Retro Review - Jackal (Arcade / NES)

4 Wheel Shmup Action

Jackal (or Top Gunner as it was known in North America) is a classic Konami arcade shoot-em-up that often gets unfairly overlooked. Not only does it feature the developer's wonderful, and instantly recognisable, style of visuals and sound of the time, but it also offers some great blasting action and some original ideas in a genre usually swamped in predictability. Essentially a vertical scrolling shmup, Jackal has one significant difference that separates it from your standard Fireshark, 1943, or Raiden affairs - the ability to explore the stage at your own pace. After being dropped via parachute onto a beach, your two man team set off in their military jeep and, as you move vertically upwards, the screen scrolls with you. You can stop and move around at your leisure, with the screen following you to the left and right for a short distance should you move off the central path, and even backtrack a little way.

Obscure Retro Gems - Wani Wani World (Mega Drive / Genesis)

Stop! Hammer Time!

Apart from the wonderful Bubble Bobble, single screen platformers have never really been my thing - I have always preferred my 2D running and jumping antics to be of the scrolling variety. Bubble Bobble is one of the first arcade games I ever played, so will be forever etched into my memories as a stone cold classic. The imitators that followed, namely titles such as; Parasol Stars, Snow Bros, Rodland, Don Doko Don, Joe & Mac Returns, Tumble Pop and even the ludicrous Super Methane Bros didn't really do anything for me as they failed to improve on the bubble blowing dragons' adventures. But occasionally one will come along that I really enjoy, Penguin Brothers, an arcade game from 2000 was one, and Wani Wani World on the Mega Drive is another.

Classic Game - Flicky (Mega Drive / Genesis)

Come with me if you want to live!

Flicky is a Sega Mega Drive game that often receives a lot of flack from gamers. People moan about it appearing on multiple Mega Drive compilations, as if it doesn't deserve its position on the roster, which is a little unfair. Maybe it's because these compilations are often missing many favoured titles – mostly due to licensing issues – or maybe it is because the game looks so dated when viewed alongside games such as Commix Zone or Ristar. But underneath the dated visuals and simplistic arcade gameplay lies an exciting and addictive game that deserves far more praise than it generally receives.

Classic Coin-Op - Rastan (Taito) 1987

Another day, another fantastic Taito Arcade Classic

Ever since Arnie donned a set of over sized wristbands, fluffy boots and an animal hide codpiece for the 1982 movie Conan The Barbarian, the muscle-bound, sword wielding warrior has been a staple hero for videogames. Barbarian 1 and 2 on the 8 and 16-bit home micros pitted you against other foes in a 2d gladiatorial battle to the death, while titles such as Myth, Black Tiger and the PC Engine series, Legendary Axe were side scrolling affairs that pitted you against a legion of mystical monsters. Arcade classic Gauntlet, as well as pretty much every RPG game every made, has a class of character (often dubbed Warrior or Fighter) that adheres to the barbarian stereotype. More recently, the Xbox 360 and PS3 title Conan, brought the Barbarian protagonist back into fashion, but it is Taito's 1987 coin-op Rastan Saga (or simply Rastan on Western shores), that is the best game involving a broadsword swinging gym-freak in a thong.

Classic Game - Quackshot (Mega Drive / Genesis)

The 16-bit consoles introduced some of the best 2D platformers the world had ever seen, many of which, over 20 years later, are still the greatest examples the genre has to offer. Many of the most fondly remembered titles were based on popular Disney characters and movies, and Sega's Mega Drive console fared especially well in this respect. While the SNES had many of the same titles (Jungle Book, The Lion King, Mickey Mania), and even its own excellent exclusives (Mickey's Magical Quest), Sega's machine won by a narrow margin by having a far superior version of Aladdin (by the creators of Earthworm Jim), and the trio of jewels in the crown; Castle of Illusion, Quackshot, and World of Illusion. While I adore the squeaky rodent's adventures (despite having a dislike for Mickey himself), for me, Donald's globe-trotting quest is the best of the bunch.

Coin-Op Classics - Cameltry (Taito - 1989)

The oddly monikered Cameltry is an arcade puzzler from Taito. Released at the tail end of the 1980's, the game tasks you with simply guiding a ball to the end of each of its scrolling, maze-like stages. This is achieved, not by controlling the ball itself, but by rotating the world around the ball and letting gravity do the work. It is an incredibly simple concept that is executed very well, resulting in an addictive and enjoyable title. It can also be viewed as an early example of the casual game genre that is incredibly popular on today’s mobile platforms.

Classic Game - Impossamole (C64 / Amiga)

Impossamole is a game I have always loved since first getting my hands on the Commodore 64 cassette way back in 1990 – the year of the games release. I recall seeing it advertised in Commodore Format magazine and immediately wanting to buy it, as well as being blown away by the graphics for the 16-bit Amiga version. However, as I was only 10 years old and had just been given my very first computer, a lovely C64, I was more than happy to stick to 8-bits (for now). 

I remember it clearly - I spotted the game on the shelf of our local computer store, and immediately asked my father if he would get it for me. Being a generous chap he obliged and on the journey home I sat reading the back of the cassette inlay and ogling the screen-shots, eager to start playing. I had already enjoyed the previous installments of Monty Mole's adventures, Monty On The Run and Auf Weidersehen Monty, so I was keen to see what new adventures awaited our short sighted rodent hero. Here, Monty was kitted out in a Superman style costume, with flowing cape and a flame thrower in his hands. How could this not be awesome?

Classic Game - SonSon 2 (PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16)

SonSon 2 is the sequel to the classic Capcom arcade title from 1984. Developed by NEC Avenue (under license from Capcom) this sequel never saw an arcade release and was only released on the PC Engine – or TurboGrafx-16 as it is know in the USA and Europe – in 1989. Whereas the original was a forced scrolling affair that had you moving your little monkey boy between different planes to shoot at the approaching enemies – a strange combination of horizontal shmup and platform game, SonSon 2 is more of a standard 2D platform adventure. Like its predecessor, SonSon 2 is clearly inspired by the Chinese novel 'Journey to the West' – more commonly recognised in the West from the tacky 1960's TV show, 'Monkey'. You play as Son Goku and must rescue your buddies from an unknown monster. As the game is entirely in Japanese, this is as much as I can tell you.

Retro Rubbish - Magic Carpet (C64)

Not all retro games are worth remembering

Some memories are best forgotten. Being kidnapped and held hostage in a foreign land perhaps. Or being beaten unconscious by hooded men weilding bamboo canes. Both of these pale into comparison to the total horror of experiencing Magic Carpet on the Commodore 64.

Well, if the game is so arse-achingly awful why are you writing about it? I hear you say, in my head. Well the simple fact is that this abomination will be forever etched into my subconscious as it was the very first computer game I ever owned – not counting Game & Watch LCD hand helds. My old man bought me a brand spanking new Commodore 64 in 1990. It was the Light Fantastic pack that came with a light-gun and a few games such as Army days, Gangster Town, and Batman The Caped Crusader. He also purchased a copy of Outrun, and Magic Carpet. I had no idea that the C64 was pretty much obsolete by this stage, but I am so glad I had a chance to experience all the 8-bit home computer games such as Monty On The Run, Boulderdash, Bounder, Jack The Nipper and Creatures as well as being able to purchase games for less than £2.