NOTES: Face created some interesting games for the PCE, including the shoot-em-up Hani in the Sky, which has some fantastic PSG tunes. PLAYLIST #28 (30:27) Rayxanber II (CD-ROM, 1991) Hani in the Sky (HuCARD, 1989). Medley of two songs. CD-ROM Battle—Heroes of Light (CD-ROM, 1993) City Hunter (HuCARD, 1990) A word from our sponsor… City Hunter (HuC…

NOTES: A sublime track of mellow lounge muzak from F1 Circus Special. It is a perfect track to play whilst cleaning up a mess or doing your chores. Over the years, I have routinely acquired games just to see if wonderful music/artwork was hidden in otherwise "undesirable" titles... this episode reminded me that I better see what other tracks are on…

NOTES: As you may recall, the "final" episode of PC-Engine City was released on 10.30.2007, which marked PCE's twentieth anniversary. Now, here we are, nine years later, with a new episode of PCEC. The humble pacifist, Stefan Hawking, makes his PCEC debut. 5 BONUS POINTS for identifying the source of the soundclip. PLAYLIST #26 (25:19) Dragon Half …

NOTES: October 30th? Yes, 10.30.2007 marked PCE's twentieth anniversary, a fitting day to air the final episode of PC-Engine City. It should come as no surprise that our esteemed host opens this episode with a track from Ys I and reveals that the final episode is dedicated exclusively to Ys. ANECD-ROMOTE: Our host fell in love with Ys I on the Sega…

NOTES: The collective heart of the TG-16/PCE community grew heavy when we heard our host announce that this would be the penultimate episode. The playlist for this show is comprised entirely of requests from the pcenginefx.com forums. ASIDE: This is my favorite episode of all time. I've listened to it more than any other, by ten-fold. PLAYLIST #23 …

NOTES: Ordyne, which usually doesn't garner much attention from shoot-em-up afficiandos-if only because it is merely average amongst PCE's stable of champions-is given some much-needed love for a lush, PSG tune that, in the words of our host, "very nicely represents everything that the PC-Engine chip sound is all about. It made me feel all nostalgi…

NOTES: SEGA Special! At over 45 minutes in length, this episdoe is Chock Full o' SEGA. Our host has often praised Sega's smorgasbord of classic games (on all platforms), but now, for your convenience, nearly all of the PCE ports have been compiled into one succulent entree. A feast for your ears, comrade! A feast for your ears. Predicatably, Odonad…

NOTES: Our host doesn't mince his words when discussing the soundtrack to Alien Crush and Dragon Spirit in this episode. Troublingly, there is no new Guess the Sound challenge to be found anywhere. Has our stalwart host been disappointed with the low participation rate from listeners? Or perhaps senility is to blame? Regardless of the reason, Odona…

NOTES: Happy 20th Birthday PCE! "Open up a beer, sit back and enjoy the absolutely classic theme to Space Harrier," advises our host at the top of the show. This marks the second appearance of ultracomputer Odonadon 2000, mistakenly referred to as merely a supercomputer by our host (see Episode #15 for the debut of Odonadon 2000, whose knowledge ba…

NOTES: The GUESS THE SOUND CHALLENGE in this show is pretty damn challenging. I thought it was from Super Adventure Island (and/or Wonderboy III: Monster Lair) when your life bar drops critically low. Or when you bump into a rock. Or something like that (it reminded me of Twin Bee, for some reason). NONE OF THESE GUESSES WERE CORRECT. Happy guessin…

NOTES: "Now with twenty five percent less fat," utters our host at the top of the show. I always wondered about this comment. What did it mean? Later, in a potato chip-induced stupor, I realized that 6/8 (75 percent) of the games in this episode are "shooters"...and then I realized that I still had no idea what the hell our host was talking about. …

NOTES: Halloween Special. This is a mini-episode, clocking in at under 17 minutes. Poor Doraemon! PLAYLIST #16 (16:17) ... ...

NOTES: Our humble host has fabricated an ultracomputer, not to be confused with the quaint category of supercomputer: "Computer, tell me about the Wonderboy series." Thus marks the debut of Odonadon 2000, the ultracomputer whose vast memory banks are gleaned for any and all facts pertaining to Wonderboy. No, not Wonderdog (the forgotten Sega CD-ROM…

NOTES: Our host humbly 1CC's Tatsujin whilst DJ'ing. He laments the wasted potential of the City Hunter license with Sunsoft's generic platformer (at least the music is decent!)... In fact, these two tunes from City Hunter, sandwiched between Urusei Yatsura at the opening and Tenchi Muyo at the closing, create a loosely-themed anime vibe to this ep…

NOTES: Part 2 of 2. Jean Luc Picard and company join Stephen Hawking, Doraemon and your beleaguered host in this nail-biting conclusion of a two-part storyline. TRIVIA CHALLENGE: DJ Stephen Hawking plays a song from _______________ in this episode. (15 points for correct answer!) Final Soldier (HuCARD, 1991) Valis II (CD-ROM, 1989) Tengai Makyo II:…

NOTES: Part 1 of 2. Special guests Doraemon and Stephen Hawking join your host in this episode to work on a very special project. Doraemon is tasked with the least desirable and most toilsome tasks. Poor Doraemon. TRIVIA CHALLENGE: One of Stephen Hawking's favorite tunes is from _______________. (10 points for correct answer!) Pop 'n Magic (CD-ROM,…

