When you were playing on the Famicom, did you ever feel frustrated by a stage you couldn't beat no matter how many times you tried? Bringing back such nostalgic memories is “SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection 2”. This is the second entry in the series, featuring a selection of 4 carefully chosen titles from the 1980s when SUNSOFT entered the home video game market. The titles appearing this time are “Ikki”, “Mystery of Atlantis”, “Super Arabian”, and “Maharaja”, all of which are games with unique charm. People who played them in the past will likely smile without thinking, and for those experiencing them for the first time, a surprise distinct from modern games surely awaits. It is a notable collection where you can easily experience the game culture of the Showa era.

Hearing that it's an action game with a farmer as the protagonist, what kind of content do you imagine? “Ikki” is an unusual title in which Gonbe, a young man from a village suffering under heavy land taxes, stands up against the magistrate. The objective is to evade enemies while collecting koban coins and rice balls to catch the magistrate, but its humorous premise is truly memorable. Leaving a unique mark on gaming history, there is even a theory that it was once called the world's first ”kusoge” (trash game). However, the interesting part of this game is that it continues to be handed down, including such evaluations. Isn't it now, of all times, that we can enjoy this bold idea with a fresh feeling?

If you are looking for a challenging action game, “Mystery of Atlantis” cannot be missed. The protagonist Wyn sets out on an adventure to find his missing master on a mysterious island that suddenly appeared. There are a whopping 100 types of stages prepared. Featuring a difficulty level that won't let you beat it easily, there were likely players who gave up midway back then. However, this time, you can advance to stages that could not be reached through normal methods in the Famicom version. After nearly 40 years, what on earth awaits in the unknown territory that opens up? Even for those who have experienced beating it in the past, it seems worth exploring anew.

“Super Arabian”, SUNSOFT's first home game released in 1985, is also included. The story is a classic adventure drama where Arabian sets off on a journey to rescue a kidnapped princess. While defeating enemies, you collect all the magic pots placed in each stage. What's particularly interesting is the mechanic where defeating multiple enemies together allows you to transform into the invincible ”Super Arabian”. The satisfaction of gauging enemy movements and clearing them all at once stands out precisely because of the simple controls. It is perfect for people who want to enjoy the light rhythm unique to retro games.

In this lineup, a particularly intriguing presence is “Maharaja”, released in 1989. Just the fact that it is being ported to home game consoles for the first time since the Famicom version will be welcome news for longtime fans. The story begins when the protagonist, traveling in India, discovers a mysterious wooden box. That wooden box was what the Maharaja was searching for, and eventually, the protagonist gets dragged into a grand incident affecting the fate of the world. Since it is an adventure RPG unlike the other three titles, it is also recommended for those who want to thoroughly follow a story. Being able to experience a hidden gem is also a true appeal unique to this collection.

Retro games are fun, but having to start over from the beginning when you fail is tough. What eases such worries are the newly provided save feature and rewind feature. Because you can save your progress right before difficult spots or rewind to the moment you made a control error, you can proceed with clearing the game at your own pace. Furthermore, in ”Gallery Mode”, you can also admire valuable original artwork and promotional flyers produced at the time. Beyond just playing the games, being able to feel the atmosphere of the era when the works were born is appealing.

“SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection 2” is not simply a collection of old titles. While retaining original game designs, by adding convenient features unique to the modern era, it creates new ways to enjoy past classics. It is good to re-challenge games you couldn't clear back then, and it is also good to discover titles you didn't know about. Because each of the 4 titles is packed with different personalities, there will likely be new discoveries every time you play. It is a title that not only the Famicom generation but also people who have started taking an interest in retro games should definitely check out.