Retro Revival – Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute (Various)

Hello and welcome to the latest entry in the Retro Revival series, covering classic games that have been given a second chance to be appreciated by a new audience. Here I discuss HD remasters, emulated ports and compilations, in part or as a whole. This week, I will be covering a classic action game that was in arcades, as well as the SEGA Saturn. Elevator Action Returns, which has been brought to new platforms under the S-Tribute Banner.

Disclaimer: the games discussed in this feature have been purchased by me, so the opinions given within are all my own. There has been no sponsorship of the content in this feature, with links to the different version of the game at the bottom where possible.

So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing the general gameplay experience, alongside some background details and then my personal thoughts on the title.

About the game

Elevator Action Returns is an action arcade game, being a full sequel to the original game, expanding on it significantly. The original game featured a spy collecting documents, with this one having a whole new scenario. This time a paramilitary trio the DEF is sent on missions, fighting against a mysterious terrorist organisation. These three agents, set out to take down the criminal group, stopping their plan for global domination and a new world order.

The gameplay for this release is similar to other run and gun titles, completing several missions in a variety of settings. When starting the game, the player must select the character they want to use from a roster of three agents. These are Kart Bradfield, Edie Burret and Jad the Taff, who each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Kart is the most agile, Edie can fire her weapon the fastest and Jad is the most resilient of the team.

Stages are made up of buildings that are split into floors, going both vertically and horizontally. These areas include an apartment building, airport terminal and even an underground train station, with stages that can move in all directions. To navigate the different buildings, the player must navigate elevators and lifts to get through each layer. These move on their own, but when the player gets onto them, they can control them freely.

In each of the missions, the player must defuse bombs planted in the target location, which are hidden behind specific doors. But players must stay on their toes, as there will be an endless number of enemy henchmen that will appear. To dispatch these foes, the player can use their base weapon, which has unlimited ammunition. However, they are also provided with a limited number of bombs, as well as an up close melee attack.

The bombs can be thrown between two distances, when standing and when crouched. These explosives can be handy in a pinch, being able to take out several enemies at once. If the player runs out, they will be able to collect more by accessing blue doors and breaking boxes. The player can also collect grenades from enemies, while getting bonus points from various sources to boost the players current score.

Many of the enemies that appear can be taken down with a single shot, but as the player gets further into the missions, they will get stronger. The enemies will also evolve from basic thugs, to mercenaries with flight and even robots. In order to even the playing field, players can also get stronger by collecting weapon upgrades. Each of the characters has two weapon upgrades they can use, an automatic weapon and an explosive launcher.

Using these weapons can quickly thin out the herd, with the ability to hit several at once. The automatic weapon does the same damage as the default, but is faster and goes further. Then there is the explosive launcher, which will turn whatever it touches to ash and leaving trail of destruction behind. These weapons have limited munitions, lasting until the player has used all of the shots up, reverting back to the default handgun weapon.

During a mission, the player can use the environment to their advantage, with broken walls, barriers and even oil drums. If the player shoots a barrel, it will fall over and roll, shooting again will cause it to burst into flames and incinerate the enemies nearby. There will also be sections where explosives will be dropped from environmental points. These will cover the entire floor in flames for a short time, helping the player take down enemies.

During some of the missions, there will be intense battles against large groups of enemies. These enemy hordes will attack the player from all sides, with some of them appearing above and below the player. The horde battles are the closest thing to a boss fight, as this game doesn’t follow the traditional rules of run and gun games. Once all of the bombs have been defused, the player must head to the extraction point to escape.

The player has a limited amount of health and lives, taking damage from enemy fire that will drain energy. If the health bar runs out, the player will fall and lose a life. But players can also lose a life by falling from ledges or being crushed by an elevator. There is also a hidden time limit, which will run down as the player makes their way through each of the missions. A warning will appear when this happens, with the timer resetting when a bomb is disarmed.

During a run of the game, there are limited credits and lives to make it through the missions. The player can have a maximum of four lives, with three credits to get through the game as standard. However, as this is a special emulated release, there have been new features added, including the ability to toggle infinite credits and even level select. This makes it possible for players to make it through the entire game, easing the challenge for some.

There is a two player co-op mode that is available for this release, with players selecting their hero and working together. This is a good use for the infinite credit feature as there are only three credits, which will be shared between the two active players. There is also a special version of the original arcade game, Elevator Action, which can be accessed from the main menu. This is a fairly accurate version of the first game and a nice addition.

For this release, as well as others in the S-Tribute series, there is a selection of special visual settings that players can apply. This includes altering the size of the image, adding scanlines and more to the look of the game. There is also a rewind feature, letting players fix mistakes that have been made, alongside a quick save and load feature. These additions and the special features let any player enjoy the game, providing the best experience for all.

Personal Thoughts

Elevator Action Returns is an interesting and unique game, which was originally released only in Japan. This makes the S-Tribute version of the game very special, as it is the first time the game has been officially released in the west. There was also a significant gap between the first two games, with 11 years between them. After this there were additional games that popped up over the years, including updates to the original and even a light gun release.

I had originally played an import of the first game on the SEGA Saturn, having positive memories of the game. This made the revival of the game through the ZEBRA Engine an exciting one, being able to experience the game again after many years. The S-Tribute series is a great thing for players, as they are significantly less expensive than original hardware and software. It also allows the games to be saved from being lost to time.

The elevator action series is one of those that maintained a unique identity, with some games trying to emulate them, yet not reaching the same levels of quality. There hasn’t been much from the franchise, aside from a re-release of the first game as part of the Arcade Archives series. This is available in the Taito Milestones collection, allowing players to play the first game. The gameplay is identical between the ACA release and as a bonus in this title.

The general experience of the game, with the quality of life improvements, visual modifiers and accessibility make this the definitive version of Elevator Action Returns. It is perfect for people looking for something to challenge solo, or with another, being perfect for game nights. There are many games available on the S-Tribute label, with the ZEBRA Engine providing the only official way to experience these games.

This is a fantastic title, offering fun and unique run and gun gameplay, which is currently available across all platforms. If you have any of the current generation and even previous generation of systems, I highly recommend checking this out. Especially on the Nintendo Switch and even the Steam Deck, as it is one of those games perfect for handheld play. it may not be the longest experience, but it sure packs an action filled punch.

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)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Idea factory, Compile Heart and STING, with Publishing handled by Idea Factory International, the legendary Mado Monogatari dungeon crawling RPG series is back. The young aspiring mage Fia sets off on an adventure at the Ancient Magic Academy, with her goal to be the next Great Mage. This title is available on PlayStation 4/5 and Nintendo Switch, with links to each version of 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 Mado Mongatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy 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. I will be covering the core gameplay mechanics of this game, as to prevent spoiling any of the surprises and secrets that the adventure holds. I will also be referring to the game as simply Mado Monogatari, for the sake of brevity.

Story – The Ancient Magic Academy, a school that formally teaches the Magic Artes and nurtures the ambitions of student. Fia, a young girl who aspires to be a Great Mage, leaves her hometown and arrives at the Wondrous Academy to study Magic Artes like grandmother. Surrounded by strict yet humorous professors, alongside chaotic and delightful classmates, Fia will learn Magic Artes, attend classes and grow in order to become a Great Mage.

Gameplay – Mado Monogatari is a mix of dungeon crawling RPG and school adventure, where the player takes the role of Fia, a young girl who aspires to be the next Great Mage. The gameplay is split into two gameplay segments, dungeon exploration and life at the academy. In order to progress the game, the player will need to attend classes and complete assignments. While attending classes, Fia will learn various skills and Magic Artes.

Before the game starts proper, the player will select a role, which will affect the general statistics and proficiency for Fia. The classes are based on traditional RPG archetypes, with the power focused Magic Knight, magic focused Wizard and support focused Witch Thief. There is also the Hermit Hunter, which is a balanced in both combat and magic. The player is able to switch their role, allowing for experimentation during the adventure.

During the early stages of the game, the player will have assignments that will teach the player the basics of the game. These include introductions to the combat system, levelling and general dungeon exploration. Assignments will be separated into required and optional, the required classes will push the narrative forward. There will also be additional objectives that aren’t tied to assignments, like locating and speaking to characters.

