Between 1986 and 2005, Konami released twenty installments in a beloved series. Yet you’ve probably never heard of it Ganbare Goemona colossal franchise that predates the publisher’s hits like Castlevania, Metal Gear and Silent Hil. Only four of the games reached the US. None found widespread success.
For that reason, I appreciate that most Polygon readers won’t feel rosy nostalgia for the little series Ganbare Goemon English localizations spread haphazardly across SNES, Game Boy, and N64. That Konami hasn’t made a new entry in almost two decades would indicate that Ganbare Goemon is doomed to trivia at your local bar arcade.
This would be the end of the shortest and saddest article on Polygon if it weren’t for the fact that developer Good-Feel, founded by Goemon veteran Etsunobu Ebisu, wanted to make a spiritual sequel Bakkeru into existence. And, most importantly for English-speaking audiences, localizing the game – in all its Japanese geographical glory – for release in the west on Nintendo Switch and Steam.
I’m sure this will be the only game of this decade that uses “Fight your way through all 47 Japanese prefectures” as a marketing point.
Bakkeru plays and feels like a modern riff Mystical Ninja starring Goemonthe English release for N64 that achieved cult status. Like that entry, Bakkeru combines melee combat, light platforming, Japanese history and folklore, and a cartoonish sense of humor. But unlike the N64 game, Bakkeru has polished controls, smart pacing and all the other quality of life tweaks you’d expect in 2024.
The titular Bakkeru is a tanuki who gradually unlocks shape-shifting powers that transform him into tiny and gigantic creatures, helping him overcome various challenges. The adventure is split into understandable levels, each representing a different corner of Japan, and each is filled with local tourist facts and curiosities.
In short, it feels like a Nintendo game Kirby and the Forgotten Lands without the time and budget to have that Nintendo polish. No surprise: Good-Feel previously oversaw the development of Kirby’s epic yarn And Yoshi’s Crafted World for the house that Mario built.
At the time of publication Bakkeru has 105 Steam reviews, predicting an outcome similar to the Goemon games that hit American shores. Hardly the interest you’d expect (or hope) for an independent studio best known for making literal Nintendo games. Will it take another twenty years before Goemon or Bakkeru returns?
Dear reader, I just can’t worry about that right now. I still have twelve Japanese prefectures to visit.