D is for...
Daichi-kun Crisis - Do Natural by Salio (1989) - Japan
A few minutes spent with this strange game was enough to explain its obscurity. It seems to be some sort or farming game where you plant seeds across the overhead scrolling game-world while repelling invaders, but it's not super-intuitive and seems rather repetitive too. Cute characters add to the appeal though.
A few minutes spent with this strange game was enough to explain its obscurity. It seems to be some sort or farming game where you plant seeds across the overhead scrolling game-world while repelling invaders, but it's not super-intuitive and seems rather repetitive too. Cute characters add to the appeal though.
Daisenpu by NEC Avenue / Toaplan (1990) - Japan
Better known to many as Twin Hawk, this classic Toaplan shooter is most welcome on the PCE. There may have been lots of military-themed vertical-scrollers around at the time so it's not especially original, but it's challenging and addictive and is a great conversion too. There's an enhanced version on PCE CD too.
Better known to many as Twin Hawk, this classic Toaplan shooter is most welcome on the PCE. There may have been lots of military-themed vertical-scrollers around at the time so it's not especially original, but it's challenging and addictive and is a great conversion too. There's an enhanced version on PCE CD too.
Darius Alpha by NEC Avenue / Taito (1990) - Japan
Known for its extraordinary cost nowadays, this was a cut-down version of the original Darius featuring only the boss fights and was strictly limited to 800 copies. It's therefore something of a holy grail for collectors but actual gamers might as well stick with the much cheaper Darius Plus, which is more than decent enough.
Known for its extraordinary cost nowadays, this was a cut-down version of the original Darius featuring only the boss fights and was strictly limited to 800 copies. It's therefore something of a holy grail for collectors but actual gamers might as well stick with the much cheaper Darius Plus, which is more than decent enough.
Darius Plus by NEC Avenue / Taito (1990) - Japan
Unusually, this conversion of Taito's original Darius arcade game came after the PCE CD version which is known as Super Darius. This version may lack the CD music of Super, and the colours are brighter to my eyes too, but it's still a good version of this classic horizontal-scroller and a great blaster in its own right.
Unusually, this conversion of Taito's original Darius arcade game came after the PCE CD version which is known as Super Darius. This version may lack the CD music of Super, and the colours are brighter to my eyes too, but it's still a good version of this classic horizontal-scroller and a great blaster in its own right.
Darkwing Duck by Turbo Technologies Inc (1992) - Japan/US
Apparently this is a Disney character who had his own show in the early 90's, but if this game is anything to go by, I'm glad I missed it! The game is a basic scrolling platformer with a few poorly-designed stages to choose from which is rendered even less enjoyable by clunky controls. Definitely one to avoid.
Apparently this is a Disney character who had his own show in the early 90's, but if this game is anything to go by, I'm glad I missed it! The game is a basic scrolling platformer with a few poorly-designed stages to choose from which is rendered even less enjoyable by clunky controls. Definitely one to avoid.
Davis Cup Tennis by Micro World (1991) - Japan/US
Sports games aren't hugely plentiful on the Engine but this is a notable example. It's unsurprisingly based on the international men's tennis tournament of the title, with the action presented in a permanent split-screen format, and has a ton of options to keep you busy. A really nice game for tennis fans.
Sports games aren't hugely plentiful on the Engine but this is a notable example. It's unsurprisingly based on the international men's tennis tournament of the title, with the action presented in a permanent split-screen format, and has a ton of options to keep you busy. A really nice game for tennis fans.
Dead Moon by TSS / Natsume (1991) - Japan/US
Those pesky aliens are up their old tricks again in this horizontal-scroller which charges you with cleansing six stages of their fetid filth. It's not especially original but the audio/visuals are really nice and the various colourful weapons are very satisfying to use. A really nice shooter, this one, and a PCE exclusive too.
Those pesky aliens are up their old tricks again in this horizontal-scroller which charges you with cleansing six stages of their fetid filth. It's not especially original but the audio/visuals are really nice and the various colourful weapons are very satisfying to use. A really nice shooter, this one, and a PCE exclusive too.
Deep Blue by Pack In Video (1989) - Japan/US
This shooter seems quite nice prior to playing it, notably the underwater-themed graphics with their fishy characters, but sadly it was actually dreadful thanks to poor design and play-mechanics which made it a highly frustrating game to play. There are plenty of much better horizontal-scrollers around. (full review here)
This shooter seems quite nice prior to playing it, notably the underwater-themed graphics with their fishy characters, but sadly it was actually dreadful thanks to poor design and play-mechanics which made it a highly frustrating game to play. There are plenty of much better horizontal-scrollers around. (full review here)
Delivery Boy by Tonkin House (1990) - Japan
Although not very well known, this unusual game is worth looking into, just for its originality if nothing else. As the title suggests, it casts you in the role of a delivery boy who must... well, deliver stuff, around a top-down-viewed town. There's quite a bit of Japanese text but it should be playable enough.
