Konami‘s 1989 arcade sequel, Gradius III, is beast of a game.
Category Archives: Konami
Gradius II, PC Engine
Gradius II on the PC Engine pushes the concept of this horizontally-scrolling shooter to new limits, with stunning new levels and an insane amount of challenge.
Gradius, PC Engine
The PC Engine version of Konami‘s classic arcade shooter, Gradius (aka Nemesis), is pretty exceptional. It was first released in Japan in 1991.
International Superstar Soccer Deluxe, Megadrive/Genesis
Converted by German developer Factor 5, International Superstar Soccer Deluxe on the Megadrive is a close port of the Super Nintendo version. Meaning that it’s great fun to play, with or without other players.
It was first released in 1996 by Konami.
Continue reading International Superstar Soccer Deluxe, Megadrive/Genesis
Azure Dreams, Game Boy Color
The PlayStation version of Konami‘s Azure Dreams is an excellent level-grinder, and this Game Boy Color version is also very good, but differs somewhat from the original.
It still takes place in the provincial city of Monsbaiya, and you are still a Monster Hunter. Whereas the PlayStation version uses a 3D isometric viewpoint, this one instead goes for an overhead, 2D view. With titchy characters and intricately-detailed locations rendered as flat pixel art.
Azure Dreams, PlayStation
Developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo (KCET) and published by Konami in 1997, in Japan, and in 1998 in North America and Europe, Azure Dreams is a ‘Roguelike’ Role-Playing Game about a young boy who wants to become a Monster Hunter.
Castlevania Special
Konami‘s classic Castlevania series is a well-known and much-loved collection of horror-themed games that spans from 1986 to the present day, although some may feel that the series has been neglected in recent times.
Castlevania began its existence in the form of the Famicom Disk System game, Akumajō Dracula, and has undergone many iterations, across almost all video game systems, including in the arcades, on handhelds, and on home computers and consoles.
Here’s a list of all the official Castlevania games ever made. Plus a selection of some of the best fan-made games and hacks.
In celebration of a landmark video game series!
Castlevania: Rondo of the Night, PlayStation
Castlevania: Rondo of the Night is a ROM hack of the PlayStation classic, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and it was first released in June 2024. The aim of the hack is to change the gameplay, so that the player can do quicker and more athletic moves, and to surprise the player with a seemingly never-ending string of good ideas.
Continue reading Castlevania: Rondo of the Night, PlayStation
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, Nintendo Wii
It’s a remake of Castlevania: The Adventure – originally released for the black and white Game Boy – except this time it’s been changed to look and play like something of a cross between an X68000 and a Super Nintendo Castlevania game. It could also be mistaken for a Castlevania arcade game. But it isn’t any of those.
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth is a WiiWare game for the Nintendo Wii. It was released only through the WiiWare service for a number of years. At the time of writing, I don’t think it’s currently available to buy and play anywhere legally, which is a pity because it’s superb.
Continue reading Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, Nintendo Wii
Castlevania Judgment, Nintendo Wii
Released for the Nintendo Wii by Konami in 2008, Castlevania Judgment is a 3D fighting game developed by Eighting. It was the first beat ’em up in the Castlevania series, and it remains the last one, too (at the time of writing).
The King of Grabs 