Ganbare Goemon: Karakuri Douchuu

This is the first console game in the long-running Goemon series (only preceded by the arcade game Mr. Goemon, which gameplay-wise has not much to do with the Famicom version). You play the thief Goemon, some kind of Japanese Robin Hood, based on a real historical figure. In each stage you have to find three passes, which opens the gate to the next of the thirteen stages. Passes can be found in hidden underground passages, be bought in shops (amongst other useful extra items), or be found in first-person-view mazes. Money can be collected from slain enemies or hidden coin chests. Technically the game is very good and rather advanced for a mid-1986 title. I believe this was the very first 2Mbit cartridge and it shows with many different graphical environments. This game would eventually start a very successful game series, at least in Japan. However, the game does not yet feature the many hilarious characters and situations of the later Goemon games.


teran01 # 2009-11-29 23:03:55

display: raster

The Japanese title translates to something like 'Go Goemon! Tricking Adventure'. Karakuri means to trick or take a person by surprise (usually through mechanical means), but a karakuri ningyo (typically just called a karakuri) is also a type of Japanese puppet. The title may be a pun. Goemon is essentially the player's puppet during the game; however, the character of Goemon is also a thief (based on a real person), and thus his role in life is to trick people and steal things.

(Jacquismo) - # 2007-01-02 15:19:18

ported to
Famicom Mini Vol 20: Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Douchuu (GBA)

prequel of
Ganbare Goemon 2 (NES)

version of
Ganbare Goemon: Karakuri Douchuu (MSX2)