Namco's beat 'em up parody of Ultraman, Wonder Momo, is the next game coming to the Arcade Archives series on Switch, according to @ohfivepro on Twitter.
First released in 1987 in Japanese arcades at a time when female protagonists were uncommon, Wonder Momo got a faithful PC-Engine port two years later. The game stars a young girl who is playing the character of 'Momo', a schoolgirl who acquires superpowers, in a stage play. She becomes Wonder Momo when she builds up her Wonder meter with kicks and can transform into the titular hero by spinning around.
We haven't seen much of Wonder Momo since, though she did get her own internet comic strip and anime mini-series in 2012 and 2014 respectively. A direct sequel in 1993 was cancelled, and WayForward brought an Android and Mac game came out in 2014, which was delisted a year later.
Some fans might remember a few little cameos in a few Bandai Namco RPGs, though; she appears as a Magnus card in Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean (which takes 80 hours of playtime to acquire), and Anise Tatlin from Tales of the Abyss has a doll styled after her.
Wonder Momo launches on 31st March on the Switch eShop. Will you be picking it up? Let us know in the comments!
Comments 29
Neat, consider me in the market, if mainly thanks to my acquaintance with the character in Namco x Capcom. I guess crossover games' marketing potential does exist.😄
Great !!
And now that Namco games is coming, The Legend of Valkyrie can be a option?, Please?!
More recently, Wonder Momo was also one of the themes in Pac-Man 99.
I think I'll skip this one. It's like a PG rated Altered Beast.
Omg?! YES PLEASE.
I love love love seeing Namco digging deep into their arcade library for Hamster's re-releases. Really fun to see obscure titles resurfacing after so many decades.
@SakuraHaruka That looks really good and has some really nice graphics for a 1989 game. I hope it comes too.
@Degenerate_Mii

@Degenerate_Mii And what are you on about? There's no "committee." I mean, here we are in 2022 and a game like this - the exact game, in fact - is literally getting re-released.
@SakuraHaruka that looks great! These are the kind of arcade games I'd like to on Switch
I just love the classic 80-90s anime style arts. Those were glorious days
I think I remember playing this a bit in the Namco collections on PS1, and it was decent fun. Psycho Soldier in SNK's 40th Anniversary Collection reminded me of Momo, now that I think about it. A little ecchi, but hey at least we got heroic female protagonists!
Hamster bringing classic Namco games to Switch is a real treat, even if I can't help but wish for a nice physical collection or 2 of them. I'd love to see Assault.
@SakuraHaruka
I just looked up The Legend of Valkyrie and most definitely that is one I would love to see Hamster port!!
Seems kinda interesting and I like how silly it looks. I think I’ll get this.
I thought I was the only one who could do that splits kick move! Wonder Momooooooo!
@SakuraHaruka Is being able to read the text important to Valkyrie. It looks at least maybe needed.
As I understand, the only English release was the PS1 Namco Museum Vol. 5 port.
@Degenerate_Mii I doubt this game fit the social norms of 1987, either.
Can't say I want to play it, but her theme music after she does her henshin is pretty catchy.
I agree with OorWullie. Gameplay-wise the game is like Namco's own version of Altered Beast (and Altered Beast sucked 😓). I do like the character herself though.
I also agree with SakuraHaruka on The Legend of Valkyrie. Now there is a old-school Namco game I miss. 😊
I remember this having a mediocre YouTube anime, alongside overly self-aware Bravo Man series and surprisingly good despite cheap animation Mappy.
I really wish these games were $4-$5 I personally would buy at least 1 per month. I bet others would buy more often too with a cheaper price tag.
@KoRn1619
I agree a lower price would be nice! No doubt I’d have bought more by now if they were $5 a game.
Also, FOLDERS. It would be a lot more satisfying to sort your purchases into a growing folder of arcade goodness. Nintendo, can’t you throw us this little bone?
i'm getting Nes Kung Fu vibes ~
Hopefully this means The Legend of Valyerie is also coming. I've been settling for the theme on Pac-Man 99, but I want the real deal.
so maybe I might try this
@SakuraHaruka @DarthXenos @Coolmusic @KingMike @Teksetter @DrDaisy
I just popped on the Eshop to see what this week's Arcade Archives release is and would you believe it, it's The Legend of Valkyrie.
@OorWullie quick, suggest more hidden arcade gems!
@DarthXenos I was asking for Red Earth towards the end of last year, a pretty obscure Capcom fighter and then it was announced as part of the new Capcom Fighting Collection. I can't think of any other obscure ones at the moment but I have been asking for a SEGA 90's Arcade collection since the Switch launched.
@DarthXenos @SakuraHaruka @OorWullie
Yes it was great to hear Valkyrie announced this week! I thought of this thread here immediately. I’ll pick it up soon.
Can we request Namco’s Assault next, or Konami’s Dark Labyrinth, or UN Squadron, or a collection of Midway games?
Coincidentally, I had begged Nintendo for folders in this thread, too… 🤨
@Teksetter I noticed the folder request too. If Assault arrives next week then it seems you have magical powers.
@OorWullie
I can only wish (for Assault or magical powers)!
Really I was thinking this comments thread itself was charmed somehow, since Valkyrie and folders both came true. 🧙🏻
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