Reviews written by kndy
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NARUTO - Naruthimetto Portable Mugenjyou no Ken (Japan Version)
NARUTO - Naruthimetto Portable Mugenjyou no Ken (Japan Version) PSP
(2)Our Price: US$51.99List: US$57.99Save: US$6.00 (10%)Related promotions:April 17, 2006 Naruto fans will love this game, Naruto PS2 fansMy first impression of the game was a bit so/so. After playing the PS2 game, I enjoyed the combos of the PS2 releases and certain characters move sets. But as I continued to play this game, I was drawn into it and addicted to it. Your drive will be to open up more and more characters (23 in all) and learn their fight style, build their levels, etc.
The game leans toward the easy side and not until I got to the 68th floor did I notice somewhat of a challenge from an opponent. Of course, difficulty can be adjusted.
The mini-games and having to replay them over and over can get a bit too tedious but if you played Baito Hell 2000 for the PSP, fortunately Naruto: Narutimate Hero - Mugenjo no Maki has mini-games that are quick and fortunately, there are characters like Shino and Gaara with abilities that allow you to change all of your scrolls that you dont like using.
The game looks beautiful and sure, the game is a bit more simplified than the PS2 version and may not have the same movesets or certain characters that were on other games but there is still enough there to really enjoy this game. Also, there are characters found in this game that are not in other games. Whether these characters be a pro or a con for you, nevertheless, its nice to have something new.
As far as replay value goes, after you beat the first story mode, you access a second featuring Narutos latest sensei Jiraiya. Where you can open more characters for your vs. mode and more points to get items/omake that you couldnt afford to get before.
It all depends if you can stomach the story mode again and finding the books necessary to build and level your characters. Many people will not want to go through this again and again and stop playing it.
My biggest grip with the game is the lack of full motion video. You see it a few times but the majority of it are still pictures with transitions and voice acting. Even for bonus video of anime series and their highlights, still pictures with transitions.
But all in all, this is the best fighting game on the PSP in my opinion. BLEACH 2 is awesome looking and has a lot in it but theres something about the fighting mechanics that I really enjoy in this NARUTO game versus BLEACH 2. Sure, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max is a staple in fighter games and I own every console version but the game was not really PSP friendly in my opinion, control-wise.
Naruto: Narutimate Hero - Mugenjo no Makioverall is a an enjoyable game. By not even thinking of the PS2 games and comparing it to current fighting games on the PSP, you realize that its actually a very cool game, with really cool graphics, quick loading system, sound is done very well and a good fighting system (of course, not close to the PS2, third game) and extra bonuses, it really is a very cool game and has more to offer than what many fighter games on the PSP has to offer. I do knock some points down because I dont see why the combo system and certain parts of the game were simplified, I dont know why there is not that many animated video in this game and it does get a bit tedious in story mode and in the first get go, you are amped in opening new characters and gaining points at first but to replay it again (and play the game 7-10 hours) just to level only one or two characters at a time may be a bit of a turnoff for hardcore gamer who has many games on their plate.
All in all, this is the best Naruto portable game. If you played the GBA, DS or Wonderswan version of the game in my opinion, this PSP game surpasses any of the Naruto portable game releases. Sure, it comes nowhere near greatness of the third Naruto game on the PS2 but for a portable game, I was not expecting a whole lot and what I got was much better than I expected for a first release. And knowing how each Naruto release on a console has gotten better and better from that first release, I look forward to the potential for future releases on the PSP. Naruto: Narutimate Hero - Mugenjo no Maki is definitely a very enjoyable game and I recommend this game for Naruto fans and those looking for an import fighter for their PSP.
OVERALL SCORE: 86%/100
PROS:
+ Many characters from the anime series are on this game.
+ Cool graphics, cool new music and voice acting, bonuses and with the fighting movesets that you do get is still very fun and makes it the most enjoyable fighter on the PSP right now.
+ Storymode has a really good storyline if you can understand it.
+ Controls are easy to use and the game loads quickly
+ Interesting story mode with usage of scrolls
CONS:
- Some characters and their movesets from console versions may not be in this PSP game.
- Combo special moves have been simplified or not as lengthy as console version.
- Story mode can be tedious by playing the same scrolls over and over again and because of this, not many people may not want to bother playing it again to level many of the characters.
- What could have been animated full motion video becomes still pictures with transitions and voice acting.
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Jikyou Powerful Pro. Baseball Portable (Japan Version)
Jikyou Powerful Pro. Baseball Portable (Japan Version) PSP
(1)Our Price: US$44.99List: US$58.99Save: US$14.00 (24%)Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:1 people found the following helpful
April 17, 2006 A great series on the console misses its mark forI really enjoy the series and the game has so many modes for the fans of this game. But the PSP release has its problems. One: Its not easy. Two: Fielding and pitching is not easy on the PSP due to the controls and next thing you know what could have been a low scoring game is blown to 16 to 5 game. I have played many versions of this game and I was surprised to see how difficult the computer is on the PSP. So bad, that I had to set my options for automatic pitching and automatic fielding and I just control the batting. Three: Graphics is jut blah . Its not ugly bad its just looked overly simplistic and basic looking compared to the kind of Power Pro Yakyuu that we have seen on the PS2. There is no detail to the field or the crowd.
Nothing really exciting during the homeruns, no type of cool animation to make defensive plays. Sometimes it just looks slow, sloppy and sometimes it looks as it lags from time to time.
I know that a big part of this game is micromanagement, rather than just going into the game and just playing it (which Im so used to with US baseball games). But in this game, you can develop your baseball team via pitching and batting. Arrange mode helps you create your own player and develop the character. Heck, even the current PS2 version allows for building a baseball team to get a bigger stadium and bringing in more fans. Thats how much the fans love the micromanagement in this game.
But even if you did create your own multiple baseball teams and players, with micromanagement being its saving grace, its not a lone factor to make a baseball game exciting when the actual gameplay is not to exciting and the presentation is not fun too look at.
