Steve's Obscure Super Famicom Games Thread

Discussion in 'Rare and Obscure Gaming' started by Steve, Sep 9, 2006.

  1. sayin999

    sayin999 Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2004
    Messages:
    3,407
    Likes Received:
    113
    Sutte Hakkun was released on cartridge!!!!!!!!!!! How hard is it to find? The game is highly addicting, but only version I have played is the sateliteview one.
     
  2. Taucias

    Taucias Site Supporter 2014,2015

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2005
    Messages:
    5,015
    Likes Received:
    17
    Thanks Steve, keep up the great work. You have an excellent writing style - reminds me somewhat of Mean Machine sometimes, but I mean that in a complimentary way! Were you ever/are you a journalist?
     
  3. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    THE RUNNING MAN

    Sayin -- I'm not sure how rare Sutte Hakkun cartridge is, but over the course of the summer I haven't been able to find it online anywhere. I had to use a mercenary living in Japan to scope it out for me.

    Taucias -- haha thanks. No I've never been a journalist, although it was my 1st college major. In the 6th grade my teacher made us keep journals. I went crazy with those things, detailing my weekend adventures as a youth and whatnot... my teacher loved it, gave me an A, and even asked if she could keep it. I regret letting her keep it now, lol. But yeah, she told me she would expect to see me one day writing somewhere in the paper or something, but it's not the career for me

    As for Mean Machines, I've read a spot or two of 'em, but it's mainly by reading SEGA SATURN Magazine (the best ever, in my book) that really influenced some of my writing style. I'm not British but now I find myself employing words such as "Chap" "bloke" and whatnot. Super Play, another great UK mag, I've recently procured and I love that kind of style of writing. That's where all my "[blah blah -Ed.]" nonsense is influenced by... Super Play did quite a bit of that


    ----


    *cue movie trailer voice guy*


    ENTER A UNIQUE WORLD...

    [​IMG]


    WHERE LIVES WILL CHANGE AND A NATION WILL CRY... or something


    *end movie trailer voice guy* [Hey, how much does he cost us anyway? -Ed.]


    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    IS IT AN RPG? SIM?


    NO!


    It's....


    LODE RUNNER TWIN


    Lode Runner is like an old trusty friend to some of us. You may not call this friend every week, or even every month, but whenever you do, it's like you never left

    Thanks to T&E Soft, Super Nintendo players have a version to call their own. And while the mechanics are similar, the look and atmosphere is distinctly different

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    You can forego the map if you wish for the full monty and a tougher challenge


    HEY THAT'S NOT JACK PERIL!

    Indeed it's not. Say bye Jack and hello Justy and Liberty, two anime-esque chaps. There's a story mode (complete with password), free play and a couple 2-Player split-screen modes

    [​IMG]


    THE MORE THINGS CHANGE....

    The more they stay the same. Let's check out how our protagonist fares in the first level:

    [​IMG]
    Ninja mask!? No, just the odd gum-blowin'

    Your goal is to collect all the candy wrappers. Only then will a ladder magically appear to whisk you to the next level

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    Gone are cannibalistic monks... in its place SD trident-wielding devil lackeys

    The baddies quickly attempt to gang up on you, but like your ancestors you too can cave in floors where applicable, and walk safely over their head as seen there

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    Rope-sliding feels spot-on and oddly becomes quite enjoyable to execute

    Ah, our hero gracefully glides his way to safety, leaving the baddies in the dust. EAT MY SHORTS YA FILTHY SWINES!! [Have you your medication yet? -Ed.]

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    1 more candy to go! Hey... what's that oil-y thing dripping from the ceiling eh?

    "What manner of witchcraft is this?!" That drippy thing is a new bad guy forming. Have at him!

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]

    You might have rid of that one, but notice his buddies quickly gaining ground. Now the magic sound effect blares off, indicating you've nabbed all the goodies. A ladder-to-the-next-level now awaits... of course... on your way there it's not 100% peaceful

    [​IMG]
    YOU WON'T TAKE ME ALIVE!

    Toggle the map on/off as you please. This bit is easy, and it's these fun little moments that add tremendously to the game's value/appeal

    [​IMG]
    Drop and he'll follow you accordingly

    As soon as you land, make your way toward the ladder

    [​IMG]
    JUST about home free now!

