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Power Soukoban (SFC)

PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999! — PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999!

It’s hard to believe, but on January 1st, 1999, Nintendo published and released Power Soukoban. The SNES was long “dead” by that point, but that didn’t stop Atelier Double from developing this game. The same firm that developed such great Super Famicom games as Ranma 1/2: Chougi Ranbu Hen and Umihara Kawase. I guess they wanted to develop one last memorable Super Nintendo effort, because they succeeded in doing that with Power Soukoban.

Taking control of a devil, you go through a series of mazes with the same goal in mind as SUPER SOUKOBAN. Pushing boxes (this time stones) to cover purple dots (this time pits). The modern twist? But of course, STAYING ALIVE.

Staying alive? Yes, for from the excavation comes forth HELL’S ARMY!

OK, in all honesty, more like Hell’s Rejects, no, Purgatory’s Rejects. But you get the idea!

Adding a more action-oriented flare to a classic formula? TAKE MY MONEY. Yes, please!

Baddies are more of a nuisance than legitimate threats, however. Still, it’s pretty cool to see them thrown in there. There are two ways to dispose of them:

Push a stone over them

Zap ‘em

Another modern twist is the ability to throw fireballs. You can also charge to create a power shot a la Megaman. And there’s a run button as well.

So then, this update is an action-puzzler with sort of a Zelda-esque feel and atmosphere. Very slightly, BUT it’s certainly there, as anyone who has played it would surely attest to…

There's a light RPG element to it — There’s a light RPG element to it

Whereas SUPER SOUKOBAN was straight-to-the-point, POWER SOUKOBAN features multiple paths, multi-tier puzzles and there are even friends to guide you along with hints (in Japanese, mind, but nothing you can’t do without).

Such a rag-tag cast if I ever saw one — Such an odd cast if I ever saw one

The game opens with this screen. The iron gate’s locked so you must find an alternative route. Hey, what’s that little crack doing there in the wall…

And off you go. There are many rooms and you can run to the next without solving the current one, but it’s advisable you take care of each one as you go along.

YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS

Multi-tier puzzles adds a new dimension to the ole formula.

As you advance, more pits means more enemies. As long as the pits remain open, baddies will keep spawning. But again, they’re really a non-factor… but at least they’re there, eh? Plus, when defeated, some drop a power-up to aid your quest.

I said earlier it’d be wise to finish each puzzle as you confront ‘em. However, for some the solution is not immediately available. Only by advancing do you later arrive at a point where you can then solve a previously impossible puzzle. Confused? You needn’t be.

Observe:

See, here you enter this room on the lower floors. Blasted stones… how can you push them to cover the slots from this vantage point? The answer is you can’t, and remember you can’t pull stones, only push them.

A-ha! Later traversing to higher ground, you’ll find a room leading downstairs where you can now use your power shot to shove the blocks where they belong.

DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS

SS had you going from one warehouse to the next. PS, on the other hand, is different.

[What are you saying about the Sega Saturn and PlayStation eh? -Ed.]

Power Soukoban doesn’t have levels, per se. Rather it’s interconnected like (Super) Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Let’s take a look at some more screenshots.

Power Shot breaks dirt clumps — Power shot breaks dirt clumps

Minotauros from Golden Axe II? — Minotauros from *Golden Axe II*?

A classic beat 'em up — A classic beat ‘em up

Can you complete this while avoiding the circulating ring of fire?

BE YOUR OWN BOSS

Another major difference from Super Soukoban: you fight bosses. These include more traditional American-looking fiends such as Medusa and Frankenstein to name a few. These end-of-stage bosses are entirely combat-based and do not involve any puzzle solving whatsoever. It’s a refreshing change of pace that lends well to Power Soukoban‘s more action-oriented slant.

AUTOMATIC, NOT MANUAL

Something to take note of if you buy this game CIB: the game’s manual is a fold-out map, with instructions on the back side. So don’t fret when you don’t find a regular manual inside the box.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Power Soukoban is a fun game that brings an entertaining twist on the old Soukoban formula. Although the graphics are rather unimpressive considering this game was released in 1999, it’s all about the gameplay and that’s where this game delivers. Sure, it may get a tad repetitive here and there, but it’s a fun little game that is a fascinating footnote in SNES history seeing as it was released in 1999, years after the system was long considered “dead.” Highly recommended!

January '93 vs. January '99 — January ’93 vs. January ’99

So, Super Soukoban or Power Soukoban? While I think both are well worth owning, if I had to pick one that I like better, I would have to say Super Soukoban. While I enjoy the modern update of Power Soukoban, there is something pure about the original that can’t be denied or dethroned. The two games definitely complement one another and are must-owns for anyone who enjoys this genre.

Super Soukoban (SFC)

Super Soukoban is one fascinating video game. Heck, if the cover isn’t enough to catch your eye (it immediately captures my fancy and makes me wonder what the hell kind of game this is), then surely the intro will…

Obviously, the driver is clearly asking her to make him some coffee [NO! He’s asking her to join him for coffee ya git -Ed.]. Oh. Well, either way she’s visibly hesitant. No sooner then does a ride that’s more fly, as they say, pull up.

I wonder who she'll pick... — I wonder who she’ll pick…

The new guy also requests her company. Stuck in the middle, with offers from both gentlemen, oh what’s a modern lady to do?! I can’t take this drama…

"SON OF A MUTHA #^#^%!" — *“SON OF A MUTHA #*@$%!”*

"I need to bloody level up!" — *“I need to bloody level up!”*

The rejected guy, cursing his lot in life, contemplates how a better set of wheels would right all wrongs…

What do you expect this sad bloke to do now? Will he

A. Take out his anger by vanquishing bad guys in a beat ‘em up?

B. Jump on cutesy animal baddies in a platformer?

C. Work his way up the financial ladder in a sim?

D. Push boxes around in an empty warehouse?

E. Learn the art of ass kicking and throw fireballs in a 2D fighter?

…

If you picked “D”… Bob, tell him what he’s won!

