Latest Reviews of Sunsoft Games
Here comes the Sun
Despite the energetic title of this collection, the legendary Japanese development house Sunsoft never really went away. It's been steadily cranking out original titles, ports, and remasters on arcade and console since 1978, although it will likely never recapture the glory days of the 8- and 16-bit era. So prolific was its output...
Review Ufouria: The Saga 2 (Switch) - A Cheerful Throwback To Sunsoft's '90s Platformers
At your leisure
This is, for lack of a better descriptor, charming; a rekindling of an IP and a platforming vibe not seen rendered in such authentic fashion for some time. Ufouria: The Saga 2’s simplicity is to its credit, keeping it real to the source material and the vast catalogue of action platform games that informed much of the Nintendo...
Mini Review Gimmick! Special Edition (Switch) - A Rare And Wonderful 8-Bit Gem
Shoot for the stars
Gimmick! is one of the most valuable after-market titles for the Famicom, and even more so for the NES, where it only received a limited release in Scandinavia as Mr. Gimmick. Sunsoft, the publisher, was an unsung hero of the 8 and 16-bit gaming eras, with titles like Batman, Gremlins 2, Panorama Cotton, and Waku Waku 7 to its...
Review Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
In space, no one can hear you yawn
When the one-on-one fighting game gold rush took place in the '90s it seemed that practically every developer or publisher had their own take on the genre, and as you might expect, not all of these efforts turned out to be classics. Sunsoft fared better than most - Waku Waku 7 remains one of the most unique...
Review Waku Waku 7 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Seventh heaven
The Neo Geo was a system blessed with more than its fair share of one-on-one fighters, which is perhaps why Sunsoft felt it was necessary to take a slightly different approach with Waku Waku 7, the sequel to the rather more serious Galaxy Fight, which launched a year beforehand in 1995. This release not only allowed Sunsoft to create...
Review Blaster Master (Wii U eShop / NES)
Master your blast!
The latest eShop release of Sunsoft's 1988 NES classic, Blaster Master, marks the title's third Virtual Console appearance. With the game previously sighted on the Wii and more recently the 3DS, now it's the Wii U's turn to host this side-scrolling and top-down platform shooter that has since spawned an entire series. The western...
Review Ufouria: The Saga (Wii U eShop / NES)
A Ufouric experience
Retro-style indie platformers are all the rage these days, so you'd be forgiven for thinking Sunsoft's Ufouria: The Saga is simply another in the long line of 2D NES-inspired modern titles on the eShop like Shovel Knight, 1001 Spikes, and Insanity's Blade. Released in 19
Review Blaster Master (3DS eShop / NES)
Master of blasters
When it was originally released in Japan as Meta Fight, Blaster Master failed to make much of an impact. In the west, however, it was retooled slightly and given a new story about a boy and his pet frog, and became a cult classic that spawned multiple sequels - several of which ended up not even being released in Japan. On the...
Review Trip World (3DS eShop / GB)
Bad trip?
Sunsoft made a ton of great games for Nintendo systems back in the day. Everybody knows the likes of Blaster Master and the NES Batman game, but they also had a ton of equally great games which people simply didn't find out about. We've already had some, like Ufouria: The Saga and Lock 'N Chase, but thankfully it's continuing its support,...
Review Blaster Master: Enemy Below (3DS eShop / GBC)
Underground hit
When the original Blaster Master made its appearance on the NES in 1988, it was lauded for its unique gameplay style and vast environment. Sunsoft would follow up the game with releases on Sega's Genesis and Nintendo's Game Boy, but it wasn't until it decided to create a sequel for Nintendo's Game Boy Color that Nintendo fans really...
Latest Sunsoft Articles
News Classic Horror Title 'Clock Tower' Gets An Apt Release Date On Switch
Can you guess it..?
Sunsoft has announced that the digital version of Clock Tower: Rewind for the Nintendo Switch will release on 31st October 2024. Now, what's significant about that date..? Oh yeah! It's Halloween! An apt release date for such a spooky game then, wouldn't you agree? It's been a long time coming, too. We've known about the...
News Sunsoft Announces 'Retro Game Selection' For Switch, English Release Planned
Three Famicom games in one collection
Japanese game company Sunsoft has officially announced Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection for the Nintendo Switch. It will be making its way across to the hybrid system in Japan later this month on 18th April. The good news is an English version is also on the way! This upcoming release will be comprised of...
