PC Engine CD Rom 2

 released some time after the original PC Engine this add-on consists of a cool briefcase/interface unit, CD Rom drive and CD Rom Hu Card (there are several different versions of this depending on the type of game). basically the advent of the CD Rom meant better graphics, nicer animation and CD quality sound. As with the Hu Card format, there are many great original shooters on CD such as Sapphire, Spriggan and Nexzr as well as arcade conversions such as Sidearms Special, Hellfire and Gradius 2. a super CD Rom 2 drive followed this to match the Core Grafx 2 (3rd iteration of the PC Engine), but the original is still the best, especially when you bung an Arcade Pro card in it.

 

 

 
GATE OF THUNDER/. Hudson's answer to the Thunderforce series. it's amazing Technosoft didn't take legal action, as this game borrows very heavily from their epic pentalogy. on the plus side, it does feel different to TF and plays really well, so it's definitely worth getting. plus it has the cheesiest rock soundtrack ever, which can only be a good thing.

 

 GRADIUS 2 - GOFER/. conversion of the 1988 arcade sequel. this is basically more of the same, however, it doesn't quite retain the class of the original Gradius. if you're a huge Gradius fan then by all means get this, you won't be disappointed. otherwise plump for Gradius Gaiden on the PS1 or Gradius Advance on the GBA. IMAGE FIGHT 2/. very hard, and it unfortunately suffers for it. very similar to the original but with nicer graphics and sound. if you're a shooting legend then go for it, otherwise only get it if it's cheap, and make sure your PC Engine's nailed down, or it could be speeding towards the window quicker than you can say aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.
LEGION/. awful awful awful awful pap. possibly the worst game i have ever played on any system. avoid like the plague. PSYCHIC STORM/. as the rather average cover suggests, this is a fairly average shooter. 4 different ships to choose from each with their own weapon type which can be powered up quite a lot. also each ship can transform into a different shape for a small amount of time giving super-weapon capabilities. levels are okay and bosses can be quite amusing. music is pretty bad. only buy if it's cheap.

 

RAYXANBER 2/. okay-ish side scroller with nice graphics. has a weird boost facility and the weapons are a little disappointing. it's also very hard.

R-TYPE COMPLETE/. this is basically both of the HU Card versions of the fantastic original joined together, with levels split up by cartoony videos and lots of Japanese dialogue. also the music is remixed and worse for it. still it's a fantastic game and if you're a real couch potato get this cause you don't have to get up and swap carts when you get past level 4.

 

 SIDEARMS SPECIAL/. this contains the HU Card original and re-mixed music - which is pretty awful. also there is now a sizeable pause at the end of each level while the boss loads. on the plus side you do get another version of the game with different levels and power-up system. personally i'd go for the HU Card version though. SUMMER CARNIVAL '92 - ALZADICK/. regrettably, unlike Summer Carnival '93, this does not have a proper shooter in it, only time and score attack modes (there is a story mode but this is only 2 levels which can be completed in about 10 minutes) very much like star soldier. if you like caravan stages, you'll love this, if not you won't. simple as that really.
SUMMER CARNIVAL '93 - NEXZR/. basically the original version of Nexzr with time and score attack modes (or 'Caravan' modes as they are bizarrely known). this game is stylistically very similar to the Star Soldier series with added bits of Gunhed for good measure. it looks great and has pretty good music. one word of warning though, this game is very very hard.

REVIEWED

 

 WONDER BOY 3 - MONSTER LAIR/. a cutesy jumping shooter thingy based on the famous Wonderboy series. if you can stomach shooters this isn't too bad. it's quite funny and has a great soundtrack. just don't expect shooting nirvana.
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