Top 15 Best FM Towns Marty Games of All Time

The FM Towns Marty goes down in history as one of the least played consoles in the world. It was never a mainstream device, nor was it really intended to be. It was released as a consolized version of Fujitsu’s 32-bit personal computer. Unfortunately this was the early 90s. It cost thousands of dollars. The fact that the FM Towns Marty was also only released in Japan. Now it serves mostly as a collector’s piece. It’d be remiss if I said it didn’t have any good games though. Unfortunately they’re all in Japanese. Sometimes the language barrier doesn’t matter, but other times it does. Regardless, today we’re going to be talking about the best FM Towns Marty games. Here is our top ten list!

#15. – Samurai Spirits

As I’ve already said the FM Towns Marty was a prime location for developers to port their arcade games, and the Neo Geo is not exempt from this. For those that don’t know this is actually Samurai Shodown. Spirits is the nomenclature given to the title in Japan. The game is kind of a Street Fighter II clone but with weapons. Unfortunately this port does have some issues. For one thing we have a lot of slowdown. Each time you attack it feels like the game has to load the blood. There are a lot of freezes because of this. Regardless the game is still playable, and it’s still fun. Samurai Shodown despite its issues is still one of the best FM Towns Marty games.

#14. – Alone in the Dark

I know it’s not a good game, and I talk about it way more than other bad titles. Despite the clunky gameplay and archaic interface Alone in the Dark had a big effect on me. This was the grandfather of modern survival horror. It was Resident Evil years before that was a thing. The game graced the FM Towns computers, and I was lucky enough to play it on the Marty. You basically explore a dilapidated mansion solving puzzles and battling against ghosts/monsters. The game makes use of fixed camera perspectives, pre-rendered backgrounds, and the now infamous tank controls. The atmosphere here is immense. It doesn’t have many jump scares, but you’re sure to remember your time spent at Derceto. The FM Towns version runs perfectly fine, but lacks the redbook audio of the 3DO release. It’s a great spooky game perfect for a rainy day.

#13. – Alltynex

The FM Towns platform had very few exclusives. This is one of them. Alltynex is a top down shmup with a neat sci-fi theme. It has all of the basics in its foundation; screens full of enemies, great graphics, cool power-ups, and a seriously killer soundtrack. The only reason Alltynex isn’t placed higher is because it moves very slowly compared to other similar titles. Additionally the framerate suffers from some slowdown. From screenshots it looks better than what 16-bit consoles were able to re-produce but in motion it’s not nearly as impressive. Regardless I had fun with Alltynex. It also gets extra points for not being released anywhere else. That has to count for something right?

#12. – Blandia Plus

One of the FM Towns strengths was its ports of arcade games. This was the first 32-bit PC (and console) after all. Blandia is a Japan-only 2D fighter with its major claim to fame being that it was one of the first to be based around use of weapons. This changes the tactics considerably because of the longer reach of each attack. Special moves involve all of the typical sweeps and holds on the directional pad. It’s not the best fighting game around, and the graphics don’t look like anything that couldn’t have been on the Super Nintendo. With that said I liked Blandia. It has a unique medieval style we didn’t see a lot in fighting games from this era, and the redbook audio soundtrack is pretty catchy. The game also wasn’t released on many platforms and in my opinion the FM Towns Marty version is the best one.

#11. – Viewpoint

Viewpoint was released in a time when developers were trying to rely on gimmicks to sell their games. Shmups were huge in this day, and this one stays true to its name. It has an unusual ‘viewpoint.’ Instead of being top down or side view this game is displayed from an isometric perspective. That’s pretty much where the innovations end. Viewpoint plays in a very similar fashion to the game Zaxon. If you like that one then you’re in for a treat. What’s impressive is the fact that it uses pre-rendered graphics that effectively mimmick polygons. This looks like something that would have been released on the Atari Jaguar or 3DO. It may not sound impressive but for the FM Towns Marty it certainly was.

#10. – Raiden Densetsu

I’m a fan of the Raiden series. This first game has been ported to a miriad of different consoles (with varying results) but in my opinion the FM Towns Marty version is the best version. This game uses the redbook audio capabilities of the CD format for an absolutely killer soundtrack. It’s also no slouch in the gameplay department. It’s a very traditional top down shmup placing emphasis on a more realistic setting. In typical fashion you collect power-ups to increase the range and strength of your shots as well as screen filling bombs to both cancel out attacks and damage all on-screen foes. The game has some seriously fun level designs and enemies to dispatch. Raiden Densetsu is very well designed.

#9. – Bubble Bobble

If you’ve been following this blog then chances are you’re tired of hearing about Bubble Bobble. This isn’t the first, nor the last time I’ll be highlighting it on one of these lists. Bubble Bobble is a pure classic. It’s a blast start to finish, and can be enjoyed single player but is best with a friend. In this game you play through one hundred single level screens with the simple goal of defeating all enemies. It’s a side scrolling action title where you encase foes in bubbles and defeat them by popping the trapped monsters. It’s pretty basic, but power-ups serve to keep the action fresh as does bouncing off of the bubbles to reach higher areas. This FM Towns version still looks like the arcade iteration which was clearly an 8-bit title. It does however feature a better soundtrack.