When taking on an assignment, the player will often need to enter a dungeon to complete it. This is where the dungeon crawling gameplay comes into play. In the areas surrounding the Academy, there are dungeons that the player will be able to explore. This starts out as with the Mage’s Tower, which is where the player learns the basics of dungeon crawling. The floors of the dungeons are randomised, giving the player a new experience each time.

Alongside the dungeon excursion assignments, there will be additional objectives for the classes to be completed. Some of them will be answering questions, some will be combat exercises and others will be only narrative sections. Once an assignment has been completed, the player will be able to turn it in to the homeroom teacher Rivan. It is recommended for players to complete the side assignments before the main quests.  

During the exploration of a dungeon, the player will control Fia directly, guiding her around the floor of the current location. She will be accompanied by a party, consisting of up to 5 characters, with 3 active including Fia and two reserves. The party will expand as the player gets further into the game, with characters changing as the narrative develops. Active and reserve characters can be switched freely, inside and out of the dungeons.

Dungeon exploration can be a tiring endeavour, which is where VT comes into play. VT also known as Vitality, is the energy that the player needs to travel the dungeon and protect themselves. This is gradually depleted by entering combat, moving between floors or by hitting the dangerous traps that can appear. If the green VT bar runs out, the player will start taking damage on a red bar, if both of them run out the expedition will be a failure.

When exploring, there will be destructible objects on the floors of the dungeon. These consist of boxes, barrels and environmental elements like crystals and grass. The player can break these items by attacking them with their weapon, yielding items, resources and recovery items. Recover items can restore lost Health, magic power used for spells and VT. The other way to restore VT is to consume Curry, which can be a reward or even crafted.

Once the assignment has been completed in the dungeon, the player will be able to leave immediately. Upon departing from the dungeon, the number of defeated enemies will be recorded, the items that have been found and the max floor reached. The highest number for each of these will be recorded as a high score. The scores recorded will be tied to each of the many dungeons, giving players targets to try and beat when exploring.

As the player wanders the labyrinths, there will be enemies that appear consisting of various monsters. The most common of these are the Puyo Slimes, the recognisable multi-color slime creatures that had their own series spin off from Mado Monogatari. The player will see the enemies on the dungeon field, randomly placed in the different rooms and areas of the floor. There are two ways that enemies can be engaged in battle.

If the player runs into an enemy, or if they strike first a battle will begin. This is where the real meat of the game takes place. When in combat, there is a mix of real time and turn based battle mechanics. The player will directly control Fia and the active party will move around autonomously, making decisions based on orders they have been given. To take down enemies, the player will be able to employ basic attacks and special skills.

At the top of the screen, there will be timeline that shows all of the active combatants in battle. The icons for the characters and enemies will move along the line, stopping when they reach the end of the timeline. When this happens, all combatants will be able to unleash skills, magic attacks and use items, resetting them to the other end of the timeline. Fia can use her weapon for a standard attack, but this will slow down her icon delaying access to skills.

As the player and party use their skills, Elemental Orbs will be dropped based on the attack used. Up to five of these different orbs can be collected, appearing in the bottom right corner of the screen. These elemental orbs serve two purposes, by collecting four or more of the same type, the player will enter a fever state for a limited time. In this special state, the player will be do increased damage with the attribute that activated fever.

The most important use for the orbs is to activate the Great Magic Artes, a selection of powerful magical powers that can be unleashed upon enemies. These special skills can be used any time the player has the correct orbs to use it, immediately activating the powerful attack. All enemies in the battle will take significant damage, which can be very useful in a pinch. Different skills require specific elements, so some experimentation is needed.

In battle, there will be status effects that can occur, including sleep and poison that deal damage over time. These are dangerous as they can cause Fia or a party member to be severely hurt, potentially leading to disaster. If a party member is defeated, they will be unable to continue unless they are revived or the dungeon is left. In the event that Fia is taken down, the exploration will end, going back to the Academy at the cost of 50% of money.

When a battle is over, the player will gain experience, money and even items based on the challenge of the enemies. The experience earned will be provided to all party members that aren’t incapacitated, levelling up the characters when set milestones are met. As characters level up, they will get stronger, increasing their skills, abilities and unlocking new upgrades. When Fia levels up, she will also gain LP points, which are used to progress her skills.

For Fia to increase her skills and abilities, the Grimoire she carries needs to be imbued with power. Inside the Grimoire, there are powers that need to be unlocked by paying LP earned during play. To be able to learn the new skills and features, the player will need to complete classes and meet the requirements in the Grimoire. By learning the skills in the large nodes, the player will gain credits and when enough are earned, a promotion exam can be challenged.

The promotion exam will increase the classification of Fia as a Mage, starting at Apprentice and increasing to Bachelor Mage, Beginner Mage and further. If the player can pass the exam, they will unlock the next section of the Grioire, with improved skills and powers that can be unlocked. By progressing the Grimoire and the skills inside it, there will be new mechanics and features that players can unlock inside and out of the Academy.

While at the school grounds, there will be the ability to farm and cultivate foods. These are fruits on trees that need to be fertilized, seeds that need to be planted and a pool for catching fish. By collecting these food resources, the player will be able to cook various curries. These curries have different recipes and ingredients, which are obtained through play. By consuming these curries, special effects can be imbued into the player.

There will also be planting areas, trees and cooking stations within the dungeons. The cultivation areas are connected within the dungeons, with progress being carried over. All cultivation will occur during dungeon excursions, with plants growing at the academy while exploring and fighting monsters. Inside the school grounds, the player will be able to plant and cook with items from storage, but not while in dungeons.

The player can also visit the shop, where they can buy and sell items, store items and even synthesize new items by combining materials collected. This feature lets player create new items and make the most of their supply, create new items to sell for money and strengthen the party. Equipment that has been collected and crafted can be equipped to the party, strengthening them for the adventures that they face together.

In the Library, there will be a mail box that Fia can use to receive letters from different characters, containing items and humorous dialogue. There is also a special Help Wanted Box, which will provide players with requests from the academy, as well as the area around it. The special requests are an extra side quests, which players can take on for additional rewards, bonuses and more. Once a request is complete, take it back to the Box to get the reward.

The last thing to discuss is the special events. During the course of the adventure, there will be a school festival, where the characters will dress in cute and silly costumes. Then there are the other events, like the fishing contest and the cooking competition. These special events can be a nice break, adding a little bit of levity to the more dramatic moments of the adventure. There are also special interactions with characters that players can discover.

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

Controls – Mado Monogatari has a control system that feels a little awkward, especially when getting started with the game. Fia and the camera are controlled with the thumbsticks, while the inputs for actions are shown on the bottom of the screen. It is comfortable to play, with easy to navigate menu systems, as well as shortcuts for skills and effects. It takes a little while to adapt to combat inputs, but after some practice it all falls into place.

Difficulty – there are three difficulty settings for this release, offering an Easy, Normal and Hard option for players. The Easy setting is designed for newer players, with a relaxed challenge. Then there is Normal, which is the recommended and balanced setting, with Hard being the toughest challenge, pushing the limits of the player. In general, these are balanced and offer an experience for everyone to play and enjoy.

Presentation – from a visual perspective, Mado Monogatari is a vibrant and pleasing game, with a colorful world and characters that feel vibrant. The Live2D character portraits for scene dialogue are beautiful, giving the characters expressive and lively appearances. This is accompanied by cute Chibi style models, which are animated extremely well. There are also full screen CG arts, which appear during events in the narrative, enhancing the moments they are used.

The environments are distinct from each other and have a good amount of variety to them, with great use of color and music to build the desired atmosphere. Then we get to the sound, which further adds to the whole charm of the experience. The soundtrack is excellent, with an opening theme that sets up the whimsical and fun adventure. All of the dialogue is in Japanese, with character voices that fit each of the roles very well.

Final Thoughts – I had been aware of the adventures of Mado Monogatari, but under the name of Sorcery Saga. But I had never been able to play them before, until this point as my first experience. That being said, I had a wonderful time with this game, as it is a fun and challenging RPG adventure. The characters, story and world of Mado Monogatari have a charm that is carried throughout, which kept me invested for my entire time with the game.

There were some minor hiccups, with the slightly awkward controls in combat, but these didn’t sour my experience. It does take a little time to get used to the game, but it is worth it as there is a lot of fun and depth in the gameplay. This is a unique adventure, with progression that makes it stand out from others in the genre. I can happily recommend this game, if you are a fan of the series, or if you just enjoy dungeon crawlers, then this is for you.

