Developer: Alpha Denshi

Gang Wars (1989)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Gang Wars: A No-Nonsense Beat ‘Em Up With a Cult Following

Released in 1989 by TAITO, Gang Wars is a side-scrolling beat ’em up arcade game that stands out from its contemporaries with its unique character customization, intense action, and memorable cutscenes. While it may not have achieved the same level of mainstream success as other arcade classics like Double Dragon or Final Fight, Gang Wars has garnered a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts who appreciate its distinct gameplay and gritty urban setting.

Gameplay

Gang Wars can be played by one or two players, who control two different characters with unique fighting styles. The game’s control configuration is relatively simple, with two attack buttons (punch and kick), as well as a jump button. However, players can execute a variety of techniques by pressing these buttons individually or in combination. For example, pressing the punch and kick buttons simultaneously will perform a powerful special attack.

Unlike many other beat ’em ups of the era, Gang Wars incorporates firearms into its gameplay. Players can pick up assault rifles and flamethrowers to mow down enemies from a distance. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must decide when to switch between melee and ranged combat.

Another unique feature of Gang Wars is its character customization system. Before starting the game, players can allocate points to three different fighting statistics: Power, Speed, and Guard. This allows players to tailor their characters to their own playstyles. For example, players who prefer a more aggressive approach can invest heavily in Power, while those who prefer to play more defensively can focus on Guard.

Setting and Story

Gang Wars is set in a crime-ridden urban environment, where rival gangs are vying for control of the streets. Players take on the role of two vigilantes, Ace and Billy, who are determined to clean up the city and bring the gangs to justice.

The game’s story is told through a series of cutscenes, which are surprisingly well-produced for an arcade game of the era. These cutscenes help to flesh out the characters and give the game a sense of purpose beyond simply beating up bad guys.

Legacy

Gang Wars was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it remains popular among retro gaming enthusiasts today. The game has been ported to a variety of home consoles, and it is also available on digital distribution platforms such as Steam and GOG.

Gang Wars is notable for its innovative gameplay mechanics, which include character customization, firearms, and cutscenes. The game’s gritty urban setting and memorable characters also help it to stand out from other beat ’em ups of the era. If you’re a fan of classic arcade games, then Gang Wars is definitely worth checking out.

Tips for Playing Gang Wars

  • Learn the special moves. Each character has a variety of special moves that can be performed by pressing certain button combinations. These moves can be very effective against enemies, so it’s important to learn how to execute them quickly and efficiently.
  • Use the environment to your advantage. The levels in Gang Wars are filled with objects that can be used to your advantage. For example, you can pick up rocks and throw them at enemies, or you can use benches and other obstacles to block their attacks.
  • Don’t be afraid to use firearms. The firearms in Gang Wars can be very effective against enemies, especially if you’re outnumbered. However, be careful not to waste your ammo, as it’s有限的.
  • Customize your characters. Before starting the game, be sure to customize your characters to your own playstyle. If you prefer a more aggressive approach, invest heavily in Power. If you prefer to play more defensively, focus on Guard.
  • Team up with a friend. Gang Wars can be played by one or two players. If you’re playing with a friend, be sure to coordinate your attacks and strategies. This will make the game much easier and more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Gang Wars is a classic beat ’em up that offers a unique and intense gaming experience. With its character customization, firearms, and cutscenes, Gang Wars stands out from other games of its era. If you’re a fan of classic arcade games, then Gang Wars is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

8/10

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Magician Lord (1990)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 7 minutes read

Summary

Magician Lord (1990): A Neo Geo Classic

Magician Lord is a side-scrolling platform game that was a launch title for both the Neo-Geo MVS (arcade) and AES (home) systems, and was one of the pack-in games for the Neo-Geo AES. Developed by Alpha Denshi and published by SNK, Magician Lord is known for its beautiful pixel art, challenging gameplay, and memorable soundtrack.

The game is set in a fantasy world where the evil sorcerer, Dran, has kidnapped the princess and is using her to power his dark magic. The player takes control of Elta, a young magician who must travel through six different worlds to rescue the princess and defeat Dran.

Magician Lord is a challenging game, but it is also fair. The player has a variety of weapons and abilities at their disposal, and they must use them strategically to defeat the game’s many enemies and bosses. The game also features a number of secret areas and items, which adds to its replay value.

The graphics in Magician Lord are some of the best on the Neo-Geo. The game’s backgrounds are lush and detailed, and the character sprites are large and expressive. The game also features a number of impressive special effects, such as parallax scrolling and screen rotation.

The soundtrack in Magician Lord is also top-notch. The game’s music is catchy and atmospheric, and it helps to create a sense of excitement and adventure.

Magician Lord was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and soundtrack. It has since been ported to a number of different platforms, including the Virtual Console, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable.

Gameplay

Magician Lord is a side-scrolling platform game in which the player controls Elta, a young magician who must travel through six different worlds to rescue the princess and defeat the evil sorcerer, Dran.

Elta has a variety of weapons and abilities at her disposal, including a sword, a staff, and a number of different spells. She can also use her magic to transform into different animals, such as a bird or a wolf.