    [​IMG]
    AH there we are


    CLOSING THOUGHTS

    I love retro games. It's the spirit of the age you know, the zeitgeist -- looking forwards by looking back. Or something like that. Heck, I just might be an old codger. I remember when games were rationed, you know

    If you can overlook (figuratively speaking) the annoying music, what you have here is a nice variation of a classic theme


    1st Level (0:52)
     
  4. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    POWER UP

    *cue Movie Trailer Voice Guy* [Here we go again... *whips out big check* -Ed.]


    IT IS AN ISLAND SATE WITH DANGER AND TRAPS...

    [​IMG]


    Er... THATS PRETTY MUCH ALL I GOT THIS WEEK


    *loud rumbling in the background, couple F-bombs and gunshots later...*


    Ahem... well I guess we won't be seeing or hearing from him again. Neither, really. Anywho remember how Nintendo brought us a POWER update of a classic old game in Soukoban?


    Weeeelll....


    They're back at it yet again!


    POWER LODE RUNNER


    Released alongside POWER SOUKOBAN on New Year's 1999, this version of Lode Runner takes on a more modern feel, though indeed it plays much the same as ones before it. "B" digs a hole in the ground to your left, "A" to your right. If the bad guys fall through, you can safely walk over their head. Goal hasn't changed -- still have to collect the necessary items to unlock the rite to passage

    Cute but in a different sort-of-cute compared to TWIN, you control a blue rabbit-y bloke, going through all manner of themes. There are three immediately selectable worlds, with themes changing every 5 levels


    WORLD 1

    [​IMG]

    I love these World shots -- you'll see a couple more later on equally as ace

    [​IMG]

    Map on your bottom left (can be switched off), your item count bottom right (in yellow). Touch the logs there, leaving you 3 more pieces away

    [​IMG]
    A spot of climbing. You'll do plenty of it

    [​IMG]
    Piece number 2... 2 to go

    I appreciate games with sensible gameplay... gameplay that allows the player to be efficient. You needn't climb to the bottom of a tree, not when you can slide off at any moment's notice (see above)

    [​IMG]
    Those are the BAD guys?! Why yes

    In this theme, these rather innocent-looking monkeys are the source of danger. As each theme alters every 5 levels, so too the enemies

    [​IMG]
    DIE SCUMBAGS!

    Applying some good ole Lode Runner know-how will make quick work of these chumps

    [​IMG]
    There's sneaky contestant number 3

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    Ahh one of the game's simplest joys; esp. when you evade a bad guy in this way

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    A lone monkey soldier fails horribly to halt the progress of our furry protagonist

    [​IMG]
    4 outta 4!

    [​IMG]
    Home sweet home

    And onto the next level you go


    THE OTHERS

    [​IMG]
    Some sweet climbing antics abound here

    [​IMG]
    It's a romp to work this one out

    [​IMG]
    Watch out for 'em spiteful beavers!

    [​IMG]
    Kinda spooky here (sans Teddy of course)

    [​IMG]
    "So... you come here often?"
    "Yeah, great place to hang out"


    [​IMG]
    Metal parts are unbreakable

    [​IMG]
    Fruits can be used by enemies to stun you

    [​IMG]
    "Ninety-eight.... niiiinety-niiiine..."

    [​IMG]
    This bit's extremely fun to navigate through


    WORLD 2

    [​IMG]
    Freakin' gorgeous these World screens are

    [​IMG]
    Our hero sporting a ninja-esque look

    [​IMG]
    "I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS S---!"


    WORLD 3

    [​IMG]
    Evokes a stealth-y adventurous aura eh?

    [​IMG]
    Beware of menacing crabs and... ghosts!

    [​IMG]
    Kids -- don't try this at home

    [​IMG]
    Persistent little suckers eh


    CLOSING THOUGHTS

    I love Soukoban and Lode Runner. It's nice to see four different games of these two timeless franchises on the SNES. Two of which are 1999 updates from Nintendo. Overall, I enjoy Soukoban more, but Lode Runner I'll always be down with

    I prefer Super Soukoban over the Power update, here I'll take the POWER version over TWIN. Power Lode Runner is graphically and sonically superior to Lode Runner Twin. The level design and enemy roster is also better; oozing with more creativity and that undeniable Nintendo charm

    Twin is no slouch though. These are four fine games every "thinking" SNES fan simply must own


    1st level (1:39)


