JP Wentz
@jpengine.bsky.social
Associate producer at 8-4, Ltd. | アソシエイトプロデューサー（有限会社ハチノヨン）
The NEC has gone to my head (PC Engine, PC-FX) | PCエンジンマニア（PC-FXも少々）
Website:
jpwentz.com
Uninteresting opinions are my own. If I had any interesting ones, they would also be my own.
The NEC has gone to my head (PC Engine, PC-FX) | PCエンジンマニア（PC-FXも少々）
Website:
jpwentz.com
Uninteresting opinions are my own. If I had any interesting ones, they would also be my own.
Share the last 4 games you’ve played and expose your gaming habits.
May 17, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Share the last 4 games you’ve played and expose your gaming habits.
I finished Metal Max (Famicom) last night! I feel completely blindsided by how great it was. How did it take me this long to give it a go?
Anyway, one of my new all-time favorite RPGs. Can’t wait to check out MM2 and MM Returns!
Anyway, one of my new all-time favorite RPGs. Can’t wait to check out MM2 and MM Returns!
February 16, 2025 at 6:47 AM
I finished Metal Max (Famicom) last night! I feel completely blindsided by how great it was. How did it take me this long to give it a go?
Anyway, one of my new all-time favorite RPGs. Can’t wait to check out MM2 and MM Returns!
Anyway, one of my new all-time favorite RPGs. Can’t wait to check out MM2 and MM Returns!
No. 1 - Kokū Hyōryū Nirgends
(Visual Novel/Flight Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 9/10
An unusual mix of genres that is carried to greatness by a compelling plot—one built upon a well-developed setting and cast. Uniquely leverages the system's video capabilities.
(Visual Novel/Flight Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 9/10
An unusual mix of genres that is carried to greatness by a compelling plot—one built upon a well-developed setting and cast. Uniquely leverages the system's video capabilities.
January 20, 2025 at 9:23 AM
No. 1 - Kokū Hyōryū Nirgends
(Visual Novel/Flight Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 9/10
An unusual mix of genres that is carried to greatness by a compelling plot—one built upon a well-developed setting and cast. Uniquely leverages the system's video capabilities.
(Visual Novel/Flight Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 9/10
An unusual mix of genres that is carried to greatness by a compelling plot—one built upon a well-developed setting and cast. Uniquely leverages the system's video capabilities.
No. 2 - Der Langrisser FX
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 9/10
Perhaps the most complete and well-rounded game for the system. Considered the definitive version of Langrisser II by many, with amazing music arranged by composer Noriyuki Iwadare himself.
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 9/10
Perhaps the most complete and well-rounded game for the system. Considered the definitive version of Langrisser II by many, with amazing music arranged by composer Noriyuki Iwadare himself.
January 19, 2025 at 9:05 AM
No. 2 - Der Langrisser FX
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 9/10
Perhaps the most complete and well-rounded game for the system. Considered the definitive version of Langrisser II by many, with amazing music arranged by composer Noriyuki Iwadare himself.
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 9/10
Perhaps the most complete and well-rounded game for the system. Considered the definitive version of Langrisser II by many, with amazing music arranged by composer Noriyuki Iwadare himself.
No. 3 - Blue Breaker: Ken yori mo Hohoemi o
(Romance Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A seminal combination of romance sim and RPG, developed with involvement from Ryuga Tateishi—one of the minds behind Tokimeki Memorial. Greater than the sum of its parts.
(Romance Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A seminal combination of romance sim and RPG, developed with involvement from Ryuga Tateishi—one of the minds behind Tokimeki Memorial. Greater than the sum of its parts.
January 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
No. 3 - Blue Breaker: Ken yori mo Hohoemi o
(Romance Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A seminal combination of romance sim and RPG, developed with involvement from Ryuga Tateishi—one of the minds behind Tokimeki Memorial. Greater than the sum of its parts.
(Romance Sim/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A seminal combination of romance sim and RPG, developed with involvement from Ryuga Tateishi—one of the minds behind Tokimeki Memorial. Greater than the sum of its parts.
I ended up picking up the PS1 version’s player’s guide partially for the art!
January 18, 2025 at 2:28 AM
I ended up picking up the PS1 version’s player’s guide partially for the art!
No. 4 - Boundary Gate: Daughter of Kingdom
(RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 8/10
A breezy JRPG disguised as a first-person dungeon crawler. Imperfect, but its mature fantasy vibes and striking art style differentiate it from the rest of the library.
(RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 8/10
A breezy JRPG disguised as a first-person dungeon crawler. Imperfect, but its mature fantasy vibes and striking art style differentiate it from the rest of the library.
January 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
No. 4 - Boundary Gate: Daughter of Kingdom
(RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 8/10
A breezy JRPG disguised as a first-person dungeon crawler. Imperfect, but its mature fantasy vibes and striking art style differentiate it from the rest of the library.
(RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 8/10
A breezy JRPG disguised as a first-person dungeon crawler. Imperfect, but its mature fantasy vibes and striking art style differentiate it from the rest of the library.
No. 5 - Kishin Dōji Zenki FX: Vajra Fight
(Action/Platforming - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A licensed anime title and the PC-FX's unexpected go-to action game. A compact 40 minutes of varied brawler setpieces that demonstrate the potential of the hardware.
(Action/Platforming - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A licensed anime title and the PC-FX's unexpected go-to action game. A compact 40 minutes of varied brawler setpieces that demonstrate the potential of the hardware.
January 16, 2025 at 11:59 AM
No. 5 - Kishin Dōji Zenki FX: Vajra Fight
(Action/Platforming - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A licensed anime title and the PC-FX's unexpected go-to action game. A compact 40 minutes of varied brawler setpieces that demonstrate the potential of the hardware.
(Action/Platforming - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 8/10
A licensed anime title and the PC-FX's unexpected go-to action game. A compact 40 minutes of varied brawler setpieces that demonstrate the potential of the hardware.
No. 6 - Comic Road
(Life Sim - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A charming manga artist take on Princess Maker. Makes up for admittedly less-than-refined game design by cramming in 3 hours of FMV content for countless random events. Even includes readable manga samples.
(Life Sim - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A charming manga artist take on Princess Maker. Makes up for admittedly less-than-refined game design by cramming in 3 hours of FMV content for countless random events. Even includes readable manga samples.
January 15, 2025 at 11:55 AM
No. 6 - Comic Road
(Life Sim - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A charming manga artist take on Princess Maker. Makes up for admittedly less-than-refined game design by cramming in 3 hours of FMV content for countless random events. Even includes readable manga samples.
(Life Sim - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A charming manga artist take on Princess Maker. Makes up for admittedly less-than-refined game design by cramming in 3 hours of FMV content for countless random events. Even includes readable manga samples.
No. 7 - Chōjin Heiki Zeroigar
(Shooting - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
The PC-FX's sole shooter. Gameplay is average, but visual presentation is excellent, particularly its anime interstitials. Includes an experience and leveling system unusual for the genre.
(Shooting - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
The PC-FX's sole shooter. Gameplay is average, but visual presentation is excellent, particularly its anime interstitials. Includes an experience and leveling system unusual for the genre.
January 14, 2025 at 10:53 AM
No. 7 - Chōjin Heiki Zeroigar
(Shooting - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
The PC-FX's sole shooter. Gameplay is average, but visual presentation is excellent, particularly its anime interstitials. Includes an experience and leveling system unusual for the genre.
(Shooting - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
The PC-FX's sole shooter. Gameplay is average, but visual presentation is excellent, particularly its anime interstitials. Includes an experience and leveling system unusual for the genre.
No. 8 - Fire Woman: Matoi-gumi
(Romance Sim/Life Sim - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A sim masquerading as an RPG. Visuals are hit-or-miss, but sprite work is impressive. Most celebrated for its unique combat system and outstanding degree of player freedom.
(Romance Sim/Life Sim - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A sim masquerading as an RPG. Visuals are hit-or-miss, but sprite work is impressive. Most celebrated for its unique combat system and outstanding degree of player freedom.
January 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM
No. 8 - Fire Woman: Matoi-gumi
(Romance Sim/Life Sim - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A sim masquerading as an RPG. Visuals are hit-or-miss, but sprite work is impressive. Most celebrated for its unique combat system and outstanding degree of player freedom.
(Romance Sim/Life Sim - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
A sim masquerading as an RPG. Visuals are hit-or-miss, but sprite work is impressive. Most celebrated for its unique combat system and outstanding degree of player freedom.
No. 9 - Battle Heat!
(Fighting - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
A beautifully animated FMV fighter with character designs by Junichi Hayama of Hokuto no Ken fame. Chaotic until fully grasped and difficult to master, but rewarding once learned.
