Toy Shop Boys: As bad as the Internet says it is?

[xolik]

This is the question I asked myself after reading some reviews about the PC-Engine game Toy Shop Boys. I found a copy on Ebay for the low, low price of $12.00 shipped, so I figured 'What the hell?' and bough it. From what I've read on some review sites, the general consensus is that it's a horrible shooter with terrible graphics and even worse music. Preparing myself for the worst, I popped it into my system and flicked the power switches....

The first thing I noticed is that it's in English. Yipee! The graphics really aren't that bad. The backgrounds and enemies are colorful and the levels are nice and long. It's really easy to figure out the controls, also. You have three boys that fly in formation, with the lead boy doing all the shooting. One guy attacks by shooting a gun, another by tossing boomerangs, and the third swings a sword in a small radius aound himself. Button II shoots and Button I changes the lead boy.

Various Power-ups are found after defeating enemies. The balloons with arrows on them either increase or decrease your flight speed depending on which way the arrow is pointing. (Up for increase, down for decrease.) The "S" balloon gives your guys a shield that will last for two hits. An interesting thing that I've noticed is that it only seems to matter if the lead boy gets hit. The other two guys would take hits, but we wouldn't die. I guess they act as shields, as well.

It takes place in toyland, so the enemies and bosses are all modeled after various toys. We've got the standard tanks and airplanes, but also have race cars, robots and UFOs. I liked the second level the most because it has lego blocks in the background. The music isn't too great, but it won't hurt your ears either. It's the type of music that you really tune out with no problems as you concentrate on staying alive.

If you want a decent shooter for a resonable price, then Toy Shop Boys is the way to go.

[twor2005]

I've only played up to the first boss but it didn't seem too bad. The business of controlling three characters reminds me of Sonic Heroes, or that side scrolling shooter on the Genesis where you controlled two beautiful anime women. The boomerang guy didn't seem very effective though. The graphics on the first level are barely better than NES quality unfortunately, with maybe only a slightly higher amount of color, though the music wasn't too bad.

The first level boss seemed pretty unique though.

[Keranu]

I think it's quite a clever game, actually. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks this.

[cybersalad]

I picked this game up in Japan last week for like $2. I think it's kind of a nifty little shooter--it has a neat concept.  Flying toys fighting evil toy trains, army men, etc.  The graphics are kind of simplistic, but it's kind of the style of the game--sort of toyland/cartoony or whatever.

[Keranu]

Yep, exactly. Cool style in graphics, just didn't come out very well but still looks okay.