    [​IMG]
    I have doubles of Lode Runner Twin, Super Mad Champ and Bomberman Panic Puzzle. If you want 'em, PM me. Asking price for all three is $30 US ($35 overseas, no split)
     
  5. WolverineDK

    WolverineDK music lover

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2004
    Messages:
    5,611
    Likes Received:
    8
    Steve : Wow your writing style is extremely phenomenal. Heck when you mentioned Hamlet, then I was like hole macaroni somebody has been reading stuff, and also remembering it quite clearly. And if you weren´t an American, then I would have suspected you to be British, because of your very good English writing. And I don´t even reach your socks compared to my writing. And I have friends who say, that my English is spelled better, than some of their friends, who are native speakers. You rock, and one of my other dear friends, he has said, that when he was taught English, then his teachers went into overdrive, if he wrote American English. So Steve, keep those lovely reviews coming. So do you spell "color" with color or colour ?

    To those who feel offended by my compliments to Steve, then voice it up.
     
  6. la-li-lu-le-lo

    la-li-lu-le-lo ラリルレロ

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2006
    Messages:
    5,657
    Likes Received:
    238
    I think "colour" is the British spelling and "color" is the American spelling. It depends on whether your reader is American or British.
     
  7. CaptainN

    CaptainN Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Just a small extra request: could you put the boxart of the game you're reviewing at the top of your reviews? I'm a sucker for boxes, so I'd love to see them with the reviews. :)
     
  8. Taucias

    Taucias Site Supporter 2014,2015

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2005
    Messages:
    5,015
    Likes Received:
    17
    Try to track down Computer and Video Games issues from '95 - around '97. Pure class, and very funny stylistic reviews. Those guys really loved their videogames and the retro section in the centre (on crappy fanzone style yellowed paper) were very informative and well writen.

    What ever became of those writers, I wonder?

    One Japanese game I always enjoyed was Aerobiz. I'm not sure if it got a western release, but it was very absorbing until I completed it.
     
  9. nudeyboy

    nudeyboy Newly Registered

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2006
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi steve I I am interested in purchasing Lode Runner Twin, Super Mad Champ and Bomberman Panic Puzzle for $35 - I live in the UK.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2006
  10. Yakumo

    Yakumo Pillar of the Community *****

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2004
    Messages:
    20,515
    Likes Received:
    1,050
    and Canadian as well for some odd reason and of course all the places that "belonged" to the UK at one point.

    Yakumo
     
  11. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    BATS GUNS & KNIVES OH MY

    [​IMG]

    This past Monday (Nov. 27) was Bruce Lee's Birthday. He would have turned 66. To honor the man, the myth, the legend... what more appropriate genre could we look at today than the beat em up?

    [​IMG]
    The original Bruce clone: Kim Dragon!


    I have a lot of good memories of THE COMBATRIBES. It was my 2nd import taste... my brother and I rented the Super Famicom version at this hotshot upstart diehard gaming rental outlet in late '92 or thereabouts. We friggin' loved it. And who could forget the comic ad that proclaimed "CYBORGS AIN'T LADIES!!"

    [​IMG]
    Ahh Good Times


    Oddly, I never bought the game back then. Sad but true: I rented it roughly 7 times.... at 6 different stores... over a 5 year span! I just never grew tire of swinging the carcasses around, knockin' out the other baddies in the process. Or, as the gif below shows, viciously re-arranging their furniture

    [​IMG]


    So then... what kind of sick twisted game on the innocent ole Super NES would allow you, the sadistic bloodthirsty gameplayer, to partake in such boisterous barbaric brutality?


    IRON COMMANDO


    One of the harder to find beat em up's on SNES, I never once saw this sucker online. I was forced, then, to summon my hired gun in Japan to scour the shops for me. Is it worth the hype? Let's find out...

    Pick from Jack or Chang Li (no relation to Chun-Li I assume). Tackle the gangs by yourself or with a friend. There is a nice variety to the levels as you'll see


    THE CITY

    In this first level quotes will occasionally appear at the bottom. Adds a B-Movie feel and oddly, only appears in this stage

    [​IMG]

    Iron Commando has a myriad of weapons at your disposal. From 9mm guns to rifles to machine guns to knives and baseball bats, I'm almost shocked there wasn't a chainsaw as well

    [​IMG]
    Now THATS what I call a double play!

    [​IMG]
    The 1st boss


    THE ROAD
    [​IMG]
    Run and shoot em down

    [​IMG]
    That'll teach 'em...

