#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.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.190 Evoland (NSW). From 8-bit beginnings to full 3D battles, it’s like playing through the history of various RPGs in one adventure. Funny, charming, and full of love for the classics. A must-play for retro RPG fans!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.189 Chicken Journey (NSW). What a great game. A heartfelt mix of charm, tricky platforming, clever puzzles, and genuine soul. The world is cozy yet varied and full of surprises. I like the pixel art as well. @indiequestpod.com : Maybe one to look out for!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.188 Sassou Shounen Eiyuuden: Coca-Cola Kid (GG). Patch by filler. A pretty shallow game. Floaty controls, repetitive stage design, and constant product placement make it feel more like a long commercial than a worthwhile platformer. It's average at best.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.188 Tails' Skypatrol (GG). A rare solo outing for Tails with nonstop flight mechanics. The colorful visuals and unique concept stand out, but awkward momentum, cheap hazards, and repetitive stage design drag it down. Overall, it's fine.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.187 The Berenstain Bears' - Camping Adventure (GG). It's a surprisingly decent platformer. Shame it's only 5 levels and can be beaten in 20 min. Still, I enjoyed it while it lasted. Thanks to @gohobogo.bsky.social for the recommendation.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.186 Here comes Niko! (NSW). A cozy, colorful 3D platformer that’s all about slowing down, exploring at your own pace, and meeting quirky, loveable characters. While no masterpiece, the charm, music, and warmth make it highly recommended. Check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.185 Super Bonk (SNES). If you like the TG16 Bonks, you will like this one as well. Giant powerups, surreal worlds, and goofy charm intact. The unlocalised SFC sequel refines it even more, but this one’s still a blast.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.184 Densetsu no Stafy (GBA). Patch by Megahog2015. Behind its cute visuals is a well-crafted platformer with polished mechanics, creative level design, and a distinct underwater theme that sets it apart. An impressive and charming title! Check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.183 Mario Party Advance (GBA). This game is great. They did a surprisingly great job adapting the series into a charming single-player adventure with quirky quests, funny writing, and creative mini-games that make it feel fresh yet familiar. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.182 Der Langrisser (SFC). Patch by Near,D. A branching-path SRPG, which gives it a lot of replay value. The maps drag (especially the enemy phases), it's pretty tough, and the story, while ambitious, often lacks subtlety. Other than that, it's pretty good.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.181 Silva Saga 2 (SFC).Patch by Dynamic Desings. A solid but unremarkable JRPG. The Mercenary/Idol party system is a lot of fun, but the music, graphics and story are pretty average. I enjoyed the game, but if you're not a JRPG fan, it won't blow you away.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.180 Asuka 120% Final - Burning Fest. Final (PS1). Beneath its quirky school-club theme lies a fast, fluid, and technically sharp fighter. It's a fun game. Check it out for sure! My final beat for a while as we're off on vacation. See you in a few weeks!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.179 Advanced Variable Geo 2 (PS1). A slick but overlooked PS1 fighter. Delivers sharp 2D visuals, solid animation, and a surprisingly technical combat system. The high difficulty spikes are frustrating, though, especially the annoying counters.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.178 Advanced Variable Geo (PS1). Solid visuals and sharp sprite work carry this mid-tier fighter. Controls are serviceable, but the gameplay lacks depth, and the tone won’t be for everyone. A stylish relic with niche appeal, but not essential.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.177 Dragon Ball Z - Taiketsu (GBA). It is an ambitious attempt at a handheld DBZ fighter, but the execution falls short. Poor animation, unresponsive controls, and a lack of depth make it hard to recommend, even to fans. No end credits, either.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.176 - World Heroes (MD). A port of the Neo Geo fighter that brings quirky historical characters to 16-bit life. Fun concept, but clunky controls and downgraded visuals hurt. Still, I kinda liked this game. Also, Rasputin doing yoga kicks? Worth a look!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.175 Fatal Fury (MD). A solid port. While it doesn’t match the arcade version, it captures the spirit of the original with recognizable characters and classic SNK charm. Controls take getting used to, but there's fun to be had for fighting game fans.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.174 VR Troopers (MD). While the game looks pretty good, it's a clunky fighter with stiff controls and repetitive gameplay. Especially the sections between fights are very boring. Cool concept, weak execution. Fans of the show might enjoy it, though.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.172 Art of Fighting (MD). Decent port with chunky sprites and a solid atmosphere, but stiff controls and sluggish pacing hurt it. The AI is very cheap. Expect to get wrecked even on easy. It's a cool relic, but not SNK’s finest hour on Sega’s turf.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.172 Street Fighter 2 - Champion Edition (PCE). This port is excellent! Controls feel good, visuals hold up well, and it plays smoothly and fast. Very impressive work given the hardware. Capcom & NEC really delivered. A must-play for retro fighter fans!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.171 Strip Fighter 2 (PCE). Imagine Street Fighter, but after a questionable night out and a bad decision at a costume shop. No ending or end credits, no class, and definitely not NEC-approved. This bootleg game has more bounce than balance.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.170 Gouketuji Ichizoku (MD). I played the SNES version (Power Instinct) last year. The MD version is just as good. A solid 2D fighter with smooth controls,great character variety, and impressive visuals. A lesser-known title that deserves more recognition.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.169 Time Killers (MD). It killed my time allright. The controls are a mess, the graphics look like a bad joke, and the gameplay is so broken it’s barely functional. It’s like someone tried to clone Mortal Kombat in a garbage disposal. Avoid at all cost!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.168 Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed Destiny (GBA). The sequel to the Gundam fighting game I beat earlier. It's pretty much the same game, only unlocalized and with different Gundam. It's a fun game, just not very original.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.167 Super Mario Bros. 2 (FC). The very tough sequel that was never released in the West. I still don't know how I managed to beat the SNES remake as a kid back in the day. I'm glad to have now beaten the original. It's fun, but prepare for a challenge.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.166 Double Dragon V (MD). It gets a bad rap, but I think this game isn’t all that bad. Solid graphics, controls are fine, and it has a decent enemy roster. It’s just rough around the edges. With more polish, it could’ve been a top-tier fighter.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.165 Dragon Ball Z - Supersonic Warriors (GBA). I was a big DBZ fan back in the day and played many a DBZ game. This one I didn't play. Feels just like the anime, looks great, and every character has a unique story. Tons of replay value. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.164 Mobile Suite Gundam Seed - Battle Assault (GBA). Another pretty good one. The moveset is limited, but the sprites and animations look nice, as do the backgrounds. The game plays fast, and the story segments in between are a nice touch. Worth a play!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.163 Street Fighter Alpha 3 (GBA). Some cuts were made bringing the game to GBA, yet the devs packed in the huge roster, multiple modes,and made it feel like SFA3. The difficulty really ramps up near the end, but it’s still an impressive game. Check it out!