Previously posted on Bluesky, the following is an organized list of my personal top 100 favorite PC Engine titles, complete with a scoring system:
Head + Heart + JP Bias.
🧠 Head: Quality of game design and overall polish (out of 5).
❤️ Heart: Vibes or impact of story, music, art, etc. (out of 5).
JP Bias: Arbitrary bonus points!
I truly love the PC Engine library, so narrowing the list down to even 100 games was an arduous task. I hope that sharing this, however, will at the very least help others who are curious about the system find a place to jump in and experience it for themselves.
Notes:
1. With the exception of a few action titles that are extraordinarily difficult, I have played all of these titles through to completion.
2. This entire list is VERY subjective, of course, so please don’t take the numbers too seriously!
3. This list describes the Japanese version of each game, and there may not be an English release (official or otherwise).
No. 100 – Madou Ou Granzort (SuperGrafx 4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 A deceivingly competent licensed title. Though difficult at first, not at all insurmountable once taken on its own terms. SuperGrafx parallax is always a treat.    |
No. 99 – The Kung Fu / China Warrior (2M HuCard – Action – 1987)  Head: 🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 One of the PCE’s earliest titles and a showcase for the enormous sprites the system can handle. Simple and goofy, though intentionally so. Not to be taken seriously.    |
No. 98 – Dragon Spirit (2M HuCard – Shooting – 1988)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 One of many excellent Namco arcade ports to the PCE and one of the system’s killer apps in ’88. Some content from the arcade original has been cut, but gameplay tweaks make it more accessible.    |
No. 97 – Kato-chan Ken-chan / J.J. & Jeff (2M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1987)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 In spite of its poor reputation outside Japan, this is a fine platformer, particularly for ’87. The Japanese version is especially beloved for its titular comedians.    |
No. 96 – Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (CD-ROM² – Action/Platforming/Shooting – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 An early CD title that leverages the medium’s advantages over space-limited cartridges to include all 14 stages of the arcade original and a fantastic soundtrack.    |
No. 95 – PC Genjin / Bonk’s Adventure (3M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Simple in design, the first PC Genjin title is pleasantly replayable and features engaging bosses that make it memorable among other classic platformers.    |
No. 94 – Red Alert / Last Alert (CD-ROM² – Action/Shooting – 1989)  Head: 🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 On the surface, this is nothing more than a generic 80s action shooter, but its voice work sets it apart. It features some of the most ridiculous and quotable lines of all time.    |
No. 93 – Vasteel (CD-ROM² – Action/Strategy – 1990)  Head: 🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 An overly ambitious robot strategy & action game with an incredible jazz soundtrack. It lacks polish in many areas, but it’s hard not to admire its massive scope all the same.    |
No. 92 – Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (CD-ROM² – Action/RPG – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 Its departure from the Ys formula, short length, and jittery scrolling soured many fans at the time. On its own, however, there is a fun game to be had here with amazing music!    |
No. 91 – Legend of Hero Tonma (4M HuCard – Action/Platformer – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 One might call this Irem’s Ghosts ‘n Goblins. Once mastered, it becomes a very short and breezy 1CC, which is the driving appeal for those willing to give it their time.    |
No. 90 – Ai Chou Aniki (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1995)  Head: 🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Less polished than the original Chou Aniki, yet somehow even more unique. The bizarre fighting game inputs will turn many off, but the visuals and vibes are worth the price of admission.    |
No. 89 – Battle Ace (SuperGrafx 4M HuCard – Shooting – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Though not as beloved as After Burner II, Battle Ace is no slouch on its own merits. It looks great for an ’89 home release, and its simple gameplay loop is cathartic once mastered.    |
No. 88 – Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman 3: Ikai no Princess (CD-ROM² – Action/Platforming – 1992)  Head: 🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 For a base CD system release, its impressive presentation is a lowkey miracle. Though extraordinarily easy and short, the ride is fun while it lasts.    |
