Post by soop on Oct 11, 2018 8:29:37 GMT
I hadn't realised initially that R-Type was released in the US as one game, which changes my opinion somewhat. In Japan, the game was released on two separate HuCards - for reasons I'm unaware of. Still, R-type was a hugely important game for the PC Engine. It demonstrated that one of the most popular arcade games of the time could be ported almost flawlessly on the system, and was a real head turner compared to every other system, even as an early release. Heck, even Super R-Type (again an early release) on the ostensibly more powerful Super Nintendo struggled mightily to render the game without significant slowdown (though in fairness, the excellent and later R-Type III would indicate that this was down to familiarity with the machine aside from anything else). So historically, R-type has given us a lot to be thankful for, including tropes that have persisted to this day, like the invincible Force Bit (Option), the use of which is key to mastering the game. Personally, I admire a lot about the original R-type, but I'm not enthralled with its plodding pace, or its difficulty. I think it's one of those titles that suffers too much from being the type of arcade games that's great for munching quarters, and also a very appealing thing to play in the arcade for a few minutes, but it lacks a lot of things that makes a great home title that you want to spend £40 and get your moneys worth. Still, it does get points for the nearness to the original.
Bomberman '94. The last Bomberman title to be released on the PC Engine, and in many estimates, the best. If you're unfamiliar with the formula (where have you been?!), the games focus around a pattern of both destructible and indestructible blocks, and the use of a delayed charge to destroy both blocks and enemies. The series has proven to be something of a legacy for Hudson. So much so, that if anything gets produced in modern times that has anything to do with Hudson, odds are it's a new Bomberman release. In this instance, one of the more notable changes, comes in the form of Louies, pastel coloured Kangaroos that provide an additional hit, and bestow you with an extra ability - a full screen dash, a jump, the ability to kick a bomb, or just a lil dance. The common consensus, is that Bomberman '93 holds the edge in terms of single player, but '94 is the better multiplayer. And multiplayer is Where Bomberman excels. You can not only customise your character to be an old man, a police officer, or a robot, among other things, but you also get to choose from a selection of whacky maps. You'll have stages featuring teleports, conveyor belts, or simply igloos that conceal bombs from view. Put simply, this is arguably the best party game on the system, perhaps even on any system. It's a good enough reason to go out and buy a multitap and as many pads as you need. Simple enough for anyone to play, and yet anyone stands a pretty good chance against a very good player, just because it can get so chaotic. This game takes a simple formula and tweaks it to make an unforgettable classic.
Bomberman '94. The last Bomberman title to be released on the PC Engine, and in many estimates, the best. If you're unfamiliar with the formula (where have you been?!), the games focus around a pattern of both destructible and indestructible blocks, and the use of a delayed charge to destroy both blocks and enemies. The series has proven to be something of a legacy for Hudson. So much so, that if anything gets produced in modern times that has anything to do with Hudson, odds are it's a new Bomberman release. In this instance, one of the more notable changes, comes in the form of Louies, pastel coloured Kangaroos that provide an additional hit, and bestow you with an extra ability - a full screen dash, a jump, the ability to kick a bomb, or just a lil dance. The common consensus, is that Bomberman '93 holds the edge in terms of single player, but '94 is the better multiplayer. And multiplayer is Where Bomberman excels. You can not only customise your character to be an old man, a police officer, or a robot, among other things, but you also get to choose from a selection of whacky maps. You'll have stages featuring teleports, conveyor belts, or simply igloos that conceal bombs from view. Put simply, this is arguably the best party game on the system, perhaps even on any system. It's a good enough reason to go out and buy a multitap and as many pads as you need. Simple enough for anyone to play, and yet anyone stands a pretty good chance against a very good player, just because it can get so chaotic. This game takes a simple formula and tweaks it to make an unforgettable classic.