Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger (Images source)
By Con
System: Playstation
Developer: Bandai

Introduction

This game is great! This was the first import game that I've ever played and after it I couldn't wait to play the next import on my list...which you'll learn more about if you read more reviews at Japan Hero. I started playing it right after watching the series and so my opinion of the game may be a bit biased because I love the series so much...but let's get started.

Review

Gameplay
By yourself or with a friend this game is fun. You start off by picking one of the three Hurricanger, and a partner. Whether or not you're playing with a friend or by yourself, you have to pick a partner. The basic theme of the game is like the show. Hurricanger faces Magerappa, Hurricanger beats Magerappa and then Hurricanger faces Monster. In true Super Sentai fashion, you finish off the monster using a team effort shown courtesy of a video clip directly from the show (it's always the same clip, but still exciting to watch).

Throughout story mode you'll get special levels where you get to play as the Denkousekka Goraijer (after you face them of course) and yes...Shurikenger!

All the characters in the game have their own special combo attacks, special move and feel to them. You can explore this more in the fighting aspect of the game which I'll get to.

Shinobi Machines
Of course after you beat the monster it's time for them to grow and you need something really big to combat them...something like the Shinobi Machines! Some more cool video scenes are thrown into the mix of the machines coming to save the day and then the battle begins. The mecha fights are virtually all the same as well, but each monster has a different attack so it's nice to see different objects...but no worries, we're still having fun.

As the Mecha you move side-to-side dodging enemy projectiles until a target appears on them which you get to move on close and strike as many time as you can before they push you back to the previous position. You can also hit most of these attacks back with your sword at the monster, but you still have to wait till their attack is over until you can move in close to strike.

There are also a couple of different special attacks for you to use when piloting the robots so it's a nice mix of variety that makes you feel like you have more control over the mecha than you really do. Also, like the ground fighting, you get a really cool TV show clip when you finish them of, and they vary depending on which attack you use to finish them off.

On the special levels where you play as Denkousekka Goraijer and Shurikenger you get to use their Mecha, as well as combine them with the Hurricanger's robots.

Game Modes
This game is full of of them. For example if has your classic fighter game mode in it, where you can take on your favorite Ranger, Villain or hamster. All of these characters have to be obtained, and most of them are done so by playing the Story Mode aspect of the game. After you beat story mode there are tons of other things that are unlocked, like a shooting mode, special story mode (featuring you as GaoRed) and K.O. mode. After you beat these modes once again more characters are released for the fighting mode. Fighting mode doesn't have to be unlocked, but you'll only have the 3 Hurricangers to choose from if you don't play story mode first.

Conclusion

Since Super Sentai is aimed at children in Japan, the game is no different, but just like the Super Sentai series...it's a hell of a lot of fun. If you've ever purchased a Power Rangers video game and said "Why couldn't they have done this, or that?" then you WANT this game!

I recommend this game even to those who don't enjoy Super Sentai, because it's really a fun game to play. It's got story mode, a fighting mode and more...what else could you ask for except for Nao Nagasawa (Hurricane Blue) to deliver it to your house?!

Con