No. 87 – Last Armageddon (CD-ROM² – RPG – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A seminal PC RPG that found its definitive home on PCE. Its progression is often opaque and visuals unimpressive, yet the unique world, compelling scenario, and rockin’ music stand the test of time.    |
No. 86 – Ankoku Densetsu / Legendary Axe II (2M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A very different game from its predecessor Makyou Densetsu, but an excellent action platformer in its own right. Loved for its dark and oppressive atmosphere.    |
No. 85 – Makyou Densetsu / The Legendary Axe (2M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1988)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A brief, but polished, Castlevania-inspired action platformer. Lauded in the US as a gem in the TG-16 library, and for good reason.    |
No. 84 – 1943 Kai (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 The original 1943 Kai is a fine, if unremarkable, shooter. But this version’s claim to fame is its four exclusive bonus stages, which stand head and shoulders above the rest of the game.    |
No. 83 – Alien Crush (2M HuCard – Pinball – 1988)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 One of the greatest virtual pinball games of its time. Though many elements would be polished in its sequel, the Alien-inspired atmosphere is enough to warrant revisiting this older title.    |
No. 82 – Daimakaimura / Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (SuperGrafx 8M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias -1) Score: 7/10 A game I respect more than I like. An excellent port and the SGX’s killer app for many, but brutally difficult. A must-play if you have the chops.    |
No. 81 – Vigilante (3M HuCard – Action – 1989)  Head: 🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 Easily beatable in 10 minutes, this is an admittedly short, simple, and downright silly game. But that’s exactly the draw for those who enjoy this follow-up to Spartan X (Kung-Fu Master).    |
No. 80 – Bomberman ’93 (4M HuCard – Action/Puzzle – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 More advanced than vanilla Bomberman, but lacking the bells and whistles of ’94. This balance makes it a series favorite for many and easy to pick up and play.    |
No. 79 – Neutopia (3M HuCard – Action/RPG – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 7/10 Hudson’s first stab at the Zelda formula. Though it lacks the Nintendo touch, it is a polished experience well-suited to anyone looking for something less complex than the Zelda-likes of the ’90s.    |
No. 78 – Gekisha Boy (4M HuCard – Action – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 An early take on the photography game genre. It makes up for its short length with quirkiness and ridiculous pop culture references. If you can get behind the art style, anyway.    |
No. 77 – Hani in the Sky (2M HuCard – Shooting – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Not exactly a well-polished shooter, Hani’s draw is instead its zaniness. The wacky setting, power-up system, and rotation mechanic (once you get used to it) differentiate it from its peers.    |
No. 76 – Image Fight (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Uncompromisingly difficult, but intentionally so. Though a visual downgrade from the arcade original, a solid port that, like many great PCE arcade ports, has been rebalanced for home users.    |
No. 75 – Momotarou Katsugeki (4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 A polished and unusually accessible platformer for 1990. Its selling point is its wide range of difficulty settings, adjustable for players of any skill level.    |
No. 74 – Galaga ’88 / Galaga ’90 (2M HuCard – Shooting – 1988)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A spectacular port of a spectacular take on the Galaga formula. It’s not exactly flashy, but if you’re in the mood for some (very) classic shooting action, you can’t go wrong here.    |
No. 73 – Mr. Heli no Daibouken / Battle Chopper (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A much more accessible version of the arcade original due to the toned-down difficulty. The cute aesthetics are a treat, especially when compared to many of Irem’s other works.    |
No. 72 – Override (2M HuCard – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Its presentation is forgettable, but make no mistake: Override is excellent. Despite the frenetic action, there is no slowdown to speak of, and the low challenge level makes it beginner-friendly.    |
No. 71 – Cobra II: Densetsu no Otoko (CD-ROM² – Adventure – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 As an adventure title, Cobra II doesn’t exactly stack up. But as a linear digital comic, particularly for ’91, very little can match the scope and audacity of its scenario.    |
No. 70 – Lodoss-tou Senki – Record of Lodoss War (CD-ROM² – RPG – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 Record of Lodoss War wears its PC and, by extension, tabletop roots on its sleeve, focusing on scenario-driven experience over grinding. Especially enjoyable for fans of the OVA series.    |
