone looking for a new action adventure to play.

In the end, my rating and score for Little Witch Nobeta stays the same at 4.75/5. The flow of action during battle, exploration, characters and the presentation are just as good as my first time playing it, with some extra free content. There are some things that could frustrate players, like progress or soul loss upon death, but it isn’t a significant setback. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Please note, there is paid DLC for this release, but I did not recieve or use it during this review.

Lost Gems – Super Pang Collection (PlayStation)

Hello and welcome to the latest instalment of Lost Gems, the series where I cover games that are abandoned, removed from distribution or simply forgotten. This week I will be covering a collection of games about busting balloons, travelling the world and stealing masterpieces of art. So let’s dive into Super Pang Collection/Buster Bros Collection for the PlayStation, developed by Mitchell Corporation and published by Capcom in 97/98.

Disclaimer: While the title discussed here is no longer officially on sale, there are ways to obtain the game. This can either be through the second hand market, or via unofficial digital roms/rips. I do not condone or promote piracy, so there won’t be any links to roms or rips of the game being covered.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing general game experience, then give my personal thoughts on the title.

About the game

Super Pang Collection, also known as Buster Brothers Collection in North America, is a collection of three arcade bubble busting games. The titles included in this release consist of Pang/Pomping World (Buster Bros), Super Pang (Super Buster Bros) and Pang 3, all in one pack together. Each of the games is available immediately, allowing players to play any of the games they want in any order. After selecting the game, players can access settings before jumping in.

The first game Pomping world/Pang, was the first game in the series, released in 1989. The basic plot of the game is that Bubbles/Balloons have appeared around the world, being a nuisance to the people and locations. To stop the invasion of these balls, two daring heroes that set out on a quest around the world to destroy the bouncing menace. The adventure starts in Mount Fuji, then spreads across locations including the Taj Mahal, Paris and more.

During the globetrotting adventure, the player will need to destroy the bubbles as they bounce around the screen. The player is armed with a harpoon gun, shooting directly up and stopping when it hits a balloon or the ceiling. There are several sizes of balls, which will divide if they are larger, or disappear entirely if they are the smallest size. When all of the bubbles are destroyed, the player will clear the stage and move onto the next.

By destroying the bouncing balls, there is the chance that items can drop from them. There are two different types of items, split between weapon and support items. The weapons consist of the Double Wire, which allows two harpoons to be shot, and the Power Wire grappling hook, which sticks to the top of the screen until hit or disappears. Last is the Vulcan Missile, which is a high powered gun that allows players to blast rapid shots to eliminate bubbles.

Then there are the support items, which have varying effects that can be used for the stage. There is the shield, which allows a single hit to be absorbed, the hourglass that slows bubbles down and the clock, which freezes time for a moment. The last item is the most dangerous of the support items, and it is a bundle of dynamite. This will cause all of the balloons to pop down to their smallest size, adding some additional risk to the current stage.

As the player makes their way through the game, the stages will become more challenging, with blocks and walls that the balloons will bounce off. There will also be ladders and platforms that add a puzzle like element to the gameplay. If the bubbles make contact with the player, they will die and start the stage over, if all lives are lost they need to use a credit to continue. Alongside bubbles, there are monsters that will appear and stun the player if contact is made.

For the adventure, there are 50 stages and 17 locations, with images of the setting in the background. As the player clears each area, they will move through to the next location. There is also a day/night transition system, where the images used for the location will go from day to night, with a setting sun in-between. This gives the world more of a lively feel, with the different transitions making it feel like time is passing.

The second game in this collection is Super Pang, which came out in 1990 and takes the formula established in the first game and refines it greatly. This version of the game follows the same style of gameplay as the first, with the World Tour mode, where players travel the world to stop the bubble menace again. Just like the first game, there are real world locations that are displayed as images in the background of the stages.

There are only 40 stages in this release, with the starting in Hong Kong, then moving through the Silk Road, Istanbul, Venice and more during the adventure. The time transitions still occur here, with most stages after the first having a day, evening and night time variant to them. For this release, the core of the gameplay remains mostly unchanged, with the Bubbles returning. There are also monsters that appear, including flying creatures and dragons.

However, there is a new threat to the player, with hexagon balls that bounce off all four walls, moving in a way that is different from the regular bouncing bubbles. The item system returns with this release too, offering the same weapons as the previous game, with double harpoons, power hooks and the Vulcan gun. Support items also make their return, with the shield, hourglass, clock and dynamite, alongside foods that give a bonus.

For those who are looking for a greater challenge, there is the Panic Mode as a secondary mode. This functions differently from the World Tour, as it is a single screen with bubbles and hexagons gradually dropping from the top of the screen. The player starts with the double harpoon weapon, with no additional pick-ups available. As the player pops the bubbles, a meter fills up on screen, increasing the level each time it is filled to the top.

When the level increases, there will be an increase in the speed and number of bubbles that appear, with varying sizes of ball that will drop from the top. At set points, the background for the stage will also change, with an island, castle and more as the locations for panic mode. During Panic Mode play, there will be small flashing bubbles, which will stop time for a couple of seconds, giving players a small window to pop as many balls as they can.

There is also a special bubble that has two different functions. This is the special bubble, which will appear randomly during play. Each of these bubbles start off as green clock bubbles, which will freeze time for 9 seconds, giving players a good chance to clear the screen. If the clock bubble hits the ground, it will change and become a star bubble, which will clear the screen when popped. Each time the bubble hits the ground it will change types.

In both Panic Mode and World Tour, if the player makes contact with a ball, they will be defeated and lose a life. In Panic Mode, the screen will be cleared and the player will continue at the level they reached. The world Tour Mode functions the same as the previous game, where the stage will start from the beginning if players are defeated. In the event players run out of lives, they will need to use a continue to get back into the action.

