Classic J-Computer Games Heroines
Sorry, I'm in a f-channy mood today.
This thread is about games on old Japanese computers (NEC, Sharp, Fujitsu, MSX, etc.) that have females as the the main playable characters. I have only included games that are enjoyable without any Japanese knowledge, and I have left out hentai games. The only console games I included are SG-1000 games since they're playable on the SC-3000 computer.
Here are some games that fit the topic, both good and bad -
The Highly Responsive to Prayers (Zun Soft, PC-98, 1996)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...er/highly1.jpg
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...ter/highly.jpg
Great Engrish name for a great action game. This is the first in the Touhou Project series that continued on to Windows PCs, for example the bullet hell shooter Perfect Cherry Blossom. HRP is sort of a mix of Breakout and shooter elements with a pinball-ish vibe. And, thanks to joy2key, this is much more playable now since you don't have to use keyboard controls.
Aleste 2 (Compile, MSX2, 1989)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...37;20title.png
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...er/aleste2.png
Unlike the first Aleste game which had a domestic release on SMS, this was stuck in Japan, and remained exclusive to the MSX2. It's a quality shooter, as one would expect from Compile.
Gardis Light (Sprite Team, X68000, 1994)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...ater/70q-2.png
If you like simple Kung Fu/Ninja Warriors-type action games, this is worth checking out. Two of the three selectable characters are female. I dig the Golden Axe inspired soundtrack.
Milky Way (Micronet, PC-88, 1984)
I haven't played this, and I'm just guessing the player is female, but I'm curious if it's any good.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...ilky%20way.gif
Ninja Princess (Sega/Pony Canyon, SC-3000/MSX, 1986)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...20princess.gif
You're better off with the arcade version today (also known as Sega Ninja) but this is still a neat overhead view action game.
Cotton (Success, X68000, 1993)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...n%20x68000.gif
Cha Cha Cha (Sprite Team, X68000, 1995)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...deater/cha.jpg
Similar to Cotton. It's a solid game but nothing spectacular.
Girl's Garden (Sega, SC-3000, 1984)
It's best known for being Yuji Naka's first game but it's also quite well made and original. The object is to collect flowers so your boyfriend doesn't fall for another chick. Why she wants to stay with a guy that so easily strays and likes flowers is another story.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...rden%20box.gif
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...s%20garden.gif
Minky-Momo Panicball (Michoice/Ashipro Technopolis, PC-88, 1984)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/.../minkymomo.gif
This is another PC-88 I could never find to try out. I think it might be based on a license.
Marchen Veil I (System Sacom, MSX/MSX2, 1987)
This also came out on the Famicom Disk System. It seemed shitty so I never put much time into it or the sequel.
Rusty (C-lab., PC-98)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...usty%20box.gif
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...ater/rusty.gif
Do you miss traditional whip-focused Castlevania games? Well, here's an impressive Castlevania clone you might not have played. While it isn't quite as professional looking as Konami's efforts, I find it more enjoyable than Bloodlines. The company that made this still exists, too. It would cool if they had it re-released in some form.
Sorry for the crappy pic. Resizing PC-98 emu shots always seems to screw them up for me.
The Return of Ishtar (Namco/SPS, PC-88, MSX2, FM 7, X68000)
Ports of the Namco arcade game.
Fray: In Magical Adventure (Microcabin, MSX Turbo-R/PC-98, 1990)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...0Turbo%20R.gif
A side-story to the Xak series. I'm mostly familiar with the Duo version which is a competent ARPG with nice detail.
Silk Road: Legend of Gero (Sprite Team, X68000)
http://chinchilla.xsrv.jp/game/silk_win/silk03.gif
Sofia (Dempa, MSX, 1987)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...ter/83q-13.png
This one's gameplay is a little simplistic but I think it's still a pretty charming non-linear platformer.
Marchen Maze (SPS/Namco, X68000)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...rchenmaze3.jpg
Unlike the PC Engine version which altered the perspective, this is virtually identical to the Namco arcade game.
Rona (Dixie, MSX Turbo-R, 1994)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...eater/rona.gif
Dull shooter. Good music.
Lady Fighter (Sprite Team, X68000, 1993)
http://chinchilla.xsrv.jp/game/x68k/lady.gif
Nice graphics but the gameplay's archaic for a post-SF2 fighter.
Valis: Fantasm Soldier (Telenet, X1/MSX/PC-88/PC-98/FM 7, 1986/1987)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...is1%20fm77.gif
I think this series started out pretty weak, a case of style over substance. Things improved over time, though (at least in the 16-bit era before it went hentai). I'm a big fan of the Duo versions of Valis III and IV especially.
Etoile Princesse (Exact, X68000, 1993)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/...ter/etoile.png
Opinions, additions, etc.?
