Who could have imagined that the Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman series, which carved its name into gaming history, would be revived as a “Complete Collection”? The first title appeared in 1989 as the PC Engine's first simultaneous 2-player action game, captivating everyone with its overly free worldview and style that invited constant humorous commentary. Now, all four titles are included in a single package, appearing in a truly “festival-like state.” The thought of Tasuke and Capiko running wild again in the Reiwa era is more than enough to make any fan's heart pound.

The story of the first game in the series is already in full-on “unrestrained mode.” The genius scientist Dr. Gotokuji chose, of all people, the young man from the neighborhood fish market and a cheerful high school girl to be the heroes who save the world. It's a setting where you don't know where to start questioning it, but when you play it, this “roughness” is strangely comforting. In fact, the banter between Tasuke and Capiko has an exquisite pace, and the comedy-like back-and-forth is one of its charms. The relaxed and bright atmosphere, despite the Earth being on the brink of crisis—that is the true essence of the Shubibinman world.

The second title, Aratanaru Teki (The New Enemy), adds side-scrolling shooting stages alongside the jump action, instantly increasing the game's density. The “Cooperative Shubibin Beam” in the simultaneous 2-player mode was revolutionary for its time, and I remember having a lot of fun coordinating with friends. The third title, Ikai no Princess (Princess of the Otherworld), significantly strengthens the narrative, and is often cited as the most complete work in the series. The outrageous development where Tasuke and Capiko's vacation suddenly turns into a battlefield made me nod and think, “Yes, that's Shubibinman.”

And the main highlight this time is, ultimately, the inclusion of Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman Zero. This title, which only appeared on certain platforms in the past, has been called the “phantom work” that was hard to get your hands on, even if you wanted to play it. With the appearance of a new protagonist duo, Raita and Azuki, the series gains a fresh feel while the underlying spirit of “hot, humorous action” is firmly inherited. Since this title also features simultaneous 2-player gameplay, we definitely want you to experience the nostalgic feeling of playing side-by-side on an old sofa once again.

The wonderful thing about this collection is that it's not just a re-release; it's a solid package that brings all four titles together. It's a luxury to be able to experience the historical context, unique style, and gradually evolving gameplay of each title all at once. While it certainly has value as a retro game, this is a series where you can feel the spirit of “If it's fun, everything's fine!” throughout. It will resonate both nostalgically and freshly, offering a sense of “This is what gaming fun used to be like,” a feeling different from today's high-end games.