The last game to discuss is Pang 3, which is the most unique of the trilogy, taking place within an art gallery where a band of misfits are trapped. There are three game modes this time, with the Beginner mode, where players challenge 10 stages that are designed to teach the player the game. Then there is the Normal mode, where the player must collect famous art works, as well as Panic mode, where players take on a never ending stream of bubbles.

When the player starts the game, they will be able to pick one of the three modes. The Beginner mode has only one character that can use, with Don Pacos, who is armed with a double harpoon shot. In the other modes, players get to select their character, with the addition of Captain Hog, who uses a double grapple shot and Shiela the Thief who shoots at a 45 degree angle. Last is Pink Leopold, who has single shot harpoons, but he is immune to monsters.

During the Standard mode, the player can challenge a total of 50 stages, broken up into sets of 3 after the first two stages are cleared. Each of the stages follows the standard gameplay formula, where players must pop all of the bubbles, while avoiding being hit by them. As the player pops the bubbles, there will be the chance of items dropping from them. All of the support items return, but the hourglass is changed, adding time to the stage clock.

The weapon pick-ups also return from previous games, with the double shot and grapple shot staying the same. However, this time the Vulcan weapon has changed, as it is now a limited time blaster with a large spread shot. When the blaster is picked up, players have 5 seconds to get as much as they can from the weapon. This can make it very effective for clearing out the balloons as fast as possible, leading to quick stage clears.

There are new gimmicks in the stages for this release, with the introduction of Bomb Bubbles, which explode outwards to the left and right when popped. These can clear away the bubbles quickly, leading to big scores and fast stage completions. Then there are the dissolving platforms, where sections of the stage crumble when shot, alongside teleport spots that transport the player to different areas of the stage. These add more to the puzzle aspect of gameplay.

There is a major difference with the way this game progresses. This is the gallery select feature, where players will be presented with the choice of which stage set they want to play. At set points during the game, players will see the gallery and be able to jump ahead if they want to. All of the images for cleared stages, as well as skipped stages are added to the gallery between sets. When the game is cleared, the gallery will be shown off completely.

The final part of Pang 3 to cover is Panic mode, which functions the same as the previous game. The player needs to keep shooting the Balloons that keep falling down, with the player needing to get rid of them as fast as possible. Some of the smallest bubbles will flash, freezing the bubbles for a couple seconds before resuming. The bombs also appear and star bubbles, which will clear away all balloons on screen, with a clear announcement ever 10 stages.

All three of these games have settings that can be adjusted, changing the difficulty, credits and lives on offer. This allows for the player to modify the challenge at least a little bit. There is also the option for two player action in all three games, being selectable from the main screen before starting. But it is possible for players to jump right into the action, using a credit to join at any time, except for the Panic Mode which needs to be started in co-op from the main menu.

Personal Thoughts

I enjoy the pang series, having memories of playing Super Pang in an arcade with my dad when I was a kid. But I was never able to get past the first stage, as I was just not very good at the game. But the game stuck with me, so I played the Super Nintendo version and whenever I got the chance, played the games as arcade machines. Like playing Pang 3 after a doctor’s appointment in a small corner shop when I was about 12, getting about half way through the game.

So there is a lot of positive memories for me when it comes to the series, so when this was brought home one day in the late 90s, it became one of my favorites to play on PlayStation. I was still pretty bad at the games, and I still am to be honest, but I have a lot of fun playing them, to the point I will return to them frequently. They are also a lot of fun to play with friends and family, offering a challenge that can cause a lot of chaos during game nights.

This compilation features enhanced audio, which sounds clean and crisp using Red Book audio for the music. These enhancements make the game feel fresh and modern for the time, although it can have some looping issues at times. This is especially prevelant when emulating the game, as it can stutter and make a mess of the sound. But there are ways to fix this when playing the game on PC using the official discs.

As a package, there is a lot of content on offer for players, with the three games to choose from, as well as the different game modes in the different titles. Each of the game provides something different and unique, with the simplicity of Pomping World/Pang, the refinement of Super Pang and the colorful chaos of Pang 3. My personal favourite in this collection is Pang 3, as it has the most variety on offer, especially with the three playable characters.

The Super Pang Collection has only been released once, having released on the PlayStation in global territories before eventually being forgotten. Due to this it has become somewhat of a rarity with the cost of the game rising, making it on the more expensive end. But it can be found for reasonable prices, through online market places and retaillers that sell second hand games. Just be aware, the PAL version of this release has some weird overscan issues.

I have a lot of love for the Pang Series, as it is one of those distinct games that has been cloned several times. Yet most of the imitations don’t feel the same, so it would be nice to see this game being re-released. But sadly, Mitchell Corporation that owns these games is defunct, with the rights being held by Capcom who don’t seem to do much with the series. There is however, Pang Adventures, which was released on modern platforms.

If you have enjoyed this feature, then please stick around and see what else catches your eye. I cover a wide range of games in reviews, get special previews and put out regular features. I have Lost Gems, Retro Revival where I discuss re-releases and the occasional Gaming Oddities piece, where I cover weird and wacky titles. So stay a while and have a look around.

4PGP – Steam Review

Overview – developed by Vision Reelle in collaboration with publisher 3goo, 4PGP is an arcade style racing sim, where players take the wheel of a formula style car in fast paced racing. Go around the world in four grand prix cups, taking on a field of challengers to secure the top spot and take the championship. This title is available on Steam, Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 and PlayStation 5, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PR Hound for providing the copy of 4PGP that was used for this piece. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. There is no plot or story for this release, so I will be going directly into covering the gameplay for 4PGP.

Gameplay – 4PGP is an arcade style motorsport racer, where players get behind the wheel of a formula style car, taking on circuits that are inspired by real world locations. There are several modes for players to take on, including a championship mode, where players take on four different championships. Then there is the quick race, where any track can be played (even in reverse), and Time Attack where players go for the top time on tracks.

In Championship mode, the player will play one of the four cups, consisting of three races against 9 other racers. The different Championship cups have tracks that share characteristics, like the Top Speed Cup, where players can floor it across different tracks. In the different grand prix cups, the player will need to finish in first place to win the championship. Depending on the difficulty selected for each of the cups, placing in first can unlock rewards.