In the end, I give Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy a final score of 4.75/5. This is a charming and whimsical RPG adventure, with characters, gameplay and a world that is tremendous fun. All wrapped in a colorful and vibrant presentation, music and distinct style that makes it feel unique. 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)

Spy Bros. (Pipi &Bibi’s DX) – Steam Review

Overview – developed and published by RAWRLAB Games, in collaboration with Tatsujin Co, Spy Bros. (Pipi &Bibi’s DX) is a remake of the classic arcade game by Toaplan. Experience the classic arcade puzzle game about two spies, who must infiltrate buildings and plant bombs on their terminals to destroy confidential information. This title is available on 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 RAWRLAB Games for providing the copy of Spy Bros. (Pipi &Bibi’s DX) that was 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. This game is relatively light on plot, so I will be adding the relevant story details to the gameplay segment. Also for the sake of brevity, I will simply be referring to the game as Spy Bros.

Gameplay – Spy Bros is a single screen action arcade game, where the objective is to plant bombs on confidential terminals in each stage. In order to complete the objective for each stage, the player will need to dodge the goons that roam the stage. For players to make their way through the stages, they will need to travel between the different levels of the stage. Half of the stages use stairs and elevators, with the other half using trampolines to get around.

The main game is made of 6 worlds, with 4 stages each. Each batch of stages has their own unique theming to them, with gimmicks that are tied to them. They include the standard office building with gangsters and scientists, the circus with clowns and the raceway, with cars and grid girls. These stages increase with difficulty, getting progressively harder as the player progresses. The gimmicks and themes make each area feel distinct from each other.

The player is not the only one that can travel around the stage, as there will be enemies that wander the stages. These foes will spawn from the doors that are scattered through the screen, appearing whenever an enemy is defeated. As the Spy Bros, the player will be able to use a powerful laser, which will stun enemies when contact is made. If the player holds the laser on a downed enemy, they can be pushed from the level falling down the screen.

If the enemy is pushed all the way off the bottom of the stage, they will be defeated and provide the player with a big point bonus. This can also happen when an enemy is hit on an elevator, or even while on a trampoline. If there is a solid floor below the elevator or trampoline, they will just stop when they hit there. The Laser can also keep elevator doors open, letting the player rush to the door before it lowers, sliding in there at the last second.

When planting bombs, if the player is hit, they will lose a life and immediately spawn at the start point. In the even all lives are lost, the player will need to continue to keep going. After the final bomb has been planted a countdown timer will start, during this the player must rush to the exit. If they are able to reach the exit, the stage will be cleared. However, if they are hit by an enemy or fail to escape in time, the stage will start from the beginning.

After requirements are met, a special H coin will appear in each stage for the player to collect. This coin will not last for long, disappearing if it is left alone for too long. If the player can collect all four coins for a world, they will be able to take on a special bonus stage, giving the player the chance of earning extra lives. Once all 6 worlds have been cleared as the Spy Bros, the second part of the game will begin, as the Pipi and Bibi will be captured.

This second half of the game is called Spy Sis, where the player will be able to select from Mimi and Gigi, the partners of Pibi and Bibi. As this pair of sisters, the player will challenge the same set of stages, but there is a big change to the gameplay. All of the stages for the second run through are mirrored, playing the game in reverse across the all six worlds. This adds a new wrinkle in the gameplay, as new strategies must be employed.

Another significant change for the Spy Sis mode is that the girls don’t have the laser gun, being unable to attack enemies from a distance. However, they do have the ability to sprint and slide, with the slide allowing players to hit enemies. This is only temporary, with enemies getting up if they are hit on the stage. But if the player can hit an enemy on an elevator or on a trampoline, they will fall and only stop if they hit the ground.

Once all 6 worlds have been cleared as the sisters, the player will rescue their partner. But all is not as it seems, as there is a final opponent that must be overcome in a climactic final battle. In this boss fight, the player must switch between their chosen spy sister and her partner spy bro. The two characters must be used to knock the boss down, leaving them open to being damaged. When the boss is defeated, both characters must escape to beat the game.

This is a remake of the original arcade game, with the additional Spy Sis game mode, adjustable settings and extra gameplay modes. There is also the inclusion of special cheats and codes that can change elements of the game. All of these special secrets are well hidden, but with some searching they can be discovered. By playing through the game, there will be some things that will be unlocked naturally, but others are more cryptic.

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

Controls – Spy Bros has a pretty simple control scheme, with only a few buttons needed to play the game. It is recommended to use a controller for this release, with the ability to use Steam input to enable various controllers. The gameplay for the game modes is comfortable, with responsive and lag free inputs that work well. There is a little inconsistency with some controllers, causing missed inputs at times, but this is not the fault of the game.

Difficulty – there is an escalating difficulty curve for the first half of the game, with the hardest parts of the game being the last stretch. This is due to the increased enemy spawns and gimmicks, like the race cars and trampolines, which can be frustrating. The second half is a bit of a mixed bag, as the trampoline stages are significantly easier, due to being able to attack when bouncing. Thankfully the player can push through with infinite credits.

Presentation – Spy Bros looks good with crisp sprite work and new assets, which have been designed from the ground up. There are additional filters, which smooth out the sprites, add CRT effects and generally smooth things out. But I did not like this as much, but it may work for others. I did like the new assets as they fit the game well. The sound is solid too, offering a soundtrack that sounds very close to the original arcade release.

Final Thoughts – I know all about Toaplan and the games they made, so I was aware of Spy Bros, under the original name of Pipi and Bibi’s/Whoopee! The original version was an adult game, with NSFW content as the reward images. This was changed and this was a good choice, so players of all ages can enjoy the game, as it is a fun and challenging arcade game. But for those who want those assets, there are guides that can be used to re-add them.

This is a real tough game, with a lot of challenges that can really be rough to get through. This can lead to some frustrations in the end stretch of the game, as the challenge is much harder in worlds 5 and 6 on both loops. I very much enjoyed the expanded content, with the second game loop being available after clearing the first, I just wish I knew how to switch between them. Overall, I do think this is worth recommending to fans of classic arcade games.

In the end, I give Spy Bros. (Pipi &Bibi’s DX) a final score of 4.5/5. This is a fun arcade game which has been revived and expanded, with new gameplay content, additional modes and quality of life changes, while retaining the spirit of the original. If you want to check this game 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)

Victory Heat Rally – Steam Review

Overview – developed by Skydevilpalm and published by Playtonic Friends, Victory Heat Rally is an arcade style racing game, inspired by classics of the genre like Power Drift. Take on the twists, turns and jumps of tracks across the Victory Heat Rally championship, battling it out with racers and rivals to be the VHRC champion. This title is available on Steam and the Nintendo Switch, with links to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Playtonic Friends for providing the copy of Victory Heat Rally 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, the game is light on plot so I will be adding those details to the gameplay segment.

Gameplay – Victory Heat Rally is an arcade style racer, where players can power slide at breakneck speeds, across the tracks of the Victory Heat Rally Championship. As one of 12 drivers, take on the tracks of 12 distinct locations, from the Baytona Speedway, to Waku Park and Lavendel Forest. Take on perilous tracks across the world, hitting the track with the action of the VHRC, broadcast by VHN and the roaming reporter Sally McRally.

As this is an arcade style racer, the focus is on breakneck speeds, tight drifting and risky open jumps. When on the track, the player must make use of the drift mechanic, hitting corners and turns while hitting the drift button. This allows racers to build up the drift boost, which has three levels of power, going from green to orange and then purple at max power. Using pure driving skill, pass all the other racers and secure first place.

When starting the game, the player will need to select from 5 saves, allowing multiple profiles to play the game. From the main menu, there are several options that players can select, with the most important being the Championship mode. In this gameplay mode, the player will make their way through the Victory Heat Rally Championship. The championship itself is split into nine tours, featuring circuits from across the VHR world.

The progression for the championship is separated into groups, with the first group that can be accessed being Group Alpha. Each of the groups contains three tours, with each of them having a theme that will test the skills of the player. When selecting a tour, the player will enter an overworld map for that section. While inside the overworld, the player will encounter single races, special challenges and the final grand prix of the tour.