News Sunsoft's 'Ufouria: The Saga 2' Gets A New Trailer And A Physical Switch Release
Euphoric
Red Art Games has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Japanese firm Sunsoft to release a physical edition of Ufouria: The Saga 2, the sequel to the 1991 Famicom / NES cult classic. The game launches on the Switch eShop on 1st March 2024, with an expected release date for the physical release of July 5th, 2024. Physical...
News Sunsoft's Game Boy Platformer Trip World Launches On Switch eShop Next Week
As a remastered DX release
Following a physical announcement back in April, it's now been discovered Trip World DX for the Switch eShop will be arriving on 31st August. If you missed the initial announcement, this is a remaster of the 8-bit Sunsoft Game Boy title that was original
News Super Famicom Horror Classic Clock Tower Is Officially Coming To The West
Home sweet home
Most horror game fans will recognize the cult classic series Clock Tower as a PlayStation-exclusive franchise. The first game in the series to ever come to the West was on the original PlayStation, but a few years prior in 1995, the series started off on the Super Famicom in Japan as a point-and-click horror adventure. This original...
News Classic NES Title 'Gimmick!' Confirmed For Switch Release This July
Update: Release date trailer drops for Sunsoft's retro gem
Update #2 [Tue 9th May, 2023 14:30 BST]: It's been a while, but Bitwave Games has announced that Gimmick! Special Edition, originally published by Sunsoft on NES in Japan and Scandinavia in original, non-Special Edition form, will be landing on Switch (and other platforms) on 6th July 2023...
News Sunsoft's Classic Platformer Trip World Will Get New Colour Re-Release On Switch, GB And GBC
Pre-orders open later this month
Limited Run Games has today announced that it is re-releasing the much sought-after Sunsoft platformer, Trip World, in an all-new colourised form: Trip World DX. The game will be released physically on Switch, Game Boy and Game Boy Color, with pre-orders opening on 28th April. Originally released in Japan in 1992...
News Sunsoft To Bring Back Ufouria: The Saga On Switch Next Year
Sunsoft's return continues
Many of us were surprised — and a little bit nostalgic — when Japanese developer and publisher Sunsoft announced it would be holding a digital event. The stream took place yesterday after an earlier announcement that cute NES favourite Gimmick! would be
News Sunsoft Hosting New Digital Event To Announce Upcoming Titles
For "fans old and new"
Sunsoft, the company behind series like Blaster Master, has announced it will be hosting a new digital event next week on August 18th. At this event it intends to unveil its plans for titles due out for the remainder of 2022 and also the year ahead. In a PR, Sunsoft general manager, Yuichi Ochi mentioned how the company was...
News Hamster's Final Arcade Archives Switch Release For 2020 Is Shanghai III
Say goodbye to the year with some puzzle action
One developer that didn't slow down this year was the retro revival specialist Hamster. Although 2020 was tough for everyone within the video game industry, it was somehow able to stick to its schedule and continue pumping out weekly releases. This brings us to Hamster's final release of the year...
News Blaster Master Zero 2 Patch Resolves Multiple Issues And Enhances Stability
Master your blast
One of the highlights of last month’s Nindies Showcase was the Blaster Master Zero 2 announcement. Right after the presentation, the game was released on the Switch eShop. If you had somehow forgotten about this follow-up to the 2017 title, now might be the time to check it out. It’s a bigger and better adventure for Jason and...
News Galaxy Fight Is Your Next ACA Neo Geo Game For Switch
Eight warriors fight to defeat "Velden" which dominates the dark!
Another week, another Neo Geo classic pops up on the Switch eShop. Later today you'll be able to sample the delights of Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors which is (unsurprisingly) another fighting game. Released in 1995 by Sunsoft, the game sees you take on the mantel of...
News Blaster Master Zero Has Been Downloaded 80,000 Times On Switch
35 people, six months, 80,000 downloads to date
Inti Creates has revealed that Blaster Master Zero has been downloaded 80,000 times from the Nintendo Switch eShop. The title took 35 people six months to develop, and is based on the much-loved NES original. Inti Creates did not state if it was happy with the commercial performance of the game, and...
News Blaster Master Zero's Switch Pro Controller Patch Is Now Available
No excuse not to own it now
When Blaster Master Zero launched last week some were dismayed at the lack of Pro Controller support - something that developer Inti Creates was quick to point out would be added in a future update. The good news is that the update has just gone live and will automatically download to your Switch console without you...