Although not very well known, this unusual game is worth looking into, just for its originality if nothing else. As the title suggests, it casts you in the role of a delivery boy who must... well, deliver stuff, around a top-down-viewed town. There's quite a bit of Japanese text but it should be playable enough.
Detana!! Twin Bee by Konami (1992) - Japan
I've been a fan of cute 'em ups since Fantasy Zone but the TwinBee series is the progenitor. This is an arcade conversion of the fifth game in the series and differs little from the original, but happily that means it's splendid, with the weird sprites and colourful backgrounds looking better than ever.
I've been a fan of cute 'em ups since Fantasy Zone but the TwinBee series is the progenitor. This is an arcade conversion of the fifth game in the series and differs little from the original, but happily that means it's splendid, with the weird sprites and colourful backgrounds looking better than ever.
Devil's Crush by Naxat Soft (1990) - Japan/US
One of the best known of all Engine games is this remarkable occult-themed pinball game, and it's fame is very well deserved. It was the sequel to Alien Crush and built on its already-splendid predecessor to make one of the most engrossing and addictive pinball games ever seen. An all-time great. (full review here)
One of the best known of all Engine games is this remarkable occult-themed pinball game, and it's fame is very well deserved. It was the sequel to Alien Crush and built on its already-splendid predecessor to make one of the most engrossing and addictive pinball games ever seen. An all-time great. (full review here)
Die Hard by Pack In Video (1990) - Japan
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this Japan-exclusive tie-in to the popular Bruce Willis action film but it certainly wasn't this. It's a kind of overhead run 'n' gunner but few of the locations look even remotely familiar. Was there a forest or a river in the film? Not terrible but not a brilliant one either.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this Japan-exclusive tie-in to the popular Bruce Willis action film but it certainly wasn't this. It's a kind of overhead run 'n' gunner but few of the locations look even remotely familiar. Was there a forest or a river in the film? Not terrible but not a brilliant one either.
Digital Champ by Naxat Soft (1989) - Japan
Good boxing games are something of a rarity, or at least were back in the olden days. This one does nothing to improve their reputation either. The first-person view is okay and some of the boxers will look familiar, but the matches are far too long and far too boring to make your time here enjoyable.
Good boxing games are something of a rarity, or at least were back in the olden days. This one does nothing to improve their reputation either. The first-person view is okay and some of the boxers will look familiar, but the matches are far too long and far too boring to make your time here enjoyable.
Don Doko Don by Taito (1990) - Japan
Single-screen platformers in the style of Taito's wonderful Bubble Bobble were pretty common around this time, and this is Hudson's take on the sub-genre. It features gnomes armed with mallets but aside from that will be very familiar to fans, and is just as enjoyable as the better known examples too.
Single-screen platformers in the style of Taito's wonderful Bubble Bobble were pretty common around this time, and this is Hudson's take on the sub-genre. It features gnomes armed with mallets but aside from that will be very familiar to fans, and is just as enjoyable as the better known examples too.
Doraemon - Meikyu Daisakusen by Hudson Soft (1989) - Japan/US
This one will be better known to most non-Japanese gamers as Crater Maze and it's probably better in that guise as it has precious little to do with the metallic blue moggy. It's a scrolling maze/collect 'em up and is pleasant enough to play, but it's way too easy. Maybe one for the kiddies to enjoy... (full review here)
This one will be better known to most non-Japanese gamers as Crater Maze and it's probably better in that guise as it has precious little to do with the metallic blue moggy. It's a scrolling maze/collect 'em up and is pleasant enough to play, but it's way too easy. Maybe one for the kiddies to enjoy... (full review here)
Doraemon - Nobita's Dorabian Night by Hudson Soft (1991) - Japan
Like most Doraemon games, this one was only released in Japan, but I'm not sure why - it's a fairly standard side-scrolling platformer and seems to be perfectly playable by non-native speakers. It's not the best example around but it's decent enough, especially for fans of the magical kitty. Also released on CD.
Like most Doraemon games, this one was only released in Japan, but I'm not sure why - it's a fairly standard side-scrolling platformer and seems to be perfectly playable by non-native speakers. It's not the best example around but it's decent enough, especially for fans of the magical kitty. Also released on CD.
Double Dungeons by NCS / Masaya (1989) - Japan/US
Hmm, I have seldom enjoyed games like this, and it's not one that's going to change my mind. It's an RPG set in ultra-mazey 3D dungeons, but from what I've seen so far it's very repetitive and there is little to enjoy. Its ace in the hole is a simultaneous two-player mode but your friends won't thank you.
Hmm, I have seldom enjoyed games like this, and it's not one that's going to change my mind. It's an RPG set in ultra-mazey 3D dungeons, but from what I've seen so far it's very repetitive and there is little to enjoy. Its ace in the hole is a simultaneous two-player mode but your friends won't thank you.
Double Ring by Naxat Soft (1990) - Japan
Spacey shooters are always welcome, even ones with weird names like this. I assume it refers to your ship's weapon system - the power-ups surround your ship with shot-producing rings. Apart from that there's nothing very original here but it's a slick and enjoyable game which definitely deserves your time.