[Absolutely friggin' nutthin -Bob] — *[Absolutely friggin’ nuthin -Bob]*

GameBoy players might be familiar with Boxxle, which came out back in 1989.

Weird concept, but fun! — Weird concept, but lots of fun!

Super Soukoban is a mind-taxing logic game; the goal is to push boxes to cover the purple dots. You can’t pull, you can only push and you can only move one box at a time. You can imagine the mess you’d create if you push a box in an ill-advised position. Thankfully, besides the option to restart a level at any point, pressing “L” rewinds the action and allows the player to go back as far as he wishes. Likewise, “R” is fast forward, in case you went too far back. This can prove to be a God-send and was very wise on the programmers’ part. It’s great because rather than completely restarting a level, it encourages experimentation and creativity at each step (literally) of the way. Kudos!

There’s no time limit however there is a step limit. Nothing beats solving a puzzle with exactly 0 steps remaining! That is the ultimate rush.

Let’s take a look at some of the stages now.

STAGE ONE

Ah, the classic simple first stage to acclimate players to the world of Soukoban.

Get each box in that position there, where the guy is in front of. Surely you can take it from here.

STAGE TWO

Can you suss out the hot spot here? — Can you find the hot spot here?

STAGE THREE

This stage introduces the darkened box. This indicates the box is already resting on a purple dot. Later stages may have multiple. They can be tricky so watch it…

STAGE FOUR

STAGE FIVE

STAGE SIX

OH PLEASE, EVEN A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CAN SOLVE THESE…

OK wiseguy. There are a total of 300 (!) warehouses to tackle, with the option of jumping to any one at any time. A password is given each time you clear a level. Of course, the first handful eases you in, before becoming gradually harder until DAMN! Notice as the puzzles get more complex, everything is properly reduced in size. Nothing intimidates than seeing a small screen littered with dozens and dozens of boxes…

A look at some of the later stages then.

STAGE 47

STAGE 147

STAGE 188

STAGE 234

STAGE 277

See! They quickly become absolute conundrums in no time flat.

In fact, rumor has it that launch day buyers TO THIS DAY are still stuck on level 289!!

[Oh? Source? -Ed.]

Er, moving on…

To cap it off, there’s also a Level Edit option and a radical 2-player mode to see who can finish first. There’s even a choice of 10 characters to select from. It’s the perfect way to top off what is already a well-baked cake.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Sokoban (note the missing “u“) loosely translates to “warehouse keeper,” and has been around since the early ’80s, pioneered by one, Hiroyuki Imabayashi. Its easy-to-play-but-difficult-to-solve gameplay is as pure as it gets. It’s a brilliant game that anyone, even non-gamers, can really enjoy. The 2 player mode is a nice bonus, but it’s really the 300 puzzles that will last players a lifetime. Or at least, a good chunk of time, anyhow.

Super Soukoban is really a can’t-miss for those who enjoy staring contemplatively at the screen until inspiration breaks through with a resolute A-HA!

This is, sadly, an underrated Super Famicom gem. Don’t overlook it just because it lacks explosions or “thrills.” It’s amazing how satisfying it is to solve these levels. Sometimes just taking 20-30 minutes to figure out ONE level is good enough to call it a night. Who knew moving boxes around in a cluttered abandoned warehouse could be so damn awesome?

Ganbare Daiku no Gensan (SFC)

It's HAMMERIN' HARRY on the SNES! — It’s *HAMMERIN’ HARRY* on the SNES!

Ganbare Daiku no Gensan is the sequel to the Hammerin’ Harry games found in the arcade and NES. While scouring the net for information on this Super Famicom title (back in 2006) it shocked me there wasn’t much to be found. Maybe part of it is because it’s called Ganbare Daiku no Gensan instead of Hammerin’ Harry? While it’s no Super Mario World, it definitely deserves a moment in the spotlight.

As far as I can tell the story goes something like this…

One day an evil corporation blows up this lovely house here. Well, they picked the wrong house. Harry’s out to put an end to this evil empire, and along the way, they snatch his sweetheart just because, well… they’re evil.

You go through 4 stages, each with 2 zones. After all this you face the final boss. Harry will traverse towns, woods and even a booby trap-infested factory zone. The game has a nice urban Japanese feel to it, and probably one reason why it never saw a Western release.

Harry attacks with his trusty hammer. The standard-issue hammer you start with is serviceable but you definitely want to find an upgrade ASAP. You can swing hammers left, right, down and up. Harry can also chuck his hammer across the screen, a move that is a MUST if you want to beat the later stages and bosses. (U, UF, F + attack… why couldn’t they have just made it D, DF, F?) If you didn’t have the manual you’d be screwed not to know this key command which is so obscure.

There are two hammer upgrades; unfortunately, they all have short attack range so you will take some cheap hits more likely than not throughout the game. Thankfully Ganbare Daiku no Gensan is not a 1-hit-wonder. You have an energy bar at the bottom of the screen.

Swinger- As it suggests, this hammer swings 360 degrees and can be quite useful

Quaker- A huge black-ish hammer that when pounded on the ground releases shock waves left and right

Harry also has two power-ups he can use. Throughout the stages are muscle icons hidden inside crates and barrels which you can break open. When you have 1 or more muscle icons you can press X to unleash two special moves that should be reserved for the bosses.

Harry releases the hammer in the air causing a wave of stars to cascade downward.

(jump and then hit X) Harry pounds the ground going down causing an unavoidable sphere of destruction.

Special move #2 is much more effective and useful. And since they both use up only one icon, there’s no reason ever to use special move #1.

Note: boss names are strictly made up by me and not official names. Alliteration freaks will appreciate it…

1-1
Your journey begins in this easy stage that allows you to get the feel of the game. Smash the SD Zangief-wanna-be clones and watch out for cranky female street sweepers and stray cats. You can jump on roofs and on shingles Harry will gradually slide down. Good stuff there.

BOSS 1: CAT-MAN
A man in a giant cat suit. Something is wrong with that picture. At any rate, a SUPER easy boss with a pattern that’s laugh-out-loud simple. BTW, all bosses have twice your health. When you get him down to about 25%, he sheds his cat mask…

1-2
This stage opens as a racing section; enemies on bikes ride by trying to pelt Harry with rocks. Either close in and hammer them, or ricochet their rocks back at ‘em. There are two racing sections in the game which help to add some variety to the proceedings. After this section you go back to regular platforming business.

