Bōken Jidai Katsugeki Goemon Explained

Bouken Jidai Katsugeki Goemon
Developer:Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe
Publisher:Konami
Series:Ganbare Goemon
Genre:Action, role-playing
Modes:Single-player
Platforms:PlayStation 2
Composer:Tomoya Tomita

is a Ganbare Goemon game released for the PlayStation 2 on December 21, 2000. This is the third game in the series set in a 3D world, following Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon and . Unlike most of the other games, this game departs from the quirky humor that the franchise is known for, and replaces it with a more serious tone.

Gameplay

Inspired by the three-dimensional The Legend of Zelda games with some role-playing game elements, the player assumes the role of Goemon, who is set once again to save Japan. Goemon is able to use a large variety of weapons (including his trademark pipe), as well as equip sub-weapons, items and magic, which can be assigned in 4 hexagons for quick use. Another twist is the addition of a white tiger known as Kotora, whom Goemon can use to attack enemies when he locks on them.

Localization attempts

The now-defunct company Working Designs attempted to bring the game to English audiences as Mystical Ninja Goemon beginning in 2002. Motivated to promote a series "that's never quite received the recognition it deserves here [in the United States]",[1] Working Designs displayed the game in its booth at E3 the same year.[2] Mystical Ninja Goemon remained on the studio's release list until its closing in 2005;[3] it is rumored that Sony squashed the game's North American release due to subpar graphics, although this has yet to have been proven.[4] Two prototype builds of the unreleased English language version were leaked on the internet in November 2021, unveiling that it was going to be released as Mystical Ninja Goemon Zero.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2002-05-22 . Ready, Set, Goemon! Working Designs To Bring Mystical Ninja Goemon Back To North America! . https://web.archive.org/web/20030210124518/http://www.workingdesigns.com/news/2002/020528_02.htm . 2003-02-10 . Working Designs . 2007-01-11 . dead.
  2. Web site: 2002-06-01 . Post E-3 Wrap Up . Game Chronicles . 2007-01-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070615011152/http://www.gamechronicles.com/features/e32k2/e3d2.htm . 2007-06-15.
  3. Web site: Schedule . https://web.archive.org/web/20051230091754/http://www.workingdesigns.com/schedule.html . 2005-12-30 . Working Designs . 2007-01-12 . dead.
  4. Web site: 2006-05-21 . Mystical Ninja Goemon . Lostlevels.org . 2007-01-12.
  5. Web site: 2021-11-13 . Go Go Goemon! Mystical Ninja Goemon Zero . Hidden Palace . 2021-11-16.