Before the player can get into the action of the races, they will need to select their driver. At the beginning of the championship, there will only be three drivers to select from. When selecting the driver, the player will be able to select the type of suspension and tyres they use, affecting the car stats. The player can also select a color, with one at the start but more are unlocked as the player progressed through the game.

The events that occur in a tour consist of circuit races, where the player must get the top spot within a set number of laps. The total number of laps will vary, with longer tracks having less laps to clear. Then there are the rally races, where players need to reach the finish line within a set amount of time. The last single event are the Joker challenges, which will test the driving skills of the player, with drift challenges, passing contests and slalom style races.

Each of the events have three medals attached to them, with gold, silver and bronze to earn based on their performance. The circuit races will provide medals based on placement, with rewards for getting first, second or third place. This is followed by the rally trials, where the player has three target times to meet if players want to earn a medal. The Joker challenges have varied events based on the difficulty and event.

When all of the single race events have been cleared, the player will be able to challenge the tour grand prix. This will put the player into a contest that consists of four heats, using all of the tracks featured in the tour itself. This plays out like the standard races, but with one key difference, a rival racer will be introduced to challenge the player. The rival will be much tougher than the others, staying hot on the heels of the player.

At the end of a grand prix, the player will get a trophy for finishing in first place. There is also silver and bronze available for second/third place. After the player clears the tour, they will have the ability to challenge their rival in a head to head race. These races have one simple objective, get in front of the opponent and maintain it to delete their bar. But if the opponent gets ahead, the player will have their bar run down.

If the player is able to best the rival, they wll be unlocked and added to the playable roster of racers. To access the rival races, the player will need to have enough Victory Points, shortened to VP. These are earned by getting medals in the events, with three for gold, two for silver and one for bronze. The VP that players earn are carried throughout the championship mode, meaning if a player doesn’t have enough to battle a rival, they can come back later.

Away from the championship, players can also access Arcade GP, which lets players freely challenge the tour grand prix for the available groups. This mode is more focused on general arcade gameplay, where the player competes for the top time on the rankings. To enter the rankings, the player must set new time records for the chosen GP. The rankings for each Arcade GP is available from the selection menu before starting.

There is also the time attack, where players can play each of the unlocked race tracks, pushing to get the fastest time possible. There is Ghost trial, solo trial and free run, where players will be able to practice their lines on each track. The fastest time set for each track will be recorded as a replay, so players can review their performance and improve. This expands the replay value, further adding to the depth of the game for players to enjoy.

The last thing to discuss is the Versus mode, which allows up to four players to battle it out in fast paced head to head competition. This mode has the option for single race or grand prix, with customisation options for CPU drivers and number of GP races. The tracks and racers in this mode need to be unlocked in the championship. However, there is enough content for players to jump straight in, with both single race and VS GP.

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 a controller, which is the preferred way to play. This offers players an easy to pick up gameplay experience that uses few buttons. The accelerator and brake are on the face buttons, with the important drift button being on the left trigger. There are keyboard controls, but these felt awkward to play, requiring them to be modified to be more playable.

Difficulty – There is a mostly fair difficulty curve to this game, but there are some areas where the difficulty spikes. This is due to the tight turns and big jumps, which can catch the player off guard and lead to crashing off the track. These troubles can be overcome with a few attempts, as the stages can be learned fairly quickly. The toughest challenges are the Joker events, but these can be passed after a few attempts, or returned to at a later time.

Presentation – Victory Heat Rally is a real love letter to arcade racers, with a 2.5D visual style that really pops off the screen. This works perfectly, as the cars and many of the stage assets are sprites, with the world and tracks itself using big chunky polygons. This gives the game a real nostalgic feel, which is further emphasised by the use of a pixel filter, which gives the game a pseudo 32-bit look. This filter looks good, but can affect visibility for some.

The character assets for the characters like Sally McRally are gorgeous, with a distinct style and charm that makes them feel unique. There are deliberate stylistic choices, making it feel like it was plucked out of the 90s. Then we have the sound, which really ties everything together, with music that ramps up the action on the track, which is reminiscent of classic arcade games. There is some limited voice work, but what is present sounds good.

Final Thoughts – I am a fan of arcade style racers, playing games like Daytona USA, Ridge Racer and the SEGA classic Power Drift over the years. So when I was given the opportunity to play Victory Heat Rally, I took it as it has that old school look that really appeals to me. The style of the characters, the race tracks and general look is stunning. This compliments the gameplay itself, which has that sense of speed that some other games miss.

There were a few hiccups when I started, but after a few tries it clicked and everything felt right. All of the elements come together well, making an experience that feels familiar, yet fresh and exciting. I very much enjoyed the soundtrack, with music that really got me excited to dive in and floor it. I cannot recommend this game enough, it is perfect for those looking to get into this style of game, as it has that pick up and play feel that makes is very accessible.

In the end, I give Victory Heat Rally a final score of 4.75/5. This is an excellent arcade style racer, with a charming and colorful cast of characters, environments that are vibrant and a banging soundtrack, which is all wrapped up into a super fun pick up and play racer. If you want to check this game 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)

Lost Gems – Baku Baku Animal (SEGA Saturn/Various)

Hello there! It is time once again for Lost Gems, the retro feature where I talk about games that have been forgotten, abandoned and removed from sale. This week, I am going to be discussing a game released on several platforms, with the most prevalent being the SEGA Saturn and Windows. So let us take a look at Baku Baku Animal, a fun and vibrant battle puzzle developed by SEGA, released across 1995/96 for various platforms.

Disclaimer: while the game discussed here is no longer officially on sale, there are ways to obtain the game. This can be either 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.

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

About the game

Baku Baku Animal is a puzzle game, where the player engages in one-on-one falling block battles. The story focuses on a competition, where the king of a faraway kingdom wants to find a royal zoo keeper, to care for the numerous pets of the princess. The player characters of Polly and Gon, fight their way through the other competitors in order to earn the position. The game can be played in single player or a two player competitive mode.

There are two main game modes for players to enjoy, with the classic Arcade Mode and a Ranking Mode. In Arcade Mode, players can select from 1 Player, 2 Player VS and the settings so they can adjust the game. In the standard single player mode, there are three challenges that players can select, split into Beginner, Normal and Expert. These settings will affect the general gameplay experience for the player.

If the player selects Beginner, they will only play through 3 stages, whereas in the Normal and Expert modes, there will be 9 stages to play through. As the player makes their way through each of the stages, the opponents will become more challenging and test the skills of the player. In the Japanese version of the game, there will be a dialogue exchange the player and opponent. Sadly, this is not present in several of the translated versions.

During each of the stages the objective is simple, line up tiles that fall from the top of the screen so they don’t reach the top. There are two types of tile, the Food and Animal tiles. By dropping multiple food tiles that touch, they will be connected to each other, which is where the Animal tiles come into play. When an animal tile is dropped onto a matching food tile, all connecting tiles will be consumed. The more tiles that are eaten, the more points scored.

After the animal reaches the last tile, they will attack the opponent by dropping randomised tiles on their field. The more tiles that have been consumed, the larger the attack will be. If the player is able to link multiple animal actions together, a chain will occur providing greater attack drops. The battle will end when one side is unable to place tiles, with all of the space filled up. If the player is victorious they will move onto the next stage.

If the player is able to clear all of the stages in Beginner, they will be told to try again on normal. However, if all of the stages in Normal or Expert are cleared, the player will see a special end cinematic declaring them the winner. The challenges of this mode can be a little unbalanced at times, as the speed increases and the random nature of the gameplay. Thankfully, there is infinite continues for players to push through to the end.

Then there is the 2 Player VS mode, where both players will battle it out in sets of play. The action plays out the same as the standard Arcade Mode, with players fighting it out to fill their opponents field. This can be played as much as players want, with the ability to customise the settings, including the number of animals that appear. Some of these settings also apply to the single player game, allowing players to alter the challenge and experience.

Moving on is the Ranking Mode, where players will be able to take on a challenge to get the best score possible. The player will challenge opponents until they are defeated, with the end score relating to the rankings. The points are gained for the number of attacks made, the chain reactions and the time taken to clear the stage. Players will be given a trophy based on their rank, with gold silver and bronze ratings that will be earned.