News Blaster Master Zero Lays Waste To Switch And 3DS On March 9th
Retro-tastic
Blaster Master Zero will launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch and 3DS this March, it has been revealed during the Nindies Direct broadcast. A reboot of the NES classic by Sunsoft, Blaster Master Zero recreates the same iconic visuals with a modern twist, and will boast a two-player mode as well. Mighty No. 9 studio Inti Creates...
News Buy Ufouria If You Want More Quirky Virtual Console Titles
So says Victor Ireland
After a long holiday, Virtual Console returned on Monday with Ufouria: The Saga. Legendary translator Victor Ireland has plans for more off-the-wall titles for Virtual Console, but first he needs to know they would sell, so he's appealling to VC lovers across North America. This is the one many of you have been asking for. If...
Nintendo Download 3rd & 4th August (Japan)
Fish and VC goodness for the Wii; the DSi gets the usual bumper crop of new titles
WiiWare: Blue Oasis: Michi naru Shinkai (500pts - Hudson) — People in the know will recognise Blue Oasis as the Japanese name for Hudson's perennially popular virtual fish tank, My Aquarium. Apparently not satisfied with what has to be one of the best-selling...
Nintendo Download 29th & 30th June 2010 (Japan)
WiiWare returns, Meta Fighting on the VC; X Returns and other stuff on DSi.
WiiWare: Boku mo Sekai o Sukuitai (1000pts - Poisoft) – If we're understanding Poisoft's website and the description on the Nintendo WiiWare page this is a combination of a sim and an RPG where players get to create multiple elves, dwarves, etc. with stats and skill trees...
News Overdrive Your Master Blaster on June 18th, Europe
Much anticipated title out next week
It's been a few months since WiiWare shooter Blaster Master: Overdrive hit the North American Wii Shop Channel, but Europeans are a patient bunch, waiting quietly for their turn to play. That wait is nearly over, as the game will be waiting for you on the Shop Channel next week, priced at 1,000 Points. Here's the...
Nintendo Download 27 & 28 April (Japan)
World Game Parade comes to a close, bountiful VC and lots of DSiWare, next week in Japan
WiiWare: Katamuki Spirits (500pts - Marvelous) – Whilst it may have a fancier sounding name, this is of course DK Games' Equilibrio re-badged as the final entry in Marvelous Entertainment's World Game Parade. We certainly thought it was a fun marble rolling...
Nintendo Download 8th February 2010 (North America)
Another big update for North America: blasting, dancing, balloons, rockets and more this week!
The big North American updates keep on coming. This week there's four new WiiWare releases, five new DSiWare releases and a quirky NES adventure game. WiiWare: Blaster Master: Overdrive (1000pts - Sunsoft) -- The announcement of the original NES classic...
News Blaster Master: Overdrive Coming to WiiWare on Monday
A blast from the past is back!
Sunsoft has just announced that their brand new WiiWare title Blaster Master Overdrive will be hitting the North American WiiWare service this coming Monday for 1000 Wii Points. You can check out the snippet of information from Sunsoft's official web site, along with 6 new screenshots of the game in action. BLASTER...
News Sunsoft To Release Telenet Titles On Virtual Console
Resurgent publisher confirms acquisition of defunct company's catalogue
If the recent news of Sunsoft's glorious return to the west has whipped you into a frenzy then you might want to take a deep breath before reading the press release below. The company has confirmed that it has bought up the rights to Nihon Telenet's software library. While...
News Virtual Console Blaster Master To Spearhead Sunsoft Revival
Famed Japanese developer confirms impending release of 8-bit classic
It would seem that Japanese developer Sunsoft is about to support the Virtual Console in a big way. Former Working Designs big wig Victor Ireland is currently making big noises over at NeoGAF about some interesting projects he's involved with, and Sunsoft's resurgence would appear...
Nintendo Download 14 April 2009 (Japan)
Another week, another 5 releases for Japan.
It's true the Japanese have another week with a mix of VC and WiiWare content, but Wii owners in North America and Europe need not feel the usual pangs of jealousy (well, I guess that depends on how much you've been wanting to see a couple of these...). On the WiiWare front we have a couple of things that...
News Classic Horror Title 'Clock Tower' Gets An Apt Release Date On Switch
Can you guess it..?
Sunsoft has announced that the digital version of Clock Tower: Rewind for the Nintendo Switch will release on 31st October 2024. Now, what's significant about that date..? Oh yeah! It's Halloween! An apt release date for such a spooky game then, wouldn't you agree? It's been a long time coming, too. We've known about the...