I enjoy Japanese baseball and although it would be unfair to compare this game to the PS2 releases, seeing what has been released in Japan on the PS2 for JYYP and seeing what type of baseball games have been released in the US on the PSP, I feel that the game looks as if it was rushed. I dont understand why things look too simplistic and why the controls are a bit spotty. I really wanted to enjoy this game since I am a fan of the series but I cant recommend it.
I hope they improve the look of this game or at least give us an awesome Pro Yakyuu Spirits game for the PSP in the near future but sports games are to progress with great gameplay and cool graphics to support that gameplay. We have seen it done unfortunately, not in this game.
OVERALL SCORE: 72%/100
PRO:
+ Finally, Jikkyou Power Pro Yakyuu comes to the PSP and if you enjoy Japanese baseball, a series to try out.
+ All baseball teams and current roster is presented and the usual JPPY Super Deformed style.
+ A lot of modes to micromanage your team and create music.
+ Play JPPY with friends via AdHoc if they have the game.
+ The sound of the commentator and crowd chants will be a major positive for JPPY.
CONS:
- The game looks too basic for a game released in 2006 (its like playing a mid-90s JPPY game) and animation and lag tend can get sloppy.
- Micromanagement is cool if it has a cool gameplay and cool graphics to go along with it.
- May not be user-friendly to non-Japanese readers
- The game is difficult due to non-precise controls which makes it a bit difficult to control for fielding and pitching using the nub stick.
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Densha de GO! Pocket Osaka Kanjousen Hen (Japan Version)
Densha de GO! Pocket Osaka Kanjousen Hen (Japan Version) PSP
(1)Our Price: US$43.99Related promotions:April 13, 2006 Looks great, very fun but third release is more chThe third and latest PSP game for the Densha de Go! Pocket series is here and this time it leaves the Tokyo kanto region and goes to the kansai area with the Osaka Kanjousen-Hen, which you get to be part of West Japan Railway Company and drive the passengers to their destination through the Osaka Loop Line to 20 stops such as Tennoji, Ashiharabashi, Noda, Osaka, Tenma, Kyobashi, Teradacho and more.
Densha de Go! Games are games that are an acquired taste. In a million years would I ever thought I would be into train simulators but since playing the original Playstation game and the other two PSP releases and enjoying them, I figured that Id give the third game a try and also see how things look in Osaka through the game, since I have not traveled to the Kansai area.
OVERALL:
All in all Densha de Go! Pocket Osaka Kanjousen-Hen is a very enjoyable but much more challenging than the previous two PSP games in my opinion. Although, I was able to get Fantastic a few times, this third release is very strict on arrival time. Moreso, that instead of slowing down early on and coasting until you get to the final stop, this game requires you to time your brakes right when going full speed and getting close to the stop and then utilizing a lot of the brake and then moving on. To make matters worse, those lights that determine slow down speed are there and you will find yourself going 80 to 45 km/h and thus really putting pressure on you to make it to the stop on time.
So, all in all, this game is challenging and I recommend this game for those who played the game before or have played any of the first two PSP games. Theyll help you prepare and understand what to do, otherwise, newbies may become frustrated. Fortunately, its not a hard learning curve to get things right in this game, so newbies may learn it quickly. Again, if you are frustrated, the good news is you can go to ENJOY MODE and eliminate the arrival time.
OVERALL SCORE: 86%/100
PROS:
+ A train simulator going through major stops through the Osaka Line or the entire Osaka Loop.
+ Graphics seem sharper and nicer in this latest version.
+ Addition of ENJOY MODE to make the game easier for people who find the game challenging.
+ According to the case: Opening characters from EXIT And Rakugaki Oukoku.
+ For people wanting more of a challenge, this is the most challenging of the Densha de Go! Pocket series
+ You can play the driver or the conductor
+ Ability to open up new routes and bonuses
+ Business cards allow trading of trains with people who have the game
+ Drivers Work mode is pretty user-friendly for non-Japanese readers
+ Quick load up time
CONS:
- Although the control scheme is simple, maintaining happy passengers and breaking exactly in the stop areas of the station is a challenge.
- With a greater emphasis on arrival time, it may make the normal mode for some people a bit more unforgiving. (fortunately there is ENJOY MODE)
- Even less use of speed monitor in this game makes guessing speeds a challenge.
- The most challenging game of the three. Not entirely difficult but a more challenging to get bigger points and a fantastic rating.
- Wireless trading is great but chances of finding people living outside of Japan owning the game may be a bit rare.
- Conductors Work mode maybe a challenge for non-Japanese readers or people familiar with the stops.
- In Conductors Work mode, I wish there are people moving around instead of photo cutouts of people in line waiting for the train.
- For people who want negligence in the forms of bad accidents, you are not going to find it in this game. This is not Burnout Legends.
- BEING NITPICKY: Taitos opening theme sounds and looks like it came from a Japan Railways training video and yes, uses the same theme as the first game.
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Densha De GO! POCKET Chuuousen Hen (Japan Version)
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April 13, 2006 More features, more bonuses and less concrete jungThe second PSP game for the Densha de Go! Pocket series is here with the Chuuou-Sen Hen, the line that bisects the Yamanote Line (the first PSP DDGP release) in Central Tokyo. The goal is to drive the orange densha (train) aka Kaisoku and the white train (futsu) through Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Kanda, Ochanomizu, Yotsuya, Kunitachi and over 20 more stations.
And now, the drive through Tokyo is through areas where you see more homes, warehouses, store buildings as opposed to the major concrete jungle in Tokyo that is on the first PSP release.
Densha de Go! Games are games that are an acquired taste. In a million years would I ever thought I would be into train simulators but since playing the original Playstation game and for nostalgic reasons, remembering the riding the densha in Tokyo experience, I have enjoyed the games. But how does the second game compare to the first?
Since I prefer the city locations and more excited driving through the busy concrete jungle in the heart of Tokyo as such in the first release, I score this second release a bit higher than the first because it has a lot more features than the first game.