Personal thoughts

I first played Baku Baku Animal through the SEGA Flash Demo, which was a lot of fun but severely limited. As a kid, I played the demo a lot and wanted the full version, but it was long after that I was able to play the retail release. I also had the chance to play the Windows version, as well as the SEGA Game Gear release, owning a full complete boxed copy of that version. I very much enjoy this puzzle game, as it is one of those experimental puzzlers.

The game is tough and can be unfair, due to the random nature of it, which can lead to sudden and repeated failures. But with enough time taken, it is possible to learn the tricks that will make the battles a lot easier. It is especially fun to play with another person, due to the back and forth nature of the action. This makes it perfect for play during game nights, as there are adjustable options and ways to make the game more fun and silly.

It was also released in the arcades using the SEGA Titan Video system, known as the ST-V arcade board. I haven’t seen this out in the wild, but the ST-V was based on the Saturn architecture, between the Model 2 and Model 3 arcade machines. The home version was based on the arcade version, with little if any difference between the two. There are mild difficulty spikes, but this is likely due to the arcade origins where they take as many coins as possible.

Although the game is simple, there is a tremendous amount of depth to it, giving players plenty of content in a relatively basic package. There is also a special mode that exists only in Japanese, called League Mode, which is hidden in the localised versions of the game. This can be accessed with a code, but remains in the native Japanese due to being a hidden mode. I am unsure how this mode is played as there are no official translations.

I have a lot of love for this game as it is one of those weird and wacky games, which has stuck with me for the longest time. I have picked it up from time to time, getting that puzzle fix in a way that not many are able to hit. The unique gameplay mechanics, style and general experience are something that isn’t seen in modern puzzles. I wish that Baku Baku Animal would get a sequel, or even a re-release, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen.

The game has had some popularity over the years, but is fairly common on the resale market. The SEGA Saturn version is the cheapest option out there, with many of them being complete in box. But for those looking for the Game Gear and Windows versions, the price can be pretty steep, with loose cartridges for the SEGA handheld being very high. The PC version is considered abandonware, so the game has been archived across the internet.

I do wish this game would receive a modern port or even a reboot, so players can experience the whimsical madness that SEGA are able to create. However, I don’t think this will be possible, as they have a pretty poor track record with old game series. Many of the titles that they have developed over the years, like Clockwork Knight, Virtua Cop and Altered Beast have all been forgotten. This is another game that has suffered that same fate.

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.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed and published by WayForward, in collaboration with Limited Run Games, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is the latest entry in the hair whipping, magic dancing adventure series. As the Half-Genie hero Shantae, stop Risky Boots world spinning plan in this once cancelled adventure, originally planned for the Game Boy Advance. This title is available on all current platforms, with a link to each version at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank WayForward for providing the copy of Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution and the Deluxe content 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 covering the core gameplay experience, with minimal spoilers for the experience. I will also be referring to the game as the shortened name of Shantae Advance, for the sake of brevity.

Story – after defeating Risky Boots in the first adventure, Shantae and her friends are constructing new anti-pirate defense for their home. Suddenly, Risky Boots appears and engages in battle with Shantae. During this confrontation, Shantae falls into a subterranean cavern, followed by her friends. They discover that Risky Boots plans to rotate the surface world, allowing her to pillage landlocked areas, so Shantae sets out on a new adventure to stop the Pirate plans.

Gameplay – Shantae Advance is a side scrolling platform adventure, where the player controls the titular Half-Genie guardian of Scuttle Town. The gameplay loop follows a chaptered structure, where the player needs to complete objectives for that section of the narrative. As Shantae, travel Sequin Land to stop Risky Boots, who has used the Tremor Engine to alter the placement of different areas. Now Shantae must return Sequin Land to its original state.

As the world has shifted, the landscape has changed and altered the way that places are reached. In order to travel to the world, the player will need to fly on the back of Hatchet, a bird that has been raised by Shantae’s friend Sky. To be able to reach new areas, the player will need to collect maps obtained during the adventure. When a map has been collected, giving it to Sky will unlock a new area to go to, pushing the adventure forward.

The different areas that can be explored are split into two types, the first is the towns, where NPC characters can be interacted with. By talking to the different characters, players will gain new information and details to help them with their objective. While in the home area of Scuttle Town, the player will be able to access various facilities. These are the shop and bath house, where items can be bought and Shantae can restore her energy.

Then we get onto the real meat of the game, which are the action stages. Inside these stages there is a special mechanic that is unique to this adventure, travelling between the foreground and background layers of the area. While exploring the action areas, the player will need to utilise both layers of the stage. there will also be special switches that activate the Tremor Engine, which will shift the stage between normal and swapped states.

When the stage becomes swapped, the player will be able to access some previously unattainable areas. This can make some areas that were previously blocked without powers reachable, these can also be tied to some puzzles and locked gates. It is important to check all of these areas, as there will also be hidden details in the swapped terrain. The different layers will have hazards, obstacles and threats that will hurt Shantae, but there are ways to overcome them.

The most common way that Shantae can defend herself from enemies is her Hair Whip, which is her standard form of attack. Shantae can defeat some enemies in a single strike, whereas others will take multiple hits to defeat. For more challenging enemies, Shantae can use magic spells which are purchased from Rottytops, the zombie shop keeper. There are many magic spells, which require Magic Points (MP) to use so their use can be limited.

From the variety of spells, the player will be able to use lightning, fire and a power ball to damage enemies. Then there are support skills like increased running speed, at the cost of MP, as well as skills like being able to run on air. All of the skills can be switched freely from the sub menu, alongside items like healing potions and MP restoration potions. The spells aren’t the only magic that Shantae can use, as she can also use her dance magic.

As the Half Genie guardian, Shantae can use her belly dancing skills to access magical transformations. By activating her dance magic, the player can transform into several creatures, including a monkey and a crab. While using these transformations, Shantae can get access to areas that may otherwise be inaccessible. To unlock these forms, a special Wish Charm must be used at a magical fountain, which can be found in the dungeons.

Speaking of the dungeons, there will be gates and caves in each of the action areas. The caves will have small puzzles and some will also have special upgrades, increasing Shantae’s health, providing new powers to transformations and more. Each of the caves can be accessed freely, as long as the player can access the entrance, they can get inside. However, the gates will be locked and require puzzles to be solved before they can open up.

When entering a gated dungeon, the player will need to navigate the many rooms of the dungeon. Inside each of the dungeons, the player will encounter puzzle rooms, platforming challenges and dangerous enemies. As the player makes their way through each room, there will be deadly challenges and risks to the player. Thankfully, there will be the Save Sage, a mystical being who can record the progress of the adventure.

These will be important as the dungeons are very challenging, with spikes, pitfalls and even fire breathing statues. If Shantae is killed at any point, she will be reset to the last Save Sage, losing all of her progress after the last save. The game can be saved in dungeons, between areas and in Scuttle Town. The Save Sage will usually appear before tough segments, so it is important to use him whenever he is encountered to prevent loss of progress.

Throughout the dungeons, players can encounter environmental puzzles, which will require the player to use gimmicks to progress. This can include bombs and even carnivorous plants, using them effectively to traverse the puzzles that are tied to them. There will also be moving platforms, which will help the player navigate bottomless pits. Players can also encounter water that Shantae can dive into, but can also use her transformations to explore.  

The dungeons are fairly long with gates that need keys, paths that require specific transformations and puzzles that must be solved to progress. This leads to some backtracking, which can also cross into puzzles in different areas in general. Then there are the key items, which are required for progress. These can apply to the dungeons and outside of them, affecting different areas of the game world, including towns affected by Risky Boots.

As the player defeats enemies and breaks certain objects, they will drop gems, hearts and potion vials. The gems that are dropped are the currency that is used for purchasing items from shops, which are added to the player total. If the player takes damage, picking up hearts that are dropped will restore lost health keeping the player alive. Then there are the potions, which restores a portion of MP that has been used for magic spells.

During key points of the dungeons, the player will encounter powerful foes. These opponents can be deadly, with powerful attacks that will quickly defeat Shantae if the player is careless. The boss fights can also have multiple phases, increasing the difficulty of the encounter for the player. Defeating these Bosses will push the narrative forward, can provide important upgrades as well as items to aid the progress of Shantae on her adventure.

