Ranma 1/2 Game and Music Collection Reviews

Ranma 1/2 has enjoyed enourmous success in Japan, and it is no wonder that it spawned several video games and music CDs!

Ranma 1/2 Video Games

PC Engine/Turbo Grafix 16

Ranma 1/2 Action Game: It's a run-and-jump action game, what'd you expect? Some themes are instrumentals of familiar Ranma themes. Shampoo's father is the last boss. Can't say much else about this game, as I don't have access to it.

Ranma 1/2 Captive Bride: This one's supposively a digital comic (it's a type of game that's kind of like the manga, only you make the choices). Any more details would be appreciated.

Ranma 1/2 Overthrow of the Unrestricted Martial Arts Style: A fighting game which included characters such as Ranma, Kuno, Kodachi, Ukyo, Ryoga, Mousse, and the Principal. Never played it, but hear it is a sub-par game.

Mega CD/Sega CD

Ranma 1/2 White Orchid Serenaide: A digital comic about a mysterious girl (Arisa Nanjo) that shows up in Nerima. The entire gang is here, but mainly features Ranma, Akane, Shampoo, and Ukyo.

Gameboy

Ranma 1/2 : A puzzle game where Ranma has to catch Akane after pushing around blocks.

Ranma 1/2 Netsuretsu Kakutouhen: An action/rpg type game. You'll be in for a lot of frustration once you pick this one up unless you know some pretty good Japanese.

Ranma 1/2 Kakugeki Mondou!!: A fighting/quiz game. Hope you know Japanese....

Super Famicom/Super Nintendo

Ranma 1/2 Neighborhood Combat: A simple fighting game with nice graphics and killer AI, the game features Ranma, Shampoo, Kuno, Kodachi, Genma, and Ryoga. Happosai and Cologne are secret characters in this game. A rather primitive game by today's standards.

Ranma 1/2 Hard Battle: The only Ranma game released in the US. This game features Ranma, Genma, Ukyo, Akane, Shampoo, Mousse, Ryoga, Gambling King, Gosunkugi, Happosai, and Pantyhose Taro. An okay fighting game at best.

Ranma 1/2 Super Battle: If you had a choice amongst all the SNES games, you'll do great by picking this one: the graphics are excellent, and the engine is more of what we'd expect of a fighting game. This one features Ranma, Akane, Shampoo, Mousse, Kodachi, Kuno, Ryoga, Ukyo, Hinako, Mariko Konjo (cheerleader martial artist), Genma, and Herb (the final boss). Hours of enjoyment for the whole family.

Ranma 1/2: Hidden Treasure of the Crimson Cats: An RPG game, where the party includes Ranma, Akane, Genma, Shampoo, Ryoga, or Mousse (Ukyo also follows Ranma around with her okonomiyaki cart, but doesn't join the party. Hint: BUY HER OKONOMIYAKI, and you won't regret it). The Bakeneko (Ghost Cat) and his Crimson Cats are searching for the legendary Star Jewel in another dimension, and it's up to Ranma to stop them! Of course, when the Bakeneko kidnaps and possesses Nerima's greatest martial artists, there's trouble to be had at every turn. The entire gang is here! A decent RPG, but the graphics needed work.

Ranma 1/2 Ougijaanken: A fighting puzzle game (like Puzzle Fighter) where you must manipulate a row of three blocks. Think of the game as a paper, rocks, scissors, and you'll get the hang of it. Characters include Ranma, Akane, Genma, Mousse, Shampoo, Ryoga, and Gambling King (boss). In story mode apparently the gang's after some magic orb. A really addicting game; best results use Akane (as she, unlike the others, is unaffected by the water buckets!).

Playstation

Ranma 1/2: Battle Renaissance: A fighting game that has been described similar as Tekken 2, with Jusenkyo effects (which means the cursed characters can change in the midst of battles due to weather conditions, etc.). Characters include Ranma, Akane, Happosai, Genma, Kuno, Ryu Kumon, Ryoga, and Shampoo. The final boss is Rouge, an Indian girl who transforms into Ashura as her curse.... Very pricy game to import, yet it's fun for those who want to beat up people with P-chan ^^

Ranma 1/2 Music CDs

TV Series CDs

Ranma 1/2 Opening Theme Song Collection: Eight tracks consisting of the opening theme songs for all seven seasons. Recommended, especially track 6.

Ranma 1/2 Closing Theme Song Collection: Nine tracks consisting of the closing themes to the anime's seven seasons. Mildly recommended, unless you like the themes.

Doco First: The first set of songs sung by Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi, and Shampoo. Recommended only for die-hard Ranma fans, as the group's not really that great.

Doco Second: The second set of songs. If you liked the first, you'll like this one.

Doco Karaoke: Karaoke versions of all the songs in both Doco First and Doco Second. Recommended only for those who liked the tracks from First and Second, and wish to sing Japanese.

Ranma 1/2: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China Soundtrack: The complete soundtrack to Movie 1, including the catchy "It's Love." I'd recommend it just to get that very song, but it all depends on your tastes.

Ranma 1/2: Nihao My Concubine Soundtrack: No guesses here. Mildly recommended, because Movie 2 wasn't very memorable, and the closing song, "A Piece of Love," sounded pathetic to these ears.

