... NEC Avenue's PC Engine port of Fantasy Zone.
This version of Sega's surreal, pastel-filled shmup was released in 1988, by the way. It isn't an arcade-perfect port, but it's close enough that only the most anal Fantasy Zone fans would turn up their noses at it.
You may remember me saying recently (in this 'Second Chances' post) that I haven't always been a fan of this game. Well, my opinion of it has changed enough over the last few months that the complete-in-box copy of it seen above was one of the first things I purchased after my birthday.
Now if I could just get past the third or fourth stage.
Anyway, for anyone interested: Another photo or two of my copy of Fantasy Zone can be seen in my Flickr photostream. (Also, click on the ones above to take a closer look at them.)
See also: Previous '12 Games of Christmas' posts
I'm loving this series. And the photos are gorgeous. Like game porn.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Justin! I'm glad you're enjoying the series :) Also glad you're liking the photos. They're the main reason I decided to do the series, really.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Fantasy Zone made it to PC-Egine
ReplyDeleteReally, Adam? Well, then, I'm glad I could educate you about that fact :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty good port, really. Not perfect, but good. The only bad thing about it, in my opinion, is its music. Yeesh. High-pitched, tinny and annoying. Other than that, though, it's well worth owning if you're a PCE fan -- especially since it tends to be a pretty cheap pick-up these days.
Those Hu cards are so sexy. They make me feel *blush* strange. I just love the design of them.
ReplyDeleteAh, you and I are in the same boat, Mark! I fell in love with the PC Engine as soon as I laid eyes on the system itself and its sexy HuCards. So, no need to be embarrassed about blushing :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a good one, it is one of the few PC Engine games I actually have (card only). The HU cards really are the best, I love how they look in a little stack.
ReplyDeleteAh, I forgot that you have a PC Engine, Sean! Which other games do you own for it? And why don't you have more? :P
ReplyDeleteAlso, yes, the HuCards themselves are great. Really, Fami carts and HuCards are the top of the heap for me.
LOL, yeah I don`t talk about my PC Engine much. I only have 7 or 8 games for it and Fantasy Zone just happens to be one. That and Cyber Core are the only ones I play much. I have Deep Blue, Darius Plus, Gradius and a couple of sports titles too. I pick them up every once in a while, I ought to get some more though as it is a great little system!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your purchase of this game. A true classic. :) I was never into it, but I've heard and read that it is very good.
ReplyDeleteAs for schmups, my favourites are the Gradius-games, Banshee AGA (Amiga) and Project X (Amiga). All of these provides fast and furious gameplay. :)
Happy gaming!
Oh, yes, Sean, I remember you mentioning both Cyber Core and Deep Blue in the past. My condolences on Deep Blue, by the way. Woof! I don't think I've played Cyber Core, though. Is that an insect-focused shooter? Anyway, yes, you should pick up some more PCE games at some point. If you need any recommendations, just ask :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, oldschoolgameblog :) Yes, this definitely is a classic and well worth picking up if you're into shooters.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that you like Gradius games -- what do you think of the Parodius series? Just curious...