At the start of the game, players will be able to use one of 9 cars, with lower level vehicles to start. However, as players complete the grand prix championships, more powerful vehicles will be made available. All of the cars in this release are based on real life vehicles, with fictionalised versions of sponsors on the cars, as well as the track. These include tyre manufacturers, motorsport gear and even a fictionalised version of Marlboro.

The racing itself is a mix between arcade style racing and motorsport sim, with easy to pick up gameplay at the lowest challenge levels. But players will need to take their foot off the accelerator when trying to take many of the turns, due to how tight they can be. If players don’t manage their speeds, they will go off track, losing almost all speed and quickly be overtaken. This means players will need to give the tracks a few attempts to nail the corners.

If the player does fall behind, or manages to get ahead, there is a way get even further along the track and that is the turbo boost. At the start of a race, the turbo charge for the player car will be fully charged, allowing them to use it immediately if they wish to. The boost can also be helpful for recovering if they go off track, as well as getting to speed after very tight turns. But be warned, the turbo charge is limited and does not last very long if players shotgun it.

At the end of each lap, players can recharge the Turbo by hitting the pit lane, with a stopwatch appearing when they enter the lane. On this watch, there will be a green section and a spinner that will move on its own. If the player is able to stop the spinner in the green section, they will get a full charge of the turbo boost for the next lap. However, in the event this is missed only a portion of the boost is restored while in the lane.

There is also tire wear which players need to keep in mind, as the lower the percentage gets, the harder it will be to handle the vehicle. Tire condition will deteriorate during races on the track, which is made worse by hitting the off road areas. This can severely impact the player’s performance in a race, leading to crashes and losing their position in the race. The only way to restore the condition of the tires, is via the pit stop at the end of each lap.

Away from the main championship mode, players can enjoy the Quick Race and Time Attack modes. In Quick Race, players will be able to pick any of the unlocked tracks, alongside special reverse versions for free races. Then we have the Time Attack mode, where players can challenge a single track alone to set the best time. All of the tracks have DEV times, with local leaderboards that players can record their best times on.

There is a special mechanic included as an accessibility feature called Assist Mode, which will nudge the player to the correct racing line. This makes learning the tracks easier, while also making the championships beatable for players who may struggle. Last is the split screen multiplayer, which allows up to four players to enjoy Championship and Quick race together. Unfortunately, I was not able to test this feature out.

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – the controls for this release are rather easy to pick up, with only three buttons used to play the game. The player only needs to accelerate, brake and use the turbo button to get around each of the tracks. It is recommended to use a controller to play the game, with Steam input offering the best way to enjoy the high speed action. However, it is playable when using the standard keyboard, with no issues in terms of delay with any input used.

Difficulty – 4PGP is a very challenging racing title, as the hybrid arcade racing sim style can take a little time to get used to. Thankfully, there is a beginner difficulty that will let players get used to the Championship play, before progressing to Novice, Veteran and Expert to unlock content. The Time Attack and Quick Race modes can be a great way to get used to the tracks. Also for those who struggle, the Assist mode can be a great way to make it accessible.

Presentation – from a visual perspective, the style of the game feels close to classic arcade racing games, with smoothed out models for the vehicles. Then there are the tracks, which a designed well looking fairly close to their real world inspirations. I very much like the fictionalised versions of classic sponsors, which made tracks feel lively. The sound is rather good, with music that sounds like it came straight out of a SEGA arcade game.

Final Thoughts – I have an appreciation for classic arcade racers, like Virtua Racing and Daytona, so 4PGP really appealed to me. The look of the game does have that feel of the classics, with cars that have a chunky look to them, as well as clean and smooth textures. There is a good sensation of speed with the game, making it satisfying to go at full speed on the tracks, or take turns at speed. But it does take a little getting used to at the start.

There are a couple hiccups, as the CPU racers are very aggressive and can push ahead after pushing the player off road. Luckily, the turbo boost can be used to recover and catch up, but sometimes they can get far ahead to the point you cannot catch up even with boosting. Also, it can be hard to unlock the extra content, as players need to get first place for the cups. In general, I do enjoy this game, and I am happy to recommend it to racing fans.

In the end, I give 4PGP a final score of 3.5/5. This is a solid and challenging racer that mixes arcade and sim racing styles, with a retro style to the look, alongside fast and responsive racing with a good amount of content to unlock, but it does have some minor flaws. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch 2 version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 5 version (HERE)

Nitro City Racing – Review

Overview – developed by Inlogic Software, with porting/publishin handed by Eastasiasoft, Nitro City Racing is a single player racing game where players must dodge and weave through traffic in several settings. As a street racer, blast down the road and avoid the other vehicles on the road at high speeds, completing missions and challenges. This title is available on all major platforms, with a link to all versions of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Eastasiasoft for providing the copy of Nitro City Racing used for this piece. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contain within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. There is no real story for this release, so I will be going directly into discussing the gameplay of Nitro City Racing.

Gameplay – Nitro City Racing is an arcade style street racing game, with the objective being to drive down a straight road while weaving through traffic. Before players can get behind the wheel, they will need to select their car, starting with only one out of 10 cars to select from.  After selecting the car, players will be able to pick one of five modes. At the start of the game, there are two modes that players can jump into, Career and One Way.

In Career mode, players will be able to challenge a total of 54 missions. These all include the same basic gameplay loop, where the player must drive down a straight road, dodging vehicles on the road at high speed. However, the mission objectives vary between each of them. The challenges include covering a set distance, near missing other vehicles, driving on the other side of the road and scoring set amounts of points, some with a time limit.

The driving is very basic, with the roads being straight lines with four lanes, offering a very basic high speed driving experience. While driving, players can accelerate, brake and move to the left/right as the basic controls. Then there are the “special features”, which consist of a turbo that lasts a limited time, as well as a time slowing power that adds a black and white filter. This offers a shallow, but functional speed driving experience.

