The Famicom, known here as the Nintendo Entertainment System ( NES ), has many unique games that never left Japan. While some of these games are hard for English speakers to play, there are many that are easy to enjoy. This is the second part of our series on English-friendly Famicom games. We’ll show you more titles that you can play without knowing Japanese. These games have simple gameplay, little text, or great visuals, giving you a taste of Japan’s gaming culture.
Holy Diver ( ホーリー・ダイヴァー )
Holy Diver is a side-scrolling action-platformer developed by Irem and released exclusively for the Famicom in 1989. Set in a dark fantasy world, the game follows the protagonist, Randy, as he battles through hordes of demonic enemies to rescue his brothers and defeat the evil king. The gameplay is reminiscent of the “Castlevania” series, featuring challenging platforming segments, intricate levels, and intense boss battles.
Irem, the developer behind “Holy Diver,” is well-known for their innovative and often challenging games, including titles like “R-Type” and “Ninja Spirit.” Despite being a Japan-exclusive release, “Holy Diver” is relatively English-friendly due to its straightforward gameplay mechanics and minimal reliance on Japanese text. The game’s intuitive controls and classic action-platformer design make it accessible to English-speaking players, allowing them to enjoy the rich, dark atmosphere and challenging gameplay without needing to understand the language.
Joy Mech Fight ( ジョイメカファイト, Joi Meka Faito )
Joy Mech Fight is a unique fighting game developed by Nintendo R&D1 in 1993 for the Famicom. The game is set in a futuristic world and features 36 robot characters, with 28 distinct types due to minor variants. Each robot’s head, limbs, and body float separately, creating a visually distinctive style. Characters consist of six basic parts but some include additional parts like arms or knees, with unique designs. Players engage in one-on-one battles using various attack combinations to defeat opponents. Despite its Japan-exclusive release, “Joy Mech Fight” is accessible to English-speaking players, with easy-to-navigate menus and controls making the core gameplay intuitive.
Developed by Nintendo R&D1, known for their innovative game design, “Joy Mech Fight” is a great choice for those interested in experiencing classic Japanese fighting games.
Challenger ( チャレンジャー )
Challenger is an action-adventure game developed by Hudson Soft for the Famicom in 1985. The game features a hero named Challenger, who must rescue Princess Maria from the evil clutches of Don Waldorado. The gameplay is a mix of side-scrolling action and top-down adventure, offering players a variety of challenges as they navigate through different levels filled with enemies and obstacles.
Hudson Soft, the developer behind “Challenger,” is well-known for its innovative titles and contributions to the gaming industry, including the popular “Bomberman” series. Like “Wit’s,” “Challenger” is a Japan-exclusive release that remains accessible to English-speaking players due to its straightforward gameplay and minimal reliance on text. This makes it an enjoyable experience for gamers looking to explore classic Japanese titles without the language barrier.
Wit’s ( ウィッツ )
Wit’s is a unique puzzle game developed by Athena Co., Ltd. for the Famicom in 1990. The game stands out for its strategic gameplay where players control a bionic man trailing blocks to fill the screen. Skillful control and avoiding trapping yourself against your blocks are key to winning.
Athena, the developer behind “Wit’s,” is known for creating a diverse range of games, particularly in the puzzle and action genres. Despite being a Japan-exclusive release, “Wit’s” is praised for its intuitive gameplay that doesn’t require knowledge of Japanese, making it accessible and enjoyable for players worldwide.
Nuts & Milk ( ナッツ&ミルク, Nattsu to Miruku )
Nuts & Milk is a delightful puzzle-platformer game developed by Hudson Soft in 1983 for the Famicom. The game follows the journey of two charming characters, Nuts and Milk, as they navigate through colorful levels to collect fruit and reunite with their beloved, Yogurt. Players control Nuts as he jumps and climbs through various stages, avoiding obstacles and enemies while strategically using items to reach his goal.
Hudson Soft is known for their creativity and innovation, with popular titles like the “Bomberman” series. While “Nuts & Milk” was only released in Japan, its simple gameplay mechanics and minimal text make it highly accessible to English-speaking players. With its fun and engaging levels, “Nuts & Milk” offers a delightful gaming experience for players worldwide.
