INTERESTING GAMES YOU'VE NEVER PLAYED

GAMATE GAMES

A lesser-loved Nineties handheld, Bit Corporation’s Gamate has plenty of collector appeal today. What’s more, some of its games aren’t completely terrible. But you’re going to encounter a lot of clones in this system’s catalogue

Words by Mike Diver

» [Gamate] Hannibal faces off against a giant Totoro-style soot sprite.

» [Gamate] This mermaid boss looks like she would really rather be anywhere else.

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF HANNIBAL THE CAT

■ DEVELOPER: BIT CORP ■ YEAR: 1993

■ Presentation is rarely a key consideration with Gamate games. From frequent localisation errors to poorly animated sprites and music that makes you want to empty a glue gun into your earholes, these are often basic experiences that, at best, provide a playableenough version of a betterknown title. But The Further Adventures Of Hannibal The Cat, a relatively late release in the console’s limited lifespan (it was discontinued by 1994), looks and feels relatively premium. It even opens with an expression of pride from its makers, as developer names are shown on the title screen.

But start the game and it’s clear that director Sheling Chiou and team have a couple of major inspirations for this fantastical side-scrolling shoot- ’em-up. Firstly, let’s address Hannibal The Cat. Clearly this is Totoro, from the classic 1988 Studio Ghibli movie My Neighbor Totoro. Our portly feline protagonist flies through the air with the greatest of ease, occasionally revealing a little umbrella, collecting acorns dropped by defeated enemies (which include evil vegetables, buzzy insects and the soot sprites from the same film).