News Sunsoft Announces 'Retro Game Selection' For Switch, English Release Planned
Three Famicom games in one collection
Japanese game company Sunsoft has officially announced Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection for the Nintendo Switch. It will be making its way across to the hybrid system in Japan later this month on 18th April. The good news is an English version is also on the way! This upcoming release will be comprised of...
News Sunsoft's 'Ufouria: The Saga 2' Gets A New Trailer And A Physical Switch Release
Euphoric
Red Art Games has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Japanese firm Sunsoft to release a physical edition of Ufouria: The Saga 2, the sequel to the 1991 Famicom / NES cult classic. The game launches on the Switch eShop on 1st March 2024, with an expected release date for the physical release of July 5th, 2024. Physical...
News Sunsoft's Game Boy Platformer Trip World Launches On Switch eShop Next Week
As a remastered DX release
Following a physical announcement back in April, it's now been discovered Trip World DX for the Switch eShop will be arriving on 31st August. If you missed the initial announcement, this is a remaster of the 8-bit Sunsoft Game Boy title that was original
News Super Famicom Horror Classic Clock Tower Is Officially Coming To The West
Home sweet home
Most horror game fans will recognize the cult classic series Clock Tower as a PlayStation-exclusive franchise. The first game in the series to ever come to the West was on the original PlayStation, but a few years prior in 1995, the series started off on the Super Famicom in Japan as a point-and-click horror adventure. This original...
News Classic NES Title 'Gimmick!' Confirmed For Switch Release This July
Update: Release date trailer drops for Sunsoft's retro gem
Update #2 [Tue 9th May, 2023 14:30 BST]: It's been a while, but Bitwave Games has announced that Gimmick! Special Edition, originally published by Sunsoft on NES in Japan and Scandinavia in original, non-Special Edition form, will be landing on Switch (and other platforms) on 6th July 2023...
News Sunsoft's Classic Platformer Trip World Will Get New Colour Re-Release On Switch, GB And GBC
Pre-orders open later this month
Limited Run Games has today announced that it is re-releasing the much sought-after Sunsoft platformer, Trip World, in an all-new colourised form: Trip World DX. The game will be released physically on Switch, Game Boy and Game Boy Color, with pre-orders opening on 28th April. Originally released in Japan in 1992...
News Sunsoft To Bring Back Ufouria: The Saga On Switch Next Year
Sunsoft's return continues
Many of us were surprised — and a little bit nostalgic — when Japanese developer and publisher Sunsoft announced it would be holding a digital event. The stream took place yesterday after an earlier announcement that cute NES favourite Gimmick! would be
News Sunsoft Hosting New Digital Event To Announce Upcoming Titles
For "fans old and new"
Sunsoft, the company behind series like Blaster Master, has announced it will be hosting a new digital event next week on August 18th. At this event it intends to unveil its plans for titles due out for the remainder of 2022 and also the year ahead. In a PR, Sunsoft general manager, Yuichi Ochi mentioned how the company was...
News Hamster's Final Arcade Archives Switch Release For 2020 Is Shanghai III
Say goodbye to the year with some puzzle action
One developer that didn't slow down this year was the retro revival specialist Hamster. Although 2020 was tough for everyone within the video game industry, it was somehow able to stick to its schedule and continue pumping out weekly releases. This brings us to Hamster's final release of the year...
News Blaster Master Zero 2 Patch Resolves Multiple Issues And Enhances Stability
Master your blast
One of the highlights of last month’s Nindies Showcase was the Blaster Master Zero 2 announcement. Right after the presentation, the game was released on the Switch eShop. If you had somehow forgotten about this follow-up to the 2017 title, now might be the time to check it out. It’s a bigger and better adventure for Jason and...
News Galaxy Fight Is Your Next ACA Neo Geo Game For Switch
Eight warriors fight to defeat "Velden" which dominates the dark!
Another week, another Neo Geo classic pops up on the Switch eShop. Later today you'll be able to sample the delights of Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors which is (unsurprisingly) another fighting game. Released in 1995 by Sunsoft, the game sees you take on the mantel of...
News Blaster Master Zero Has Been Downloaded 80,000 Times On Switch
35 people, six months, 80,000 downloads to date
Inti Creates has revealed that Blaster Master Zero has been downloaded 80,000 times from the Nintendo Switch eShop. The title took 35 people six months to develop, and is based on the much-loved NES original. Inti Creates did not state if it was happy with the commercial performance of the game, and...
