When looking back at retro games, attention tends to focus on famous series and blockbuster hits, but those aren't the only things that have colored game history. Numerous works also exist that built unique worlds with distinct ideas. The one that allows us to taste such charm anew is “SUPER Yanoman COLLECTION”. In this work, 3 titles of different genres—tactical RPG, action, and RPG—are included, each having a completely different playful spirit. Being able to choose a title to play depending on the mood of the day, like “Today I'll thoroughly enjoy strategy” or “Today I want to play action at a good tempo”, is also a big charm. Rather than a mere gathering of past titles, it can be called a collection where you can experience the very history of game making that Yanoman was challenging in the early 1990s.

While playing this collection, there are not a few scenes where you are surprised, thinking “Were they challenging such things?”. In “Song Master”, a creative worldview actively incorporating song into the story and system unfolds, and in “Trinea”, the story is depicted from different perspectives through multiple protagonists. And in “FEDA: The Emblem of Justice”, unique systems are adopted as an authentic tactical RPG, fusing strategic nature and narrative nature at a high level. In every work, the development team's passion of “wanting to challenge what nobody has done” can be felt, and free ideas different from modern games give a fresh surprise. That is precisely why it is content that can be fully enjoyed not only by people who knew those days, but also by players touching them for the first time.

The charm of retro games is not simply because they are old works. In the carefully drawn pixel art and memorable sounds, there is a flavor different from modern high-definition video. In this work, while carefully leaving that atmosphere, it is adjusted to comfortable specifications easy to play even in modern environments, so you can play without spoiling the good points of the past. For people feeling nostalgia, memories vividly revive, and for people playing for the first time, it becomes an encounter with fresh game design. The point that it is finished to a degree of perfection fully enjoyable even in the present era while inheriting the game culture of those days as it is cannot be missed.

The included works differ greatly not only in genre, but also in worldview. In “Song Master”, set in a fantastical world where song possesses power comparable to magic, the protagonist Yuri sets off aiming to be the best singer. “Trinea” depicts a grand adventure confronting a monster of chaos revived across space-time, where 3 unique protagonists carve out their destiny. And in “FEDA: The Emblem of Justice”, amid a heavy war between the Empire and the Liberation Army, characters carrying their respective beliefs continue to fight while struggling. Because stories with different charms—fantasy, adventure, and war chronicle—are included, it is structured so that even after finishing one, you can immediately proceed to the next work with a fresh feeling.

The point that it does not end with just the main game is also a big charm of this collection. A gallery mode where you can enjoy setting documents and promotional videos of those days is prepared, allowing you to savor even how the games were made and how they were sent out into the world. Furthermore, in the special edition, starting with Yanoman-made jigsaw puzzles, booklet, soundtrack, acrylic stand, and more, luxurious benefits stimulating collector hearts are plentiful. Not only playing games, but the special feeling of keeping the world of works in your hands will be an extremely appealing point for retro game fans.

In the initial production limited edition, a benefit where you can download “Penta Dragon”, known as a rare game, is also prepared. Precisely because it is a work where actual playing opportunities were limited due to small distribution volume, the value of being able to touch it casually is extremely big. The point that even people collecting retro games can enjoy a title difficult to play on actual hardware is a big charm unique to this collection. Rather than a mere additional benefit, it can be called a valuable opportunity to touch a part of game history.

“SUPER Yanoman COLLECTION” is not software that just summarized old works as they are. Challenging game design, diverse genres, beautiful pixel art, impressive music, and stories overflowing with individuality gather into one, making it a special work delivering the excitement of the 1990s era to the modern day. Not only to people seeking nostalgia, but also to people interested in “what kind of charm did old games have?”, it can be recommended with confidence. Once you start playing, you will notice a depth that cannot be fully described by the mere phrase retro games, and should surely feel the reason why the numerous challenges left by Yanoman remain unfaded even now.