    [​IMG]
    Or maybe not

    [​IMG][​IMG]


    THE FOREST
    [​IMG]
    Rejects from SUNSET RIDERS!


    THE WAREHOUSE
    [​IMG]
    BATTER UP! 'Oh the indignity' sez Nintendo

    [​IMG]

    You'll go from sunny exterior to this flickering warehouse interior. It's a nice effect. After a brief jaunt, you'll face "Mr. Soukoban" Big Tom. He is the "warehouse keeper" y'know

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    "Have a Knuckle-Sandwich, Jack!" "YER Jack!" "Psychobabble won't work on me!"


    THE TEMPLE
    [​IMG]
    Bizarre enemy roster to say the least

    [​IMG]

    Ugh, those serpents are unmercifully cheap-slash-annoying. You'll hate 'em even more than the Medusa Heads in Castlevania. Yes, they're that bad

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Not only do you have to contend with this crazed inhuman maniac, but the spikes on the left are constantly moving toward the right; a most deadly proposition...


    THE BEACH
    [​IMG]
    DYK: they were extra's in "BEAT IT"


    THE MINES
    [​IMG]
    SHOOT EM ALL! LEAVE NO SURVIVORS!


    THE CAMP
    [​IMG]
    Oh jeez, the animal cruelty...


    THE JEEP
    [​IMG]
    Like sitting (er, standing) ducks, if they could that is


    THE ROBOT
    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]

    Yikes! Hit 'im with everything you got! Regular enemies rover onto the scene... beat 'em to gain more weapons, but beware the robot's laser eye and giant frisky hands. This fight lasts an eternity

    [​IMG]
    Good Luck!


    SO IS IT GOOD OR BAD?

    Nice looking graphics eh? I feel like I'm at the arcades. It just doesn't have the "typical" SNES look. It's visually distinct, and the weapon choice is pretty cool. Weapons are picked up by "X" which is not your "attack" button... bonus points for that

    [​IMG]
    "No, I'm not related to CHUNNERS!"


    Here comes the "but" part.... it's a quarter-muncher. Pure and simple. Even on Easy, the game's hard. Enemies surround you. You suffer countless unavoidable hits. It's hard to really get into a flow with so many cheap hits abound

    The damage distribution is horrible. Doing a 3-hit combo barely ticks their health. What gives? Am I controlling a little boy or a warrior here? This drags the game down in my opinion

    [​IMG]
    "Choose Your Little Boy" more like


    You're probably assuming weapon damage ratio to be better, right? Sadly, not much


    CLOSING THOUGHTS

    Cheap mandatory hits and poor damage ratio are my two biggest disputes with the game. If you can look past that, it can be a decent good time, with unique graphics and a almost B-Movie feel. The 2 player mode is a big plus

    Still, one can't help but feel IRON COMMANDO should be awesome; a beat em up for the ages, a brawler to be lionized by a legion of fans.... rather than merely being "not shabby" or "it's pretty good, BUT..."


    THE CITY (1:33)
     
  12. ccovell

    ccovell Resolute Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2005
    Messages:
    954
    Likes Received:
    10
    No wonder the art style is not your typical SNES-stuff; it smacked me as being very European in look, almost like System 3's or Vivid Image's stuff (Europeans trying to draw in an Asian style...)
    So, I checked out the Euro release (?) of the game, and sure enough, the game seems to have been entirely made by these two guys:
    [​IMG]

    Knowing how hard it is to make a good puzzle game, let alone an action beat-em-up, that's pretty impressive for just two guys.

    [edit] I bet this game uses the "Legend" game engine.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2006
  13. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    ^ cool man thanks for posting that... yeah, they also made Legend as you know.

    BTW, to Nudeyboy, I sent you a PM. Check your private message box.
     
  14. Taucias

    Taucias Site Supporter 2014,2015

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2005
    Messages:
    5,015
    Likes Received:
    17
    When the Americans turned traitor, some loyal champions of men moved North! And so Canada was born *national athem plays*

    Anyway, Iron Commando looks quite similar in ways to the Cadillacs And Dinosaurs Capcom arcade game.
     
  15. Hawanja

    Hawanja Ancient Deadly Ninja Baby

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2004
    Messages:
    2,763
    Likes Received:
    6
    Combatribes was one of my favorite games too. No story, no plot, no talking. Just loads and loads of asskicking of the highest caliber.
     