No. 69 – Bikkuriman World (2M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1987)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 An excellent ’87 port (and reskin) of the classic action platformer arcade game Wonder Boy in Monsterland. The closest thing the PCE had to a killer app at launch.    |
No. 68 – Final Soldier (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Often considered the weakest PCE entry of Hudson’s Soldier series, its excellence is a testament to the series’s high bar of quality. Features a customizable weapon system and memorable music.    |
No. 67 – Momotarou Densetsu Turbo (3M HuCard – RPG – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A polished remake of Hudson’s comical answer to Dragon Quest on the Famicom. A primitive console RPG from early in the genre’s history, but this simplicity is part of its appeal.    |
No. 66 – Takahashi Meijin no Shin-Boukenjima / New Adventure Island (4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A prettied-up reimagining of Hudson’s first Adventure Island title. The difficulty has been massively toned down for the better.    |
No. 65 – Sol Moonarge (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1994)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Irem’s unexpected stab at the RPG format. An uneven experience that both impresses and underwhelms in presentation. Its core systems, however, are unique and surprisingly sound in practice.    |
No. 64 – Super Darius (CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A classic of classics and, for its time, an impressive port. The massively expanded boss roster more than makes up for the shrunken playfield. It also features arcade-identical music by Zuntata.    |
No. 63 – PC Genjin 2 / Bonk’s Revenge (4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 An impressive expansion of the foundation laid by its predecessor. Highly recommended by many PCE fans and typically considered the best of the series.    |
No. 62 – Dungeon Explorer (3M HuCard – Action/RPG – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 A no-nonsense Gauntlet-plus-RPG-style coop experience that sold many players, especially in North America, on five-player multiplayer. Features a memorable chiptune soundtrack.    |
No. 61 – Saigo no Nindou / Ninja Spirit (4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 Another Irem arcade classic. As is often the case, the console-tuned difficulty is a welcome addition that makes the game much more enjoyable for casual players.    |
No. 60 – Parasol Stars (3M HuCard – Action/Puzzle – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 The third official entry of the esteemed Bubble Bobble series. Supports two-player coop and is a must-play for single-screen action puzzle game fans.    |
No. 59 – PC Denjin / Air Zonk (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +0) Score: 7/10 Touted by many as one of the PCE’s greatest shooters. I don’t hold it in quite as high esteem, but I understand why it is beloved, as few titles match the personality on display here.    |
No. 58 – Super Schwarzchild (CD-ROM² – Strategy – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Its systems may appear overwhelming at first, but in actuality, the game is highly story-driven and totally streamlined. An excellent retuning of the PC original for a more casual audience.    |
No. 57 – Rayxanber III (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 An easier and (mostly) better-balanced attempt in comparison to its predecessor. While it feels incomplete in certain areas, the game otherwise features lavishly detailed art for the era.    |
No. 56 – Salamander (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 A Konami classic, and its design holds up today. While this port is perhaps not the definitive version, its unique revisions and retuning make it a unique experience among its other renditions.    |
No. 55 – Splatterhouse (4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 An amazingly faithful port of the arcade original. Its short length means it doesn’t overstay its welcome, making every playthrough a fun visit into its horrifying world.    |
No. 54 – Valkyrie no Densetsu / The Legend of Valkyrie (4M HuCard – Action/Shooting – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 Visually inferior to its arcade original, but hugely revamped in this home conversion to make the game much more accessible. An impressive reimagining for weaker hardware.    |
No. 53 – Rayxanber II (CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 Known primarily for its unreasonable and frustrating difficulty, yet shockingly engaging. Most will never see its ending, but that’s okay. Also a technical showcase for the base CD system.    |
No. 52 – Farjius no Jakoutei: Neo Metal Fantasy (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 A fantasy RPG that started its life as a story serialized in a PC Engine magazine. While largely orthodox, it is executed well with strong Phantasy Star vibes.    |