#8. – Turbo Outrun

Outrun in arcades and on Sega consoles was simply incredible. Most developers thought we only wanted to race. M2 realized some of us just enjoyed driving. That’s where Outrun came in. This ‘turbo’ edition is pretty easy to peg down. The main new draw is the fact that there’s a turbo key which makes you temporarily drive faster. There’s also an actual opponent you have to beat in a race. Honestly this is disappointing but the game still plays largely the same. Unfortunately there aren’t branching paths this time around. Despite these changes it still feels like classic Outrun only prettier, faster, and with different scenery. It may be a disappointing Outrun follow-up but it’s easily one of the best FM Towns Marty games.

#7. – Tatsujin Ou

This one is another very obscure shmup on the FM Towns Marty. It was released in Japanese arcades, but the only home port came out on this platform. A little known fact is that this is actually the follow up to Truxton. Regardless Tatsujin Ou plays more similarly to Star Soldier in my opinion. This is because you get screen filling attacks, and multiple different types to use at once. You can have tracing blasts as well as straightforward shots. It sounds easier than it actually is. The game throws a ton of enemies your way. It’s very unforgiving and requires lightning quick reflexes. While it never reaches the heights of Star Soldier, fans of that title will absolutely love it.

#6. – Shadow of the Beast

PC games typically made the rounds on any platform that could support them in the 90s. Shadow of the Beast is one of the few Amiga games that was released on the FM Towns Marty. This is a side scrolling action platformer. You play as a wolf beast that can at first only punch but later gets access to fireballs and even a laser. At the time the game was lauded for its graphics and that’s still the same case here. Thing is Shadow of the Beast doesn’t look like a 32-bit game. That doesn’t mean the backgrounds and animations aren’t impressive for the time though. The gameplay is also solid. Your character animates surprisingly well and there’s also really good hit detection. Shadow of the Beast does suffer from some of that European game jank from the 90s, but it’s still a blast on the FM Towns Marty.

#5. – Chase H.Q.

Here’s another title I’m sure you’re tired of me including on these lists. I can’t help that Chase HQ is a really fun game. It’s a driving title wherein your goal isn’t simply to come in first place. Instead you have a target vehicle that you have to take out. Hence the ‘chase’ part of the name. Most versions of this game suffer from choppy scrolling and a bad framerate. That’s kind of par for the course when it comes to early 3D titles. Fortunately this is one of the better home console ports. There’s still some distortion but the game looks and runs really good here. For its time this is probably the best home console port of the arcade release. Chase H.Q. Is a lot of fun, and if you’re lucky enough to have an FM Towns Marty then this game belongs in your library.

#4. – Asuka 120% Burning Fest

Remember high school? The good old days of going to class, sports, geometry, and beating other students senseless in a tournament to determine who is the strongest. No? Well that’s the premise here in Asuka 120% Burning Fest. I’m not saying it’s a good one, but this anime based game pulls off the idea pretty well. This is a pretty traditional fighting game based on adolescents. It’s kind of weird but the idea works because it relies entirely on tropes. It’s also very Japanese so those not familiar with anime might be a bit lost here. Regardless the graphics are really nice, and the fighting engine is solid if not derivative. It’s kind of like Rival Schools but years before that was even a thing.

#3. – Pu-Ri-Ru-La

This one is as weird to play as it is to pronounce. The FM Towns Marty was pretty limited as far as beat ’em ups go, and if you’ve been following us you know Infinity Retro loves these games. Most fans of the genre have already played this title on the PS1 or Sega Saturn. Regardless of platform this one has always been a Japanese exclusive. That’s for good reason. Pu-Ri-Ru-La is strange. There’s nothing out there quite like it. You play as a kid that beats up all levels of cartoon enemies. One stage in particular has you battling on a battlefield with two lady’s legs. It’s that 90s Japanese quirkness that makes this one so special. If that’s something you can tolerate you’re in for a pretty good time.

#2. – Super Street Fighter II

I won’t lie. I prefer the original Street Fighter II to this iteration. Fortunately Capcom went all out with this port and that’s one reason why this is one of the best FM Towns Marty games. This one includes the entire roster from Street Fighter II Turbo but with four new combatants. There are some interesting archetypes explored here, but by and large their movesets and function aren’t amazing. Regardless this is the best fighting game on the platform. Super Street Fighter II animates fluidly here and the backgrounds are detailed as well as very colorful. This port is a clear step above the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis iterations. That’s at least something. Unfortunately this version doesn’t quite reach the heights of the 3DO port.

#1. – Splatterhouse

Splatterhouse is one of my very favorite games of all time. As a huge fan of horror as well as retro video games this one hits all the right notes. This is a beat em up game wherein you play as a hockey mask wearing hulk up against a ton of over the top monstrosities. You can punch and kick, as well as pick up items like wood planks and shotguns to dispatch foes. It’s all incredibly over-the-top in the best way possible. The FM Towns Marty version of this game has the benefit of being the only arcade perfect port back then. Absolutely everything is here. There’s no censorship. The game is an absolute blast. Splatterhouse is not only one of the greatest beat em ups of all time but it’s also the best FM Towns Marty game. If you own the console then you need this.