  16. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    haha awesome, yeah, another thing I liked about it were the short levels. Now I know games aren't exactly meant to be accurate, like why are there clones in beat em up's? You cast a 4th wall to suspend some sense of belief. But there have been folks who have complained about the levels being so short. Here's how I have always viewed the short levels:

    There's 5 gangs in the game. Each gang controls a part of New York. A gang doesn't control a whole city, like Final Fight, no they man a small section -- a turf if you will. And that was one thing I always enjoyed and found "realistic" about The Combatribes. You invaded each gang's turf and mopped the floor with 'em. Freakin good stuff ;-)
     
  17. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    FIGHT CLUB

    [​IMG]
    SHOUNEN NINJA SASUKE

    Released by Sunsoft, this is a wacky sprawling no-levels-per-se-having beat em up with some RPG-ish traits thrown in for good measure. The music is very catchy. During fights it's upbeat and frantic. During town scenes calm and mellow. In either case, there's a decisively oriental flair backing it

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Most of the game you'll be engaging in fights such as these. See that coin up there, they crop up for each bad guy you vanquish. Money can be spent in shops to buy food, weapons or save your progress (that too will cost ya) [Damn @#!$%^ shopkeepers -Ed.]

    [​IMG]
    Villagers pass by innocently


    Y'ALL GON' MAKE ME LOSE MY COOL
    [UP IN HERE! UP IN HERE! Sorry -Ed.]

    [​IMG]
    Ye ole trusty fist

    [​IMG]
    Ye ole trusty foot

    [​IMG]
    Flying shoulderblock

    There is also a sword and shurikens. The jump kick can be repeated, without landing, multiple times. It's amusing to say the least. If you watch the video you'll see me jump kick a boss character -- without landing -- 22 (!) consecutive times

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Like the game itself, highly bizarre


    I GOT PLACES TO SEE...

    You'll travel a multitude of landscapes; some are cool-looking, others a bit creepy and a few even mythical

    [​IMG]
    Atmospheric if I do say so myself

    [​IMG]
    No Soliciting

    [​IMG]
    Need a hand?

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    Warthogs can do a number if you're careless... the woods are filled with peril

    [​IMG]
    Those heads are a bit creepy-looking

    [​IMG]
    "Now open your mouth and say AAAAH"


    ... AND PEOPLE TO BEAT

    Along the journey you'll meet some straaaange cats

    [​IMG]
    Catmen can temporarily curse you

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    Uh yeah... no words could properly explain this scene... so let's move on

    [​IMG]
    o_O


    A WISE MAN ONCE SAID....

    Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
    And sorry I could not travel both
    And be one traveler, long I stood
    And looked down one as far as I could
    To where it bent in the undergrowth;

    Then took the other, as just as fair,
    And having perhaps the better claim,
    Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
    Though as for that the passing there
    Had worn them really about the same,

    And both that morning equally lay
    In leaves no step had trodden black.
    Oh, I kept the first for another day!
    Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
    I doubted if I should ever come back.

    I shall be telling this with a sigh
    Somewhere ages and ages hence:
    Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
    I took the one less traveled by,
    And that has made all the difference.


    [​IMG]

    Unlike traditional beat em up's, Shounen has multiple paths; you're free, for the most part, to go where you please


    A ONCE WISE MAG SAID...

    [​IMG]


    DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE

    Two can play. You can hit your buddy too

    [​IMG]


    CLOSING THOUGHTS

    Initially I didn't care for it much. A friend likes it a lot though, so I gave it a 2nd shot and came away with a more favorable impression. It's a nice little game. Reminds me of a mix between GANBARE GOEMON and RIVER CITY RANSOM/MIGHTY FINAL FIGHT. Not a must-have, but it's a nice-to-have game if you like the theme. Keep in mind there's some RPG-ish elements and some JP text to be worked through, but it's not extensive


    Shounen Ninja Sasuke (1:06)
     
  18. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    FIGHT CLUB II

    BATTLE ZEQUE DEN

    You gotta be GREAT if you're a beat em up using a 1-plane system... otherwise it's like peanut butter and squid -- the two just don't mix. Does Battle Zeque Den make the grade?

