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TurboGrafx-16/PC-Engine Reviews
Galaga '90
  • Country: U.S.
  • Copyright Date: 1989
  • Developer: Namco
  • Publisher: NEC
  • Game Type: Overhead-View Shooter
  • Number of Players: 1
  • Size: 256 Kilobyte
  • Rating: 90/100

This is one of the best arcade titles in existence on the Turbo or indeed on any console. All the action and adrenaline of Galaga, but with beautiful updated graphics and sound. Get it even if you're not a Galaga fan, because you'll grow to love it.
Detana! Twinbee
  • Country: Japan
  • Copyright Date: 1992
  • Developer: Konami
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Game Type: Overhead-View Shooter
  • Number of Players: 2
  • Size: 512 Kilobyte
  • Rating: 85/100

Don't let this shooter's cute look scare you off; it packs a real punch. DT has a nice selection of powerups and options, a two player simultaneous mode, and some rather nasty enemies. If you're not used to Xevious et al, you might be annoyed with having to bomb the occasional ground target, but otherwise this game is marvelous, upstaged only by the wicked Super Famicom version.
Image Fight
  • Country: U.S.
  • Copyright Date: 1990
  • Developer: Irem
  • Publisher: Irem
  • Game Type: Overhead-View Shooter
  • Number of Players: 1
  • Size: 512 Kilobyte
  • Rating: 80/100

I think of this as the overhead-view R-Type. You have some nice powerups, multiple types of options to protect you, and your ship's movement speed can be selected at any time. Colorful graphics and nice animation, too. Blows the NES version away. An excellent game.
Klax
  • Country: U.S.
  • Copyright Date: 1990
  • Developer: Tengen
  • Publisher: Tengen
  • Game Type: Puzzle
  • Number of Players: 1
  • Size: 256 Kilobyte
  • Rating: 90/100

An unbelievably cool puzzle game. Duplicates the colorful graphics and sound of the arcade better than any other home version (and there are lots). Fast-paced and extremely addictive. A must for any puzzle game lover.
Neutopia 2
  • Country: Japan
  • Copyright Date: 1991
  • Developer: Hudson Soft
  • Publisher: Hudson Soft
  • Game Type: Overhead-View Adventure
  • Number of Players: 1
  • Size: 768 Kilobyte
  • Rating: 75/100

The sequel adds the ability to move and attack diagonally, which makes fighting a bit less frustrating. N2 still falls well short of the original Zelda or even Zelda 3 as far as gameplay, though. The scenery is nice but I'm none too fond of the character art. OK but not great.
Space Invaders
  • Country: Japan
  • Copyright Date: 1990
  • Developer: Taito
  • Publisher: Taito
  • Game Type: 2D Overhead-View Shooter
  • Number of Players: 1
  • Size: 256 Kilobyte
  • Rating: 80/100

For nostalgia buffs this card features a decent conversion of the classic arcade game, which is cool... But for those who'd like something a little more modern, there's also Space Invaders Plus, which has updated graphics, two playable vehicles, several types of enemies and battle settings, and even powerups. Both are excellent and addictive games.
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Reviews © 1997/1998 Jay McGavren. © 1997/1998 Archaic Ruins