Follow me on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/Al82_Retro Get Great Retro Scene News @ http://www.vintageisthenewold.com Developed by Nanao and published by Irem in 1992 #rtype #arcade #retrogaming ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0XjVjLULz0

Game Info --------------------------------------------------- Developer: Compile Publisher: Hudson Soft Year of Release: 1989 Game Review & Impressions --------------------------------------------------- The TurboGrafx/PC-Engine isn't a console I ever encountered growing up, so getting to experience the back-catalogue of games has been one of the most interesting aspects of this channel to date. There are some great titles on the platform, and Blazing Lazers isn't just a great TurboGrafx game, it's one of the best vertical shoot 'em ups on a home console. Blazing Lazers has great graphics for the time, not to mention 9 different stages of non-stop action to burn through. However, what really steals the show here is power-up system. I don't think I've played a game with such a diverse range of options, which adds to the appeal. There are 4 main weapon types available, each with multiple upgrades that change the spread, strength and corresponding shot pattern. These weapons can be upgraded even further to their ultimate form by collecting an "F" container, allowing you to unleash some truly devastating firepower. Changing weapons or changing shield types does come with a cost, however, removing side-shots and ultimate fire mode if activated. In general, the best strategy involves finding a combination of upgrades you enjoy and works across a variety of scenarios and stick with it, rather than keep swapping. When it comes to recording, there are so many games which have been a total chore to play through, but Blazing Lazers is one of the few which was a genuine pleasure. If you enjoy a good shooter, this should be top of your list. Chapters --------------------------------------------------- TBC ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQQCMNXMgGo

Developed and published by Konami in 1992 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Al82_Retro Add me on Google+: http://bit.ly/1tPwL1u The year is 2636, and, once again, the Earth is under attack by nefarious alien invaders, With Neo City reduced to rubble, only stalwart heroes and defenders of humanity, Bill and Lance, have any hope of defeating the aliens and it's deadly leader, the dreaded Red Falcon. Being the first game in the series to be released on Nintendo's 16-bit hardware, Contra III benefits from improved graphics, audio and gameplay improvements over the earlier NES and arcade releases. Technical improvements aside, however, this is very much a Contra game and anyone who has played the previous games should know what to expect. At it's core, Contra III is a side-scrolling, run n' gun shooter featuring explosive arcade action, plenty of guns and a difficulty level that will make even the most hardcore of players shudder with fear. Simply put, if you're looking for a nice bit of relaxing, casual shootery, this is most definitely not the game for you! Despite being deeply rooted in the origins of the series, there are still a number of notable features and additions. Firstly, it's now possible to carry up to two different weapons at any one time, swapping between them by pressing the X button. This means that players can grab guns that they prefer and hang on to them, switching them out depending on the situation. As for the guns, there are a mix of both classic and new weapons to choose from. The rapid fire, scatter and laser guns return, but these are joined by the flamer (my personal favourite), as well as homing missiles and the heavy-hitting crusher missile. There's also a new super smart bomb weapon that can be used to damage all enemies on screen, which is great for getting the player out of sticky situations when being swarmed by multiple enemies. In addition to guns, Bill and Lance are much more agile this time around, having learned to climb and hang from flat surfaces, walls and ceilings. The new grappling mechanic has enabled Konami to come up with even more devious level designs and boss stages that require quick thinking and even faster reactions from players. A good case in point is the boss stage where the player must hang from the underside of some ludicrously over-sized missiles, all the while blasting away at the weak points of a large alien craft - each of the missiles eventually explode when they make contact with the craft's shield, forcing the player to leap between missiles to stay alive; mess up your timing and it's a long way down... Whereas the original Contra was memorable for it's inclusion of the semi-3D, third-person tunnel sections, Contra III introduces a couple of top-down sections where the playe ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534SWHp5uZI

Game Info --------------------------------------------------- Developer: Jaleco Publisher: Jaleco Year of Release: 1995 Plot --------------------------------------------------- A seemingly innocuous mid-90s vertical shoot 'em up by Jaleco, Desert War takes design queues from the likes of Desert Strike and its sequels, but remoulds it in the vein of a coin-op arcade experience. Players embark on a series of rescue missions to locate hostages imprisoned in huts and compounds around the level, and blow up an awful lot of military hardware in pursuit of their liberation. Hostages can be dropped off at landing zones to restore health/armour, much like Desert Strike, and additional weapon upgrades can be obtained in the field by blowing up enemies and buildings. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by Desert War. This was a game I'd never heard of before, but it's an engaging experience. Graphics and sound are decent, and the gameplay loop is sufficient to keep you progressing, even coming back for more if you die. Jaleco wasn't always the most consistent in terms of game quality, but Desert War is definitely worth a look. Chapters --------------------------------------------------- TBC ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l_v7RyvvEQ