    There are three female fighters, each with their own special moves

    Enemies are status quo. The regular joe (see below), a fat guy, a fat pig (like from THE MONKEY KING) etc

    [​IMG]

    I dug the Jason Vorhees clone though

    [​IMG]

    Her special move ("X") releases some dino friends

    [​IMG]

    Level 2 sees a nice effect when it starts to drizzle

    [​IMG]

    And then pours

    [​IMG]
    "Y+B" for a different special move


    It's not too bad, it's just missing that "oomph"

    On the upside, it's pretty tough. On the downside, it's one player only and the 1-plane restricts a feeling of freedom that, in my opinion, makes these games so fun to play

    Overall, slightly above average for the genre

    Battle Zeque Den level 1 (1:35)

    ---

    KISHIN DOUJI ZENKI: BATTLE RAIDEN

    Be careful... there are, including this one, three Hudson Zenki titles on SFC. Raiden is the beat em up of the bunch. For simplicity's sake "Zenki" will be used from here on out

    Based off the manga, Zenki is slightly similar to Zeque in that it's a 1-plane side scrolling beat em up. But it's much deeper thanks to its platform-y essence

    The dark creepy intro sets a nice tone

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]

    You play a small dude, but certain levels he'll be his super hero alter ego. In level 1 you start out as the little guy

    [​IMG]

    The washed-out backdrop here is an excellent unique style. Kudos to Hudson. It reminds me of those paintings by the infamous painter with the fro back in the day -- he even appeared on THE SIMPSONS once or twice

    [​IMG]
    Cool bosses abound from the get-go

    [​IMG]
    Level 2 you become your alter ego

    Level 2 is an icy world with typical platforming bits like disappearing ice blocks

    [​IMG]
    Some baddies pop out for a nasty surprise

    This part is pretty neat; you break a pod which releases a wavy energy current, lifting our hero up high

    [​IMG]

    The shoulder buttons allow you to dash. Comes handy in this spot

    [​IMG]

    Some baddies look menacing enough to pass as mid-bosses when in reality are just regulars

    [​IMG]

    You have a super attack, but it'll cost you some health

    [​IMG]


    Yes, you're restricted to 1-plane but the nice thing here is it's more of a platform-slash-beat em up hybrid. There are some devious platforming bits to navigate, which keeps the game interesting. Some bosses not shown are awe-inducing. Giant wolf head, red dragon with an ace fiery background, etc. Health refills are hidden inside pods, but sometimes a spider baddie lies inside instead

    It's relatively easy but there are some tricky bits, like the lava ride. Some stages have a force field at the exit, so you must collect a certain item on that level to deactivate the barrier

    There's a lot more to do here than in Zeque. I'm not crazy about Zenki, but I like it; there's definitely some quality here. Of course, you'd expect that, coming from Hudson and all

    Zenki level 2 (1:01)

    ----

    UFO KAMEN YAKISOBAN

    A blatant marketing type game, you play a hero of a noodle brand

    [​IMG]
    Chicks love that ride y'know

    [​IMG]

    You mainly fight those corporate thugs, but of course you'd expect a game of this nature to have some bizarre enemies. And you'd be right

    [​IMG]
    That guy's taking a major fashion risk

    [​IMG]
    I mentioned blatant advertising, right?

    Trash cans and the like reveal health refills or even a unicycle which acts as a devastating temporary weapon

    [​IMG]

    Boss characters are as weird as the game itself

    [​IMG]
    Boy, only the Japanese lemme tell ya...

    [​IMG]
    "STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE!"

    When you beat a boss you get this cutscene:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    The game takes approx. 45 minutes to beat. UFO Kamen Yakisoban does nothing well. The hit detection is a bit off, the graphics and sound below par and the gameplay MEH. It's very ho-hum in every respect of the word

    To its credit, it could be a lot worse, as these "advertisement games" usually are... but don't bother with this one unless you're a HUGE fanatic of the genre. Aside from its bizarreness, it's very vanilla, middle-of-the-road stuff

    UFO level 1 (0:44)
     
  19. Steve

    Steve Robust Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    36
    FIGHT CLUB III

    UNDERCOVER COPS

    In '95 VARIE published this IREM port of the '92 arcade game. As SNES fans in-the-know will tell you, this is one of Super Famicom's most wanted. Complete copies frequently scorch the magical $100 mark, and some plop upwards to $85 for a LOOSE copy

    Madness! What is this hard-to-find game like that has collectors up in arms for?