When clearing each of the missions, the player will be awarded coins for the missions, as well as for driving skills during play. The base award for the mission will be set, however, the bonuses will vary based on near misses, going on the opposing lanes and going at high speeds. All of the awards will be added to the player bank, which can be used outside of the Career mode. Players will also gain experience which will level them up and unlock new modes.

Away from the Career mode, the player can access four other game modes. These consist of One Way, where all traffic goes in the same direction, Free Ride where players can just drive endlessly. Then there is the Time Attack mode, where players score as many points as possible, and Two Way which plays out the same as One Way, but with an additional lane. Free Ride, Time Attack and Two Way unlock when players reach set levels.

During play in Career Mode, One Way and Two Way, if the player makes contact with another vehicle, the run will be ended and scores will be tallied. Yet, in the Free Ride and Time Attack mode, the player will auto-brake is the player hits another car, allowing players to continue driving. In the three challenge modes with scores, the player will be able to record their highest score, acting as a record due to the lack of any form of leaderboards.

Away from the rather basic gameplay, there are the cars and customisation options that can be purchased. After accumulating enough coins, players can purchase new cars, with different models inspired by real world vehicles. These have different stats that should affect the performance, but it only seems to affect speed. When a car has been unlocked, the player will be able to buy upgrades and new parts for their car.

The upgrade system allows players to improve their core performance and unlock turbo, with several steps for each of the performance boosts. Then we have the cosmetic customisation options, changing the look of the car, including wheels and spoilers, with several options to choose from. Players can also change the look of their vehicles with color choices, changing the palette of the car with several options to choose from on the menu.  

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – this has a very easy control method, with only a few buttons needed to play. These are to control speed through acceleration/braking, moving across the lanes and the time stop/turbo boost. This works rather well in terms of handling and general play, with the steam version offering players the option of using keyboard, or controller if using steam input. The general performance of the game is pretty intuitive, with no issues in terms of lag.

Difficulty – this game lacks any real difficulty or challenge, as the driving is just a straight line with some swerving between traffic. The challenge itself is all about knowing how to weave between cars, get the near miss combos and maintain high speeds. Due to this rather low difficulty level, it is pretty easy to get through all of the challenges. I just wish there was more to the racing than just going along a straight road.

Presentation – from a visual perspective this game looks rather basic, with simple models for the roads, environments and assets for cars. This does look like a low budget release, with the simplified look of the game, as well as a low render distance. Thankfully, there are no issues in terms of lag or frame rate, with the game playing rather smoothly. The sound is rather basic, with a small amount of music tracks that loop and simple sound effects.

Final Thoughts – I do enjoy arcade style racing games, being a fan of the classics like SEGA Rally and Ridge Racer, so this appealed to me. However, my gameplay experience was a little bit mixed, as the game feels like more of a mobile release. This was due to the very basic menu system, alongside a very simple HUD during play. But the gameplay itself does have an element of fun to it, with a good sense of speed while going down the long roads.

I do wish there was a little more to this game, with more than just the straight never ending roads. The lack of turns and only having players drive in straight lines, does lead to the gameplay becoming tedious rather quickly. If there was a leaderboard system included, or opponent racers, then this would likely hold more staying power. If this style of gameplay does interest you, the price is very low, so it can be good as a bit of a time waster.

In the end, I give Nitro City Racing a final score of 2.5/5. This is a passable budget racing game, with a single style of play that sadly becomes tired fast, but for those who are looking for a cheap street racing game, there is a decent amount of content present. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

The Gecko Gods – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Inresin and published by Super Rare Originals/Gamersky Games, The Gecko Gods is a platform adventure set on mysterious islands, where players take control of a tiny gecko. As the gecko, explore the ruins of a forgotten archipelago and solve the puzzles to uncover the mysteries they hold. This title is available for PlayStation 5, Steam and Nintendo Switch, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.  

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Super Rare Originals for providing the copy of The Gecko Gods used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. There is little in terms of a narrative that is presented, so I will be going straight into discussing gameplay, with available plot details sprinkled throughout. Please Note, images used for this piece are taken from official sources.

Gameplay – The Gecko Gods is a relaxed puzzle-adventure, where the player takes control of a little gecko, arriving on the shore of a mysterious archipelago. While exploring the island, the player will encounter the spirits of the Gecko Gods, who will guide the player on their quest. During the start of the adventure, the player will only be able to explore one of the islands. However, as the adventure progresses, players will be able to explore more of the islands.

While on each of the islands, the player will be able to climb any surface that they come across, allowing players to cling to walls and ceilings. The little gecko will also be able to jump, dash and swim across pools of water. There will also be environmental elements to interact with, including switches, moving platforms and levers to open gates. Many of the puzzles will have multiple steps to them that need to be solved to progress.

There will also be platforming elements to the various puzzle challenges, including hitting gongs, jumping through hoops and ringing bells. By completing the different puzzle challenges and objectives, they will be marked off the list and lead to interesting effects on the islands. Upon completing the challenges of the first island, the player will be able to access the boat, which allows the gecko to explore outside of the first island.

The sailing between islands allows for players to engage with open ended exploration, where the islands away from the first can be approached in any order. As the player explores the different islands, they will encounter guides, either through tablets or birds, who will provide hints on objectives. These will then be added to the quest guide, allowing players to track their progress, with objective area shown as circles on the different maps.

While this is a rather laid back adventure, there are some dangers present during the adventure. In some areas, there will be enemies that will attack the gecko. If the player takes too much damage, they will lose their tail and then be knocked out, sending them back to the last checkpoint. But players can fight back by dashing at enemies to defeat them. The open water will also harm the gecko, causing damage if they fall into the ocean.

Away from the main objectives, the player will be able to complete side objectives while exploring. While wandering through the islands, the little gecko can eat up various insects, with each new insect being added to a special page on progress screen. There will also be relics that are hidden around the islands, which players can find as they explore. These special collectables will also be added to the special collection page.