News Blaster Master Zero's Switch Pro Controller Patch Is Now Available
No excuse not to own it now
When Blaster Master Zero launched last week some were dismayed at the lack of Pro Controller support - something that developer Inti Creates was quick to point out would be added in a future update. The good news is that the update has just gone live and will automatically download to your Switch console without you...
News Blaster Master Zero Lays Waste To Switch And 3DS On March 9th
Retro-tastic
Blaster Master Zero will launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch and 3DS this March, it has been revealed during the Nindies Direct broadcast. A reboot of the NES classic by Sunsoft, Blaster Master Zero recreates the same iconic visuals with a modern twist, and will boast a two-player mode as well. Mighty No. 9 studio Inti Creates...
News Buy Ufouria If You Want More Quirky Virtual Console Titles
So says Victor Ireland
After a long holiday, Virtual Console returned on Monday with Ufouria: The Saga. Legendary translator Victor Ireland has plans for more off-the-wall titles for Virtual Console, but first he needs to know they would sell, so he's appealling to VC lovers across North America. This is the one many of you have been asking for. If...
Nintendo Download 3rd & 4th August (Japan)
Fish and VC goodness for the Wii; the DSi gets the usual bumper crop of new titles
WiiWare: Blue Oasis: Michi naru Shinkai (500pts - Hudson) — People in the know will recognise Blue Oasis as the Japanese name for Hudson's perennially popular virtual fish tank, My Aquarium. Apparently not satisfied with what has to be one of the best-selling...
Nintendo Download 29th & 30th June 2010 (Japan)
WiiWare returns, Meta Fighting on the VC; X Returns and other stuff on DSi.
WiiWare: Boku mo Sekai o Sukuitai (1000pts - Poisoft) – If we're understanding Poisoft's website and the description on the Nintendo WiiWare page this is a combination of a sim and an RPG where players get to create multiple elves, dwarves, etc. with stats and skill trees...
News Overdrive Your Master Blaster on June 18th, Europe
Much anticipated title out next week
It's been a few months since WiiWare shooter Blaster Master: Overdrive hit the North American Wii Shop Channel, but Europeans are a patient bunch, waiting quietly for their turn to play. That wait is nearly over, as the game will be waiting for you on the Shop Channel next week, priced at 1,000 Points. Here's the...
Nintendo Download 27 & 28 April (Japan)
World Game Parade comes to a close, bountiful VC and lots of DSiWare, next week in Japan
WiiWare: Katamuki Spirits (500pts - Marvelous) – Whilst it may have a fancier sounding name, this is of course DK Games' Equilibrio re-badged as the final entry in Marvelous Entertainment's World Game Parade. We certainly thought it was a fun marble rolling...
Nintendo Download 8th February 2010 (North America)
Another big update for North America: blasting, dancing, balloons, rockets and more this week!
The big North American updates keep on coming. This week there's four new WiiWare releases, five new DSiWare releases and a quirky NES adventure game. WiiWare: Blaster Master: Overdrive (1000pts - Sunsoft) -- The announcement of the original NES classic...
News Blaster Master: Overdrive Coming to WiiWare on Monday
A blast from the past is back!
Sunsoft has just announced that their brand new WiiWare title Blaster Master Overdrive will be hitting the North American WiiWare service this coming Monday for 1000 Wii Points. You can check out the snippet of information from Sunsoft's official web site, along with 6 new screenshots of the game in action. BLASTER...
News Sunsoft To Release Telenet Titles On Virtual Console
Resurgent publisher confirms acquisition of defunct company's catalogue
If the recent news of Sunsoft's glorious return to the west has whipped you into a frenzy then you might want to take a deep breath before reading the press release below. The company has confirmed that it has bought up the rights to Nihon Telenet's software library. While...
News Virtual Console Blaster Master To Spearhead Sunsoft Revival
Famed Japanese developer confirms impending release of 8-bit classic
It would seem that Japanese developer Sunsoft is about to support the Virtual Console in a big way. Former Working Designs big wig Victor Ireland is currently making big noises over at NeoGAF about some interesting projects he's involved with, and Sunsoft's resurgence would appear...
Nintendo Download 14 April 2009 (Japan)
Another week, another 5 releases for Japan.
It's true the Japanese have another week with a mix of VC and WiiWare content, but Wii owners in North America and Europe need not feel the usual pangs of jealousy (well, I guess that depends on how much you've been wanting to see a couple of these...). On the WiiWare front we have a couple of things that...