(Fighting - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
A beautifully animated FMV fighter with character designs by Junichi Hayama of Hokuto no Ken fame. Chaotic until fully grasped and difficult to master, but rewarding once learned.
January 12, 2025 at 3:33 AM
No. 9 - Battle Heat!
(Fighting - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
A beautifully animated FMV fighter with character designs by Junichi Hayama of Hokuto no Ken fame. Chaotic until fully grasped and difficult to master, but rewarding once learned.
(Fighting - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 7/10
A beautifully animated FMV fighter with character designs by Junichi Hayama of Hokuto no Ken fame. Chaotic until fully grasped and difficult to master, but rewarding once learned.
No. 10 - Zen-Nihon Joshi Pro Wrestling: Queen of Queens
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 7/10
An FMV fighter notable for employing live-action footage of real wrestlers. Extremely silly in action, but quite engaging after learning the mechanics.
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 7/10
An FMV fighter notable for employing live-action footage of real wrestlers. Extremely silly in action, but quite engaging after learning the mechanics.
January 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
No. 10 - Zen-Nihon Joshi Pro Wrestling: Queen of Queens
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 7/10
An FMV fighter notable for employing live-action footage of real wrestlers. Extremely silly in action, but quite engaging after learning the mechanics.
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 7/10
An FMV fighter notable for employing live-action footage of real wrestlers. Extremely silly in action, but quite engaging after learning the mechanics.
No. 11 - Team Innocent: The Point of No Return
(Action/Adventure - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
Alone in the Dark, but in space...and anime. Split into short, replayable chapters. Unique and memorable, even if it lacks the polish and depth of certain similar titles.
(Action/Adventure - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
Alone in the Dark, but in space...and anime. Split into short, replayable chapters. Unique and memorable, even if it lacks the polish and depth of certain similar titles.
January 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
No. 11 - Team Innocent: The Point of No Return
(Action/Adventure - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
Alone in the Dark, but in space...and anime. Split into short, replayable chapters. Unique and memorable, even if it lacks the polish and depth of certain similar titles.
(Action/Adventure - 1994)
Head: 🧠🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 7/10
Alone in the Dark, but in space...and anime. Split into short, replayable chapters. Unique and memorable, even if it lacks the polish and depth of certain similar titles.
No. 12 - Farland Story FX
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 6/10
A simple and low-stress take on the fantasy SRPG formula. Features an all-star voice cast as well as beautifully animated cutscenes and sprite work. Unfortunately held back by gratuitous loading.
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 6/10
A simple and low-stress take on the fantasy SRPG formula. Features an all-star voice cast as well as beautifully animated cutscenes and sprite work. Unfortunately held back by gratuitous loading.
January 9, 2025 at 2:45 PM
No. 12 - Farland Story FX
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 6/10
A simple and low-stress take on the fantasy SRPG formula. Features an all-star voice cast as well as beautifully animated cutscenes and sprite work. Unfortunately held back by gratuitous loading.
(Strategy/RPG - 1996)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +1)
Score: 6/10
A simple and low-stress take on the fantasy SRPG formula. Features an all-star voice cast as well as beautifully animated cutscenes and sprite work. Unfortunately held back by gratuitous loading.
No. 13 - Tengai Makyō: Dennō Karakuri Kakutōden
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 6/10
A well-animated FMV fighter with a colorful roster. Combat itself plays out much like a complex game of timed rock paper scissors. Fun once mastered, though not especially deep.
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 6/10
A well-animated FMV fighter with a colorful roster. Combat itself plays out much like a complex game of timed rock paper scissors. Fun once mastered, though not especially deep.
January 8, 2025 at 10:52 AM
No. 13 - Tengai Makyō: Dennō Karakuri Kakutōden
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 6/10
A well-animated FMV fighter with a colorful roster. Combat itself plays out much like a complex game of timed rock paper scissors. Fun once mastered, though not especially deep.
(Fighting - 1995)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
(JP Bias +0)
Score: 6/10
A well-animated FMV fighter with a colorful roster. Combat itself plays out much like a complex game of timed rock paper scissors. Fun once mastered, though not especially deep.
No. 14 - Last Imperial Prince
(Action/RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 6/10
A competent but exceedingly linear Falcom-esque sidescrolling action RPG. Compelling in concept, its tactical combat system is unique, but the game otherwise lacks an interesting draw or identity.
(Action/RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 6/10
A competent but exceedingly linear Falcom-esque sidescrolling action RPG. Compelling in concept, its tactical combat system is unique, but the game otherwise lacks an interesting draw or identity.
