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Turn-based
strategy games has always been a popular in Japan, yet
the genre was mostly ignored by Western publishers throughout
the 80s and 90s. It wasn't until the 'unexpected' success
of the Game Boy Advance Advance Wars in 2001
that the genre took off in the mainstream market, and
the gross incompetence of Western distributors was even
further exposed.
Pah. Whatever their intentions were, they failed - because
Hudson's 1989 strategy masterpiece Nectaris
somehow managed to slip through, making a discreet name
for itself not only on the worldwide import market but
also in the US, where it was released as 'Military Madness'.
Unsurprisingly the US release was showered with praise
and awards - causing even more concern as to why so
many other turn-based wargames were considered unworthy
of release by Western publishers. Goddammit... Who were
those people? And who put them in charge?
Set on the moon some time in the late 21st Century,
Nectaris is a thoroughly enjoyable strategy
game, that chronicles a territorial war between the
Union (Allied) forces, and the greedy Guicy (Axis) empire.
The Guicy have started to develop a devastating weapon,
the 'MOA', at a special lunar launch site known as Base
Nectaris (probably situated on the moon's 'Mare Nectaris').
Your goal, as leader of the allied Union forces, is
to battle your way towards Nectaris by winning a series
of battles with the weapons at your disposal. |
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Japan version
US version
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The
basic setup remains similar to SystemSoft's Daisenryaku
(1985) and Master
of Monsters (1988) series: the start of each stage
sees a small group of your forces scattered around the
game field (or 'grid'). Each one of these vehicles can
execute one single action during each 'turn', and once
all vehicles have made a move, the opponent player takes
over.
A very useful 'Manual' tutorial allows you to get to
grips with all of the rules, and in next to no time
the game becomes an absolute treat. Each and every decision
is pivotal: attack, defend, capture an enemy base, open
a second front... Some serious strategy, cunning, and
tactical wit are required to claim victory in this one.
Especially in 2P games - to a precious few, this game
became a vicious bloodsport. Battles between two Nectaris
veterans can easily reach epic proportions; as a result
of which the game became somewhat of an underground
cult following its initial release in 1989.
In
all, Nectaris turned out to be a surprise hit
for Hudson. It was quickly ported onto the PC-9800 and
X68000 home computers in 1992, and followed up in 1994
with Neo Nectaris, a fully fledged sequel for
the PC Engine CD-ROM featuring an all-new campaign and
the entire original game included as a bonus.
In 1998 the game returned once again, in a fully 3D
reworking for the PlayStation and a downsized handheld
version for the Game Boy, Nectaris GB.
Recently both Nectaris and Neo Nectaris
has resurfaced on mobile phones and on downloads for
WiiWare, Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3; but one
can only hope that Hudson will stop those lame fuckarounds
and give the game the respect it deserves with an update
worthy of the name. |
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DETAILS
| Format |
PC
Engine |
| Released |
9
Feb 1989 |
| Publisher |
Hudson |
| Product
ID |
HC63016 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Hudson
deliver a clever, well-designed
and immediately engrossing
turn-based strategy wargame
for the PC Engine.
A classic of its day!
Standard PCE case, 3Mbit HuCard,
12-page monochrome manual. |
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Neo
Nectaris
ネオ・ネクタリス
PC ENGINE SUPER CD-ROM² |
DETAILS
| Format |
PC
Engine |
| Released |
29
July 1994 |
| Publisher |
Hudson |
| Product
ID |
HCD4062 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Full
follow-up to the hit PCE strategy
game, featuring a whole new
story-based campaign and extra
vehicles.
Also includes a perfect replica
of the original 1989 game.
CD case, PC Engine Super CD-ROM²
disc, colour booklet, spine
card. |
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Nectaris
ネクタリス
PLAYSTATION |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation |
| Released |
26
Feb 1998 |
| Publisher |
Hudson |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-01245 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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1998,
and Hudson's cult strategy
game makes a massive comeback
on the PlayStation, featuring
redrawn 3D graphics and an
improved interface.
Great stuff, for both fans
of the series and newcomers
to the ranks.
CD case, PlayStation CD-ROM
disc, colour booklet, spine
card. |
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Nectaris
GB
ネクタリスジービー
GAME BOY |
DETAILS
| Format |
Game
Boy |
| Released |
27
Feb 1998 |
| Publisher |
Hudson |
| Product
ID |
DMG-AN5J-JPN |
| Size
(cm) |
12.2
x 9.5 x 2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.08 |
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Downsized
version of Hudson's classic
turn-based strategy wargame
for the Game Boy.
Features Super Game Boy and
'GB Kiss' wireless link features.
Large-size GB packaging, 4Mbit
cartridge, instructions booklet. |
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TACTICS
(PC Engine) |
Sound Test
Choose “1P CONTINUE”,
and input:
<O N G A K U>
as a password
Play as Guicy (Axis)
Hold SELECT,
choose “1P CONTINUE”,
and input any password
Watch COM vs COM
Hold SELECT,
choose “2P CONTINUE”,
and input any password
Passwords
Map 8
<A R A T U S>
Map 16
<N E C T O R>
Map 24
(Japan ver) <S U T A R A>
(US ver) <Y E A N T A>
Map 32
(Japan ver) <R O T C E N>
(US ver) <W I N N E R>
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'Nectaris'
and 'Hudson' are registered trademarks of Hudson Soft Ltd.
'PC Engine' and 'NEC' are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation
'PlayStation' and 'Sony' are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
'Game Boy' and 'Nintendo' are registered trademarks of Nintendo
Co., Ltd.
Nectaris TM & © 1989 Hudson Soft All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2008 www.Jap-Sai.com |
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