BOSS 2: CHUCK THE CHUCKER
The boss cakewalks might be over here, but he’s not really hard. True to his name (that I’ve given him, mind you) he chucks bottles and other debris at Harry.

2-1
Here we begin the foray into the forest. Mad red-faced chimps run wildly around as the crazy cranks sweep the forest floor. (why? Those crazy Japanese) Harry can climb on tree trunks to make his way to the top of their limbs to break open crates. Beware of the poison power down that does damage to our SD hero.

BOSS 3: BOOMERANG BILLY
This wild mad-cap Tarzan wannabe swings on vines and when he’s on solid ground will toss boomerangs your way. Simple pattern. Show him who’s King of the Jungle.

2-2
Some nice little features in this stage. Wooden sticks pop out of the ground and you have to figure out which ones to hit to cause the other sticks to come out on higher ground, so that you can jump on those and make your way out of the pit. Midway through this stage you will come across a cool little construction zone. They’re trying to destroy everything these mad men! You can’t take my woods YA HEAR ME?! *shakes fist* [cue Groundskeeper Willie] YA CAN’T HAVE MAH WOOOOODS! *ahem*

BOSS 4: CHARLENE THE CHAINSAW CRUSHER
Ah those crazy Japanese. She has a simple but fun pattern. When she chases you on the ground sparks fly like wild from her chainsaw. Watch out for those falling rocks and remember to jump quickly!

3-1
The second and final racing section. After this you go through platforming business per usual. Very short until you run into a crazy scruffy ole bloke.

BOSS 5: SCOTT “THE SCRUFFY SUICIDAL” SKATEBOARDIN’ SAVAGE
I love how this game is so Japanese-y and along comes this rather American bloke, heh. Easy pattern — you just have to time it well. Send Scruffy packin’!

3-2
My favorite stage. You make your way across a nice little waterfall, with falling blocks after you touch ‘em. Standard classic platforming from the beginning of civilization (or the ’80s..) The coolest part of this stage though is when late afternoon suddenly rolls into to beautiful and peaceful evening, with the stars out in full force… it’s really a nice little atmospheric change.

BOSS 6: DYNAMITE DAN
This guy can be a true pain in the neck. Not only does he bounce from wall to wall like freaking Spider-Man but he throws sticks of dynamite at you as well as other means of destruction. At the same time the ground will heat up so there are many ways for you to lose energy. Having 4, 5 muscle icons really help here.

4-1
Almost there! 2 more stages to go after this! Harry’s travels take him to the factory zone where booby traps and foot soldiers litter the place. There are old scientists in tiny cramped up corners madly controlling crushing machinery — the only way to get through these parts is, as mentioned earlier in the review, to employ the highly obscure U, UF, F + attack command. This sees Harry tossing his hammer across the screen and back like a boomerang. 4 hits will kill the old scientists and the crushing machinery will stop. Just hit them with your hammer to destroy them then.

BOSS 7: DOCTOR DEATH
What an intimidating sight for sore eyes. Ole crazy Doc here mans this heap of machinery in hopes to thwart Harry’s efforts. What can I say but… look for the certain shots that are ricochet-able… and have many muscle icons on ya…

After you beat Doctor Death he escapes and kidnaps your girlfriend in the process. Well, I won’t spoil the rest. You have 4-2 and 5-1 to figure out on your own. I will say this: 4-2 boss is very annoying but it’s all a matter of figuring out their patterns and weaknesses. Ah the beauty of video games. Final boss is easy. This battle stretches 3 screens wide!

Time for some random shots.

Someone cut the cheese... — Someone cut the cheese…

It's clobberin' time! — It’s clobberin’ time!

He's gonna die soon anyway — He’s gonna die soon anyway

Screw y'all. DEUCES! — Screw y’all. DEUCES!

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

It’s not a hard game at all. 1st time I played it I beat it. Took me 105 minutes, but I lost to some bosses quite a bit. It’s funny, I seriously killed like 6 of the 9 bosses with 10% health left. Nothing is better than beating a boss by the skin of your teeth

The game is short. No password option. 9 stages total — if you were to play it after beating it once, I’d say maybe 60-75 minutes?

If you like this game, check out ROCKY RODENT on SNES. It’s also by Irem and has much of a Hammerin’ Harry feel to it. Rocky Rodent is definitely underrated. Much harder too

Press select to access a ‘hidden’ options screen

The storybook sequences and ending is obviously in Japanese, so you’re just missing out on the story. Other than that, it’s extremely import-friendly

No slowdown whatsoever, which is always appreciated

Graphically I think the game has a cute, nice look to it. Things are “alive” and the SD characters definitely add charm. My brother walked by as I was playing and he laughed at the big heads

Sound-wise I didn’t like it too much. Some of the music gets annoying after a while, and a big no-no: each character’s “death cry” is the same! From the burly axe-wielding Zangief lookalikes to the female sweepers! Even the monkeys! Lazy bastards

Gameplay-wise it does nothing extraordinary — it’s just a competent addition to the genre. You climb, jump, smash, etc. Note however, the game only goes right. When you advance a little bit, the screen scrolls right and you can’t go back. That kind of sucks because it ruins the chance to explore if you wish. Thankfully though, you advance on your own instead of the screen automatically scrolling forward. So it becomes a matter of taking your time and knowing the level layouts

And replay value… I see myself coming back to this once in an odd moon since it’s a simple arcade-esque little platformer that won’t overly frustrate or eat up a ton of time. You can pick it up, beat it in an hour and be on your way

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Worth hunting down? Yes. It’s not a serious platformer by any means. Just look at the screenshots and you can tell it’s erring on the goofy side. It doesn’t take itself seriously and doesn’t do anything bad. Not a stand-out title, but nonetheless a nice game to have in the ole library. It’s nice to see Hammerin’ Harry have at least one Super Nintendo experience. Was probably a little too bonkers to warrant a US release, but at least we have the means to experience it still on our SNES systems.

