Summary
- Release Year: 1999
- Genres: Card & Board Game
- Platforms: Nintendo 64
- Developers: Konami
- Publishers: Konami
Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku (1999)
Released exclusively in Japan for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku is a unique and charming video game that combines the classic Japanese board game Sugoroku with the beloved Ganbare Goemon characters.
The game features up to four players controlling two dice, taking turns to control Goemon, Ebisumaru, Sasuke, or Yae over pre-rendered boards that resemble previous locations in the Ganbare Goemon series. The goal is to be the first player to reach the end of the board, collecting coins and power-ups along the way.
Gameplay
Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku is played on a series of pre-rendered boards, each of which is based on a different location from the Ganbare Goemon series. The boards are populated with a variety of spaces, including regular spaces, item spaces, and event spaces.
Players take turns rolling two dice and moving their character around the board. When a player lands on an item space, they can collect a power-up, such as a coin, a bomb, or a star. Power-ups can be used to help players progress through the game, such as by allowing them to move extra spaces, attack other players, or steal their coins.
When a player lands on an event space, a random event will occur. Events can be either positive or negative, such as giving the player a bonus or forcing them to lose a turn.
The game ends when one player reaches the end of the board. The player with the most coins at the end of the game wins.
Characters
Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku features four playable characters:
- Goemon: The protagonist of the Ganbare Goemon series, Goemon is a skilled swordsman and thief.
- Ebisumaru: A friendly and cowardly kappa, Ebisumaru is Goemon’s best friend.
- Sasuke: A skilled ninja, Sasuke is Goemon’s rival.
- Yae: A kunoichi and Goemon’s love interest, Yae is a skilled fighter.
Each character has their own unique abilities and playstyles. Goemon is a well-rounded character with good攻擊力 and defense. Ebisumaru is a fast and agile character with low攻擊力 and defense. Sasuke is a powerful character with high攻擊力 but low defense. Yae is a balanced character with good攻擊力, defense, and speed.
Development
Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo. The game was directed by Kazutoshi Iida, who had previously worked on the Ganbare Goemon series.
The game was developed using the same engine as the previous Ganbare Goemon game, Ganbare Goemon: Neo Momoyama Bakufu no Odori. However, Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku features a number of new features and improvements, such as the addition of four-player support and the use of pre-rendered backgrounds.
Release
Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku was released exclusively in Japan for the Nintendo 64 on July 16, 1999. The game was not released in other regions due to the declining popularity of the Ganbare Goemon series outside of Japan.
Reception
Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku received positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its charming visuals, engaging gameplay, and up to four-player support. However, some critics criticized the game for its lack of innovation and its repetitive gameplay.
Overall, Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku is a fun and enjoyable game that is sure to please fans of the Ganbare Goemon series and Sugoroku board games.
Legacy
Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku is one of the last games in the Ganbare Goemon series. The series has been dormant since 2005, and there are no plans for any new games at this time.
However, Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku remains a popular game among fans of the series. The game is often cited as one of the best Sugoroku games ever made, and it is still enjoyed by many people today.
Review Score
8/10