#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.241 Neo Bomberman (ARC). I never knew an arcade Bomberman even existed. It plays very similar to something like Bomberman 4 for the SNES as it was made by the same team. The gameplay is great and a lot of fun, but some of the enemies are very annoying.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.240 Bomber Boy (GB). Bomberman's first portable outing. The stages all have (sometimes very annoying) gimmicks and you can select your items beforehand. It can get repetitive, but it's bomberman; what you see is what you get. But as always: pretty fun!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.239 U.N. Squadron (ARC). It doesn't do anything wrong, but it doesn't stand out either. The controls are fine and it's fast paced, but it goes on for too long, is very hard and the stages aren't all that interesting. A good game, but nothing special.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.238 Digimon Battle Spirit 2 (GBA). Basically the exact same game as part one. That's not necessarly a bad thing. Having to collect the orbs for points after hitting your opponent is still fun and the sprite work is just as good. Check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.237 Digimon Battle Spirit (GBA). Fast, chaotic fighting with colorful animation and a strong roster that captures the series’ charm. Its short campaign and limited move sets hold it back, and the AI can feel uneven, but I had a lot of fun with it.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.236 Irem Skins Game (SFC). Easy to learn hard to master. It offers a clean presentation and but slow pacing and brutal opponents hold it back. Its precision-focused gameplay is finicky, especially when putting. Still, one of the better SNES golf games.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.235 Chase H.Q. II (MD). It delivers fast, arcade-style pursuit racing, but it’s held back by stiff controls and repetitive enemy encounters. The sense of speed is solid and the soundtrack pumps, yet the overall experience feels a bit shallow.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.234 Neo Turf Masters (ARC). My favorite golf game of all time. I beat the game with strokeplay last year, so my friend and I decided to play matchplay against each other this time around. It's a super fun game and comes highly recommended.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.233 Aerofighters (ARC). A buddy of mine grabbed a new arcade cab, so we fired up one of my favorite shmups. His kids jumped in and loved it. We ended up beating the game together. Always happy to pass on some retro-arcade love!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.232 Zero Team U.S.A. (ARC). A slick, overlooked arcade beat-’em-up with punchy combat and that classic ’90s charm. Not as frantic as Capcom’s brawlers, but super satisfying once you get the timing down. The final stage is pretty tough, though.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.230 Kamiko (NSW). Part Zelda, part Gauntlet, this game is a neat experience. There are some frustrating parts, but slashing through hoards of enemies, solving simple puzzles and defeating large bosses is a lot of fun. Short and sweet,it's one to check out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.229 Astérix (NES). I played the GB version as a kid, but only recently found out about the NES version. It's equally as fun, if not better. Jumping is slippery, but the easy difficulty and great graphics and music make this an easy recommendation!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.228 Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge (GB). A charming portable debut for the Blue Bomber. Tight controls, great 8-bit tunes, and classic boss battles shine, but the brutal difficulty and no checkpoints in the final stage make it a true test of patience.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.227 Crayon Shin-Chan 4: Ora no Itazura Dai Henshin (GB). Based on the anime I used to watch as a kid, this game has a lot of charm. It is very short and easy, but with enough variety to have it stand out. If you have half an hour to spare, check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.226 Fix & Foxi: Episode 1:Lupo (GBC).The jumping momentum is awkward, and the levels can be confusing, but otherwise, this is a pretty decent platformer. The graphics are nice, as is the music, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. It's pretty easy, though.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.225 Therapy with Dr. Albert Krueger (PC).A really cool short game you can get on Itch.io. You play as a patient going to therapy with the psychiatrist asking increasingly disturbing questions. It's a lot of fun trying to get all three endings. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.224 Space Gun (ARC). A tense, atmospheric arcade shooter that blends sci-fi horror with fast, precise gunplay. Its detailed visuals and eerie sound design create genuine tension, while the branching paths and enemy variety keep each run engaging.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.223 Beast Busters (ARC). A chaotic, fast-paced arcade shooter that mixes zombie horror with military action. Visuals and sound show their age, but belasting zombies and monsters is always fun. A gritty relic of coin-op excess.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.222 Mad Father (NSW). A well-crafted horror game with a strong story and eerie atmosphere. Its mix of puzzles and emotional themes keeps it engaging from start to finish. You'd be mad not to play this game if you're a fan of short indie horror games.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.221 Amanda the Adventurer 2 (NSW). Recommended by @potomax.bsky.social. I liked the puzzles more this time, but I found the first one to be more unnerving. The videos now felt less creepy, but maybe that's because you kinda know what's up with them?