January 7, 2025 at 4:56 PM
No. 14 - Last Imperial Prince
(Action/RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 6/10
A competent but exceedingly linear Falcom-esque sidescrolling action RPG. Compelling in concept, its tactical combat system is unique, but the game otherwise lacks an interesting draw or identity.
(Action/RPG - 1997)
Head: 🧠🧠
Heart: ❤️❤️
(JP Bias +2)
Score: 6/10
A competent but exceedingly linear Falcom-esque sidescrolling action RPG. Compelling in concept, its tactical combat system is unique, but the game otherwise lacks an interesting draw or identity.
Honorable Mentions:
Chip Chan Kick!
(Action/Platforming - 1996)
First Kiss Story + HuneX Fighters '98*
(Romance Sim/Visual Novel/Fighting - 1998)
Miraculum: The Last Revelation
(RPG - 1996)
Power DoLLS FX
(Strategy - 1996)
*Bonus fighting game included in the PC-FX release of First Kiss Story.
Chip Chan Kick!
(Action/Platforming - 1996)
First Kiss Story + HuneX Fighters '98*
(Romance Sim/Visual Novel/Fighting - 1998)
Miraculum: The Last Revelation
(RPG - 1996)
Power DoLLS FX
(Strategy - 1996)
*Bonus fighting game included in the PC-FX release of First Kiss Story.
January 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Honorable Mentions:
Chip Chan Kick!
(Action/Platforming - 1996)
First Kiss Story + HuneX Fighters '98*
(Romance Sim/Visual Novel/Fighting - 1998)
Miraculum: The Last Revelation
(RPG - 1996)
Power DoLLS FX
(Strategy - 1996)
*Bonus fighting game included in the PC-FX release of First Kiss Story.
Chip Chan Kick!
(Action/Platforming - 1996)
First Kiss Story + HuneX Fighters '98*
(Romance Sim/Visual Novel/Fighting - 1998)
Miraculum: The Last Revelation
(RPG - 1996)
Power DoLLS FX
(Strategy - 1996)
*Bonus fighting game included in the PC-FX release of First Kiss Story.
...and a PC Engine CD tune to also get you into the holiday spirit:
December 24, 2024 at 11:08 AM
...and a PC Engine CD tune to also get you into the holiday spirit:
A PC Engine chiptune to get you into the holiday spirit:
December 23, 2024 at 10:33 PM
A PC Engine chiptune to get you into the holiday spirit:
Happy 30th birthday to the PC-FX!
(Released December 23rd, 1994)
(Released December 23rd, 1994)
December 22, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Happy 30th birthday to the PC-FX!
(Released December 23rd, 1994)
(Released December 23rd, 1994)
Don't mind me. Just checking how these look...
December 21, 2024 at 8:50 AM
Don't mind me. Just checking how these look...
NEC wishes you a happy holiday season!
(A very thoughtful co-worker recently gave me this Bazarre de Gozarre plush!)
(A very thoughtful co-worker recently gave me this Bazarre de Gozarre plush!)
December 21, 2024 at 7:34 AM
NEC wishes you a happy holiday season!
(A very thoughtful co-worker recently gave me this Bazarre de Gozarre plush!)
(A very thoughtful co-worker recently gave me this Bazarre de Gozarre plush!)
This! ☝️
As a side note, it’s hard to blame the North American side for the change, releasing the first game as The Legendary Axe, since that was the official subtitle of the game in Japan (and an axe is featured prominently in the Japanese logo to boot). “Painted into a corner” for sure!
As a side note, it’s hard to blame the North American side for the change, releasing the first game as The Legendary Axe, since that was the official subtitle of the game in Japan (and an axe is featured prominently in the Japanese logo to boot). “Painted into a corner” for sure!
December 1, 2024 at 6:54 PM
This! ☝️
As a side note, it’s hard to blame the North American side for the change, releasing the first game as The Legendary Axe, since that was the official subtitle of the game in Japan (and an axe is featured prominently in the Japanese logo to boot). “Painted into a corner” for sure!
As a side note, it’s hard to blame the North American side for the change, releasing the first game as The Legendary Axe, since that was the official subtitle of the game in Japan (and an axe is featured prominently in the Japanese logo to boot). “Painted into a corner” for sure!
Play Tetris, my friends!
November 13, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Play Tetris, my friends!