MODES:
DRIVERS WORK: Your role is to drive the train to each destination and taking care of your passengers New to this game is the ENJOY MODE where you dont worry about timing or arrival schedule but speed and brake.
CONDUCTORS WORK: Your role is to make sure the train goes to the right destination and you signal the correct time for the announcement. More or less a way to watch the train drive to destination from outside of the train in different camera modes.
DRIVERS ROOM: Your stats
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE: This will allow you to trade business cards (think of it as a trading card) with others who own the game to play different trains they have accessed via wireless.
MUSEUM: Train Introduction and videos that you have opened
OPTIONS: Sound, Display and Controller settings
GAMEPLAY:
Starting off as a driver, your goal is to maintain the speed of the train (a indicator on the bottom right screen tells you of upcoming speeds (KM/H) that your train will need to be and also utilizing the brakes. The goal is to make it to your destination (the next stop) and stop exactly where the indicator says you have to stop. Go passed it or way before the stop area and you will receive negative points. Brake to hard and do something crazy and you will injure your passengers.
You start off with figures that represent your passengers (a total of 10) and you have to make sure you dont lose them all. By missing a stop or by braking too quickly, you will lose passengers and when you lose them all, your game ends. Fortunately, you can continue and start over.
You start off with three levels. The first is a tutorial and when you scroll through the list, you see several opened levels which you can test your speed and braking skills through several stops on the Chuuou Line.
By successfully completing your stops and beating a stage, you earn money which can be used to buy new levels in the game. Otherwise, you replay the stages you played to earn the money needed to access the next level.
Also, by doing well, you will be able to access several bonuses and videos.
As conductor, it is very different. Its actually quite easy. The main goal of the conductor is making sure you announce the right stops. This may be difficult for non-Japanese readers or those not familiar with the Japan because you are told where to go, then given a map, you will need to select the area where you are going. Fortunately, the instruction booklet has the translation of the city stops (or you can select via direction pad and guesstimate the cities quickly). Otherwise, the main reason for this mode is to watch the train from the outside (overhead or sideways) as it is driving towards a destination.
YAMANOTE vs. CHUUOU: Gameplay is a little more challenging in Chuuou because there will be times you will be guessing the speed that you must go (more than likely 80-100 kmph). Where the first game kept an indicator of how fast you go, for some reason Chuuou does it a bit less. Also, since you are going at faster speeds, you will definitely need to time your braking to the stops much sooner than Yamanote Line. Also, you will notice hills that increase your speed when going downhill, so fine tuning with your speed decisions come in to play much more in this game. Also, arrival time in certain points of the game is even more important.
Also, new to the Chuuou Line is the light indicators (similar to stoplights) which you will see a few times when going through the line. Seeing a yellow light means you go 45 km/h, 3 white lights at 25km/h
Last, with the addition of ENJOY MODE, people who want things easier can now just worry about just the basics speed and braking.
GRAPHICS:
The graphics are very well done. I played the original PlayStation version and the PSP version is such a big leap in terms of graphics. How they captured the buildings, trees and local areas around the station while riding the train is beautiful. Only in Conductors Work Mode, will you see something which I didnt like which was the people at the station. They are photo cutouts of people waiting. I wished that Taito would add possibly several 3D characters waiting or moving around the station like real life than just photo cutouts of people that are just standing there.
The difference with this game versus the last is that you get more scenery and you see more homes and warehouses, whereas the first game (Yamanote Line) features many buildings. Also, maDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
April 5, 2006 Tokyo Xtreme Racer on portable!
Ahh .the days of playing Tokyo Xtreme Racer on the Sega Dreamcast. Well, now the racer that critics hate but has a pretty good following is now out on the PSP. In Japan, known as Shutokou Battle: Zone of Control, Street Supremacy (US title) has made it to America but is it worth getting?
Well, before I go on with the review I want to say that the selling point in the US is the name Tokyo Xtreme Racer (as Shutokou Battle is used in Japan). Why deviate from a name that is well known among fans of the series? Street Supremacy should have the TXR name to it. Anyway
On to the review
TXR has its strong fan following. Why is that? Well, before Need for Speed Underground, Project Gotham Racing and other racers available today on the consoles, Tokyo Xtreme Racer introduced us to illegal Japanese street car racing. Sure, there was Initial D but TXR gave us the opportunity to freely roam the freeways of Tokyo, passing through some noteable areas and highways of the city, tuning our cars and most of all with being the unknown racer you follow a racer (member of a team), flash your headlights and initiate a race and it was so enjoyable. Most of all, the game offered things for your vehicle that screams Japan and gave you the opportunity to race awesome Japanese cars.
Unfortunately for the series, with the PS2 despite a cool video showcasing Japanese street racing, the games since then have been lackluster compared to what was being offered on the consoles (Need For Speed Underground) and the arcade (Initial D: Arcade State v3). TXR was pretty much the same game over and over but still maintained its fan following (like how things are with Dynasty Warriors few upgrades with release but pretty much the same game).
Well, now we have Street Supremacy on the PSP. A game that would feature new gameplay and heck TXR portable. The game offers 3 modes:
* TEAM RUMBLE The main game
* TIME ATTACK MODE
* REPLAY THEATER
GAMEPLAY:
The object of the game is that you are part of a racing team (I dont use the word gang because in Japan they are usually reserved for the pompador haired motorcycle gangs) and your job is to gain some rep and challenge other rival teams through races. Increase your level means more money to buy better cars and you can customize up to 25 cars. You can also purchase more cars but they are already customized.
The racing is focused primarily Kanto area (Tokyo) but what was my favorite part of TXR which allowed you to roam around and drive all over Tokyo to find a rival, the mode is now removed and are given a select area featuring a map with where the rival teams hang out and race and where you can challenge them.
There are three types of challenges/battles:
+ FREE BATTLE - Where you can challenge a rival team member and you can win experience and CP (CP is your money)
+ RANKING BATTLE This is how you move up in ranking of your team. Beat a team member and move up.