The game itself has two play modes, split between modern and classic. In Classic Mode, the game runs as it would on a Game Boy Advance, presenting the original sprite work, resolution and general UI elements. The modernised Story mode introduces new animations, redrawn HD art and a complete overhaul of the visual elements for the HUD and UI. Both of these version have identical gameplay, so it is down to the personal preference of players.

Last to discuss is the Multiplayer mode, which is a fun and chaotic battle mode for between 2-4 players. In this bonus mode, players can battle it out in frantic battles, where players must knock each other out to be the last person standing. Players have access to an attack, jump, power ups and the ability to climb. The stage rotates during the battle, adding to the mayhem that can occur as players attempt to spike their opponents.

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

Controls – as this game was originally developed for the Game Boy Advance, there is a rather simple 4 button input system. All of the face buttons are used, with the ability to jump, attack, use magic and activate Shantae’s dance. The magic and dance buttons are also repeated on the shoulders/triggers. The D-pad and thumbstick are for movement, with all of the controls in general being comfortable with all controllers used.

Difficulty – this is a fun and challenging game, with a fairly balanced difficulty curve to the experience. As it is an adventure game, there is some back tracking and exploration that is required. This can lead to getting lost and the potential for death, which can lead to progress being lost. The best way to combat this is to grind out some gems, picking up healing items and saving often. It can also help to take notes inside the dungeons.

Presentation – Visually, Shantae Advance has vibrant sprite work and environments, which makes the game world pop. The animations and HD artworks have that distinct Shantae charm, with elements of fanservice in the design. The special HD art is gorgeous and enhances the experience for the modernised mode. Then we have the sound, which is delightful to hear, with a soundtrack that makes excellent use of the GBA sound engine.

Final Thoughts – I am quite the fan of Shantae, having played the different versions of the game over the years. This title may have been planned 20 years ago, but it feels new, fresh and unique in the series. The special rotation mechanic is fun, giving the experience a whole new dimension. The action is fun, the puzzles were challenging and the narrative was a delight, with the familiar cast as well as new characters with charming quirks.

I did have a couple extremely minor hiccups with the game, with some needed items and secrets being awkward to find. But this didn’t have a negative impact on the experience. I very much enjoyed the special HD updates, with the bonus Deluxe DLC, which provides unique costumes that give the game a little more fanservice. I can happily recommend Shantae Advance, as it is tremendous fun, easy to play and a great adventure for everyone.

In the end, I give Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution a final Score of 5/5. This is an excellent platforming adventure, which uses its special gimmick to maximum efficiency, elevating the experience and making it feel unique. This is combined with HD art and animation that make the characters and world really pop. If you want to check this game out for yourself, links to each version will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Lost Gems – The NewZealand Story (SEGA Mega Drive)

It is that time of the week again, Lost Gems is here where I cover games that are no longer officially on sale. This week is a special one, where I will be discussing a classic game that received a unique port. The vibrant and challenging platformer, The NewZealand Story, developed by Taito for the SEGA Mega Drive which used an arcade prototype as its base. So let us take a look at this classic that was released exclusively in Japan in 1990.

Disclaimer: while the game discussed here is no longer officially on sale, there are ways to obtain the game. This can be either 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.

So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing the general game experience, then give my personal thoughts on the title. Please note, the original arcade version of the game is available on modern platforms, but this version is so vastly different that it counts for this feature.

About the game

The NewZeasland Story, is an arcade run and gun style platformer, where the player takes the role of Tiki, a Kiwi chick who must rescue his friends. They have been kidnapped by a Leopard Seel, who has imprisoned them across the island. Now Tiki must travel across the island and rescue his friends, taking down the evil Seel at the same time. /but there are many threats and dangers that populate the islands, trying to stop Tiki.

The objective of each level is to reach the goal, rescuing the Kiwi chick that has been imprisoned in the stage. Each of the levels is rather large, with maze-like layouts that can be challenging to navigate. These are filled with hazardous spikes, enemies and even water hazards. Due to how expansive the levels are, the player can use a vehicles to travel the stages. These are mostly balloons, which will pop if attacked or make contact with spikes.

 To help the player get past the hordes of enemies that spawn in, Tiki can rapid fire arrows left and right. But that is not the only weapon available to the player. As the player defeats enemies, they may drop special items like the bomb and wand, which will change the weapon that Tiki uses. But there are other items that players will be able to get, including a stop watch that freezes enemies in place. These are rare, but are very useful in stages.

The platforming is a big challenge, which will require players to try and navigate the various dangers. As the spikes cover the walls, there are precision elements to the movement, which can be challenging when trying to avoid enemy attacks. Then there are the water segments, which are very challenging as the player cannot attack while below the surface. Tiki also has a limited supply of air, which will deplete quickly if players are not careful.

If the player explores the stages, they may come across warp zones, which will send them to different areas. These are discovered by shooting the area they are in and making contact with the warp. At set points during the adventure, the player will encounter powerful boss opponents, who will trap Tiki in an enclosed arena. These are very challenging and can take a few attempts to clear, with the boss attacking them with varied patterns.  

Tiki can be killed in a single hit, further increasing the challenge. However, if this does happen the player will immediately respawn where they died, often in a balloon if they are hit in the air. When all lives have been lost, a game over will occur and a credit is needed to continue. These are limited so players may need to restart several times. Players can collect the letters to spell EXTEND in the stages, which will increase the available lives by one.

Personal thoughts

The Mega Drive version of The NewZealand Story, was my first experience with the game, not having played the other ports or original Arcade release. This was due to my father picking up imported games from local game shops. So for many years, I was unaware of how unique this version of the game was. This version was based on an early arcade prototype, with the stage layouts and general experience being different, with significantly altered content.

While the original version of the game and various ports feature 20 stages, this version features a much shorter experience of only 13 stages. There are other alterations made, like the omission of heaven stages, which were secret stages in the arcade version. However, the music for these stages is used as the title screen theme. In general, even though this game is the shortest release, it is possibly the most challenging of all versions.

I have a deep fondness for this game, as it is one of those games that I played a lot as a kid. Sadly, I am not the best at it, so it took me many years and thousands of attempts to get through the game. This was not for lack of trying though, as I find this to be a fun and enjoyable challenge, which sadly never left Japan reducing the spread of the release. The arcade version was released multiple times, with the most recent being through Arcade Archives.

For this release if you want to try and add it to your collection, the game is pretty attainable on the secondary market. The price for just the cartridge is low, but if you want to get your hands on a complete in box, it is higher but not unobtainable. As this is a Japanese exclusive release, the cartridge does have a different shape compared to the PAL Mega Drive or Genesis. So, if players want to play it, they will need a modded or aftermarket system.

This unique version of the game is quite the oddity, with no additional releases in the past 35 years. Although the PC-Engine version was released on Virtual console in 2008, there has not been any other rereleases of the home console ports. It would have been interesting to see this be added to the Nintendo Switch library, even if it is only for the fact it is such an oddity. Sadly, I don’t think that this will ever see a modern port, as the arcade version is out there.

 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.

Kimono Cats – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by HumaNature Studios and published by RedDeer.Games, Kimono Cats is a cosy adventure game based in old Japan about a pair of cats, who go on a trip through the festivals of Edo. By throwing darts, collect coins, items and play mini-games to create a vibrant village of your own. This title is available on 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 Evolve PR for providing the copy of Kimono Cats that was used for this piece, via the Terminals 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. This title is light on plot, so I will be adding what little story there is to the gameplay discussion. I will also be covering the core mechanics of the game, so I can leave some of the surprises for players to find themselves.

Gameplay – Kimono Cats is a cosy adventure, where the player takes the role of a cat, wanting to take their partner on a romantic trip through the Edo Festivals. The adorable cats adorned in colourful kimonos, set off across the 18 festival roads. On their journey, they will interact with the different festival stalls, performing activities and building affinity between the two. On this long trip through Edo, experience the magic of old Japan.

During the journey through each of the festival stages, there will be bubbles that float across the top of the screen. The player can pop these bubbles using darts, aiming them left and right and releasing them. These bubbles are split into several types, with effects that will affect the relationship between the cat pair. The main types of bubbles are the mini-game and event bubbles, which will appear in abundance on screen.

The mini game bubbles contain a variety of different challenges, including goldfish scooping, ball tosses and even shuriken throwing. By completing the challenges, the player will gain points that are added to the affinity meter. These points are based on the performance of the player, with the best score gaining a bonus of coins. As the player makes it through the different festivals, there will be new challenges and upgrades challenges to play.