No. 51 – Genpei Touma Den: Kan no Ni / Samurai-Ghost (4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 7/10 A PCE-exclusive follow-up to an arcade masterpiece. Not nearly as original as its predecessor, but a solid, albeit unusual, action platformer nonetheless.    |
No. 50 – Tenshi no Uta (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 7/10 Though outclassed by its sequel two years later, the first entry of this series is a cozy romp through a Celtic-inspired world with excellent music and atmosphere.    |
No. 49 – Bomberman (2M HuCard – Action/Puzzle – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 8/10 Beauty in simplicity. The classic, no-frills Bomberman formula stands the test of time. This remake of the original is distilled to only the basics, which makes it easy to pick up and play.    |
No. 48 – Susano-ou Densetsu (4M HuCard – RPG – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 8/10 An oft-overlooked contemporary of major 8-bit RPGs. It looks like a cash-grab manga tie-in, but it is in fact a polished RPG that experiments with the staples of the genre in many unique ways.    |
No. 47 – 1941: Counter Attack (SuperGrafx 8M HuCard – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 With 1941, Capcom injected much-needed creativity into their WWII-inspired shooter series. This is an excellent port that supports two-player coop like the arcade original.    |
No. 46 – Detana Twinbee (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 Colorful and full of charm. A staple entry in the Twinbee series. This port mercifully tones down the absurd difficulty of the original and maintains two-player coop.    |
No. 45 – Kuusou Kagaku Sekai Gulliver Boy (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1995)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 A fascinating RPG developed alongside the anime of the same name. Atypical of your typical anime cash-in, it is well-designed and shows off a hardware-pushing presentation.    |
No. 44 – Cyber Knight (4M HuCard – RPG – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 8/10 An unabashed, old-school, hardcore sci-fi RPG by the legendary Compile. Thanks to the impressive talent behind it, this RPG realizes a huge world and epic adventure despite harsh space limitations.    |
No. 43 – Private Eyedol (Super CD-ROM² – Adventure – 1995)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 From the title and art style, I wouldn’t blame anyone for mistaking this for an eroge. But it isn’t! Fire this up, and you’ll be treated to a beautifully crafted detective adventure.    |
No. 42 – Dragon Slayer: Eiyuu Densetsu / Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 8/10 Falcom’s first attempt at the turn-based RPG. For its era, delightfully and almost amusingly fast-paced. This port does little to differentiate, but it doesn’t need to.    |
No. 41 – Dungeon Explorer II (Super CD-ROM² – Action/RPG – 1993)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 8/10 The first Dungeon Explorer is considered a stone-cold classic by many TG-16 fans. This grander sequel shines by expanding on the first game’s scope in every way.    |
No. 40 – Download (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 Sports a clearly Akira-inspired cyberpunk setting and impressive cutscene artwork for a HuCard title. Surprisingly well-tuned and fun to play for a lesser-known release.    |
No. 39 – Nectaris / Military Madness (3M HuCard – Strategy – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 A well-received turn-based strategy title. Light on story, but the core design has it where it counts. An easy recommendation for fans of Advance Wars.    |
No. 38 – Quiz no Hoshi (Super CD-ROM² – Quiz – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 Difficult to recommend by nature of its genre, but not to be overlooked. Contains some of the most impressive cutscene work for the system, an outlandish story, and a host of mini-games.    |
No. 37 – Seiya Monogatari: Anearth Fantasy Stories (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1995)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 Hudson’s final software for the PCE. It may not live up to pre-release promises, but it is still a beautiful RPG with an interesting FFII-style progression system.    |
No. 36 – Far East of Eden – Tengai Makyou: Ziria (CD-ROM² – RPG – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 An impressive work for 1989 with loads of personality. Perhaps a little crusty now, it still paved the way for the rest of the Tengai Makyou series and the CD format as a whole.    |
No. 35 – Download 2 (CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 One of many unique shooters exclusive to the PCE. Far from perfect, but its cyberpunk setting and rocking soundtrack set it apart from the competition. Also, the final boss is Hitler…?    |