+ TEAM BATTLE When your team takes on another team and you can dominate their area. Beat a rival, you can get them to join your team. You want to build loyalty.
GRAPHICS: Well, the graphics are good. Nowhere as good as Ridge Racer, Initial D: Street Stage or Burnout Legends but ok. You see occasional black marks near the bottom but if you played TXR on a console, graphics have never been the series strong suit.
SOUND: No, you are not going to get NFSU hip hop or rock music. Nor are you going to find dialogue. For dialogue, text is displayed. What you do hear is the sound of your car, the music which is usually fast electronic music and if you bump into something.
CONTROL: I prefer using the D-Pad over the nub stick but cars are not as smooth as Ridge Racer but ok.
OVERALL:
Street Supremacy is still Tokyo Xtreme Racer minus the free roaming around the city and the excitement of driving around the freeway and going behind them and flashing your lights is unfortunately gone. But still, quite a number of rivals to go against which is the meat of the game. And the fact that you dont have to drive for long periods of time, definitely is a time saver for those who want a quick game to pass the time.
The appeal for this game is surely going to be targeted towards fans of the series, fans of import racing or Japanese street racing or people who want a cheap racing game.
The game is also among the cheapest PSP games out there, going for $29.99.
I am a fan of TXR..having bought nearly every game that has come out. Im glad it is out for the portable but like the Dynasty Warriors series, fans of the game have always wanted more from it. Street Supremacy, although a fun game that us TXR fans are going to buy anyway, its really lacking the other parts of what we enjoyed from the console version.
Its as if Genki rushed this game out in Japan and although over a year later since its release, you would expect something more from the US release. The rumored online multiplayer is not in the game, load times are still slow (but not WWE Raw vs. Smackdown slow) and even worse, Konami doesnt even ad the TXR name to the game.
Still I cant deny that I still will support the series and I do enjoy the game despite its shortcomings because for its low price and the fact that the core function of the game is to challenge rival team racers on Tokyo highways, customize your car and these things are still in tact, thats more than enough for me to enjoy another version of a TXR game.
SCORE: 72%/100
PROS:
+ TOKYO XTREME RACER for the PSP
+ What we love about TXR is on here challenging racers from teams, customizing vehicle and riving on Tokyo highDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
April 5, 2006 An enjoyable game with a unique twist
The addicting Japanese arcade coin-op Kollon has reached American shores with a new name:Ultimate Block Party. A puzzle game that utilizes its own twist on puzzle games similar to Bejeweled, Zooo/Zoo Keeper and even Tetris and to make things even more alluring for the PSP puzzle game fan is that its a budget title sold for $19.99.
First of all, the modes are as follows:
*SINGLE PLAY MODE Single play mode allow for practicing, training and a mode where you go for higher points.
*MULTIPLAYER MODE Where you compete against other characters or compete with a friend via wi-fi.
And the other two modes are the option and ranking modes.
GAMEPLAY:
The object of Ultimate Block Party is similar to most puzzle games where you line up a color and you eliminate connecting squares. You can play for points but in multiplayer level, you can go against different characters in the game thus showing a dual screen. Yours and the opponent. The object is by rotating four squares to link up colors. Similar to Tetris, if your blocks rise to high to the top, you will lose.
Now the twist with Ultimate Block Party is that when you link a certain color up, against an opponent, that color of the square can do a variety of attacks. There are seven different colors and as an example, if you link a lot of blue squares, your opponent will then receive squares that are four times the size of a regular square. Red will makes your four square selector turn into a 9 square selector making this a bit difficult. And other squares have different purposes such as creating rectangles to hiding rows of your opponent and more.
Throw in other things such as arrow triggers which can make a whole row change a color and also bombs which can eliminate squares around it.
So, this adds to the complexity of the game. While you focus on eliminating squares and doing combos, you need to pay attention to the colors of the squares because your opponent is very challenging.
CONTROLS:
Controls are simple: X,TRI rotates the 4 blocks to the right, SQUARE to the left. CIRCLE, R and L adds rows of blocks.
GRAPHICS:
Puzzle games are not really judged graphically but having played several puzzle games, the positive is that Misumi Reikos characters are interesting. With 8 characters, they have their own style. From Kollon and Marinne being the school girls, Agent Blanc looking like a mafia gunman, Dynamite Ace looking like a super hero and so forth.
The negative well, the graphics of a game like Lumines looks nice and clean. Really cool! Puyo Pop Fever has a style and attraction with its characters especially with the vocals that feature the characters reacting to an opponent.
This game doesnt have that. Basic animation of the characters and even during campaign mode, basic story using Kollon and reusing animation over and over.
SOUND:
The imusic is not that bad. The disappointment lies in the fact that there are no voices at all for the characters. This is where a game like Puyo Pop shines on the PSP and gives the characters its identity due to vocals and an actual story. This one is just thought bubbles or balloons ala comic/manga.
OVERALL:
Overall, this is a very fun game. Its very addicting. Although other puzzle games may be better than Ultimate Block Partywhen it comes to the overall , music or, bonuses offered and how other games implement a story line or voices to characters, UBP does a great job of what its supposed to be . a unique solid puzzle game. And with the price at $19.99, if you are a puzzle game fan, for the price and the fun factor, definitely a game worth checking out.
RATING: 78%/100
PROS:
+ Unique puzzle game. Incorporates elements from other puzzle games but adding interesting features with the the squares.
+ Fun and enjoyable gameplay
+ Easy to learn and pick up
+ Budget title and sold for $19.99
+ Popular arcade game from Japan makes its way to the US introducing us to interesting characters
+ Quick load time
+ A game with good replay value
CONS:
- Compared to Lumines or Puyo Pop Fever graphics are not as pretty.
- No voices for the characters
- BEING NITPICKY: Putting true single player competitions under multiplayer and single player mode being just playing for points.
- Not much their for secret or bonuses
- BEING NITPICKY AGAIN: You wish for a game that is unique as this, there would be more more modes.