Ranma 1/2: Third Movie and OAV Soundtrack (KTCR-1269): The complete sountrack from the first set of OAVs (up to 'Akane and Her Sisters'), including Movie 3, "Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix." This soundtrack by far is a favorite, and contains the complete version of the "Ballad of Ranma and Akane," as well as the OAV opening song, "Love Panic." Does not contain some tracks from the later OAVs, however.

Ranma 1/2 Hot Song Contest Collection (PCCG-00194): Pretty much an audio version of the music video, the music isn't something to dance to, as most of the tracks are interrupted by more than one characters. Get this only if you're a die-hard Ranma fan.

Ranma 1/2 Background 1: Soundtrack for the first season. Your choice.

Ranma 1/2 Background 2: Soundtrack for the remaining seasons. Your choice.

Ranma 1/2 Background 3: Soundtracks that aren't covered in 1 and 2. Your choice.

Original CDs

Ranma 1/2: 1991 Song Calendar (PCCG-00195): Twelve tracks, one for each month of the year, are in this; eleven are original, and one appeared on the Doco CD ("Full of Memories"). A really nice mix of songs, starting with Nabiki's mellow song to Kodachi's wild tizzy, to a limbo with Happosai, a footrace involving the four Ranma girls, and the entire gang gathered for Christmas. Highly recommended for Ranma enthusiasts.

Ranma 1/2: 1992 Song Calendar: Was made only available via mail order, and contained previously-released songs only. Don't bother with this one.

Ranma 1/2: 1993 Song Calendar: Did this exist?

Ranma 1/2: 1994 Song Calendar: Did this exist?

Ranma 1/2: 1995 Song Calendar: Contains a selection of opening and closing songs, with commentary radio station-style by Ranma and Akane (sponsored by the Nekohatten and Ucchan's, of course). Only recommended if you like to hear Ranma and Akane ramble on in Japanese.

Ranma 1/2 Electronic Game Music Collection (COCC-10689): Contains ten tracks collected from the PC Engine and Mega CD games, mostly from "White Orchid Serenaide" (at least five tracks are from that one). There are two vocal tracks, which sound very nice, the instrumentals of those two songs, instrumentals of "Don't Make Me A Shrew," "A Hill of Rainbow and Sun," and "Don't Cry Anymore," as well as three other tracks ("White Orchid Serenaide," "Pure Power," and "Like A Child"). Highly recommended, as all the tracks are wonderful.

Ranma 1/2 Fighting Song Karuta: Forty-five (!) tracks, mainly songs by the bulk of the Ranma 1/2 cast. Some tracks are serious, but most are humerous. Get this if you're a die-hard Ranma fan, and are looking for a good laugh (understanding of Japanese not required to understand the bulk of the jokes).

CD Singles

Note: All Memorial File CDs are available only in the Memorial File set.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 1: "Jajauma ni Sasenaide," "Hen-na Koi" by Nishio Etsuko.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 2: "Platonic Tsurinuite," "Boyfriend" by Sakagami Kaori.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 3: "Equal Romance," plus an additional track by CoCo.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 4: "Don't Mind Lay-lay Boy," "Happy End ni Nemurenai" by Nishio Etsuko.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 5: "Little Date," plus an additional track by ribbon.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 6: "Omoide Ga Ippai," "Natsu no Tomodachi" by Coco.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 7: "Lambada Ranma" and "Little Date," which is sung by Akane, Ranma, and Shampoo.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 8: "Present," the only track on the CD, by Tokyo Shonen.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 9: "Zettai! Part 2," plus an additional track by Hayasaka Yoshie.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 10: "Friends," "Chikyu no Hate, Koi no Hate" by Yawmin.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 11: "Chikyu Orchestra," plus an additional track by Kusu Kusu.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 12: "Hinageshi," plus an additional track by Nakajima Michiyo.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 13: "Mo Nakanaide," plus an additional track by Senou Azusa.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 14: "Positive," plus another track by Morikawa Miho.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 15: "Love Seeker (Can't Stop It)," plus the karaoke version by VisioN.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 16: "Niji to Taiyo no Oka," and another track by Piyo Piyo.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 17: "It's Love," and "Sexy Teacher" by RABBIT.

Ranma 1/2 CD Single Memorial File, 18: "A Piece of Love," plus another track by Picasso.

Note: The following are sold seperately as Original Karaoke collection.

I Like New Year's Best: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "A Straight Line of Unrestricted Fighting" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Black Rose Valentine: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Let's Go to the Forest" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

I Won't Be a Kind Girl: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Akane's Lullaby" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Tonight is April Fool's: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Uncute, Unsexy" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Nekohatten Menu Song: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Dear Husband" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Father: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Love Letter From China" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Full of Memories: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Little Date" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Fascinating Limbo Dance: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Lambada Ranma" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Dear Akane: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Heart's Secret" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Ready-- GO!: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and the Golden Pair song from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

November Rain: Contains said track from the 1991 Song Calendar and "Dream of Balloons" from the Hot Song Contest. Plus karaoke versions and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

Characters Christmas: CD single containing the last song of the 1991 Song Calendar. Plus karaoke version, and a discussion with the Nerima crew.

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