Super Tekkyu Fight! (SFC)

A twist on the ol' Bomberman formula — You guys, AGAIN?!

I discovered this game during the summer of 2006. Its Bomberman-esque look immediately grabbed my attention and I had high hopes for it. You know the feeling you get when you see screenshots of a game for the very first time and you go “Oh damn, this game looks like it could be a REAL hidden gem!” Yeah, that was me 10 years ago. It took me several months to secure a copy but I finally did and couldn’t wait to play it. For the most part, it delivered. I probably had way too high expectations. It’s a fun little (party) game for sure, but definitely doesn’t topple Super Bomberman. Still, it makes for a solid alternative. Let’s take a closer look.

Super Tekkyu Fight! features four heroes:

At a cursory glance it appears to be a Bomberman clone. But it puts an interesting spin on things. Instead of dropping bombs of one variety or the other, you simply bash the others to oblivion with your chain ball. You begin with a short chain. But power-ups soon come into play, and these include:

Double chain (now we're talking!) — Double chain (now we’re talking!)

This power-up rips through consecutive blocks in one hit. Very powerful.

THE SUPER DESTROYER!!!! (4-way chain!) — THE SUPER DESTROYER!!!!

Get this baby and you’re sure to rule the match. As you can see with Ultraman and Fighter Roar, players can nullify each other’s chain attack. Note that the GOLD chain does 2 health bars of damage when up-close.

NO BOMBS, OK, WHAT ELSE IS DIFFERENT?

Each player has 8 health bars. So battles here tend to be lengthier than your regular Bomberman match. When hit, you’re invulnerable for a few seconds, eliminating cheap consecutive hits. “A” jumps. If you jump on their head, it stuns ‘em for a few seconds. “Y” sees your guy flipping the tiles, stunning anyone caught in its path. This certainly makes your life easier, but it’s not mandatory.

When hit, you lose the last power-up you had — the icon goes flying back on the field waiting to be claimed by anyone. This is great since it prevents a potential “Ah crap, he got Boardwalk and now we’re all screwed” type of deal.

THAT *IS* KINDA DIFFERENT

You betcha, and beware where you jump! Each player can jump past 1 square. Each stage has plenty of holes to be weary of. In the heat of the battle it’s very easy to misplace a jump and plummet to the bloody rocks below. However, it doesn’t ALWAYS spell instant doom. The price is 4 precious health bars.

And don’t you hate when you’re alone playing 3 computer-controlled opponents and you die first, having to sit there waiting 2 minutes for them to kill each other? The programmers have sympathized with our plight as anytime you die, the tiles fall off one by one until one computer rival is standing. BLOODY SWEET. Give those chaps at METRO a hand *golf clap* A rather underrated feature that more Bomberman-esque games should employ.

HOW’S THE ONE PLAYER STORY MODE?

If you must know, there are 6 worlds with 8 levels each (the 8th being the boss). You’re free to pick from any of the 6 worlds. It’s not bad. It sorta reminds me of an updated version of TRAMPOLINE TERROR.

Enemies from each of the four protagonists’ world appear, which is very cool.

Ice to see you... har har — Ice to see you… har har

The bosses are huge and pretty tough. Exclusive to the Story mode (1 or 2 player by the way) are bombs (hidden in blocks). If you don’t have at least 1 for the bosses, it’s going to be far more difficult.

Here are four of the six:

Juggling the act of avoiding the falling rocks and slipping through the cracks requires great concentration.

This demon fellow here is my personal favorite. Look at how badass he is. Resting one hand on his cheek he uses the other to pound the tiles while emitting laser beams from his demonic eyes. I love how he flashes when you hit him, too!

FOUR PLAYER MAYHEM

The meat of these games are the 4 player battles. Here’s a look at the 8 arenas.

ZONE ONE

Standard first stage except for the arrows which can effect the direction of tile flipping. Enjoy the friendly jumping layout while you can…

ZONE TWO

The silver blocks are unbreakable. Jumping on blocks will break ‘em, but it takes two leaps. Make sure you have a space to land back on!

ZONE THREE

Arrows act as they do in the first battle arena. Hmm. Kind of lazy, no?

ZONE FOUR

The middle part sends you sliding across.

ZONE FIVE

More arrows in a sort of X-shaped field.

ZONE SIX

Forces each player to jump from the get-go… who will be on the attack and who will be on the defensive?

ZONE SEVEN

Lots of solid ground in the middle, and the many blocks are home to numerous power-ups.

ZONE EIGHT

Ice with arrows. Note the slippery sections. Like a combination of zones one and four.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Super Tekkyu Fight! appears to be another Bomberman clone but play it for a few minutes and you’ll quickly realize it really isn’t. The battle system is refreshingly different. The combination of jumping, avoiding pitfalls and being able to take up to 8 hits makes the 4-player mode its own unique animal.

On the downside, the battle zones seem a little too similar to one another and don’t have enough gimmicks to differentiate them TOO much. Especially when you compare it to the variety of Bomberman‘s battle arenas. But all in all, this is a fun little game. And particularly a blast for anyone who can gather three other like-minded buds to play with.

Araiguma Rascal (SFC)

Araiguma Rascal, AKA Raccoon Rascal, is one of the most adorable video games you will ever encounter. Hands down. Just look at that amazing box art. It doesn’t look like the kind of video game you would want to buy if you were to see it at the store… especially next to such covers as Contra III or Super Castlevania IV. But never judge a game by its cover, as the famous saying goes…

A puzzler with a unique twist. Rather than being another Puyo Puyo / Tetris rip-off, you control a raccoon who must match 3 (or more) like jars by way of arrangement. Keep in mind it’s not like Tetris Attack. Here you’re restricted by obvious obstacles whereas in Tetris Attack you’re free to move the cursor where you wish. It’ll take a few minutes to get the hang of, but then the good times roll.

The little squirrels pushing the jars down add a nice touch. As you can see, Rascal just connected 3 green jars. Pulling off chains is more difficult here than in other puzzle games, so it’s double gratifying when you get one down.