- You need to save manually, no auto-saveDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Densha De GO ! POCKET Yamanote Hen (Japan Version)
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April 5, 2006 May seem uninteresting but actually is a very funDensha de Go! Pocket (Yamanote Line/Yamanote-Sen Hen) is the first Tokyo train game for the PSP. One of the highlights of the game is the ability to be a driver or a conductor as you drive passengers (and pick up passengers) to various destinations in the Kanto region such as Shibuya, Harajuku, Ikeubkuro, Akihabara and around 30 stations.
I know many of you may be wondering why? Why a train game/simulator. It doesnt sound as interesting to write or explain but playing it is actually pretty fun and will attract those who are interested in this part of Japanese culture or missing riding the trains in Tokyo (like I do).
There are several modes in this game:
DRIVERS WORK: Your role is to drive the train to each destination and taking care of your passengers
CONDUCTORS WORK: Your role is to make sure the train goes to the right destination and you signal the correct time for the announcement. More or less a way to watch the train drive to destination from outside of the train in different camera modes.
DRIVERS ROOM: Your stats
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE: This will allow you to trade business cards (think of it as a trading card) with others who own the game to play different trains they have accessed via wireless.
MUSEUM: Train Introduction and videos that you have opened
OPTIONS: Sound, Display and Controller settings
GAMEPLAY:
Starting off as a driver, your goal is to maintain the speed of the train (a indicator on the bottom right screen tells you of upcoming speeds (KMPH) that your train will need to be and also utilizing the brakes. The goal is to make it to your destination (the next stop) and stop exactly where the indicator says you have to stop. Go passed it or way before the stop area and you will receive negative points. Brake to hard and do something crazy and you will injure your passengers.
You start off with figures that represent your passengers (a total of 10) and you have to make sure you dont lose them all. By missing a stop or by braking too quickly, you will lose passengers and when you lose them all, your game ends. Fortunately, you can continue and start over.
You start off with three levels. The first is a tutorial, the second is where you need to complete around 8 stops and the next is where you need to complete around 4 stops. With each level, you get to operate different trains, in different weather conditions.
By successfully completing your stops and beating a stage, you earn money which can be used to buy new levels in the game. Otherwise, you replay the stages you played to earn the money needed to access the next level.
Also, by doing well, you will be able to access several bonuses and videos.
As conductor, it is very different. Its actually quite easy. The main goal of the conductor is making sure you announce the right stops. This may be difficult for non-Japanese readers or those not familiar with the Japan because you are told where to go, then given a map, you will need to select the area where you are going. Fortunately, the instruction booklet has the translation of the city stops (or you can select via direction pad and guesstimate the cities quickly). Otherwise, the main reason for this mode is to watch the train from the outside (overhead or sideways) as it is driving towards a destination.
GRAPHICS:
The graphics are very well done. I played the original PlayStation version and the PSP version is such a big leap in terms of graphics. How they captured the buildings, trees and local areas around the station while riding the train is beautiful. Only in Conductors Work Mode, will you see something which I didnt like which was the people at the station. They are photo cutouts of people waiting. I wished that Taito would add possibly several 3D characters waiting or moving around the station like real life than just photo cutouts of people that are just standing there.
SOUND:
The audio in this game makes the game very much appealing. Hearing the music of the station before boarding to the female voice explaining about procedures for people to leave the train and much more. Also, the conductor talking about upcoming stops and much more. Just like riding a real train around Tokyo.
CONTROLS:
In Drivers Work: Controls are actual very simple. Directional pad up and down to control speed and square button to break and X button to release breaks. Thats pretty much it. In Conductors Work, direction pad selects the stops you are announcing and the shoulder buttons will be used to play the audio needed when riding the train.
USER FRIENDLINESS TO NON-JAPANESE READERS:
The game is actually very user-friendly for Drivers Work mode. Although the tutorial is an animated character explaining the game, diagrams and arrows telling you to press a button to break or to speed up is pretty self-explanatory. For Conductors Work mode, it may seem unnerving at first if you have to select a city when the map comes on. Fortunately, you have seconds (enough time) to quickly guesstimate the stop that you are going to next by selecting stops on the map as quickly as possible.
OVERALL:
Densha de Go! Pocket Yamanote Line is a very enjoyable game for the PSP. Its really hard to promote a game like this for American video gamers and will appeal to those who enjoy trains and want a simulator or those like myself who reminisce about being in Japan and riiding the JR trains everyday to get to destinations.
In terms of gameplay, Drivers Work mode sounds easy because the controls are simple but in actuality, it takes some patience and additional play to learn where to calculate your breaking as you try to stop in anDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
April 5, 2006 A fun rhythm based music game that is forgiving to
The PSP is in need for more music rhythm based games and Namcos Taiko no Tsujin has been a popular game for the PS2 loved by many why not try and create it for the PSP?
This is Japans first all rhythm based music game for the PSP (the other is the awesome DJ MAX PORTABLE from Korea) and if you enjoyed the PS2 version, whether or not the peripheral matters to you may make you want to purchase this game or not.
THE MODES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
RED-EASY
GREEN ?NORMAL
BLUE ?HARD
ONI (Purple) - EXPERT
There are three mini games (can also be played ala Ad Hoc)
1) The crazy dog game features a mode where you have to press the correct buttons and if you do it right, more people will join the party and dance. Of course, while advancing, things go faster and get difficult.
2) Sumo ?Similar to janken poi (rock, paper, scissors) you will see a list of buttons which you press in order quickly and if you press the right button, you push the sumo and make him fall and win. Each time you win, you go against a challenger.
3) The third game, you turn the PSP on its side and bolts and machinery will fall you tilt the levers to make them fall into canisters to create more taikou drums.
And much more?