Throughout the journey across the islands, the player will be able to collect golden symbols. The main way is from destroying jars and pots, which will drop points when they are smashed by dashing into them. Enemies will also drop the points when they are defeated by the player. These points are added to a pot that is carried throughout the course of the adventure. Players can use these points to purchase special cosmetic items for the gecko.

As players explore, they will find special mirrors that players will be able to interact with. When one of these points has been found, the player will go into the cosmetics menus, where special colors and patterns that can be purchased. These items varying amounts of points to unlock, which are deducted from the player bank. The colors and patterns that can be purchased for the gecko unlock during the adventure, with many cosmetics to discover.

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – there is a relatively simple and intuitive control scheme for the Gecko Gods, offering players an easy to pick up and play experience. All of the inputs needed to experience the adventure are on the face, with the thumbsticks controlling movement and the camera. While the experience is generally smooth, there are a few little hiccups with control when getting stuck on corners, with the camera being difficult to control at times.

Difficulty – there is a relatively low level of difficulty, making this game approachable by players of all skill levels. This is due to a laid back and relaxed atmosphere, with the threats to the player being few and far between. The only real challenge for players is to solve the puzzles, which can require some wandering and can take time to figure out. This makes the Gecko Gods an excellent choice to be played with children, or as a family.

Presentation – visually, this title has a soft and vibrant look to it, with an excellent use of color and textures that give a soft shaded look. This works well for the game to give it a relaxed atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the music, which has soft compositions that add to the gentle feel. The game performs well, with fluid performance and no issues with lag. Sadly, there are some minor issues with pop in, as the render distance on switch is a little short.

Final thoughts – I had seen this game a few years back when the reveal trailer dropped in 2022, but there were several delays before being released this year. When the opportunity to cover the game was offered to me, I was more than happy to pick it up. I very much enjoy this adventure, as the gentle atmosphere and relaxed gameplay offer a refreshing experience. The platforming and puzzles have some challenges to them, but they are accessible by all players.

This is an excellent adventure, which encourages exploration with the ability to climb on all surfaces. However, there are some minor issues with this ability, as players can get stuck on surfaces, fall suddenly and have some difficulties finding the right direction. Thankfully, these are just hiccups that don’t sour the overall experience. I recommend this game to everyone that enjoys adventure games, as it is perfect for families and those who want a relaxed experience.

In the end, I give The Gecko Gods a final score of 4.25/5. This is an enjoyable and pleasant adventure, with a soft shaded look and relaxed environment that allows players to enjoy the game at their own pace, offering rewarding exploration and balanced platforming puzzles. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Retro Revival – ACA NEOGEO League Bowling (Various)

Hello there and welcome to the next entry in Retro Revival, the series where I cover classic games that have been given another chance at life. Here I cover HD remasters, emulated ports and compilations in part or as a whole. This week we continue going through the NEOGEO library, this time with League Bowling, a unique bowling arcade game developed by SNK in 1990. This title is available on modern platforms via the ACA NEOGEO series by Hamster Corporation.

Disclaimer: the games discussed in this feature have been my own purchases, so all opinions contained within are my own. There has been no sponsorship of the content in this feature, with links to the different versions of the game where available.

So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing the general gameplay experience, then provide my personal thoughts on the release.

About the game

League Bowling is a straight forward arcade bowling simulation, where players play through ten frames of arcade bowling action. This game can be played with up to four players, with the first two going first, then the second pair taking their turns. When starting the game, there are three modes that players can jump into to play. These modes are the following;

  • Regulation – this is the standard bowling mode, where the action plays out in the traditional format, bowling 10 frames to get the best possible score. The maximum perfect score is 300, just like real world bowling.
  • Flash Bowling – the game plays out just like regular bowling, but the scoring is different with flashing score bonuses at the top of the screen. There are three different types of bonuses ranging from 50 to 200 for spares and 100 to 300 for strikes. There are no bonus shots on the tenth frame, with a maximum perfect score of 3000.
  • Strike 90 – Similar to Regulation and Flash bowling, the player will bowl 10 frames just like the others, but like Flash bowling the score system has changed. Each time the player gets a strike, they will earn 90 points, there will be 60 points for a spare and for special trick shots, 30 points will be awarded. The perfect score for this mode is 900, with no final frame bonus shots.

After selecting the number of players and the mode, the pre-game screen will appear where players can select the weight of their ball, as well as their hand. The ball weights that can be chosen are between 8 and 15, with different colors for each of the balls to differentiate between them. The weight of the ball doesn’t seem to have any real effect on the way they work, with all balls function nearly identically with the color being the only difference.

Once all of the selections have been made, the game will begin with Pete the player on the lane. The game is played in vertical split screen, with two players being able to play simultaneously, rather than turn based as most other games are. If there is one player or three players, the empty side on the right will have Jessica the lane girl filling the space. When she is on screen she will be holding a sign with the controls to play the game.

During each throw of a frame, the player needs to line up their shots moving along the line to get into position. Then the player can set the control of the ball, using a sliding control gauge that players can stop to throw straight or add a curve to the shot. After the position and control has been set, players can use the power meter to set how hard they throw the ball. As the throw is made, there are animations at the top of the screen.

There are a variety of animations that play out during the throws, with unique animations for each strike, spare and miss. The different animations mimic the fanfare present in real-world bowling alleys, but with the added twist of animations for more than just strikes. These add a lot of charm to the game experience, elevating it above other bowling arcade titles of the time. If playing Flash Bowling, the animations are missing and replaced with the bonus scores.

At the end of the game, players will appear at an awards ceremony with the players ranked from first to last. This occurs with any number of players, with single player defaulting to the top spot, and if the player sets a high enough score they can add their name. The game is relatively short with a game taking between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the players. But the whole game is played with a single credit, so players get the full experience every time.