Rascal is an endearing little guy. When he’s not carrying a jar and moving, true to raccoon form, Rascal scampers low to the ground.

When carrying a jar, he marches along erect holding the jar high above his head with his diminutive arms. Awww.

Work your magic, Rascal — Leap and grab that jar

When Rascal has a jar he has the option of dropping it beneath him, or throwing it one column over. He can also jump and swipe jars high above his head; as well as push jars provided they’re out in the open.

If a jar is dropped on his noggin, it results in this amusing animation.

The 1 player mode is fine and dandy but like any puzzle game worth its weight (sans Tetris of course), it’s all about the two-player mode(s). Raccoon Rascal has three unique 2 player modes.

The first is a side scrolling platform-y race-to-the-exit-as-fast-as-you-can split screen affair, where jars are placed strategically to impede players’ progress. This mode is a thrilling race-against-your-opponent-while-you-rack-out-your-brains kind of rush.

The second is the full screen cooperative mode. If you’re not in a competitive mood this mode serves its purpose well.

The third final option is the classic head-to-head split screen mode. Player 2 controls a boy named Sterling who bears more than a passing resemblance to Oliver Twist.

Well I'll be damned — Well I’ll be damned

We all know the story don’t we. Boy meets raccoon. Raccoon bites boy. Boy challenges raccoon to life-or-death puzzle duel.

[Movie Trailer voice guy]

It was a time of pain and destruction.
It drove boy and raccoon to the very brink of madness.
NOW, their final battle commences.

This is the timeless tale of raccoon vs. boy. Let’s see how this new classic story for future generations unfolds. What happens when you pit a hard working raccoon against a lazy boy who stands there like a bump on a log? Let us observe this intense battle of wills and wits.

Now Jimmy see here, the raccoon busts his little behind while the boy naps.

Now observe what happens and why hard work pays off.

… OK, so video games should not be used to teach life lessons…

Even Sterling has no clue how he won! I mean just look at the lad! Sigh.

Super Play quite enjoyed Raccoon Rascal — **NOT** Simon **Cowell** from *American Idol* fame…

SUPER PLAY, who were extremely tough graders, rated this one pretty highly, given their strict standards:

Graphics: 80%
Sound: 68%
Gameplay: 81%
Gamelife: 79%

Overall: 79%

Saying “The cute shell hides a rock hard interior. The learning curve is not set perfectly, but when the going gets tough, it’s tough with a capital T. I’ve probably played this as much as any other game this month and I am still only halfway through the levels. Extensive play reveals Puyo Puyo-like tactics which allows for many chain reactions; and the two-player modes are the icing on an already appetizing cake.”

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Raccoon Rascal rocks — *Raccoon Rascal* rocks

Super Play put it well. This is a puzzler that gets better as you delve into its various tactics and techniques. Somewhat meh at first but quickly becomes highly charming and effective. I also like that it’s different from your typical falling piece puzzle game. There’s a little action platforming element to it as you must maneuver Rascal around the field, running, jumping, grabbing and throwing. It adds an extra layer to the traditional puzzle format and makes for a good time. The three different two-player modes also add a lot of replay value and depth to an already very good game. Araiguma Rascal (or Raccoon Rascal) is a must-have for any diehard Super Nintendo connoisseur. Don’t miss out on it!

Poko Nyan! (SFC)

I remember seeing a preview of Poko Nyan! in EGM issue #66 (January 1995). I was instantly drawn in and wanted badly to play it. Unfortunately, like so many games EGM previewed in the “International Outlook” section, many never saw the light of day here in the states. Fast forward more than a decade and I’m on a Super Famicom buying spree. It took me a while to hunt down a copy, but I finally got my hands on a CIB Poko Nyan! October 11, 2006. I dropped 50 dollars on it but considering a complete copy sold for $150 not long before my purchase, I felt like $50 was a steal!

TANUKI LOVE

According to Japanese folklore, the tanuki possesses shape-shifting powers. They sure love this little creature… it serves as a good luck symbol to our friends from the far East. You can find them in shops and Japanese gardens, all sorts of places. They’re almost as frequent as the Maneki Neko — the cat with the paw raised for good fortune.

Tanuki by the way translates to “Raccoon Dog.”

And here comes a game from the Land of the Rising Sun that will appeal to all tanuki lovers.

Trying to be Sonic... — Trying to be Sonic…

EGM wasn’t kidding — how very easy this game is. You can’t die! The timer running out doesn’t end gameplay, nor does any amount of hits from the bad guys. Being a popular anime for young children, this game was created with them in mind. A four-year-old could beat this! The game has 15 levels and can be finished in 40 minutes, even sooner if you rush straight for the exit.

Not sounding good so far, eh? I mean, what kind of video game allows you to NOT ever die, especially a platformer? It’s simply unheard of! But wait — what’s this? The game’s a RIOT?! Yes, it is. Poko (I think that’s his name) is such a likable chap. The various stages are beautiful, likewise for the set pieces and even the enemies themselves are cute. Just take one look at the wild boar who, before charging, has a silly exclamation mark bubble pop over his head. Awww.

The set pieces are awesome not just because of how they look but also how they come into play. Some have several platforms Poko can hop on, or hop down from. Down + jump makes Poko drop to the platform below. This becomes oddly fascinating as it’s fun to knock off baddies from above. May not sound all that great, but you’d be surprised at how much fun it is.

Here are some other cool set pieces:

WHAT? I'm number one? Thanks... — What? I’m number one? Thanks

These little things add a lot to the game’s charm.

And staying true to Japanese folklore, this tanuki has plenty of shape-shifting powers! By the way, all forms can double jump, including Poko himself.

Poko can change into a high-jumping kangaroo.

Or this bird with unlimited flight!

Wait a second… Poko the Hedgehog?! Come on now… what the hell.

You can switch to any form at any time. There are no limits. You can switch back to Poko by pressing R again. You’re also switched back if hit by an enemy. The different transformations add a lot of flavor to the game.

