Gradius Galaxies (Game Boy Advance, 2001)

I've come to the conclusion that Konami shooters are the Final Fantasy of shooters, while Compile shooters like Zanac, Gun Nac, and Aleste are the Dragon Quest of shooters.

Time for a portable (and late-era) entry in the Final Fantasy of shooter serieses. Spoiler Alert: There will be shooting.

Grindhouse Double Feature: Nemesis (Game Boy, 1991)

Today I'm looking at another pair of portable games. Nemesis was a Game Boy version of Gradius, not unlike how Operation C is a Game Boy version of Contra. Konami likes to do that.

It isn't a straight port, but rather its own similar-yet-different game. It also got a hard-as-hell sequel in the same year, but only in Japan and Europe.

Grindhouse Double Feature: GG Aleste (Sega Game Gear, 1991 and 1993)

 

It's Day Two of Shooter Week. Time for Compile's next major followup to Zanac. The original Aleste was a Sega Master System game, called Power Strike in the U.S.

It was ported to the MSX, Mega Drive, and Game Gear, and the ports later got a sequel. Out of all of these potential options, I chose to play the Game Gear versions simply because they were the easiest to emulate get ahold of.

These are, of course, the predecessors to Super Aleste, known in the West as the rad Space Megaforce. 

Zanac (NES, 1987)

Space shooter week begins with one of the great early shooters from Compile. This game is legendary...and incredibly difficult. Ask your doctor if Zanac is right for you! (Protip: It probably isn't)

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals #5 - Sinistrals of Anarchy

Today on Lufia 2... our heroes climb mountains, as the repetitive litany of tower/cave/tower/cave is broken! Also, we repeatedly beat Idura senseless. The Sinistral MC won't be pleased with their prospect. The Crow Flies Straight!

World of Warcraft's Creepy Gateway To Hell

There's something evil under Tirisfal Glades. Tonight, I find out what that something is.

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals #4 - Lufia: The Musical

Today on Lufia 2... Lufia: The Musical.

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals #3 - Powerslam Deluxe

Today on Lufia II: Our heroes acquire a new comrade, go through more caves, and have their first encounter with the bastardly Sinistrals.

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals #2 - Yestermorrow

Today on Lufia II, I take a relatively in-depth look at Alunze Kingdom, as our heroes join forces with a fearsome Spooge Elemental to take on a puzzle-filled dungeon. I say in-depth because I'll be covering this game in a more thorough nature than the sum-ups I did of the first game.

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (Super NES, 1996)

Time for the Aliens of this series. Lufia II is AWESOME. While the original is a perfectly acceptable RPG, this game still holds up today as being on the top tier of 16-bit RPGs. It came along pretty late in the life of the SNES and as a result it didn't do as well as it should have, but it has a strong cult following nonetheless. This is, of course, the prequel to the original game, so we know how it ends. Still, the journey to get there is a fun one.

Highlander: The Series 2x22 - Counterfeit, Pt 2

Now for the meat of the finale. Will Duncan fall prey to Evil Tessa's vile machinations?

Highlander: The Series 2x21 - Counterfeit, Pt 1

Time for part one of season two's not-that-epic finale. Prodigal Son would have been a better finale, but hey. I guess we've gotta resolve this Horton deal one way or another...

Aladdin (Super NES, 1993)

I previously played the Genesis version of this game, and now it's time to check out the very different Super NES version. I hear it features less blood and fatalities.

Highlander: The Series 2x20 - Prodigal Son

While the previous episode was quite good, THIS one takes the prize for best episode in Season 2.

Lufia and the Fortress of Doom Finale - The Whore of Doom Island

Time for the final installment of Lufia, as I take on Doom Island. Will Jeros have to fight Lufia? Will Aguro and Jerin make a litter of half-elves? Tune in to find out.

Lufia and the Fortress of Doom #5 - Glimpse the World of Tomorrow

After a big lapse in my gameplay, I lost my old save. No need to worry, I've got another save to jump onto now. Picking things up with an alternate save shortly after where I left off. These last two posts should have much higher picture quality due to being newer images, as well.

Lufia and the Fortress of Doom #4 - Thou Shalt Not

"See anything you like?"

...Yes, actually, I do.

Lufia and the Fortress of Doom #3 - Awe of She

A festive time is had by all as our heroes step on flowers, meet a mad scientist, and walk through lots and lots of caves.

Lufia and the Fortress of Doom #2 - The Three Towers

"It Wasn't Me" by Shaggy plays as our heroes confront a kid with normal hair color. Today on Lufia: Towers, zombies, and some crazy pot.

Lufia and the Fortress of Doom (Super NES, 1993)

Time for an old Super Nintendo classic. And judging from this title screen, the first openly gay RPG. Cue up Ace of Base and we'll party like it's 1993! Massive spoilers abound, so read at your own risk.