Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection | PS5

Sunsoft is back, and in a big way! Coming to us from Red Art Games are three 8-bit Japanese classics that were never before released in the West. These Japanese originals come complete with an optional English translation, and multiple presentation options to custom tailor the experience for the playing player. You get 3 different screen sizes, game specific wallpapers, access to each game's art gallery, different palette filters, a CRT filter toggle, and an English or Japanese version. The games in question include 'The Wing of Madoola, Firework Thrower Kantaro's 53 Stations of the Tokaido, and Ripple Island.

From the main menu to the gameplay itself Red Art Games has polished this collective of curiously classic Japanese retro titles. It is much more than an emulator masked with a mediocre attempt at presenting the games as the genuine deal. Though the art gallery is limited the customization options, story breakdowns, and two versions per game allows the player to adjust features to their own liking. Even allowing for a rewind if a mistake was made. On a 4K screen the game still holds up quite nicely as well with vibrant colors, and various filters that encapsulate the retro gaming experience.

In the way of games 'Firework Thrower Kantaro's 53 Stations of the Takaido' takes the lead as the first game on the list. It is a retro action packed platformer featuring a man who makes fireworks. The shogunate wants to steal his recipes, and stop him as he heads out to meet with his lady love Momoko.

At his disposal Kantaro has fireworks he can throw, or lay upon the ground. Once they make contact with an enemy's weak point that enemy is immediately downed. In downing enemies Kantaro earns points, and as he makes it to the end of each stage or station he is rewarded bonus points. Unfortunately for Kantaro he has only 3 lives to make it to the end of the game so skill, and quick thinking are needed to outsmart ninja assassins, sword wielding samurai, and pistol producing shogun.

Next up on the list is "Ripple Island'. A fantasy point and click adventure set to a series of interactive screens wherein your tool of choice determines whether you move forward in the unfolding plot or not. You have at your disposal various actions tide to button icons including one for directional movement, the ability to look, the ability to speak, the ability to touch or grab, and the ability to ascend or descend. That and a password option. With these tools you'll forward the adventure, and unravel it's mystery in a picturesque fashion. Like the other two games the art style is centered around early anime design, and feature only light animations.

Lastly, 'The Wing of Madoola' features a Valkyrie-like female protagonist who is out to stop an evil force that has stolen the Wing of Madoola, and used it to summon monsters. Gameplay in her case does use combat, but in a more pacifist way. She must enter caves to collect weapons, and gear in order to increase her power enough to be able to more easily defeat the monsters. She is not without life limitations though and has so many points of health before it's game over. The goal in each and every stage is to loot the area, avoid damage from enemies, and enter the last door. Only using your weapons and equipment when necessary.

The Verdict ...

Sunsoft's return via retro collection is not one to scoff at even though the collection is limited to only three games, and is a bit more pricey for what you get. It gives the player a sneak peak at some of what they missed out on in the early days of gaming. The three game choices, for the most part, are alright with 'Firework Thrower Kantaro's 53 Stations of the Tokaido' being the standout experience of the lot. Leaving 'Ripple Island' to be the lesser of the three by comparison. Regardless of the quality and limited variety it's a collection that retro fans won't want to miss out on as these are Japanese gems. For those of you interested Red Art Games is selling a physical deluxe edition as well at a more premium price if you fancy that instead off the digital version.