The 15 levels are spread over 5 different “worlds” each guarded by one of 5 nasty foxes. These boss battles, like the rest of the game, are a cinch. The later bosses have some cool powers, though.

While the game is short, the key is to explore the levels rather than rushing to the exit. There is also a point score where bouncing off consecutive baddies allots major points, so at least there’s a point system.

Let’s check out some random action…

Eat your heart out, Bubsy — Eat your heart out, *Bubsy*

This groovy roller coaster multi-tier stage is one of my faves — it’s a lot of fun to mess around with. There are so many different levels to jump off and on… good stuff.

Poko of the Carribbean — Poko of the Caribbean

Check out the whale in the background. The big puffy clouds are pretty cool, too. I love the art style of Poko Nyan! It’s simple yet gorgeous in its own neat way.

Cliche though it may be, it’s fun navigating Poko through the water and ice stages. The camera is a little bit herky jerky on sudden direction changes, but it’s still quite fun to play, in spite of that scrolling flaw.

More Northern Lights in Super Famicom games! I’m not complaining though; I love starry nights and Northern Lights in my games. They’ll always have a special place in my heart because I can never get enough of those settings.

Spooky stuff... — Spooky stuff… ahh, such nostalgic childhood memories!

Seriously, how beautiful is that purple castle, folks? The game is a joy to look at, and is exactly the kind of stuff your little nephew or son will gravitate toward.

Star light, star bright... — Star light, star bright…

The first star I see tonight! Ah, right on cue, another starry night setting. This is another one of my favorite levels. I love how Poko can hop on just about anything, including those star pieces. It’s all kind of… almost dreamy… game has a sweet atmosphere for sure.

It's simple but deceptively fun — It’s simple but deceptively fun

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Poko Nyan! won’t light your world on fire, but it’s very charming and enjoyable. Scrolling is a bit herky jerky at times, but not bothersome enough to deduct from the game. It’s perfect for kids, and a treat for anyone who’s still a kid-at-heart. Yeah so you can’t die, and yeah it’s probably the easiest SNES game you could ever play, but sometimes gaming isn’t about difficulty or the thrill of the challenge. Sometimes, gaming is just about having a good time. And Poko Nyan! delivered that in spades for me. That’s good enough for me

Go Go Ackman Trilogy (SFC)

Today we look at a platforming trilogy based on the 1993 manga by Akira Toriyama. The GO GO ACKMAN games definitely have some good things going for them. You control Ackman, supposedly Satan’s lackey. As you slay enemies your winged companion captures their souls in a little jar (100 grants you an extra life). It’s all quite bizarre from the sense of humor to the bosses. Go Go Ackman does nothing new but what it does it does well.

The original is my favorite of the 3. It hooked me and I finished it the very same day. Punch, kick, run, jump, slide, climb, you even have bombs — all the quintessential platforming features. What’s really nice is Ackman can jump on an angel’s head and send it sliding across the screen taking out others (a la the koopa shells).

And of course what hero, or in this case, anti-hero, would be complete without the power-up shot? Making the game extra fun is the ability to pick up three weapons along the way. Check them out below.

The weapon is forfeited upon first hit, but on the upside a health bar is not deducted. FYI: the sequels you start with a sword, and weapons collected will remain even after receiving damage. I personally prefer the original way as it rewards skilled play. Again, I like the first game the most of this trilogy. Let’s take a look at some of the stages.

STAGE ONE

The first level is your standard, plain, easy stage, but I really like its look and early on I could tell this was going to be a nice little game.

STAGE TWO

Here we are introduced to a darker brown tone with lots of hills to jump from, and plenty of instant death pitfalls.

There’s even the force scrolling level thrown in for good measure. This one being a car ride. Of course, Ackman has his own special advertising splashed on the vehicle.

The first boss is really simple. Just a big fancy suit-and-tie corporate fiend.

My, what big teeth you have... — My, what big teeth you have…

STAGE TWO

We move toward a more tropical setting. As my man Flavor Flav once said, “PEACE IN BELIZE!”

Keep an eye out for hidden passages that may appear on first glance to be a pitfall, but actually leads to a plethora of goodness.

Lay off the 'roids, dude — Lay off the ‘roids, dude

STAGE THREE

The next level sends Ackman on another force-scroller. This time he hits the high seas.

This boss has bombs of his own but no worries. Like the others he’s a push-over.

STAGE FOUR

The next level has sections of water with sharks and other nasties.

BAYLEY'S GONNA HUG YA — BAYLEY’S GONNA HUG YA

This boss epitomizes the gist of Go Go Ackman. It’s funky and goofy. It doesn’t take itself seriously whatsoever, and that’s all part of the fun.

STAGE FIVE

This level has a pyramid sand theme. Here the game takes on an extra graphical punch, with scrolls that stretch on. It’s pretty amazing in a simple kind of way.

The first mid-boss of this world (boss 6 for those keeping count at home) is ridiculously easy. And off the charts bizarre. But you ain’t seen weird yet. Wait til we get to Go Go Ackman 3…

Next you enter a pyramid where new obstacles await, such as…

Gave me the creeps as a kid — Mumm-Ra scared the shit out of me back in the day

All in all, while the levels and boss battles are short in comparison to others of this genre, Go Go Ackman is a blast while it lasts. More levels await but I’ll let you discover the rest. Now let’s check out the sequel.

GO GO ACKMAN 2

Part 2 came out July 21, 1995. I couldn’t get into this. After enjoying, pardon the pun, the hell out of the original, the sequel did disappoint as it felt like a cheap cash-in. It didn’t have the sweet feel or look of the original, and although old faces return (like some of the mid-bosses) the game just never came together for me. It is, however, the hardest of the trilogy by far.

Maybe you’ll like it; in fact, I know some who prefer this out of the three, but I didn’t dig it too much. Not to say it’s a bad game — it just doesn’t compare to the original, in my humble opinion.

GO GO ACKMAN 3

Back to basics, baby. Third time’s the charm

Released on December 15, 1995, Go Go Ackman 3 came out only *five* short months after Go Go Ackman 2. Were they cashing in, or making up? Personally, I say the latter.