The player must use Elta’s abilities strategically to defeat the game’s many enemies and bosses. The game also features a number of secret areas and items, which can be found by exploring the game’s levels carefully.

Graphics

The graphics in Magician Lord are some of the best on the Neo-Geo. The game’s backgrounds are lush and detailed, and the character sprites are large and expressive. The game also features a number of impressive special effects, such as parallax scrolling and screen rotation.

The game’s art style is a mix of fantasy and science fiction. The backgrounds are often filled with lush forests, towering mountains, and sparkling waterfalls. The character sprites are also very detailed, and they feature a variety of different animations.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack in Magician Lord is also top-notch. The game’s music is catchy and atmospheric, and it helps to create a sense of excitement and adventure.

The soundtrack was composed by Takafumi Nishimura, who is also known for his work on the soundtracks for other Neo-Geo games, such as Samurai Shodown and The King of Fighters.

The soundtrack features a variety of different musical styles, including rock, pop, and classical. The music is always appropriate for the game’s setting and action, and it helps to create a truly immersive experience.

Legacy

Magician Lord is considered to be one of the best side-scrolling platform games on the Neo-Geo. The game is known for its beautiful graphics, challenging gameplay, and memorable soundtrack. It has been ported to a number of different platforms, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.

The game’s success has led to a number of sequels and spin-offs. The first sequel, Magician Lord: The Second Story, was released in 1992. The game is a direct sequel to the original, and it features many of the same characters and gameplay elements.

A second sequel, Magician Lord: The Third Story, was released in 1994. The game is a departure from the previous two games, and it features a more action-oriented gameplay style.

In addition to the sequels, there have also been a number of spin-offs released. These spin-offs include a puzzle game, a role-playing game, and a fighting game.

The Magician Lord series is still popular today, and it is considered to be one of the best side-scrolling platformer series of all time. The games are known for their beautiful graphics, challenging gameplay, and memorable soundtracks.

Review Score

8/10

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Time Soldiers (1987)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Time Soldiers: A Timeless Classic of Arcade Action

Released in 1987 by Konami, Time Soldiers is a side-scrolling run-and-gun arcade game that quickly became a fan favorite. Players take control of two elite soldiers, Karl and Brad, who must travel through different time periods to rescue their fellow comrades and defeat the evil General Heiniger.

Gameplay

Time Soldiers is known for its innovative gameplay, which incorporates rotary joysticks that allow players to fire in eight different directions. This gives the game a unique feel and adds an extra layer of challenge and strategy. Players must use their aiming skills to take down enemies while also dodging their attacks.

The game features a variety of levels set in different time periods, including the prehistoric era, the Wild West, and the future. Each level has its own unique set of enemies and challenges, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Characters

Players can choose to play as either Karl or Brad, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Karl is a well-rounded character with a balanced set of攻擊力 and defense, while Brad is faster and more agile, but has less firepower.

Throughout the game, players can collect power-ups that enhance their abilities. These power-ups include speed boosts, invincibility, and more powerful weapons.

Enemies and Bosses

Time Soldiers features a wide range of enemies, from prehistoric creatures to futuristic robots. Each enemy has its own unique attack patterns and weaknesses, so players must adapt their strategies accordingly.

The game also features several challenging boss battles. These bosses are massive and powerful, and require players to use all of their skills and resources to defeat them.

Legacy

Time Soldiers was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and catchy music. The game has been ported to numerous home consoles and is still enjoyed by gamers today.

Time Soldiers is considered to be one of the greatest arcade games of all time. It has been featured in numerous top 10 lists and has inspired several sequels and spin-offs. The game’s unique gameplay and timeless appeal continue to entertain and challenge players of all ages.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use the rotary joysticks to your advantage. The ability to fire in eight directions gives you a significant advantage over your enemies.
  • Learn the attack patterns of each enemy. This will help you to anticipate their moves and dodge their attacks.
  • Collect power-ups whenever possible. Power-ups can give you a significant boost in firepower, speed, or defense.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies. There is no one right way to play Time Soldiers. Find a strategy that works for you and stick with it.
  • Practice makes perfect. The more you play Time Soldiers, the better you will become at it. So keep practicing and you’ll be able to master this classic arcade game.

Conclusion

Time Soldiers is a timeless classic that continues to entertain and challenge gamers of all ages. Its innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and catchy music make it a must-play for any fan of arcade games. So grab a rotary joystick and get ready to travel through time and save the day!

Review Score

8.5/10

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Champion Baseball (1983)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Champion Baseball (1983)

Champion Baseball is a baseball game released for the Atari 2600 in 1983. It was one of the first baseball games released for the console, and it remains one of the most popular and well-regarded baseball games for the Atari 2600 today.

The game is played from a behind-the-batter perspective. The player controls the batter and must try to hit the ball pitched by the computer-controlled pitcher. The player can swing the bat at any time, but the timing of the swing is crucial to making contact with the ball. If the player swings too early or too late, they will miss the ball and the batter will be called out.

If the player makes contact with the ball, the ball will go flying into the field. The player must then control one of their fielders to try to catch the ball or field it and throw it to a base to get the batter out.

