About JJ: Tobidase Daisakusen Part 2

SQF-JJ. JJ was only sold in Japan.

Only 8 months and 5 days after Tobidase Daisakusen was published in Japan, came the sequel. This time under the Square label instead of DOG. Also, the game came on cartridge rather than Famicom Disk. Levels are laid out differently and not all of them are divided by 4 (some have 2 or 3 sections.). Enemies are different and a graphic face lift and a few minor changes fleshes out many details that were not present in the original, such as a jetpack that allows JJ to fly for the boss levels and enemies that make a little more sense (ooo, look out for the TVs in Tobidase Daisakusen I, for instance). Also the game is a bit harder, as you cannot slow down or speed up. Timing your jumps is now done only by pressing and releasing the button at the right moments. Nothing too new here, its just an upgrade over the original. Also note, that the USA version of Tobidase Daisakusen (3-D World Runner) was released less then two months before the improved JJ, but we still got the older game here in the 'states.

1 player only.
This is sort of a 3rd person view run-and-jump platform game, but also a rail shooter. Jumping for specific distances is your main required skill, but dodging left and right is also important. Shooting is emphasized more than in the first game and is the only way to defeat bosses. JJ is automatically given a weapon and flying jet pack before facing a boss. Other minor enemies can be shot also. The game constantly scrolls you forward without any speed variation. But you can stop by colliding with solid objects, preferably ones that are not lethal. You will need to dodge and or jump enemies, solid columns, flaming columns, eyeballs, and canyons. There are coils to aid in jumping, tanks to collect for points, special items, hidden items, and warp jetpacks. JJ dolls are rare and give extra lives. A gun item enable shooting; an ability you lose if you get hit or while in the air. Eyeballs are deadly. Stars make you invincible for a time. Stopwatches add extra time (did I mention the time limit?); which will be required for some of the levels. Shield boots gives you a 1 hip point force field, giving you a total of 2 HP :) Grabbing additional shield boots will result in 500 bonus points. The vast majority of special items are hidden. Tanks are just for points and are laid out horizontally, vertically, and surrounded by hazards to make them more challenging to grab. Precise vertical jump control is necessary to collect ever tank. Getting tanks is not required. There are secret stages containing only tanks and items (grab the warp jet pack). Each level is divided into 2 to 4 sections (checkpoints basically) and there is a boss at the end of each level. Gaining the jetpack at the end of the levels allows you to fly during boss fights, which seem to be directly taken from Space Harrier more so than the rest of the game. Plug in and wear a pair of shutter glasses and hit the select key to get and added effect of depth. Music is by Nobuo Uematsu who would later compose for the Final Fantasy games.