Famicom Mukashibanashi: Shin Onigashima – Zenpen is a landmark adventure game developed by Nintendo and Pax Softnica, originally released for the Famicom Disk System in 1987. Drawing from traditional Japanese folklore, the game follows a young boy and girl on a quest to stop an evil Oni. As the first half (“Zenpen”) of a two-part story, it pioneered console adventure games by blending an engaging narrative with menu-based exploration.
How to Play
The game uses a menu-driven interface to interact with the world. You progress by selecting commands such as moving, talking, or examining your surroundings. A central mechanic is the “Change Character” command, which lets you switch between the two protagonists to solve puzzles that require their unique perspectives. Use the D-pad (mapped to arrow keys in your browser) to navigate menus, the A button (Z key) to confirm actions, and the B button (X key) to cancel. Note: As this is the original Japanese version, gameplay relies on reading Japanese text.
Tips
- Switch perspectives: If you find yourself stuck, use the “Change Character” command. The other protagonist will often notice different details or trigger new events.
- Be thorough: Check your surroundings carefully and talk to characters multiple times, as new dialogue options frequently open up after specific actions.
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