About Gegege no Kitarō: Youkai Daimakyou

This game is based on a manga/anime series that is rather unknown in the western world. That must have been the reason why they changed some sprites and background music for the US release of the game and retitled it "Ninja Kid". The gameplay stays the same in both versions though. Walking on an overworld map, your task is to challenge a boss enemy in the main castle. However to be able to enter the castle you have to clear other (randomly generated) stages which have its entrances also appear on the overworld map. In these stages you have to kill x enemies or collect y items in order to complete the stage. Collecting a special item on your way, you are ready to face the boss in the final castle. Once he as beaten the game continues on to the next overworld screen. The graphics and music are ok, as are the controls. I just wished the game had some ingame storyline or something else that wouldn't make it feel so much like a conglomeration of little standard stages. The fact that the game has no ending but eventually loops endlessly doesn't help.