The game can be played with one or two players. In one-player mode, the player plays against the computer. In two-player mode, the two players take turns batting and fielding.

Champion Baseball is a simple game to learn, but it is difficult to master. The computer-controlled pitcher is very good at throwing strikes, and the fielders are very good at catching the ball. This makes it challenging for the player to score runs.

However, the game is also very fair. The computer does not cheat, and the player can always win if they play well. This makes the game very rewarding to play, and it is one of the reasons why it remains so popular today.

Gameplay

Champion Baseball is played on a baseball field with four bases. The player controls the batter and must try to hit the ball pitched by the computer-controlled pitcher. The player can swing the bat at any time, but the timing of the swing is crucial to making contact with the ball. If the player swings too early or too late, they will miss the ball and the batter will be called out.

If the player makes contact with the ball, the ball will go flying into the field. The player must then control one of their fielders to try to catch the ball or field it and throw it to a base to get the batter out.

The game can be played with one or two players. In one-player mode, the player plays against the computer. In two-player mode, the two players take turns batting and fielding.

Graphics and sound

The graphics in Champion Baseball are simple, but they are effective. The game uses a behind-the-batter perspective, and the player can see the pitcher, the batter, and the field. The field is divided into squares, and the ball moves around the field in a realistic way.

The sound in Champion Baseball is also simple, but it is effective. The game uses a series of beeps and boops to represent the different actions in the game. For example, there is a beep when the ball is pitched, a boop when the ball is hit, and a different boop when the ball is caught.

Reception

Champion Baseball was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its simple but fun gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its fair play. The game was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies.

Champion Baseball is still considered one of the best baseball games for the Atari 2600. It is a simple game to learn, but it is difficult to master. The game is also very fair, and the player can always win if they play well. This makes the game very rewarding to play, and it is one of the reasons why it remains so popular today.

Legacy

Champion Baseball has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. It was one of the first baseball games released for the Atari 2600, and it helped to popularize the genre. The game also helped to establish the behind-the-batter perspective as the standard perspective for baseball games.

Champion Baseball has been followed by a number of other popular baseball games, including Baseball (1984), RBI Baseball (1987), and MLB The Show (2006). These games have all built on the foundation laid by Champion Baseball, and they have helped to make baseball one of the most popular video game genres.

Review Score

7/10

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World Heroes (1992)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

World Heroes: A Timeless Battle for Supremacy

In the annals of fighting game history, few titles evoke the same sense of nostalgia and excitement as World Heroes. Released in 1992 by SNK, World Heroes was an instant hit in arcades and quickly became a beloved classic among Neo Geo fans. With its innovative gameplay, colorful cast of characters, and stunning graphics, World Heroes set a new standard for fighting games and left an enduring legacy on the genre.

A Unique Blend of Time Travel and Martial Arts

World Heroes’ story is as unique as it is captivating. Dr. Brown, a brilliant scientist, has invented a time machine that allows eight legendary fighters from different eras to compete in an ultra-deathmatch tournament. The goal is simple: to determine who is the greatest hero of all time.

The roster of World Heroes is a diverse and memorable one, featuring fighters from various nationalities and backgrounds. There’s Hanzou Hattori, a skilled ninja from feudal Japan; Fuuma Kotaro, a powerful oni warrior; Kim Dragon, a taekwondo master from Korea; and Jeanne d’Arc, the legendary French heroine. Each character possesses their own unique fighting style, special moves, and personality, ensuring a wide variety of gameplay experiences.

Innovative Gameplay Mechanics

World Heroes introduced several innovative gameplay mechanics that set it apart from other fighting games of its time. One of the most notable is the “Deathmatch” mode, which allows players to continue fighting even after their health bar is depleted. However, the more times a player continues, the weaker their character becomes. This mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the game, as players must carefully consider when to risk continuing.

Another unique feature of World Heroes is the “Power Gauge” system. By filling up the Power Gauge, players can unleash powerful special moves and super combos. This system adds an element of depth and complexity to the gameplay, rewarding players who can effectively manage their Power Gauge.

Stunning Graphics and Animation

World Heroes is also renowned for its stunning graphics and animation. The game’s character sprites are large, detailed, and incredibly expressive, bringing the fighters to life with fluid and realistic movements. The backgrounds are equally impressive, featuring vibrant colors and intricate details that create a sense of immersion.

Critical Acclaim and Enduring Legacy

Upon its release, World Heroes received widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers praised the game’s innovative gameplay, diverse cast of characters, and stunning graphics. World Heroes quickly became a commercial success, selling over 200,000 copies worldwide.

The legacy of World Heroes continues to this day. The game has been ported to numerous platforms, including the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo Switch. It has also been included in several SNK compilations, ensuring that a new generation of gamers can experience this classic title.

Conclusion

World Heroes is a timeless masterpiece that stands as a testament to the golden age of arcade fighting games. With its innovative gameplay, memorable cast of characters, and stunning graphics, World Heroes continues to captivate gamers of all generations. Whether you’re a seasoned fighting game veteran or a newcomer to the genre, World Heroes is an essential experience that will provide hours of entertainment and challenge.

Review Score

8/10

Art

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