Game Review: Bishi Bashi Special

Game: Bishi Bashi Special
Console: Sony Playstation
Developer: Konami
Release Date: 7th July 2000

As a lover of minigame collections such as WarioWare, Tant R, Rhythm Heaven, and Project Rub, I had been waiting quite a while to get my hands on this particular title. I'd played the arcade cabinet "The Bishi Bashi" and beaten it in spectacular style, and needed even more of the madcap Japanese minigame collection that is Bishi Bashi Special. Contained on this disc are Super Bishi Bashi and Hyper Bishi Bashi, both featuring a large amount of minigames (some of which overlap between the games), single and two player party modes, and fast paced entertainment.

It's interesting to note that the first title in the Warioware series wasn't released until three years after this game, which features a few similar minigames and concept which is almost identical. With that said, the Warioware series managed to add a level of polish and consistency to its gameplay which Bishi Bashi Special lacks, though it's not at all difficult to pick up and play as a party game.

Most of the minigames are based on either; knowing the buttons of the playstation controller well and being able to match up the colour onscreen to a button press, pressing buttons as fast a possible, or movement. There are a few minigames which seem like duds, compared to the fun of the rest of the collection but overall there's an impressive amount of content and fun to be had. The off-the-wall style of the game as a whole also helps to entertain.

Playing with friends also improves the experience as any difficulty in playing the minigames will apply to all human players rather than giving players a handicap in single player mode, against the computer. Bishi Bashi special seems to be an important step in revitalising minigame collections as a genre with only Mario party being particularly consistent in the fifth generation era.

With bright cartoon style graphics to match the fast paced action in the games, and music to go alongside it all, Bishi Bashi Special almost encapsulates the spirit of minigame collections as a whole. The quirky tasks presented in the minigames almost definitely inspired those of Warioware, directly or indirectly, and subsequently many other minigame collections that've been released in the years inbetween.

Overall Bishi Bashi Special is a well presented game, which reminded me a little of Incredible Crisis, another excellent game which was a little less polished overall, with just as much Japanese madness. With a minigame collection, the important thing is that the games themselves play well and have a consistent, but varied feel, and this is achieved for sure.

Rating: 87/100
Grade: B