This is a classic case of “Oh wow, we really messed up the last sequel didn’t we. Let’s make another and get back to basics.” Playing this you really feel like it’s part 1 in terms of spirit. It has some cool level designs like the booby trap-filled prison. New features are thrown in the mix like shops within levels. Heck the game even has a nice prelude battle where you duke it out with your infamous angel rival… and his incompetence offsets the end boss so much that the angel is banished to your side. Thus, in certain levels you play as the angel rather than Ackman. With his propensity for flight it only further enhances the game playing experience. As Borat would say… “NIIICE.”

Here’s a quick glance at some of the happenings.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it — If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

The first boss is (again) a return of old faces from the original. You joust with the trio in succession and the time lapse between each is handled brilliantly.

After you knock these re-tread bozos off their high horses, you have the choice of picking any one of their vehicles. The next section, depending on what you choose, is a shooter or action racer. Pretty dope. Like one of those old “Pick Your Own Adventure Path” books.

The second boss packs a mean punch, and you know I love good ole school boss flashing whenever they take a hit. Go Go Ackman 3 does “boss flashing” fans everywhere justice! Check it out.

No, no RoboCop influence here — No, no *RoboCop* influence here

Bear in mind this trilogy can be very off-beat. Look no further than this freakish cut scene.

This would NEVER have been approved for American audiences…

This next level is one of my favorite in the entire series. I just love the different booby traps and elevator-riding to eventually reach the top floor. The backdrops where you can see far into the background is an EXCELLENT touch.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Ackman is fun to control — Somewhere, Link is smiling

Some folks prefer part 3 to 1 and 2. In my opinion, if you want to try Ackman, go with the original first, and then try part 3. If you only try one game however, my advice is to play the first one. But that’s not to say part 3 isn’t good — it is. I appreciated that they went back to Ackman’s roots for this third and final game. The second got away too much from what worked well in the first game.

Finally, there is a smattering of Japanese dialogue after each level in all 3 games, but it doesn’t affect your ability to progress in any of the games. Though I hear the text is quite amusing for those who can follow it.

I give kudos to Aspect for making this enjoyable, albeit derivative trilogy. The first one is a very solid, fun action platformer. The second was forgettable and the third one ended the trilogy on a good, redemptive note.

Ghost Sweeper Mikami (SFC)

Tell me… what kind of video game would you get if you mixed Splatterhouse, Castlevania, Ghostbusters and Sailor Moon into a melting pot?

If you answered GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI — you’re on the right track.

As Mikami, a rather sexy-dressing lass, you must rid the levels of spirits with her trusty magic baton. Along the way pots can be broken to reveal power-ups such as food or weapon upgrades in the form of projectiles.

But is it any good?

Let’s go to the tale of the tape shall we…

LEVEL ONE

Dawn of the Dead 2005 anyone? — *Dawn of the Dead* 2005 anyone?

Mikami starts out at the local mall. I’ve always liked the mall setting in video games. See examples such as Zombies Ate My Neighbors, EarthBound and True Lies. Wish more games would incorporate this setting.

Mannequins... *goosebumps* — Mannequins… *goosebumps*

What’s creepier than crummy old mannequins at night? Window smashing zombies!

Exiting the mall, it’s time to board the train. The scrolling here is smooth and splendid. Not choppy at all. Good stuff.

"Done with the funnies yet?" — *“Done with the funnies yet?”*

The little details are what makes a game extra cool. The paper will spring to life! Looking a little pale there, fella!

Yes, I know. Groundbreaking stuff indeed. Doors must be gutted, and
quickly! Watch out for them nasty hand thingies.

Zombies? Check. Possessed duffel bags? Check. Boogeymen? Check.

Say hello to boss #1 — Say hello to boss numero uno

Like those vending machine toys — Like those old 25 cent toys

His long arm attack reminds me of the old, cheap, sticky, long arm “toys” sold at supermarkets for 25 cents back in the day.

LEVEL TWO

Yay, it's the water-y bit — Yay, it’s the water-y bit

Oh, it’s the house-at-the-end-of-the-woods bit. They’re never good news, are they?

Aw, isn't she adorable? — Aw, isn’t she adorable?

Castlevania homage — *Castlevania* homage

LEVEL THREE

Mikami is shrunken and must navigate this level on the back of a stray cat.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Based off the anime/manga by Takashi Shiina, Ghost Sweeper Mikami is old school platforming fun. It controls well and the atmosphere is both slightly goofy yet somewhat spooky. There aren’t a lot of flashy tricks here — what you see is what you get. It’s just a straight forward action platformer akin to the dozens we received back in the 8-bit NES era. If you’re into that sort of thing, Ghost Sweeper Mikami is definitely worth hunting down. Perfect for Halloween season, this game is a worthy addition to your Super Famicom collection.

Keeper (SFC)

November 10, 2006, was a day for the ages. I received my last package of “ultra rare” Super Famicom games. It took a month of collaborating but finally my mercenary over in Japan finished the job, and what a job he did. With this score, I was pretty much set.

But I had no time to revel in its magnificence. I was on my way to a wedding banquet with my good friend, Eddie. Who got hitched? Our old high school friend Christina, Eddie’s old flame. And despite his efforts in coaxing me otherwise, I knew he still had feelings for her.

She’s the one he let get away, folks… and man… she’s a keeper.

By the time we got off the freeway it was dark and pouring. We were forced to stop at a train track. As the heavy rain drops pelted the roof of his car, with the loud rumbling of the train roaring past us, it happened.

JESSIE’S GIRL blared on the radio. Its cheesy yet classic 80s pop rock, not to be outdone by the tumultuous train, sliced through the cold night air with fierce vengeance.

I expected him to change the station, but he never did.

As the train roared on for what felt like an eternity, we sat there in silence, taking in the ambiance. I feared the lyrics would drive him over the edge…

Jessie is a friend.
Yeah, I know he’s been a good friend of mine,
But lately something’s changed; it ain’t hard to define.
Jessie’s got himself a girl and I wanna make her mine.