Then there are the events, which will are split into good and bad. The positive events will give set amounts of points to the relationship meter, helping to build the affinity faster. Alongside the positives are negatives, which will drain points from the affinity meter. These can stay negative for a time, but if the player is able to hit a special item they will cure negative effects. Last are the special bubbles which cause a variety of effects.

Some of them will alter the atmosphere of the stage, turning it from day to night, or even making it rain. Then there are the randomiser effects, which will speed up the bubble speed, obscure them and perform other effects. Some will provide bonuses like additional coins and darts, as there are a limited number that the player can use. The effective use of bubbles is directly tied to the progression, as the affinity meter has levels tied to them.

When the affinity meter is filled half way, a reward will be provided in a blue box. Then when the meter is fully filled, the player will be rewarded with a red box. The rewards inside the boxes include coins, which will increase the stage meter. If the progression meter is fully filled, the player will be able to move onto the next stage, unlocking a reward at that point. As the player progresses, new challenges, events and features will be added for players to enjoy.

Then there is the village design mode, where players can create their dream village, using the items collected from the festival roads. The various buildings, plants and decorations can be freely placed how the player wants to. This is alongside the ability to expand the village by spending coins, giving players more space for renovations. Items for the village can be bought from the shop, using a gacha style system to randomise the items obtained.

As the player makes their way through the adventure, they will be able to view the items and events that have been collected. The first is the My Sets collection, where the player will be able to view all of the collected village items. When a set is complete, the player will be able to unlock special reward items. Then there is the bubble album, which will show the different bubble events that have been used, with additional bubbles added with each stage clear.

The last element of the gameplay to cover is the social play, where players can interact with kimono cats from across the world. Using the social mechanics, players can trade gifts with each other, send cards and visit friend villages. This cosy system is designed to foster community, allowing players to see the colourful creations. For those who don’t play online games, there are offline villages to visit, with special mechanics in these neighbouring communities.

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

Controls – there is a fairly simple and easy to use control system, offering players an accessible gameplay experience. The majority of the festival gameplay uses a single button, with mini games that require additional inputs having on screen prompts. When navigating the village and other menus, there will be easy to understand tutorials, allowing players to get into the game easily. All controls work well, making it easy to pick up.

Difficulty – there is no real difficulty for this release, with no true failure state for this release. The only real element of challenge is the mini games, or aiming the darts to pop specific bubbles. With enough practice, players will be able to get the timing right for the activities, allowing for faster gains on the affection meter. And, if players run out of darts, they will be able to get more from friends or by performing activities in game.

Presentation – visually, Kimono Cats is an adorable game, with cute characters and beautifully drawn arts inspired by old Japan. The animations for the festivals, alongside the designs of the stalls and village items really build the atmosphere. All of the thematic elements make this a charming adventure, with a whimsical interpretation of the Edo festivals. The music and sound further enhances the atmosphere, tying the whole experience together.

Final Thoughts – I am not usually one for the cosy game genre, as they don’t usually grab my attention. However, I was greatly interested in this game, as I am a fan of games that feature old Japan and the culture. The festival theme was a wonderful choice, as the colourful animals running the stalls, the mini games and general atmosphere is adorable. I especially enjoy the village building, which was calming and a lot of fun.

All of the gameplay elements are well implemented, creating an experience that all player will be able to sink their teeth into. Especially with the gacha system, which makes each experience different. There is also the social element, which makes this perfect for friend groups, visiting villages and sending cards. I have no problem recommending this game to everyone, especially for families where they can link their home villages together.

In the end, I give Kimono Cats a final score of 5/5. This is an adorable and colorful adventure, which takes the festivals of Old Japan and reimagines them in a whimsical way, with lots of content to enjoy and social systems to enjoy with friends/family. 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 Steam version (HERE)

Lost Gems – Poy Poy (PlayStation)

Hello and welcome to the latest entry in Lost Gems, the special feature series where I cover classic titles that have been forgotten, ignored or abandoned. This week, I will be covering one of the more experimental games for the PlayStation. The chaotic and frantic party action game Poy Poy, developed and published by Konami in 97/98. So let’s take a look at this weird and wacky multiplayer action game.

Disclaimer: while the game discussed here is no longer officially on sale, there are ways to obtain the game, this can be either through the second hand market, or through 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.

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

About the game

Poy Poy is a multiplayer action battle game, where four players battle it out in frantic prop based combat. Across the nation, Channel Poy Poy broadcasts the chaos of these battles, with the contestants fighting in the PoyPoy Cup. This tournament is contested over multiple stages, where the objective is to score the most points at the end of each round. At the end of the tournament, player who wins the final round will earn one million dollars.

This game consists of two game modes, with the main one being the PoyPoy Cup. In this mode the player goes through the PoyPoy Tournament, where the objective is to score the most points in each stage. The stages are broken down into three rounds, where the four players will battle it out. During a round, the players must throw props like rocks and logs, alongside bombs and even each other to try and knock them out.

All of the battles are chaotic 4 player brawls, where there will be items, weapon props and even environmental hazards. The characters that can be used each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, which will affect their combat ability. The character can also employ a special ability called Psycho Power, which is tied to gloves that will allow the use of special abilities. There are many gloves that can be used in the battles.

At the start of a tournament, the player can purchase a glove to use, starting off with 100,000 dollars to buy a glove. If the player wishes to save their money, they will be able to use the glove they start off with. As the player goes through each stage, they will accumulate money that can be used to buy more powerful gloves. There are multiple levels for each glove, with some of them being more suited to the strengths and weaknesses of characters.

Before the player can start the tournament, they must select the tournament they want to join. There are three different ratings to challenge, split into Junior, Senior and Master, denoting how tough they will be. After selecting the challenge rating, the player will then get into the tournament, selecting the first stage from the random roulette. There are six stages, with each one being removed from the random pool after being selected.

Inside the PoyPoy Cup mode, the player must get first place in each stage. To secure the top spot in each of the stages, the player must accumulate points, which are awarded based on player performance. At the end of the third round, if the player has managed to attain first place, they will progress to the next stage. But if the player is unable to secure the top spot, they will get a game over and need to continue, using up the limited credits.

Between stages in Junior Cup, the fourth place CPU will be eliminated and replaced with a new opponent. These opponents will increase in difficulty, with the same challenge ratings used by the cup. In Senior and Master Cup, the third and fourth place will be replaced, mixing the challenge up even more. If the player can fulfil special requirements in the Master Cup, they will be able to challenge a secret opponent and a final locked tournament.

At the end of the PoyPoy cup, a victory screen will show the final winner of the Million Dollar tournament. There is a screen for each character, although there is little is any difference between the victory screens. Once the Junior cup has been cleared, there will be additional characters unlocked to play in the game modes. This gives the game a lot of replay value, with secrets and special bonuses to unlock during the course of the game.

Secondary to the PoyPoy Cup, there is the Exhibition mode. This allows up to four players to battle it out, with the ability to use a multi-tap to connect four controllers. The Exhibition mode is useful as both a practice mode, as well as a great way to enjoy some chaotic action with other players. The battles can be modified to change the number of rounds, the stage that is played on and there will be a selection of gloves to select.

Personal thoughts

Poy Poy is one of those weird and wacky games, coming out during the experimental era of 3D gaming, where companies would take chanes on new concepts. Poy Poy is one of those games that really took the concept of new and unusual and ran with it. This led to something that stood out among the other offerings in the multiplayer space. This was one of those games that I saw as a kid, having no idea what was going on but I had a lot of fun playing.

It is one of those games that makes the most of the hardware limits, creating a colourful and charming experience.  The gameplay is simple yet it is both challenging and fun, offering a chaotic and frantic multiplayer party battler. But deeper below the surface is a challenging and highly replayable experience, with plenty of content to unlock. All of these elements come together, with that distinct Japanese style of the time.

I have a lot of love for how silly this game is, as it is one of those weird games that stuck with me, making it a go to for play with friend groups. There is a so much chaos that can be caused with a few friends, especially when they are relatively new to it. The first time you pick this up, it will take a little time to get used to but after a while everything just clicks. All of the mechanics can be picked up without needing to be explained too much.

