Anime nudity, RPGs, dating sims; sounds like we’re about to take a look at the best PC FX games of all time!
The PC FX came from the minds over at NEC, the people that brought us the best Turbografx 16 games.
I wouldn’t say the PC FX is a family console as such, especially with all the naked elf girls that seem to crop up in its various titles, but it’s got some pretty cool storylines that aren’t entirely pervy.
Released in 1994, the PC FX was, for want of a better phrase, a total failure. How could NEC expect to compete with the likes of the N64 and the Sega Saturn without a 3D polygon-based graphics chip?
Add the fact that this thing cost a small fortune to buy, and there’s no wonder it only sold 400,000 units. That’s 32.53 million fewer than the N64!
Still, like most commercial flops, collectors want to get their hands on them to see what all the fuss was about, and the games for the system aren’t that bad! Had they come out 5 years before, they may well have been revolutionary.
Table of Contents
1. Der Langrisser (1996)
That’s right folks; Der Langrisser takes the Number 1 spot on this list of the best PC FX games of all time!
If you’re a fan of RPGs and turn-based attack titles (let’s face it; you’re a Retro Dodo reader, so that obviously means you are), then Der Langrisser needs to be in your collection.
This game went down an absolute storm in Japan and remains one of the most popular games for the console to date!
Command an army of up to 30 battalions as you take on opposing soldiers, working that grey matter to come our victorious in strategic campaigns. Seriously, this game isn’t for the weak minded.
One false move and it’s curtains for you and your fighters!
This updated port of Langrisser 2 boasts over 75 individual scenarios for players to battle through with gameplay paths being altered by specific choices along the way.
Like Battle Heat and many of the other games in this list, cutscenes make a big part of the title. Watching the different parts of the story unfold is just as exciting as playing the game itself.
Fans of the original can also play through a new storyline and a harder difficulty mode once the main game is over. It’s the title that keeps on giving!
2. Dragon Knight 4 (1997)
Dragon Knight 4 marks yet another RPG title for the PC FX, though I’ve never played an RPG like this…
Fans of Fire Emblem will take to the grid based battles in Dragon Knight 4 like a knife through butter. Pick from Gauntlet-style factions such as barbarians and sorcers. Upgrade skillsets and armour as the game progresses… and see naked elf girls.
Yep, this title is pretty seedy. The main character loves naked ladies and some even get naked to say ‘thanks’ for helping them out. The PC 98 version had a lot of sex and, let’s call it ‘anime soft porn’ in it, but the PC FX version is a lot tamer.
Having said all that (and I want to clarify now that this isn’t the reason I like this game so much… I can’t emphasise that strongly enough!) the gameplay between the weird sex-scenes is engaging and brilliant, as are the graphics.
It’s a visually impressive game (again, graphics) with a mean battle system. Just make sure you’re old enough to play it before you buy, otherwise you might have to ask your parents some reeeeeally awkward questions…
3. Boundary Gate: Daughter of Kingdom (1997)
Boundary Gate: Daughter of Kingdom marks yet another RPG joining this list of the best PC FX games. NEC really loved their collecting quests!
Using an early 3D layout and a first-person perspective while exploring, this game is rammed full of magic, ghouls, and goblins, just like a good nerdy adventure should be.
Using voice acting for those immersive story feels and animated attacks, Boundary Gate is a stunning RPG literally dripping with retro goodness.
We’re talking 2D pictures mixed with over-the-shoulder battle views and more random attacks than a Pokemon trainer running through Viridian Forest.
That’s all well and good, but what happens in this game?
Well, in a time before you and I even existed, the First Mother made the world and everything in it. She bestowed five symbols to keep everything in order and blessed them, hiding them inside a temple away from evil eyes.
Players follow Finn, an adventurer who saves a princess (handy, huh?) trying to save her father, the king’s, lands. Together, they battle monsters and demons galore while trying to quell the first whispers of war.
It’s all pretty deep stuff!
4. Fire Woman: Matoigumi (1996)
Up next is Fire Woman: Matoigumi, yet another bizarre game that acquired a loyal following.
Have you ever thought that turn-based collecting games should also teach people how to date at the same time? I know I have; that’s obviously why I’ve including Fire Woman: Matoigumi in this list.
What the heck am I talking about? Well, this game follows the story of a dude who’s brought into a peacekeeping group run by women. We’re talking the Gerudo of the eco-warrior-world.
This is like a cross between Bully and Streets of Rage. Players take part in classes to up their skills in everything from fighting to cheerleading, all the while curbing bullying with fists and honing magical blasts that destroy enemies.
It’s like someone thought of every possible notion that could appear in a game and just thought ‘let’s chuck it all into a pot and see what happens’!
While improving battle skills and becoming a kick-ass fighter, players also have to woo one of eleven single ladies by doing gentlemenly deeds. There are 12 endings; one for each girl and a scenario where you grow old without anyone to go home to.
That’s 12 reasons to play through this game right there, making it great value for money… which is a good thing as prices start at $50!
5. Chip Chan Kick! (1996)
Chip Chan Kick! has some of the weirdest stills of any game I’ve ever seen… apart from Number 2 in this list, that is.