As mentioned in my other ACA NEOGEO features, there is the High Score and Caravan modes, where players play through a full game. The objective is to set the highest score possible for the global rankings, as the game is rather short, both modes are mostly the same. Alongside the modes, there is the international and Japanese release, alongside the adjustable settings, digital manual and the retro CRT filter the give it an old school look.

Personal Thoughts

I have many fond memories of League Bowling, having played it both at home and at arcades while on family holidays. When I was a kid, I wasn’t too good at it as my timing was pretty terrible, but as I got older and gave it more time, I have improved. But I can still be a bit hit and miss when playing the game, adding too much spin, being in the wrong place or just being off with timing. Yet, I still have a tremendous amount of fun when playing the game.

It is as simple as it gets, being a single button game that is played with only the A button. But this doesn’t take away from the fun and challenge on offer, as players can practice and get good enough to hit that perfect 300 game. It is also one of those rare four player arcade games that only needs two controllers, as players pass the controllers after each frame. The odd players share the player 1 controller and the even players share player 2.

The game is rather short, but that adds to the replay value for it, as you can get several games done in an hour. This makes it perfect for solo and group play, as you can try to set a score and beat it, or play through several games during game nights to see who is the best bowler. It is one of those evergreen games, which you can pick up and play whenever you feel that bowling itch, or break it out when you have company around.

League Bowling was released during the first year of the NEOGEO MVS, then was released around 7 months later for the home system. Even though it is one of those early games, released as SNK were finding their feet with the system, it looks and sounds as good as the best games in the library. It is one of those that I do hope gets a re-release as part of the AES+, as the price for the original cartridge has a rather hefty price tag.  

If you have enjoyed this feature, then take a look at the other content available and see what catches your eye. There are reviews, sometimes news and features that cover a variety of games. There is the lost gems series, special Gaming Oddities and more coming in the future. So stick around for a while and check out the other content.

Link to Nintendo Switch Version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Retro Revival – ACA NEOGEO: Burning Fight (Various)

Hello again and welcome to another entry of Retro Revival, the ongoing series where I cover classic games that have been given a second chance. Here I cover HD remasters, emulated ports and compilations in part or whole. This time the adventure through the NEOGEO library continues, with Burning Fight, which was SNK’s foray into the beat ‘em’ up genre in 1991. This title is available via the ACA NEOGEO series by Hamster Corporation.

Disclaimer: the games discussed in this feature have been my own purchases, so all opinions contained within are my own. There has been no sponsorship of the content in this feature, with links to the different versions of the game where available.

So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing the general gameplay experience, then provide my personal thoughts on the release.

About the game

Burning Fight is a side scrolling brawler, similar to Double Dragon and Final Fight, set in a fictionalised Japan. The plot focuses on two NYPD detectives Duke and Billy, who travel to Japan hot on the heels of a crime syndicate. Here they meet Ryu, a police officer who joins them on their mission. Together, the trio will fight their way through city streets, underground malls and on the top of moving trains, battling various gangsters.

At the start of the game, players will be able to select one of the three characters. Duke is a balanced, all round character that is suited for all players. Ryu is a fast and speedy brawler, with the quickest attacks and combos. Then there is Billy, the slowest of the three, yet he has the most powerful attacks, dealing significant damage to enemies. After the player selects their character the game will begin, throwing them straight into the action.

This title is made up of 5 stages, which take place across various locations. The objective is simple, make it to the end of the stage, beating down the enemies that appear and attack. All of the characters have a simple toolkit, using three buttons for the attacks and actions. The moves consist of a basic combo for punches and kicks, a throw and jump attack. Each of the characters also have a special super attack, but this costs health to use.

While making their way through the stages, players will encounter waves of enemies that will try to beat them down. The different enemies will have unique attack patterns, either attacking bare handed or armed with weapons. As the player takes down enemies, some of them will drop weapons that can be picked up. These weapons include knives, broken bottles and poles that players can pick up, but these have limited use before being dropped.

Weapons aren’t the only thing that can be picked up by players, as there will be a variety of environmental objects that can be broken. By destroying objects like signboards, vending machines and furniture, point items and healing pick-ups can be found. The point objects are simple enough, they add bonus points to the player score. Then we have the health items, made up of classic fast foods, which will restore different amounts of lost health.

In most of the stages, players will be able to enter special bonus challenge rooms. When the player enters these rooms, they will be given target items to break in a limited time. These consist of boxes, display shelves and even a printer, which the player must destroy as fast as possible. If the player destroys the objects, they will drop items for players to collect. After clearing the room or the time expiring, the player will leave the room and continue the stage.

At set points during the stages, there will be powerful enemies will appear and attack the player. These are the top henchmen of the syndicate, consisting of powerful members of the Yakuza, heavy hitters and deadly samurai. Some will appear as mid boss foes, appearing before the stage transitions to the next area. Each of these battles will have the main boss, with their unique attack patterns, but they won’t be alone as more bad guys will appear.

Even though this game is only 5 stages, there is a lot of content on offer, taking about an hour to clear the game. But this time may vary when paying co-op with another player, as more enemies will spawn in different areas. When the final boss is defeated, there will be an ending montage which changes depending on the character used. If the player clears the game with a co-op partner, they will also appear in the ending scene.

Like the other games that have been released as part of the ACA NEOGEO library, players can take on the High Score and Caravan modes. In these modes the player will have a single credit to get as many points as possible, submitting their scores to the leaderboard. High Score mode is the regular game with only a single credit, whereas the Caravan mode gives players a 5 minute time limit. All scores set in this mode are submitted to global rankings.

Players can enjoy the English and Japanese version of the game, with their own rankings tied to them. There is also the inclusion of the manual for the game, showing players all the details needed to play the game. Players can also adjust the settings, changing the lives, score bonuses and in the video options apply filters for a retro CRT filter. All of these options make this the best way to experience these classic games on modern systems.

Personal Thoughts

I enjoy Burning Fight, and have done since first getting to play it long ago through unofficial emulation, as well as the SNK Arcade Classics on PSP. The action is relatively fast paced, with easy to use controls and a solid heavy soundtrack. It is one of those games that can perfectly slot into any game night when playing alone, or with someone else. Especially as you can set the game to have 99 lives, making a challenge to see who can get to the end with more lives left.