GAMEPLAY:
The game is very cutesy and the object of the game is to select a song and while the song plays, you correctly hit the right button when a orange circle or blue circle goes over your taikou circle. Utilizing two different setups, for example (using setup 1)
Small red circle (hit any of the buttons)
Big red circle (hit the d-pad [any direction] and a button)
Small blue circle (hit any of the shoulder buttons)
Big blue circle (hit both shoulder L/R buttons)
The nub stick is used when you see a bell which you shake the stick to ring the bell.
See a yellow extending circle and bar and that means you press the buttons as fast as you can.
While your focus is on the top part of your screen, at the bottom you can watch dogs doing the Michael Jackson Thriller dance and monsters and other characters dancing.
Most songs are opened up when you start the game and around a dozen more songs can be downloaded. But by getting high points and perfect 100%s, you can open Oni Mode, drum sounds and open up more songs.
Great news is that you can have one game loaded and play with several people ala multiplayer. AWESOME!
SOUND:
The audio is great. I enjoy the cutesy Taikou drum character which is reminiscent of the computerized characters of the popular Japanese music show Countdown TV? The music features JPOP such as popular songs from D-51s No More Cry? Orange Range Hana? Exiles Choo Choo Train? Ootsuka Ais Sakuranbo? , Whiteberrys Natsumaturi? T.M Revolution's "IGNITED", the theme songs to anime such as Dragon Ball Z? Urusei Yatsura?to classical music to QUEENs We Will Rock You?and Britney Spears Slave 4 You?to video game music from games like Katamari Damacy and Ridge Racer. With around 38 songs that you have available, a dozen or so songs to download and several more to open up, the game features over 50 songs.
As of March 28th, the final songs were added to the Namco site for download.
USER-FRIENDLINESS TO NON-JAPANESE READERS:
Although you can figure out how to play the game right away and by navigating to different menus, find your way around. To be truthful, the game has quite a bit of Japanese. Downloading songs require copying files that you downloaded to the memory card and navigating menus well can be a bit daunting. Heres a quick primer but please visit gamefaqs for an indepth idea of downloading songs and menu translations:
* Screen with 8 bars that is the the save game slot
¡Æ The main screen menu has 7 bars. (From left to right):
RED-main game
YELLOW ?Mini Games
ORANGE ?Arcade Mode
GREEN ?Dojo mode (allows you to play a taikou to a traditional song)
LIGHT BLUE ?Multiplayer Modes
BLUE ?Progress mode of what you have opened up and keeps track of your stats
PINK ?SYSTEM (has five bars, from Left to Right: Sound, Memory Card, Setup for buttons, dont worry about that blue button, and the final is to exit out of system mode).
OVERALL:
Overall, theres no doubt that this game is very popular in Japan. The PS2 version was popular and the fact that this game features popular contemporary hits and classics was a big selling point in Japan. For me, it was the same reason.
Now if you can get beyond the fact that you wont be using a taikou drum peripheral to play this game and you have to use the buttons, then you will be fine.
The mini games are fun but are not really engrossing. But Im glad Namco through it in there.
There are various modes for different challenges and difficulty which is great but with two music games out for the PSP, if you want a Beatmania experience, DJ MAX PORTABLE is the way to go. But more than likely if you get DJ MAX PORTABLE, you will probably get TAIKO NO TATSUJIN PORTABLE. Its fun and even though you may not be good, there are different modes and easy mode is forgiveable to beginners (where DJ MAX is quite unforgiving and challenging in easy mode).
As for music, there is a good balance of music from JPOP, video game, classic and a few American hits but some may crave more English music but unfortunately you are limited to a few.
But all in all, Taikou no Tatsujin Portable?is a very fun game that I definitely recommend.
RATING: 87%/100
PROS:
+ Cute interface, characters and dialogue (this could also be a con, depending on the individual)
+ Great balance of songs
+ Multiplayer with only one UMD
+ Downloadable songs
+ Different difficulty modes that adds to replay faDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
2 people found the following helpful
April 5, 2006 A rhythm based music game that will bring new lifeKonamis Beatmania music-based rhythm games have been very popular in Japan and in the United States Dance Dance Revolution has been a popular title and for some, each title getting better and better in the arcades and for the PS2. But those who craved for more challenging gameplay and something different found that from South Korea especially from Amuseworlds EZ2DJ.
In the US, many years after the first release of Beatmania, its coming stateside to the PS2 but at the same time in Japan, Beatmania V with Guitar Freaks V is getting a release in Japan but what about the PSP? Nothing from Konami?
Well, if you are a fan of music rhythm games, PSP owners DJ MAX PORTABLE is available and all I can say is AWESOME!
First, where most imports are from Japan, DJ MAX PORTABLE is from South Korea, developed by Pentavision.
Upon starting the game, you are treated by an awesome animated intro showing you a glimpse of the game. If you are an anime fan or just dig Asian inspired animation, you are going to have a smile on your face immediately with the combination of music and animation.
When beginning the game you are greeted with the following selections in the menu:
* PORTABLE (The Main Selections of the game: ROOKIE DJING Easy Mode-4 buttons, PRO DJING Normal Mode-6 buttons, MASTER DJING HARD MODE 8 buttons, CLUB DJING EXPERT MODE Repertory Play, UNLIMITED MIXING STATE FREESTYLE, GALLERY artwork earned, RANKING CHART Your scores, OPTION)
* OST Listen to the Original Soundtrack of the many songs in the game
* M/V CLIPS Watch the music videos of the tracks that are opened and ones you have earned.
GAMEPLAY:
Have you ever seen or played DDR or Beatmania? Similar situation in DJ MAX PORTABLE. Using easy mode as an example, starting your game you will start out with 14 songs to choose from. Even though its 4 buttons, some are easy and some are challenging. In the bottom you will see a bar and four segments underneath. Left arrow, Up arrow, triangle and circle. When you see the bars following and landing towards the bar, you need to press the corresponding buttons. When press correctly, you are in beat and it goes right along with the music. Mess up and you can tell by the ugly sound you made but most of all, mess up a few times and the game is unforgiving and you have to start over again.
When you are playing, the screen is divided into two sections. 35% of the screen for what you are going to be focused on and the other 65% on the music video.