NOTES: Special "Songs with Vocals" episode, with guest DJ Sakura Peach. Keenly aware that not everyone enjoys bland J-pop, our host offers the following disclaimer: "You grumpy old men and women out there have permission to skip this one." I will be the first to admit that although I loathe pablum like this, I was humming along to many of the songs…

NOTES: Music from the BEST PCE GAMES, EVER. No hyperbole. OK, perhaps a dollop (or two) of hyperbole. PLAYLIST #10 (33:00) Ys Book I & II (CD-ROM, 1989). Opening from Ys I. Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (CD-ROM, 1993). Japanese title: Akumajo Dracula X Chi no Rondo. R-Type (HuCARD, 1988). Medley of two songs. Lords of Thunder (CD-ROM, 1993). Japanese t…

NOTES: China Warrior. 'Nuff said... PLAYLIST #09 (22:30) China Warrior (HuCARD, 1987) Gate of Thunder (CD-ROM, 1992) Power Golf (HuCARD, 1989) Ys Book I & II (CD-ROM, 1989). Track from Ys I. Legend of Hero Tonma (HuCARD, 1991). Medley of two songs. Prince of Persia (CD-ROM, 1991) W-Ring (HuCARD, 1990) Cho Aniki (CD-ROM, 1992)…

NOTES: Slag off Telenet. Celebrate Dungeon Explorer's (HuCARD) tunes. PLAYLIST #08 (35:25) 1943 Kai (HuCARD, 1991) Hellfire S (CD-ROM, 1991) Devil's Crush (HuCARD, 1990). Japanese title: Devil Crash. Last Alert (CD-ROM, 1989). Japanese title: Red Alert. Ending credit song. Dungeon Explorer (HuCARD, 1989). Medley of three songs. Bonanza Bros. (CD-RO…

NOTES: Special Ambient Edition PLAYLIST #07 (23:51) Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes (CD-ROM, 1991) Ys IV: Dawn of Ys (CD-ROM, 1993) Dungeon Explorer II (CD-ROM, 1993) Shubibinman 3 (CD-ROM, 1992) (Train) Dynastic Hero (CD-ROM, 1994) Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes (CD-ROM, 1991). Medley of three songs. The Legend of Dekoboko (CD-ROM, 1990) …

NOTES: Happy New Year 2006! Your host slags off Rastan Saga II... PLAYLIST #06 (33:24) Tatsujin (HuCARD, 1992) Nexzr (CD-ROM, 1992) Batman (HuCARD, 1990). Medley of two songs combined. Lords of Thunder (CD-ROM, 1993). Entitled 'Winds of Thunder' in Japan. Genpei Toumaden (HuCARD, 1990) The Legend of Valkyrie (HuCARD, 1990). Japanese title: Valkyrie…

NOTES: Special Christmas Edition: Snow Levels! PLAYLIST #05 (28:23) Bomberman '94 (HuCARD, 1993) Star Parodia (CD-ROM, 1992) Momotarou Katsugeki (HuCARD, 1990). English title: Peach Boy. Ys IV: Dawn of Ys (CD-ROM, 1993). Perfect Collection Volume 2. Jackie Chan Action Kung Fu (HuCARD, 1991) The Legend of Dekoboko (CD-ROM, 1990) Bomberman '93 (HuCAR…

NOTES: "In Defense of Bloody Wolf" PLAYLIST #04 (36:12) Ai Cho Aniki (CD-ROM, 1995) Bloody Wolf (HuCARD, 1989). Medley of two songs (second tune is from the raft stage?). Hihou Densetsu Kris No Bouken (CD-ROM, 1991). English title: The Adventures of Kris Splatterhouse (HuCARD, 1990) Ys IV: Dawn of Ys (CD-ROM, 1994) Dragon Spirit (HuCARD, 1988). Med…

NOTES: Space Fantasy Zone (Space Harrier + Fantasy Zone), an unreleased game. Also... PLAYLIST #03 (28:31) Ranma 1/2 Datou, Ganso Musabetsu Kakutou-ryuu! (CD-ROM, 1992) Star Parodia (CD-ROM, 1992) Coryoon (HuCARD, 1991) Bomberman Panic Bomber (CD-ROM, 1994) Genji Tsushin Agedama (HuCARD, 1991) L-Dis (CD-ROM, 1991) Jackie Chan Action Kung Fu (HuCARD…

NOTES: Shoot-em-ups dominate the songs featured in this episode. PLAYLIST #02 (28:56) Soldier Blade (HuCARD, 1992) CD-ROM Denjin Rockabilly (CD-ROM, 1993). TTi released this game as 'Super Air Zonk: Rockabilly Paradise' at the very end of the DUO's lifespan. Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (CD-ROM, 1991) Hanataa ka daka!? (HuCARD, 1991). This oddly charm…

NOTES: "Welcome to PC-Engine City!" are the first, enthusiastic words uttered by our host. sunteam_paul later explains, "I was inspired to make it [PC Engine City] after hearing the C64 Take-Away podcast by Jan Lund Thomsen." Interestingly, sunteam_paul would revisit the Commodore 64 with his next podcast-wibble: classic chiptunes-which featured ch…