Jigoku Gokuraku Maru

Published by Pack-in-Video in 1990, Jigoku Gokuraku Maru is a Famicom side-scrolling action game adapted from director Gakuryuu Ishii's contemporaneous film ZIPANG. The protagonist is 15-year-old Bobby Yano, whose consciousness is uploaded into a computer system via a special device, reborn as a red-haired warrior styled after kabuki theater. Across six stages, each capped with a boss fight, players navigate using jumps, melee attacks, and wall-climbing maneuvers. The game moves at a brisk pace with a strong ninja-action sensibility, and success depends on reading and anticipating enemy movement patterns. Its offbeat premise and stylish visual design give it a distinct identity among Famicom action titles.