Spacey shooters are always welcome, even ones with weird names like this. I assume it refers to your ship's weapon system - the power-ups surround your ship with shot-producing rings. Apart from that there's nothing very original here but it's a slick and enjoyable game which definitely deserves your time.
Download by NEC Avenue (1990) - Japan
You're waiting for one and then two come along at once - another horizontal-scroller! This one is apparently set in a 'cyberpunk' world and sits you astride a jet-bike of all things, albeit one with a ton of firepower, and tasks you with taking out crap-loads of mechanical scum. Another good one for shmup fans.
You're waiting for one and then two come along at once - another horizontal-scroller! This one is apparently set in a 'cyberpunk' world and sits you astride a jet-bike of all things, albeit one with a ton of firepower, and tasks you with taking out crap-loads of mechanical scum. Another good one for shmup fans.
Dragon Egg! by NCS / Masaya (1991) - Japan
Most platformers of this time had a gimmick to try and stand out, and Dragon Egg's was... a dragon egg! The young girl you play as carries it around, you see, and eventually it grows into a real dragon she can ride! It is little more than a gimmick but this is a very enjoyable game all the same. (full review here)
Most platformers of this time had a gimmick to try and stand out, and Dragon Egg's was... a dragon egg! The young girl you play as carries it around, you see, and eventually it grows into a real dragon she can ride! It is little more than a gimmick but this is a very enjoyable game all the same. (full review here)
Dragon Saber by Namco (1991) - Japan
Perhaps less well known than its forebear, Dragon Saber is the sequel to the mighty Dragon Spirit. Fans would have no trouble determining that as it's basically just more of the same. The graphics are a little better, the game-world is more varied, but the biggest improvement is the addition of a two-player mode.
Perhaps less well known than its forebear, Dragon Saber is the sequel to the mighty Dragon Spirit. Fans would have no trouble determining that as it's basically just more of the same. The graphics are a little better, the game-world is more varied, but the biggest improvement is the addition of a two-player mode.
Dragon Spirit by Namco (1988) - Japan/US
Games with dragons are always going to be cool and this was one of the first! It's a vertical-scroller in the Xevious mould - i.e. separate buttons for shots and bombs. The primeval game-world with its jungles and volcanoes and glaciers is great but let's face it - you just want to play as a three-headed dragon!
Games with dragons are always going to be cool and this was one of the first! It's a vertical-scroller in the Xevious mould - i.e. separate buttons for shots and bombs. The primeval game-world with its jungles and volcanoes and glaciers is great but let's face it - you just want to play as a three-headed dragon!
Dragon's Curse by Westone / Hudson Soft (1990) - Japan/US
This game is known by many names but will probably be best known to most as Wonder Boy III, but whatever you call it, you'd be hard-pushed to find a better arcade adventure on any system. This version looks, sounds, and plays very similar to the MS classic and is therefore a truly brilliant game.
This game is known by many names but will probably be best known to most as Wonder Boy III, but whatever you call it, you'd be hard-pushed to find a better arcade adventure on any system. This version looks, sounds, and plays very similar to the MS classic and is therefore a truly brilliant game.
Drop Rock Hora Hora by Data East (1990) - Japan/US
Known as Drop Off in the US, this is a fairly interesting action/puzzle game. It's a Breakout-style bat 'n' ball game, but instead of destroying all the 'bricks' (which are random items here) as they scroll down the screen, you simply have to clear a path for your spherical 'paddle' to get through. Good fun and addictive.
Known as Drop Off in the US, this is a fairly interesting action/puzzle game. It's a Breakout-style bat 'n' ball game, but instead of destroying all the 'bricks' (which are random items here) as they scroll down the screen, you simply have to clear a path for your spherical 'paddle' to get through. Good fun and addictive.
Dungeon Explorer by Hudson Soft / Atlus (1989) - Japan/US
A fairly self-explanatory title for this one! It's a Zelda-style action RPG with castles and forests and valleys and stuff, as well as plenty of monster-filled dungeons which are more Gauntlet-like in style. It's all decent stuff for a single player, but the game's real party-piece is support for up to five players simultaneously.
A fairly self-explanatory title for this one! It's a Zelda-style action RPG with castles and forests and valleys and stuff, as well as plenty of monster-filled dungeons which are more Gauntlet-like in style. It's all decent stuff for a single player, but the game's real party-piece is support for up to five players simultaneously.
Thank you for doing this series! Super awesome way to explore the library.
ReplyDeleteThanks, glad you like it :) It will take a while to get through them all though!
DeleteI can assure you that the Darkwing Duck cartoon is around fifty times better than the game. It's a Ducktales spin-off, Launchpad's in it as well, and there's a lot of creative villains too (such as a dog made out of water).
ReplyDeleteHaha, good to know! It was as horrifying as the game I would go out of my way to avoid it :)
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