No. 34 – Parodius Da! (8M HuCard – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +0) Score: 8/10 One of numerous Konami classic arcade ports for the system. Though inferior to the SFC alternative, an impressive PCE release that sports a large 8M HuCard and faux parallax in spades.    |
No. 33 – The Legend of Xanadu – Kaze no Densetsu Xanadu II (Super CD-ROM² – Action/RPG – 1995)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +0) Score: 8/10 An excellent Ys-like action RPG, though the quality of its writing may be lacking compared to that of the first title’s. One of the best-looking games on the system.    |
No. 32 – Silent Debuggers (4M HuCard – Action/Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 A trailblazing thriller and faux first-person shooter. Perhaps an acquired taste (a single session is a bit of a commitment), but tense and rewarding nonetheless.    |
No. 31 – Spriggan Mark 2 (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 An unusual shooter that excels at storytelling over gameplay, though both facets are well-polished. Highly recommended for those okay with its breaking up of the action.    |
No. 30 – Aldynes (SuperGrafx 8M HuCard – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 An excellent horizontal shooter that never left the SGX and is thus often overlooked. Rather difficult, but with enough practice, extremely rewarding.    |
No. 29 – Devil Crash / Devil’s Crush (3M HuCard – Pinball – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 A stellar virtual pinball title that improves on its alien-themed predecessor in perhaps every way.    |
No. 28 – Genpei Touma Den (4M HuCard – Action/Platforming – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 There’s no game out there quite like this one—or there wasn’t when it came out, anyway! Quite beloved in Japan for its unbridled creativity. This is a very faithful port.    |
No. 27 – Super Momotarou Dentetsu II (6M HuCard – Board Game – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 8/10 An excellent entry in Hudson’s still-ongoing Momo Tetsu series (one of the last few remaining vestiges of Hudson’s glory days, though in Konami’s hands now).    |
No. 26 – Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (Arcade CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1995)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +0) Score: 8/10 Known for its incredible visuals (and price), thanks to its late release as an Arcade Card title. A fine shooter, even if its design can’t compare to the presentation.    |
No. 25 – Chou Aniki (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 9/10 Distilled weirdness and wackiness that exceeds the sum of its parts. It’s also…well…a pretty competent shooter, actually. One of the prettiest and most memorable games for the system.    |
No. 24 – Seirei Senshi Spriggan (CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 A must-play for fans of Compile shooters. I am admittedly not exactly one of them, but even I recognize this as a classic and especially impressive as a first-generation CD title.    |
No. 23 – Emerald Dragon (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1994)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 9/10 1989’s original PC version is known in Japan for pushing narrative design forward for the entire RPG genre. While dated in areas, the PCE remake is an excellent way to enjoy this classic.    |
No. 22 – Uchuu Senkan Yamato (Super CD-ROM² – Strategy – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 9/10 A surprisingly polished and enjoyable re-packaging of the Yamato series. While its sim elements are exceedingly simplified, that is what makes it so approachable and easy to enjoy.    |
No. 21 – Tenshi no Uta II (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1993)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 9/10 A standout RPG of the 16-bit generation that hugely improves on the standards set by its predecessor. Great music, great atmosphere, and a simple but engaging cast and story.    |
No. 20 – Gunhed / Blazing Lazers (3M HuCard – Shooting – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 One of the best shooters for the system, and developed by the esteemed Compile. Not my personal favorite, but there’s no denying its status as a genre-defining classic.    |
No. 19 – Tokimeki Memorial (Super CD-ROM² – Dating Sim – 1994)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 The original version of the hugely influential dating sim classic. An impressive title for the hardware and still very playable to this day, even if not the definitive release.    |
No. 18 – Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys (Super CD-ROM² – Action/RPG – 1993)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 Hudson’s interpretation of the fourth Ys entry. Perhaps less beloved than I & II, but a fine game nonetheless. I also highly recommend the soundtrack, even on its own.    |
No. 17 – Bomberman ’94 (8M HuCard – Action/Puzzle – 1993)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 The third and final PCE entry in Hudson’s flagship series, and they pulled out all the stops. If you ask me, the series never noticeably improved beyond the standards set here.    |