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.220 Ib (NSW). Recommended by @peteepuff.bsky.social on the latest @indiequestpod.com. A haunting masterpiece of minimalist horror. Its eerie art, unsettling music, and emotional storytelling prove that atmosphere and subtlety can outshine jump scares.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.219 Raging Bytes (NSW).Suggested by and played in conjunction with the legendary @gohobogo.bsky.social. A gripping zombie JRPG that blends classic pixel art with modern tension. Its turn-based combat and survival-driven narrative make it a compelling game.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.218 Evil Diary (NSW). Blasting endless hordes of zombies and aliens in this budget action game. It's dumb, mindless, and a ton of fun! Graphically not very impressive, but the music slaps, the gameplay is tight, and it doesn't overstay it's welcome.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.217 Witch Rise (NSW). An unexpectedly charming take on old-school FPS games with a magical twist. Its tight core systems, rewarding upgrades, and boss encounters shine through even if the experience is brief. No masterpiece, but I enjoyed it a ton!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.216 Red Bow (NSW). A short but thoughtful pixel horror adventure. Its eerie atmosphere and simple storytelling make good use of its brief runtime. A quiet, unsettling experience that sticks with you more than you’d expect.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.215 Avenging Spirit (ARC). The arcade game the GB game was based on, and it's just as good. Great gameplay, colorful graphics, fun mechanics, and not so punishingly difficult as most arcade games. Be sure to check it out. It's a lot of fun!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.214 Makaimura (WS). Not a port, but an original entry for the WonderSwan. A solid game that captures the series’ atmosphere and challenge, though it feels easier than the other titles.The visuals and level design impress, but the stiff jumping is annoying.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.213 Avenging Spirit (GB). A surprisingly decent port of the arcade game. It's an action-platformer with a haunting premise: you’re a ghost possessing enemies to fight for revenge. Tight controls and creative mechanics make this one to check out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.212 Zombie Raid (ARC). While obviously best played with an actual light gun, it's still fun blowing up zombies to a bloody pulp. Mind, the level design is repetitive, and enemy variety is limited. Regardless, it’s still a strong horror arcade experience.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.211 Magic Knight Rayearth (GB). Patch by LIPEMCO! It surprises with charming sprites and clean visuals that capture the anime’s spirit. Sadly, the gameplay is so easy it barely challenges. I enjoyed the 1 hour game, but it's very shallow for an RPG.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.210 Final Mission (FC). It delivers sharp visuals and a great soundtrack (by Contra's composer no less), but its punishing difficulty drags down the fun. A stylish, impressive shmup that only the most patient players will see through.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.209 Super Bikkuriman (SFC). @dorobodabe.bsky.social pointed me towards this Kusoge. Indeed it plays like it was coded during a lunch break. Sluggish, boring, and no special moves. While I had fun (for the 10 whole minutes the game lasts), not recommended.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.208 Vanguard Bandits (PS1). Played in conjunction with my buddy @gohobogo.bsky.social. We had a randomizer pick a Tactics RPG and boy, did it pick a good one. It mixes strategy and story brilliantly, offering epic battles and great gameplay. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.207 Insector X (FC). A short bug-themed shmup with pretty impressive, colorful sprites. While simple, its charm and steady action make it an enjoyable pick for fans of classic shooters. The final stage, with its tight maneuvering, can be tough, though.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.206 Astérix (ARC). This brawler nails the spirit of the comics with expressive animations and faithful character charm that shows Konami’s knack for adapting source material with love. Gameplay-wise, it's nothing special, but it's a fun game. Check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.205 Arabian Magic (ARC). A very solid brawler with a distinct Arabian Nights theme, smooth gameplay, and four varied characters. It holds up well, isn't insanely hard, and has its own unique charm. I enjoyed this one a lot. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.204 Air Attack (ARC). A vertical shmup from 1996 that apparently uses stolen assets in its background. It's fine, nothing you haven't seen before. Also, there are no end credits as the game just loops after beating stage 7.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.203 Xexex (NSW via Hamster). A Konami shmup that isn't very well known. Visually, a spectacle (the warp stage 6 is especially cool), with some interesting mechanics, but difficult to the extreme. Play it for the spectacle, but don't expect to 1cc it.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.202 Koutetsu Yousai Strahl (NSW via Hamster). A solid arcade shmup experience. Decent weapon options and sharp visuals. It doesn’t reach the heights of top-tier shooters, but it’s a worthy play for fans of 90s arcade action.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.201 Ganso!! Yanchamaru (GB). This is not a port of the NES game, but an original GB title in the Kid Niki series. They scaled down the difficulty, and it's pretty short (two pluses in my book!). The graphics are nice and the gameplay is tight. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.200 (😀 😀) Titus the Fox (GB). I should have picked something better for my 200th beat of the year. The graphics make it hard to see anything, the music is poor and the gameplay is bad, with the level design being the most egregious. Avoid this boring game!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.199 Kishin Douji Zenki FX: Vajura Fight (PC-FX). A showcase of the system’s strengths. Fluid animation, great pixel art, and vibrant colors. The gameplay is nothing special though, with the brawler sections being especially weak. Still, it's worth a play.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.198 Chōjin Heiki Zeroigar (PC-FX). Patch by SamIAm. The only shmup on NEC’s ill-fated console. Solid mechanics, but what sets it apart is the anime story and cutscenes. It's not groundbreaking, but it is easily one of PC-FX’s best exclusives (I think).

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.197 Bio-Ship Paladin (NSW via Hamster). The unique joystick-controlled aiming cursor sets it apart, giving you independent movement and firing control. While ambitious, I found it hard to control and the uneven difficulty hold it back from true greatness.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.196 Pokonyan! Balloon (ARC). Play as Poko Nyan and collect balloons. You can't die or lose, and it's over in 3 minutes. So, it's not much of a game, to be honest, but my 4-year-old thinks it's the best thing in the world, so that's good enough in my book!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.195 Yu Yu Hakusho: Tournament Tactics (GBA). The game tries to mix the anime’s spirit with grid-based strategy, but it falls short. Slow pacing, shallow mechanics, and clunky AI make it more tedious than tactical. Sadly, one to avoid.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.194 Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (NES). It's more of an oddity than a classic. Clunky controls and shaky hit detection make it frustrating, but the goofy visuals and a campy vibe give it some charm and the music is nice. Fun as a curiosity, not much more.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.193 Don Doko Don 2 (FC). Patch by MrRichard999. A criminally underrated late-era FC platformer. Tight controls, charming art, inventive stage design, and a polished soundtrack make it feel more like a lost SFC title than a FC one. Definitely recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.192 Kaiketsu Yanchamatu 3: Taiketsu Zôringen (FC).Patch by Suicidal Translations. It looks like a basic FC platformer, but it’s surprisingly varied. Slides, spin attacks, wall hangs & more. Floaty controls and some jerky glitches, but overall: recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.191 Brave Soldier (NSW). Basically, it's a budget-friendly take on Contra. While it definitely lacks the polish and variety of the classics, its low difficulty and level based structure make it a solid option for fans wanting a quick run-and-gun fix.