After beating that song, you open up a more challenging version of the song (there are 10 difficulties you can open up) and also you add more songs to the lineup. Also, you can open up more skins and instead of bars, you can get different types of objects or characters that can replace the regular bars and there are a lot of these you can open.
Upon beating the song, you are scored ala MAX, BREAK and COMBO and you get a letter grade.
You can also adjust the speed of the song by 0.5-x5 but if you make it too slow, the bars come down faster.
Now here is what I find so special about DJ MAX, you hear about the DS Electroplankton being the artistic game/non-game but for the PSP, each music video was done by different artists, animators thus each music video that you see is designed differently. Some music videos resemble cutesy anime to dark anime, some look like its created in Flash or ala South Park style and for the most part, there are over 50 music videos. But thats not it
Go to CLUB SELECT mode and you have a club section featuring 18 clubs with their own styles of music offering more songs w/ videos.
In other words this game is jam packed and will challenge you and keep you busy.
GRAPHICS:
While your eyes will be fixated on your section with falling blocks and trying to hit the right notes, part of you just wants to watch the artistic music videos that play. Fortunately, you can watch these in the M/V section. As for art, the art is awesome. If you bought a video game art book such as SNK or CAPCOM, you get really cool art that you can check out.
SOUND:
Now many people may be wondering if all the songs are K-POP music and the answer is that there is K-POP and also JPOP but there is other music. From techno, pop, rap, hard rock, r&b, slow jams, fusion, etc. Some with vocals, some without. A good balance. There is so much music crammed into the UMD, youll dig it!
USER-FRIENDLINESS TO NON-KOREAN READERS/SPEAKERS:
Good news is that its very user friendly. The only Korean youll get pretty much is the opening screen when it asks you if you want auto-save to be on. Like most imports, just remember that in the US, we typically use X button to select things. Imports is usually the circle button. First block is yes and second block is no.
So, very user-friendly!
DJ MAX PORTABLE has given some life to my PSP. I enjoy rhythm based music games but I also am into art and the fact that this game features animated music videos created for the game by different artists as well as art created by different artists is awesome. Its a game that will attract both guys and girls and with a good balance of music and art/music videos, its simple awesome.
But does it deserve a perfect ranking?
The game deserves a high rating but remember many people who went to the Korean music-based rhythm games did so because they want more difficulty and more challenge (As if the harder difficulty for DDR or Beatmania wasnt hard enough). This game even though in 4-button and level 1 easy mode is challenging. Some songs, you can fly through but some what seems easy at first near the end of the soDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
1 people found the following helpful
April 5, 2006 Initial D:SS has its quirks but still worth gettinInitial D: Street Stage is a racer based on the popular manga by Shigeno Shuichi and serialized in Kodanshas Young. It has spawned several anime series and a live movie.
Many people who have an interest in street racing (especially illegal street racing) have watched Initial D and followed the story revolving Takumi, a guy who is a delivery guy for his strict fathers tofu business. Driving a Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APX to make deliveries in record time, Takumi has driving skills that have surprised (and surpassed) street racers who race at Mount Akina and thus rival racers want a piece of this unknown racer and the best want only to challenge him.
Although several video games have been released for the console, the game that caught on like wildfire in the arcades was Initial D: Arcade Stage. Many people would go to the arcades and bring their ID cards and spend their money in trying to be the best racer.
Now the game is out for the PSP and Initial D fans are rejoicing for the portable version of the popular arcade game. Note: Not all aspects of the arcade game is included in the PSP version.
The video game allows you to be one of the characters featured in the manga to play as rival, driving their car or other cars or also playing as Takumi.
The game features different modes:
LEGEND OF THE STREETS (which you pick a racer and you challenge rival race teams), TIME ATTACK
THE BUNTA CHALLENGE (Go against Bunta, a difficult character that you will test your skills in the game)
WIRELESS MODE (Ad Hoc and you can go against another racer via Arcade stage, Time Attack and Sudden Death)
and sections such as
GARAGE (which you can use cards to tune your car, switch or purchase cars)
CARD COLLECTION MODE (To view the cards you have earned)
PROJECT D WEBSITE (A place to watch replays and listen to music and audio)
OPTIONS
GAMEPLAY: With several racing games on the PSP, Initial D is a very enjoyable racing game but unlike Ridge Racer (which you can drift easily) and Burn Out Legends, you make one or several mistakes and you can easily lose the race. You will literally be neck-and-neck with other rival racers many times until you master certain maneuvers. If you played arcade stage, you will know what to expect from this game.
As for tuning your car, this is where it can upset Initial D arcade purists because the game uses a card system not point system. When you win a match, you get three cards faced down .pick one and you either get artwork or a tuning card. Get enough tuning cards and you can really make some major improvements on your vehicle. What if you get multiple cards? Good news is that you can trade cards with friends who also have the game.
GRAPHICS: Ive played variations of this game for different consoles and Initial D has never been a winner in the graphics category in terms of racers. On the PSP, Burnout Legends looks very good Initial D looks good. Sometimes when racing in the background in the mountains and seeing the trees, youll may say the scenery looks nice but all in all, once you played Burnout Legends Initial D is not the greatest in the graphics category but still looks good.
AUDIO: Well, although the game utilizes the manga characters, the cut scenes do utilitze the voice actors from the anime series and will interact before and after each match. As for the music, its Avex music .youll love it if you're a move fan or JPOP Euro hyper mix fan, but if you are expecting Tokyo Pop hip hop, you are not going to find it here.
USER FRIENDLINESS TO NON-JAPANESE SPEAKERS AND READERS:
Well, if you dont understand Japanese, the cut scenes wont matter much to you at all. Fortunately, the anime series and film can be obtained to understand what the series is about. As for the menus, they are not too hard to figure out. There are guides available for reading online.
Just a word that there are two versions the Japanese and Asian version of the game. Asian version comes with the manual in English and a bonus Initial D necklace (or whatever you call it).