Back in the day, there were many games that took established mechanics in a new direction, with mixed results. However, this game seems to have been relatively successful, leading to a sequel being released the year after. Sadly, these two games were the only games developed by Konami in this series, which could have been pretty big in later years. The potential was there for something crazy fun, especially as gaming tech evolved.

The game did get a re-release on the PlayStation Portable and Vita, with the ability to play the game digitally. Sadly this was the only release of the game after the original, with no additional ports in the future. Thankfully this hasn’t affected the game on the secondary market, making the game more attainable for those who want to check the game out. You may even be able to pick up a PlayStation handheld with the game loaded on it.

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.

MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies – Steam Review

Overview – developed by Compile Heart and Tamsoft, with publishing handled by Idea Factory International, MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies is an action spin off in the Neptunia franchise of RPGS. Set at Gamicademi, the Goddesses of Gamindustri are trying to save their school from closure by making a zombie movie, using zombies that have suddenly appeared at the school. This title is available on 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 MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies 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. I will be referring to the game as the shortened name MegaTag Blanc for the sake of brevity, I will also be covering the core aspects of the gameplay experience.

Story – Gamicademi, a school renowned for educating goddesses in the ways of human life. Unfortunately, despite the accolades of the school, the threat of closure looms over them. In an attempt to stop this, a group of students, led by Blanc and Neptune set out to save the academy. To achieve this, they set out to make a zombie movie, but suddenly real zombies start appearing. But Blanc decides to use this situation to make the best Zombie movie ever.

Gameplay – MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies is an arena action game, where the objective is to clear the mission for each of the stages. The game is broken down into scenes, where the narrative plays out, telling the story of the CPU goddesses making their movie, while dealing with the zombies. Each scene is broken down into individual cuts, where an objective must be completed within the different area of Gamicademi.

The vast majority of the gameplay experience takes place in these stages, with the player choosing one or two players to deploy into battle. The game starts off with two characters, with Blanc and Neptune as the starting pair, but as the game progresses, more characters will be added to the roster. Each of the characters have their own unique weapons, fighting styles and mechanics that can be used in the battle against the undead.

Inside the battle stages, the player will be able to move around the arena freely, as enemies spawn in to swarm and attack. To defeat the enemies, each character has a light and heavy attack, which can be chained together to create spectacular combos. It is also possible for the player to launch enemies, following up and dealing devastating aerial attacks. The basic strikes are the most common way to defeat enemies, but not the only attacks to use.

Each of the characters has four special attacks, which can be devastating to enemies all around them. These special moves require SP power to be deployed, with a meter next to the character icon onscreen. The meter fills up over time, with the attacks being usable when filled. To use these skills, the player must press guard and a face button, which allows the attacks to be set up and deployed strategically. This adds to the fast paced chaos of battle.

The special attacks are not the flashiest of attacks that each character has in their arsenal. All of the characters have a special EXE Drive attack, which is the ultimate attack for that character. To use this attack, the player will need to charge up the EXE meter, which is above the health bar and is filled by damaging enemies. To deploy this attack, the meter must be at least 30 percent filled, with more damage if there is more energy charged up.

All of the playable characters have a special transformation, which uses the EXE gauge to transform the active character into their special form. In this special form, the character will be more powerful, dealing increased damage to enemies while in this powered up state. The player can return to their standard form at any time, preserving their EXE energy, but if the player unleashes the ultimate EXE Drive, they will transform back immediately.

MegaTag Blanc uses a tag team system, with the ability to switch between characters in battle. This allows for players to mix up their strategy, switching between characters to use their own special skills and traits in combat. There is also a special attack that can be used with both characters, which is called the Lily Special, where both characters unleash their EXE drive attack. This uses 50 percent of the EXE energy, dealing huge damage to enemies.

The tag partner is not the only character that can assist the player, as there are two supporters that can be used during a stage. These characters will provide various buffs, like increased power and defense for a limited time. To use these supporters, they will charge naturally and a prompt will appear on screen to activate them. The player starts with two supporters, but more can be unlocked over the course of the game.

When a stage is cleared, the player will get a ranking for their performance. There are four points that players are rated on, with the most important being the time taken to clear the stage. Then there is a penalty based on failure, the number of items used and the last thing players are judged on is the combos done. Based on hidden factors, the player will be given a rating with the highest being SSS, which is often for a super fast clear.

Players will be rewarded with experience points, money rewards and special items. There will also be special rewards for players to collect, which are dropped from enemies that are defeated in battle. As the player gains experience, they will be able to level up the characters in the tag team. When characters level up, their Lily rank will increase, making the special combo EXE Drive attacks even more powerful during battles.

The items collected serve a variety of purposes, with the most important being the credits, which are used in the in game shop. Here new items can be purchased, like weaponry, accessories and temporary power boosts. Each character has additional weapons that can be purchased, with three of them for the regular characters, and at least one extra for most of the transformations. These weapons will increase the power of the character in battle.

On the main menu, there is a setup menu where players can adjust the characters. Here they can be outfitted with more powerful weapons, apply patches to the weapons and give characters accessories. There is also a special system to increase the stats of characters, though a system called AP, which is earned in battle. Using these points, players will be able to increase character health, power and more with these accumulated points.

There are many secrets that can be discovered during play, with treasures, interactions and special scenes that can appear. As the player makes their way through the game, they will be able to uncover these secrets through choices made. However, to obtain all of the secrets within the game, players will need to play through the game multiple times. There is a gallery where scenes can be viewed and hints for secrets will be given.

The last element to discuss is the co-op mode, which is a special online multiplayer feature, where up to four players can work together to take on special challenges. This mode is separate from the main story of the game, where all level progress and unlocks are carried over. All of the playable characters are available immediately here also, including the transformed versions of characters. This allows characters to use any character they want.

In the multiplayer mode, the player can connect online with other players from across the world. This is achieved by setting up or joining rooms, jumping into play with friends or other players. But for those who don’t want to play with others, the challenges of the co-op mode can be played entirely solo, although it will be challenging. This gives the player even more content to dive into, further expanding the value on offer for players.

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

Controls – this game can be played with a mouse and keyboard or a controller, with the latter being the recommended way to enjoy the game. This is due to the heavy amount of action that occurs on screen, as well as the chaos of the zombie hordes attacking the player. The camera and movement is solid, with responsive inputs for attacks, skills and special moves. All of the inputs are laid out in a way that is comfortable, working well with a variety of input options.

Difficulty – there is a fairly moderate amount of challenge to this release, with the levelling system being tied to how tough the battles are. Each of the stages have a level tied to them, with the difficulty shown as a level tied to the stage. But with a little time spent playing the cleared stages, weaker characters can be powered up quickly for tougher stages. The biggest challenge is to get the triple S ratings in all stages, which can be pretty hard to do.

Presentation – from a visual perspective, the game looks amazing, with the bouncy character models and gorgeous portrait art that Neptunia games are known for. The stages are open and detailed well, working to keep the focus on the action on screen, with 2D art for settings that fits the stages. Everything flows smoothly with no lag or delay. The story scenes are done well, using the visual novel style with the characters being expressive.

The sound for this release is excellent, with a bright and happy intro theme that is fun and energetic, setting the tone well for the adventure. This is accompanied by the opening animation, which adds to the comedic tone the game wants to set. Then there is the main soundtrack, which has some very catchy melodies. All capped off with English and Japanese VO, featuring the regular cast of the Neptunia franchise in their roles.

Final Thoughts – this is an older game but it is an excellent game to add to your library, there is a lot of fun to be had with this release. The action style of gameplay is different, as it is something that is rarely used in the franchise, but works fantastically well. Everything flows well, with the fast paced combat being a real joy to get stuck into. I very much enjoyed this game, with the story, characters and comedic tone of the experience maintaining that distinct charm.  

There is little in terms of downside for this release, although it may feel a little brief to some there is plenty of content on offer. The main story is fun and the co-op mode expands the game further, with special challenges based on days. All of the elements come together well, making this one of those games that players who don’t enjoy RPGs can dive into. So I am happy to recommend this to everyone, even those who aren’t that much into the usual Neptunia fare.

In the end, I give MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies a final score of 5/5. This is a fun and enjoyable action romp, taking the characters of the different Neptunia dimensions, bringing them together and offering a chaotic game that is a hell of a lot of fun. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to the game will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)