No. 16 – Far East of Eden – Tengai Makyou: Fuuun Kabuki Den (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1993)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 One of the most unique RPGs for the system. It is far from perfect, but makes up for its faults with charm and…singing? A must-play for fans of the Tengai Makyou series.    |
No. 15 – Snatcher (Super CD-ROM² – Adventure – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 The definitive, voiced remake of Hideo Kojima’s well-regarded adventure title. It may take a bit TOO much from the works that inspired it, but one cannot deny its influence on the genre.    |
No. 14 – Magical Chase (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1991)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 9/10 A fine shooter with graphics that almost look more at home on the SFC than the PCE, not to mention spectacular chiptunes. Unfortunately now infamous for its absurd price tag.    |
No. 13 – The Legend of Xanadu – Kaze no Densetsu Xanadu (Super CD-ROM² – Action/RPG – 1994)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 10/10 On paper, its unusual mix of design choices should have resulted in a mess. Yet, the game’s systems are surprisingly well-balanced, further elevated by excellent dialogue.    |
No. 12 – Super Star Soldier (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1990)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 10/10 Perhaps generic in appearance, but among a sea of shooters, Super Star Soldier manages to stand out by simply being all-around excellent, albeit difficult.    |
No. 11 – Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 10/10 My personal favorite of the Gradius series. This version is an impossibly outstanding port, though brutally difficult without the use of the Konami code.    |
No. 10 – Gate of Thunder (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 10/10 One of the best horizontal shooters for the system, featuring one of the greatest CD soundtracks to boot! An easy recommendation for those who enjoy the Thunder Force series.    |
No. 9 – Ys I & II (CD-ROM² – Action/RPG – 1989)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 10/10 The game that sold the idea of the CD medium to many gamers. Some of the more archaic elements of its PC roots make it less easy to revisit, but this action RPG is still a masterpiece.    |
No. 8 – R-Type (Two 2M HuCards – Shooting – 1988)   Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 10/10 Arguably one of the most influential horizontal shooters of all time. Hudson’s excellent port was the PCE’s killer app for a period. Gruelingly difficult, but a timeless classic.    |
No. 7 – Winds of Thunder / Lords of Thunder (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1993)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 10/10 Gate of Thunder’s fantasy-themed spiritual sequel, and even more metal! More form over function than its predecessor, but sometimes that’s not a bad thing.    |
No. 6 – Star Parodier (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 10/10 Hudson’s answer to Konami’s Parodius. Its Soldier series references and beautiful presentation set it apart from the rest of the PCE library, and its core design holds it together.    |
No. 5 – Nexzr (Super CD-ROM² – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +2) Score: 11/10 A PCE gem, oft-forgotten for its generic sci-fi setting. Free of common gimmicks, it’s held up purely by its excellent core gameplay, beautiful visuals, and stupendous soundtrack.    |
No. 4 – Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo / Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (Super CD-ROM² – Action/Platforming – 1993)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 11/10 Most with any interest in the PCE are familiar with this one, so it needs little introduction. Just know that it really does live up to its reputation.    |
No. 3 – Soldier Blade (4M HuCard – Shooting – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 11/10 The apex of Hudson’s shooting catalog during their golden years. Not only is it a great game, but it also pumps out incredible visuals despite its space-limited HuCard format.    |
No. 2 – Far East of Eden – Tengai Makyou II: Manjimaru (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1992)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +1) Score: 11/10 A massive RPG with production values unheard of in ’92. Developed by incredible industry talent. Despite brisk pacing, this epic still clocks in around 80 hours!    |
No. 1 – Linda³ (Super CD-ROM² – RPG – 1995)  Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠 Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (JP Bias +3) Score: 12/10 An absolute masterpiece developed by some of the same talent behind Tengai Makyou II. One of the most unique and well-designed RPGs of its era, in spite of less-than-impressive visuals.    |