Y’know I feel so dirty when they start talkin’ cute,
I wanna tell her that I love her but the point is prob’ly moot.

And I’m looking in the mirror all the time.
Wondering what she don’t see in me,
I’ve been funny I’ve been cool with the lines;
Ain’t that the way love’s supposed to be?

I WISH THAT I HAD JESSIE’S GIRL!
Tell me, where can I find a woman LIKE THAT?

I don’t know if it was the tranquility of that moment or some epiphany he later reached while parallel parking, but the night was full of fun and frivolity. He showed no signs of lamenting her. That night he finally put the past behind him.

Capping the night off, I arrived home tired but with enough energy left to eagerly open the big box. These games took me forever to find. And this next game is one of them.

Slated to be released in the states as CYBER SLIDER, the furry little guy was replaced by a robot devoid of any charm or personality. It was canned. Thankfully this version is available in all its original glory. The title character is a likable fuzzball, who awakens when you press start. Hey, where have I seen him before?

IT LOOKS LIKE EITHER A PLATFORMER OR A PUZZLER

But of course. In this case, puzzler. With some action elements.

SO HOW DOES IT PLAY?

You move Keeper around a five-by-five grid arranging stones. Your goal is to match 3 (or more) like-colors or like-shapes, vertically or horizontally.

Even if colors don't match — Even if colors don’t match

Even if shapes don't match — Even if shapes don’t match

In addition, players have the option of changing the character into a girl or boy. The stone designs, the default being sea related things, can also be switched to letters of the alphabet or fruits. It doesn’t change the gameplay but it’s always nice to have choices.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THE LITTLE BASTARD?

I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Don’t you dare mock my cute little Gizmo knockoff. At any rate…

You can move around the borders of the 5×5 grid.

Keeper can also pull the blocks. I love the little sweat animation that Keeper has when pulling a stone. It’s little charming details like this that make this game a joy to play.

Players can jump ON stones and move around ON them to strategically push another stone elsewhere, provided there’s room.

WHAT MODES OF PLAY ARE AVAILABLE?

1 Player Regular
Grid starts out empty. Every 3 seconds a stone appears. Once the grid fills up it’s game over.

1 Player Puzzle
You must clear all the preset stones.

2 Player Regular
You and a friend play on the same 5×5 grid, helping each other out.

2 Player Versus
First one to clear a set amount of stones win (customizable from 1 to 99, default being 30). There’s also an option for “attack mode” which allows one player to stun the other for a few seconds if they push a block over their rival.

The 1 Player Puzzle mode has 60 stages to tackle. A password is granted after each completed level. Those who enjoy contemplatively staring at the screen until inspiration breaks with a resolute “A-HA!” will especially love this.

A look at the first couple levels, then.

STAGE ONE

Just make sure you don’t accidentally clear 3 here instead of 5…

STAGE TWO

You're a bad man, Keeper — You’re a bad man, Keeper

STAGE THREE

STAGE FOUR

Ah, what's that weird block? — Ah, what’s that weird block?

They serve as a wild card. And since there are only two blues…

CLOSING THOUGHTS

*Keeper* — a guaranteed hit with the girlfriend/wife

There’s something I really enjoy about the single screen puzzle action genre. Games like Little Magic and Keeper are mind-bending challenges where you could spend 20-30 minutes just nailing down one stage and being completely satisfied with. Keeper is full of charm, personality and challenge. The fact that there is a 2 player mode (co-op AND competitive, no less) puts Keeper ahead of Little Magic for me. If you love these style of games, you can’t go much wrong here. Keeper is simply, er, a keeper. Sorry. It’s a shame we were deprived of Cyber Slider here in the US, but at least we have Keeper to keep us company. And what fine company indeed it is.

Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun (SFC)

There's weird, and then there's weird — There’s weird, and then there’s weird

If there was ever a platformer destined to stay in Japan from the moment it was made, this would win by a country mile (or a Godzilla foot). It combines an anime feel (based off the anime after all), Japanese wackiness and standard platforming 101 techniques. There are 8 worlds to conquer, with multiple levels for each one.

Nangoku has a level-up system. Anytime you kill an enemy a number pops in its place, indicating how many experience points you just gained. After a set amount is achieved, you level up. This is pretty cool as you don’t see this done much in platformers. A password system is also incorporated to make your life easier.

Sweep kick, punch and jump kick your way to victory.

WORLD 1

Punch that block to form a makeshift bridge to safely guide you across deadly bamboo spikes.

Uh, OK. Um... [brella -Ed.] — Uh, OK. Um… *[brella -Ed.]*

"A" unleashes a special attack — “A” unleashes a special attack

WORLD 2

Some foreshadowing... — Some foreshadowing…

WORLD 3

Prepare for Asian-y hi-jinx — Prepare for Asian hi-jinx galore

Lucky you're a nimble jumper — Lucky you’re a nimble jumper

"I like to move it move it" — *“I like to move it move it”*

WORLD 4

"Uh, ya take a wrong turn?" — *“Uh, did you take a wrong turn?”*

"Wait a sec... aw shit" — *“Wait a second… OH shit”*

Must have been a portal... — Must have been a portal…

"Your rent was due last week!" — *“Your rent was due last week!”*

WORLD 5

That chick's actually a baddie — That chick’s actually a baddie

WORLD 6

WORLD 7

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Daft developed three Super Nintendo games: Super Back to the Future II, Violinist of Hamelin and Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun. All three are solid to very good games. Daft was an underrated company. Enix snatched up Violinist of Hamelin and this game to publish. Over the years, Enix has been erroneously credited as making those two games. Of which I was guilty of. Let it be known, for the record, Enix only published them. It was Daft that made the magic happen. Of their three SNES games, I enjoy Nangoku the most. It’s pretty much a standard platformer, but there’s a quirky Japanese charm to it, and I love the RPG-esque leveling up system. It adds a different flavor to the game and makes it feel different from every other 16-bit platformer.

Looking for a fun platformer that stands out a bit from the crowd? Then take Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun for a spin. It’ll likely put a smile on your face as everyone I’ve talked with who has played this has enjoyed it quite a bit.