How to describe this game… It’s a little like Mario Bros meets Bubble Bobble. This 2D powerhouse comes from a company used to making adult games, which probably explains all the anime ladies showing their knickers and the busty girls that appear through the game.
Despite all that, it’s actually a pretty PG game that sees players clearing stages before moving onto a new level!
One thing is for sure; the vibrant colours and fun nature of this game are enough to draw in the most cynical of players. It’s just a simple title that’s easy to pick up and play and one that isn’t too taxing.
Like Parasol Stars, players can stun enemies before kicking them into next week. Grab powerups, play through each of the game’s sixty levels, and fight bosses while bopping along to the super cool music.
Listen, this game was behind the times, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth a look. It should have come out in the golden age of gaming alongside some of Atari’s finest creations. As it is, it’s a fun game you should definitely try to get a hold of, espcially if you’re fond of showing off your pants to strangers.
6. Sparkling Feather (1997)
An RPG dating game with semi-naked (mostly naked) anime girls and lots of friendly wrestling; sounds like Sparkling Feather is the next game in this list!
Seriously, were the developers of these games constantly randy or what?
Like Number 4 in this list, Sparkling Feather marries RPG and dating sim elements together into a strategy game with demonic enemies to tackle. It sounds like the most stressful day ever, but the characters are more than up for the job…
Sparkling Feather follows ‘The Feathers’, a band of warriors tasked with guarding sacred gemstones that give them insane powers. Players control the Feather bestowed with the Ruby gem, just an ordinary, average, every-day dude who doesn’t like adventure.
Sounds like he’s in the wrong story!
As well as kicking demon-ass in turn-based battles and levelling up, our Ruby gem warrior can date characters in the game. That’s male or female characters, which is pretty progressive for a PC FX game.
I don’t really get why people would be thinking about dating when there are mammoth monsters to kill or gems to protect, but I guess having a healthy work-life balance is important!
7. Kishin Dōji Zenki FX: Vajra Fight (1995)
Kishin Dōji Zenki FX: Vajra Fight is a good-old-fashioned beat em up!
Fans of Streets of Rage will be all over this game. Controlling one of two characters or teaming up with a friend to clean the streets, players must defeat all the on-screen NPCs before heading onto the next stage.
It doesn’t take much thinking about either, making it a great button-mash ‘switch off and play’ game, perfect after a long day in the office.
One of the things I love about this game is the boss battles. There are some huge mothers to take down in Vajra Fight, and the special attacks that the main characters can pull off will be more than needed to win some of the epic fights you’ll find yourself in.
As for the storyline, this game is based on the manga series by Kikuhide Tani. Expect demon lords, magical bracelets, and sorcerer priests a plenty as you destroy the forces of evil in this epic side-scrolling game!
8. Battle Heat (1994)
Battle Heat is on worthy of your time.
This was a strong launch title for the PC FX, bringing the best of anime and FMV gaming to TV sets around Japan.
Rather than attacking Streets Fighter-style, Battle Heat bases its gameplay around the kind of fatality moves you might see in Mortal Kombat. It’s all about those epic cut scenes.
To successfully pull off epic moves, players have to mash a series of buttons in the correct sequence. Think of it as a race to kick ass first… which is exactly what it is.
A quick mind and quicker fingers win every time.
Counterattacks and continuous cut-scene moves make this game a fast-paced and thrilling title. Its certainly one of the the most unique fighting titles out there and one that knows how to keep players on their toes!
9. Farland Story FX (1996)
Farland Story FX brings some epic fighting moves and stunning 2D visuals to the table.
Like Number 2 in the list below, this turn-based gridded battle title is very reminiscent of the Fire Emblem series and boasts some of the best graphics on the console. The side-on battles are fantastic and, although my Japanese is very limited, I can get a grasp of whats going on pretty easily.
Players follow Arc, a knight that gets the hots for a priestess who gets kidnapped. It’s a classic ‘boy saves beautiful girl’ quest where enemies must be slain and hopefully the protagonist ends up taking home said girl to meet his mother.
Although, with all nakedness in some of these games, perhaps it might end up like a Tinder date instead…
Battles make up the majority of the gameplay. Use different warriors with different skillsets as you progress through the game and parry counterattacks to win. It’s a brilliant game and one that deserves to be in this list.
10. Super Power League FX (1996)
Super Power League FX swings onto the bottom of our best PC FX games list. If you like your sports, then this game needs to be in your collection as it’s the only sports title on the console!
That seems absurd in a world where Fifa pulls in sales on every console, but it’s true.
Ok, I’m going to be straight with you; everything bar the gameplay is a bit below par in this game. The graphics are bad, the sound is bad, and the backgrounds are… well, plain bad.
Still, the game itself has some solid mechanics and is cracking to play… if you can forgive the other stuff, that is.
Super League Power FX keeps everything fresh and fast paced. Play as real Japanese players and work through training and competitive modes in a bid to become the best.
It’s not the most influential game of all time, but as the only sports title for the console it’s a must have if you like your classic competitive titles.
There’s never going to be a Super Power League FX 2022 or anything, but it’s a bit of fun and worth a punt if you don’t mind paying the $120 second-hand price.