All in all, I enjoy the series and I enjoy the game. If you never played Initial D, your mindset will think about playing it like Ridge Racer on the PSP but its important to learn advance maneuvers to beat our rival challengers. The biggest knock that Initial D has always received from purists is the mechanics of the actual cars being driven so high performance cars such as a Nissan Skyline or Mazda RX-7 will not outperform many of the cars in the game so as much as the game tries to be realistic for a racing game, in actuality, its not. So, if you are not a purist each car on the game is fair game. Dont expect a high performance car to make you the best because this game is all about the person behind the controls you.
As much as I enjoy Ridge Racer and Burnout Legends on the PSP, there is a certain excitement of playing Initial D especially if you are familiar with the series and the thrill of the competition of taking on your rivals and beating them. But there are some factors that make me score the game down as well. But even then the game still makes it one hell of a racer on the PSP and I recommend the purchase of this game.
RATING: 84%/100
PROS:
+ Based on an awesome manga/anime series.
+ Initial D is very enjoyable as races are challenging but the thrill of beating a rival racer is awesome.
+ A lot of Arcade Stage (version 3) is in this game characters, tracks, cars
+ Many songs from the series and arcade are in this game .
+ Tuning is simplified
+ Replay is very good with various modes and the next go around, the rivals come back at you with fury, so you hDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
April 5, 2006 A fighting/wrestling hybrid game that will keep yo
Kinnikuman: Muscle Generations is a PSP fighting game based on the manga and anime published on Weekly Shonen Jump. Many people are familiar with Kinnikuman through the 80s toys called M.U.S.C.L.E as well as the animated show Ultimate Muscle and through the Nintendo GameCube game Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation
The original show portrayed Kinnikuman as a hero who can turn to a giant and take on monsters, later on it became a comedy/fighting series which Kinnikuman and others take on rivals in the wrestling ring.
THE GAME:
The object of the game is broken down to several modes.
VICTORY MODE: This is where you take a fighter (you start off with around a dozen or so different fighters) and battle through a half dozen opponents. When you beat the final challenger, you open up new characters.
BATTLE MODE: Where you can play single battle, tag battle, tournament battle, elimination battle (5 vs. 5) and survival battle.
TAG TOURNAMENT: 8 tag teams fight for the tag team championship
The collection page shows the miniature figures of each character. Opened up when you win in victory mode.
And another mode which is for wireless via ad hoc.
GAMEPLAY:
The gameplay is similar to a wrestling and a fighter. Square button to block, X button to hit and kick, triangle button to jump and do a combination of grappling, and circle a grapple button. Top shoulder buttons are utilized to trigger a special move(s).
Unlike wrestling, there is no pinning. You pretty much go at it until the persons health bar is depleted.
In the beginning, once you figure out the moves it may seem boring at first because you can do the same thing over and over again but once you start advancing, you realize that your opponents are stronger, will block and counter your moves, use grappling moves that will make you feel for your character as it cringes in pain and is about to lose.
This is where it becomes fun because with so many characters in the game and the fact that you want to open up these characters, this game will keep you busy.
But if you are in it for a straight forward wrestling game or straight forward fighter, this game is not that. Some may feel that it can be repetitive because each character doesnt have a large move list but with a large roster, this is one of those games you can pass the time on a long commute. Note: You cant save your progress during the match, it will save your progress when you beaten the game with the character and open new characters but sleep mode will come in handy.
It would have been cool to see an implentation of a tournament where you can create a fighter or take your character with its own storyline to rise to the top but the game is straightforward with no overwhelming story behind the character unless you have read the manga or watched the anime.
GRAPHICS:
Where the GC game is cel shaded, the characters are rendered like a 3D fighter. When you do your special moves, they are done well, some characters look very cool and really, on the PSP, it looks good. But the cel shaded look on the Gamecube version is what I enjoyed more.
SOUND:
During the match, you hear the two announcers talking about the match. You get your grunts and bone cracking but unfortunately, this is no WWE Raw vs. Smackdown and you get a lot of voice and really, there are no cut scenes in that same manner. Well, you get the intro and the staredown and trash talk of the characters right before the game) A year later and seeing how games have implemented so much on the PSP games (video, audio, gameplay in Syphon Filter to the mass amount of videos and songs in DJ Max), you wish that there could have been much more to the game in the audio department. I did like the announcer, sounds like Jillian (announcer of WWE Raw vs. Smackdown) doing the introductions to this game.
Playing games like BLEACH 2 and with the upcoming NARUTO game on PSP, you want to see the combination of animation and voice being integrated with a game like this.
USER FRIENDLY FOR NON-JAPANESE SPEAKERS:
This game is indeed user friendly for non-Japanese speakers if you want to get in there and play a match. You can figure it out if you cant read Japanese.
THE BOTTOM-LINE:
Let me just say that Im not a reader of the manga, I have not watch too many episodes of Ultimate Muscle. But I am a fan of fighting and wrestling video games (and heavily into import gaming on the portable consoles). Although, the game felt repetitive at times because I can use a certain move over and over to beat an opponent, you realize as you progress of how tough these other characters can be. How frustrating it can be.
Remember the days of trying to beat M. Bison in Street Fighter II and how many quarters or continues youd have to use to beat it? This is how Kinnikuman: Muscle Generations made me feel and gave me more excitement to find strategies to beat the final three opponents with each character.
RECOMMENDED: For those looking for a different hybrid fighting/wrestling game than what is currently offered on the PSP. Definitely for fans of the series.
RATED: 80% / 100
POSITIVES:
+ Many characters in one game to unlock and play against or play with
+ A variety of modes
+ With the vast number of characters, you will be playing this game for a long time.
+ Bosses will offer you a challenge but can be beaten (in other words, not as frustrating as an end boss of a SNK KOF game)
+ Based on a series that many people enjoy and the ability to play those characters
CONS:
- Unlike other games based on an animated or manga series, doesnt utilize video or audio all that much and whDid you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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