Developed by Namco and published – in Japan only – by NEC Avenue in 1989, Wonder Momo is a conversion of a weird Japanese arcade game featuring a female lead character who must fight off attackers during a theatre stage play. And, if that sounds bizarre, then – well – that’s because it is! Unlike the arcade original, the PC Engine version of Wonder Momo has been fan-translated into English and Spanish, so is more accessible to Western audiences.
Tag Archives: Japanese
Wonder Momo, Arcade
I first encountered Namco‘s Wonder Momo on the PC Engine, because it had received a fan translation, and I was curious to see what the game was about. I then discovered that it was a conversion of a 1987 arcade game, featuring a young girl called Momo, who can turn into a ‘superhero’ by building up her “Wonder Meter“.
This bizarre arcade game was only ever released in Japan, but has subsequently built up a cult following around the world, and has also inspired manga/anime, and resulted in a sequel that was released in 2014.
Salamander, MSX
The MSX port of Konami‘s classic arcade shooter, Salamander, was first released in Japan – on cartridge – in 1987. And although it shares the name and certain elements from the arcade game, this is a completely new version of Salamander, with a new storyline, new characters, ships and levels. It is sometimes referred to as “Salamander: Operation X“.
Atomic Runner, Megadrive/Genesis
A conversion of the 1988 arcade game, Atomic Runner Chelnov. Developer/publisher Data East dropped the “Chelnov” part from the title of the 1992 Megadrive/Genesis release, but the gameplay stays more or less the same.
You must shoot and jump your way through seven continually-scrolling stages, only stopping to fight bosses at the end of each.
Legend of the River King, Game Boy Color
Developed by TOSE Co., Ltd. and published by Victor Interactive Software in Japan and Natsume in North America and Europe, Legend of the River King is a JRPG that is based around the sport/pastime of fishing. It was initially released for the Game Boy in 1997, and the Game Boy Color version (which is Super Game Boy enhanced) came out in 1999.
Express Raider, Arcade
In Data East‘s 1986 Wild West-themed scrolling action game – Express Raider (aka “Western Express” in Japan) – you’re not trying to be the good guy; you’re actually the bad guy, trying to hold up a series of trains and steal as much gold and money as possible.
Super Bomberman 5, Super Nintendo
The final entry in the Super Bomberman series, Super Bomberman 5 was released in Japan only in 1997, and was developed and published by Hudson Soft. A partial fan translation into English is available, but for some reason it has not been fully completed (at the time of writing, at least).
Super Bomberman 4, Super Nintendo
Developed by Produce! and published by Hudson Soft – in Japan only – in 1996, Super Bomberman 4 thankfully does have a fan translation available, which makes the game fully playable in English.
Super Bomberman 3, Super Nintendo
Developed and published by Hudson Soft in 1995, Super Bomberman 3 is another sequel in the Bomberman series that pushes new ideas and gameplay techniques, while at the same time dialling-in some of the ideas contained in Super Bomberman 2.
Super Bomberman 2, Super Nintendo
Super Bomberman 2 was developed by Produce! and published by Hudson Soft, exclusively for the Super Nintendo, in 1994. It is the sequel to Super Bomberman, and it introduces many new elements to the series.
The King of Grabs 