    [​IMG]

    Select from Matt the powerhouse ex-football star, Zan the really skinny rough looking kickmaster or Rosa the quick and small token female

    It's only 1-Player though (Arcade was multi-play)


    SOAP? WHO NEEDS SOAP?

    The first thing I noticed about UC Cops is how dirty it looks. I don't mean this in a bad way... I kinda like it in fact. Gives the game a rough and grim tone. So many SNES games have that cute saccharine look. Not a chance here

    [​IMG]
    "My box -- MINE!"

    Battle your way through rundown abandoned buildings, grimy festering docks and inauspicious underground tunnels to name but a few. Everything is in a deep state of decay. The enemies are bordering on being subhuman. A wretched decrepit flock of sideshow freaks. You can bet they haven't showered in months. Even the good guys appear unpleasant and a bit... dour

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]

    Little details like such are priceless. Crows fly off revealing in its wake two relics, who soon rise like zombies, so send 'em back to the hell hole they came from


    HAVE A BITE

    You don't consume hamburgers, or french fries, or drink beer to replenish yourself in this game. Oh no. That would make too much logical sense. So what does one eat? You had to ask....

    [​IMG]
    High in protein y'know

    Anything small and alive is up for grabs. Mice, chicken, even snails! Eat 'em before they can scamper (or crawl) away. Disgusting? For sure. But thanks to your character muttering a gruffly "GOOD!" when swallowed, it's also a bit... creepy


    EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK

    While other beat em up's have knives to throw, UNDERCOVER COPS is quite unconventional...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    Giant concrete pillars can be unearthed to deliver major pain

    Take a close look at the TV screen, pretty clever of Irem eh...

    [​IMG]
    Nice, I count 8 there

    [​IMG]
    Use the metal beams to soften 'im up


    JOY TO THE WORLD

    "Special Joy" moves are available, in exchange for a small amount of health of course

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]

    After Parcs, boss of level 1, takes a beating, he sheds his skin -- revealing a cold steel interior! Crush him, if you can, for the ultimate satisfaction

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]


    LEVEL 2

    This part was my favorite section. Kick the barrel of flames, or better yet, heave it

    [​IMG]

    Upon impact it'll liberate a flurry of flame torches. WICKED!

    [​IMG]
    Eat that snail before it crawls away!

    The scoundrels can toss the torches as well, and if you're knocked down, one rapscallion in particular enjoys a moment of debauchery at your expense

    [​IMG]
    He's a tough regular, that bat guy

    [​IMG]
    Whoa baby


    LEVEL 3

    These underground diggers are deadly when traveling in packs

    [​IMG]

    Mines pop up at will and erupt

    [​IMG]
    Get the **** outta dodge!

    These suckers greet you with a nasty little love tap if you're in their path. They can't be killed so just steer clear as they mindlessly march on by

    [​IMG]

    The end level guardian is a monster born from malpractice... and it wants you for dinner!

    [​IMG]


    ASSESSMENT DAY

    After each level your performance is tallied up. Depending on how much $$$ you earned, you'll regain a certain amount of health for the next level, if necessary

    [​IMG]


    PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SARROW

    [​IMG]
    Scheduled for a US release, but never saw American soil


    DEJA VU

    Being a huge World Heroes fan, I had a funny DEJA VU feeling 'bout Matt immediately. After conducting a series of strenous scientific studies I've concluded where Johnny Maximum's influence truly originated from...

    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]
    [​IMG] ---> [​IMG]


    TAKE A LOOK FOLKS

    [​IMG] vs. [​IMG]


    CLOSING THOUGHTS

    Remember the Spike Lee movie "Do The Right Thing"? The character Radio Raheem sported a four-fingered ring on each hand -- "LOVE" on the right hand and "HATE" on the left -- to symbolize the struggle between the two emotions

    That's how I feel about UNDERCOVER COPS. I love that it came out, I love how twisted it is.... but I hate that they canned the multiplayer aspect. It reeks of laziness. I hate how much better it should have been

    If anything, it's a nice collector's item; a conversation piece. But is it worth the big bucks? Only you can decide that one...


    Level 1 (2:56)
    Level 2 (0:56)
     
  20. Kami68k

    Kami68k Robust Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2006
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    0
    Wow I didn't know Undercover Cops was ported to the SFC. Nice find, although I doubt I'd pay so much for it.
     
sonicdude10
Draft saved Draft deleted
Insert every image as a...
  1.  0%

Share This Page