Between 1986 and 2005, Konami released 20 entries in a beloved series. Yet you've likely never heard of Ganbare Goemon, a colossal franchise that predates the publisher's hits like Castlevania, Metal Gear, and Silent Hill.
Bakeru plays and feels like a modern riff on Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, the English release for N64 that achieved cult status. Like that entry, Bakeru blends melee combat, light platforming, Japanese history and folklore, and a cartoonish sense of humor.
The titular Bakeru is a tanuki who gradually unlocks shapeshifting powers that transform him into creatures itty-bitty and gargantuan, helping him to overcome various challenges. The adventure is split into digestible levels, each representing a different corner of Japan.
I'm certain it will be the only game this decade to include 'Battle your way through all 47 Japanese prefectures' as a marketing bullet point.
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