Now, Burning Fight may look like a clone of the brawlers that came before it, with similarities to games like Final Fight and Double Dragon. However, while it does have elements of the games that come before it, it still has gameplay elements that make it feel unique. The classic archetypes of the all-rounder, the agile fighter and the heavy powerhouse are present, giving the game that familiarity that makes it easy to pick up and play.

It may feel like a short experience, clocking in at around an hour, but it has enough replay value with the main game, the leaderboard rankings and bonus modes. There is also the full digital manual, dipswitches and remappable controllers, allowing players to fit their own preferences. All of this for a pretty low cost of entry, especially as the Cartridge version for the NEOGEO AES, or the NEOCD release can be in the hundreds on the secondary market.

This is a very early game in the lifespan of the NEOGEO, releasing just over a year after the hardware was released for the MVS in May of 1991. The AES version for the home released less than four months later, within the launch window for the international release of the home unit. As mentioned in other features, the AES+ has been announced for November, and Burning Fight is one of those games I would like to see if there are additional carts released.

If you have enjoyed this feature, then take a look at the other content available and see what catches your eye. There are reviews, sometimes news and features that cover a variety of games. There is the lost gems series, special Gaming Oddities and more coming in the future. So stick around for a while and check out the other content.

Link to Nintendo Switch Version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

OUTBLAST – Release Date Announcement

Hello there, I have an announcement for an upcoming Sci-Fi shooter from our friends at PR Hound. Coming June 4th, Rhino Rock Studios will be releasing their title OUTBLAST, coming to Steam, Steam Deck and VR platforms. This title offers both fully immersive VR display, alongside flat-screen support, allowing all players the ability to enjoy this vibrant arcade shooter, Sci-Fi neon lighting.

About the game

OUTBLAST is a fast paced Sci-fi shooter, where anticipation, skill and a little luck are needed to overcome the challenges present. A rougue viral intelligence known as Typhon is spreading through the system, corrupting entire districts and destabilising the planetary core. All other defences have failed and you, the pilot of interceptor C11-28, are the only hope for defending the planet’s core from destruction.

The mission ahead is perilous, but you must boost, blast, and survive nonstop combat in this frantic arcade shooter. Defend Perseon-6 from relentless infected waves before the core collapses. Battle legendary enemies across five deadly districts, upgrade your ship with collected data fragments to withstand increasingly powerful threats, and compete against players worldwide for the top spot on the leaderboard!

Features

  • High-octane arcade frenzy: Boost, blast, and unleash devastating bombs as you tear through waves of enemies in a relentless, adrenaline-fueled arcade shooter.
  • Destroy five elite bosses: Defend the core of Perseon-6 and its districts against Hydra, Gorgon, Minotaur, Siren and Typhon.
  •  Power up to dominate: Upgrade your ship in the heat of battle, collect valuable data fragments, and evolve into an unstoppable force of destruction.
  • Rise through the ranks: Compete against friends, enemies and other players in a race to the top on global leaderboards.
  • Unlock 15 Steam achievements: Prove your skills with flawless runs, lightning-fast speed laps, massive kill streaks, and ultimate combo clears.

Your objective in this mission is clear. Destroy the infected constructs, avoid the hazards and dangers that appear, collect data particles and purge the system before total collapse. Don your VR headset or settle into your comfy chair for this blaster masterpiece, featuring dual presentation modes with VR and flat-screen support. Fight for survival on June 4th 2026.

You can wishlist the game on STEAM (HERE) and for the Meta Quest (HERE)

R-Type Dimensions III – Steam Review

Overview – developed by KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and published by Tozai games/ININ Games, R-Type Dimensions III is a full remake of the classic Shooter for the SNES/Super Famicom from IREM. As the pilot of the R-90, embark on a mission into enemy territory, fighting the Bydo Empire that threatens humanity with destruction. This title is available for Xbox, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and Steam, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PR Hound for providing the copy of R-Type Dimensions III that was used for this piece. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. I will be using details of the official manual and the store pages for the story. I have covered other recent R-Type titles, which you can find (HERE).

Story – in a distant future, the BYDO Empire has been a threat to Humanity, engaging in war with Earth and beaten back each time. These bio-mechanical creatures have appeared once more, close to the Earth and threatening humanity with extinction. Earth deploys the R-90 Ragnarok, the latest R-Type craft, on a mission to destroy the remnants of the empire. As Captain of the R-90, warp between dimensions to battle the BYDO and eliminate them to save the Earth.

Gameplay – R-Type Dimensions III is a side scrolling shooter, taking place across six distinct stages, where the player must battle the forces of the BYDO. The stages follow the traditional shooter system, where the screen will scroll as the player battles enemies, blasting them with their standard weaponry. However, there is also a Beam that can be charged for a huge single blast, or the Hyper beam which will provide greatly enhanced power for a limited time.

While battling the forces of the BYDO, the player will be able to shoot down upgrade capsules, which will drop power-ups for the player to collect. The most important is the Force power-up, which is a satellite that will attach to the ship, or move around the screen when detached. There are three types of force that can be used, with the choice of force being made at the start of the game. The different types of force are as follows;

  • Round Force – this is the most basic of the Force satellites that can be used, when attached the Force will unleash powerful Laser attacks. These consist of the circular Chain Laser, Mirror Laser that bounces off surfaces and Sweep Laser that runs across surfaces. When detatched, the Force fires in several directions.
  • Shadow Force – this force is focused on destroying as many enemies as possible at once. The attached attacks consist of Reverse lasers that fire in front and behind of the ship, the Shadow Lasers that summons a support ship and Strafe Laser that flows along the terrain. The detached attack is a simple spread shot, attacking in multiple directions.
  • Cyclone Force – This advanced force specialises in defense, but is just as adept at damaging enemy forces. The three laser types are the Pierce Laser that moves through objects, the Wave Laser that expands upon contact and the Capsule Laser, which deploys static satellites that attack enemies. The detatched function for this Force produces a laser, which will block enemy attacks.

