This evaluate was initially revealed in November 2014. We’re updating and republishing it to mark the sport’s arrival within the Nintendo Change On-line NES library — and its official debut in North America almost 40 years after its Japanese launch on Famicom.
So far as obscure releases throughout the NES library go, Satan World is definitely one of the crucial attention-grabbing. Initially launched in Japan in 1984 and in Europe in 1987, this can be a title that to this present day has by no means been accessible to buy in North America — not even by way of the wonders of Nintendo’s Digital Console service. Nintendo of America initially handed on the title on the time of launch resulting from self-imposed guidelines on the usage of non secular icons and themes showing in its video games. The subsidiary’s stance has evidently relaxed since then, but Satan World nonetheless remained within the depths of unreleased sport hell within the area till its 2023 debut as a part of the Nintendo Change On-line subscription service.
With that mentioned, the truth that a Nintendo-developed (with Clever Programs) sport comprises such overt non secular symbols stays slightly stunning even in the present day. Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and then-newcomer Takashi Tezuka, Satan World isn’t an in-depth vital work that explores the underworld. As a substitute, it’s merely a PAC-MAN clone, albeit a slightly inventive one, that exudes extra appeal than you’d anticipate from a sport with such a sinister-sounding title.
Nonetheless, that’s to not say that Satan World is all lollipops and rainbows. Actually, it’s fairly punishing so far as the gameplay is worried. The essential premise evokes that of Namco’s yellow, pellet-gobbling mascot in that the primary aim of every customary stage is to gather objects generally known as Boa-Boa dots scattered throughout varied dungeon mazes. You play as Tamagon, a miniature dragon who’s tasked with accumulating these dots as a way by way of which to “assault the Satan World.”
Whereas Pac-Man doesn’t maintain again on the subject of munching pellets, Tamagon has the nice grace to solely accomplish that whereas holding a holy cross, an merchandise of which you’ll discover lots within the maze. As soon as firmly in his grasp, a mystical energy compels him to not solely eat scrumptious Boa-Boa dots, but in addition to shoot flames from his mouth. The latter is available in particularly useful given that every stage is suffering from enemies, and the one option to briefly halt their advance is to roast them. Doing so will even flip sure enemies into, naturally, fried eggs. We are able to’t assist however suppose that each Miyamoto and Tezuka had been beneath the affect of one thing whereas making this one.
It’s a premise that sounds simple sufficient, however what units Satan World aside from its apparent inspiration is the way in which through which the phases behave. The view of the enjoying area isn’t mounted in place; as an alternative, the extent will scroll in one among 4 instructions as chosen by the Satan himself. Those that have performed any Tremendous Smash Bros. sport since Brawl will doubtless be already accustomed to this chap — he’s that ache within the bottom who pushes a part of the stage out of view.
In Satan World, he’s doing kind of the identical factor, though his major aim right here is to crush poor Tamagon between the sting of the display screen and a wall. Naturally, this has a fairly large affect on the way in which through which you play; the way you go about accumulating Boa-Boa dots is all the time influenced by the route through which the stage is shifting, and a few foresight is required if you wish to keep away from inadvertently trapping your self. The mazes are surprisingly intricate in sure phases, that includes lengthy stretches of wall that can pace up your journey to the afterlife for those who don’t take care.
There are three totally different stage sorts that crop up per spherical, guaranteeing selection, albeit in a slightly formulaic means. Upon finishing the primary stage — which revolves round consuming Boa-Boa dots — you’re subsequent tasked with accumulating 4 bibles and inserting them into the Satan’s seal with the intention to shut it. Bibles dish out the identical fire-breathing powers as crosses, so that you’re nonetheless in a position to assault enemies on this stage ought to it’s essential. Following this, a bonus stage seems through which you must acquire as much as six bonus containers. Right here, you’re in a position to management the route through which the display screen scrolls by strolling over arrow panels on the ground; solely by way of the environment friendly use of those are you able to purchase all the things.
Though it might be a quite simple idea, particularly when in comparison with trendy video games, Satan World is nonetheless very playable and difficult because of its uncommon gameplay mechanics. The sport may be performed cooperatively with a second participant, which makes it somewhat bit simpler (though you possibly can hinder and even kill one another if not cautious) and a perfect alternative if you would like one thing easy and straightforward to grasp.
The charming visuals and upbeat soundtrack needs to be at odds with the theme of the sport, however they really simply make it that bit extra interesting when performed in the present day. The repetitive nature of the gameplay and stage format, nonetheless, might forestall Satan World from holding your consideration for very lengthy.
Conclusion
It’s all too simple to label Satan World as a Pac-Man clone given its apparent similarities, but to view it as solely being that may be an enormous mistake. It is a sport that takes the essential system of that arcade hit and builds upon it in an ingenious and distinctive means; the scrolling maze mechanic inserts an added layer of problem that may be remarkably tough to anticipate and overcome. It does change into a bit repetitive over time, because the phases are very related all through and all the time offered in the identical order. Regardless of this, it’s the problem that can maintain you coming again, to not point out the quirky theme that’s arguably extra attention-grabbing because of it being one thing you wouldn’t usually look forward to finding in a Nintendo-developed sport.