When the player collects their first power-up, they will have only one attack, but as more of the upgrades are picked up, the power will increase to a limit. But that isn’t the only one that can be collected, there are the speed units, which will upgrade the speed the ship can move. Then there are the Missile units which give the R-90 the ability to fire missiles. The last power-up is the Pit Unit, which add support satellites that can help protect the ship.

In the stages, players will also need to avoid the hazards of the stages, including the tight passages of a space station, the tunnels of the acid cave and deadly industrial zones. To survive the different dangers of these environments, players must take great care, as any contact with the enemy, hazards or shots will destroy the player ship. When this happens, they will be sent back to a pre-set checkpoint when playing in Original Mode, losing all power-ups.

At the end of each stage, the player will encounter powerful bosses with unique gimmicks to them. This is where the challenge really jumps in difficulty, as one of the bosses has a wall in front of them, needing to be hit with charged beams to damage them. There is also a crab-like machine that will be behind the player, needing to be shot or hit by the Force to damage it. This is combined with deadly attack patterns and on screen hazards.

There is also the boss rush Phantom Cell, which appears late into the game, which takes the form of bosses from R-Type 1&2. During battle with the Phantom Cell, by dealing enough damage to the creature, it will switch between 4 different forms. This includes the iconic Dobkeratops, the H.R. Giger inspired creation that has appeared in most of the games in the series. This is the longest boss battle, appearing before the final stretch of the game.

As each stage is cleared, there are seamless transitions between stages via blackout screen. If the player started the game on normal mode, clearing the game will cause it to start again in Advanced mode. This second loop is significantly harder, with tougher bosses and enemy attacks. Clearing this loop is the only way to get the ending screen. If the game is started on Advanced mode, there is no second loop, with the game ending when the final boss is destroyed.

For this game, there are two game modes that players can challenge. The first is Original, which is the intended way to play the game, with limited lives per continue and reverting to checkpoints on death. This is a rather brutal and challenging game, where player skill will be pushed to the limits, with any death leading to progress being lost. To make it through these challenges, players will need to have a lot of patience to learn each of the patterns and stages.

Luckily, there is a second mode that is more accessible for players. This is the Infinite Mode, where players will have an unlimited number of lives to make it through the game. There is also a change in how death works, as each death will have the player immediately respawn, without going back to a checkpoint. The player will also respawn with the Force, which will be needed to battle some of the bosses, making it possible to clear the game.

There are also new features that have been added to the game aside from the Infinite mode, with enhanced resolution, brand new 3D visuals and a special camera perspective. There is the ability to switch between visuals freely, going between the original SNES sprites and the new 3D models during play. There is also a stage select, with stages unlocked by beating them in either mode, allowing players to resume the game between play sessions.

Alongside the single player mode, there is a co-op mode where two players can work together to take down the BYDO menace. This game mode functions as a mix of the Original and Infinite modes, with the ability to respawn immediately but there are limited lives. In the event both players run out of lives, they will be sent back to the last checkpoint reached upon continuing. This makes the challenge more approachable in original mode with a companion.

If the players choose the Infinite mode, this is even easier to play through, as the two players together will be able to wipe out all enemies quickly. The removal of the limited lives will also make it much easier for a co-op run, allowing both players to get through the game. It is important to know that there are leaderboards for scores and achievements/trophies to unlock, but they are locked out in Infinite modes for both single and co-op play.

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – this game uses a method similar to the original release, using four buttons for the main features. The shooting and Force control are on the face, the beam switch is on the shoulders and oddly the camera/sprite shift buttons are spread on the controller. In general the feel of the game is positive, with responsive controls and on all systems. This is important as there is a lot of precision that is needed to get through the hazards of the stages.

Difficulty – this is possibly one of the hardest non-bullet hell shooters that I have played, with a difficulty level that is brutal to play. This is likely due to it being a SNES game, which were notorious for being punishing to make the game last as long as possible. I found the Original mode so difficult, I was unable to get past the third stage. However, thanks to the Infinite Mode, I was able to experience the whole gameplay experience.

Presentation – there is a bit of a strange thing that happens with the game visually, as some of the environments don’t seem to translate to 3D the best. The original SNES sprites are just bursting with color, with the backgrounds being clean and vibrant. However, some of the background assets in 3D look a little too dark, losing some of the clarity and details that were present. This is just a minor hiccup in the overall experience.

With this release, there is a CRT filter that can be toggled for the SNES graphics, making it look as close to the original as possible. This is a nice choice and does look pretty good. There is also an angled camera perspective for the 3D camera, called the Crazy camera and adds an extra dimension as a fun bonus. For the music, there is the original Chiptune sound, alongside a brand new orchestration of the full soundtrack, sadly it doesn’t seem to loop correctly.

Final Thoughts – I have a lot of love for the R-Type series, even though I am not the best at it, but I still like to give it a good try. I had played the original game that this is based on, way back on the Super Nintendo, but I never got too far into it. So it was pretty nice to be able to return to the game, give it another try and see what happens. I did have a pretty positive experience with it, finally being able to experience the whole game, even if it wasn’t the intended way.

There is a brutal challenge on offer that those with masochistic tendencies would enjoy, as it requires timing, precision movement and a lot of pattern memorisation. But for those who just want to experience the battles through space, there is the option for it, either alone or with a companion. It is a little rough around the edges, but offers a very good way to experience a classic on modern platforms. So I am happy to recommend picking this game up.

In the end, I give R-Type Dimensions III a final Score of 4.5/5. This is an excellent revival of one of the most challenging SHMUPS on the Super Nintendo, with some decent enhanced visual options, as a solid recreation of the original, while also offering an accessible experience that everyone can enjoy. If you want to check this game for yourself, a link to each version will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)/Switch 2 (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 5 version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)