In one of the stranger pieces of news that we have heard today, renowned anime streamer Crunchyroll has announced that it is developing and publishing a retro-inspired video game based on its classic mascot Hime (thanks, Gematsu). What's weirder still is that it will be playable on Game Boy Color via Limited Run Games, with cartridge pre-orders now available.
Just to clarify, yes, you did read that right.
Hime's Quest is an 8-bit action-adventure game set in 1999, where you play as the streamer's mascot who is on a mission to save a small-town anime club from the threat of the evil Y2K - and you thought this news couldn't get any stranger! One look at the above trailer and you will see that the company is going all out to embody those late-90s vibes. From the real-world actors to the Power Rangers-esque villain - yep, that takes us back.
Notably we haven't seen a lot of gameplay footage so far which is somewhat troubling when you consider the fact that this is... a game. From the small amount that we can spy at the end of the trailer, however, it certainly looks retro enough.
For an idea of the game's features, check out the following from Crunchyroll:
- Adventure through haunted forests, mirage-filled deserts and more in Crunchyroll-Hime’s largest quest yet.
- Hack and slash your way through dungeons and face-off against totally buggin fiends in league with Y2K.
- Kick-back with Crunchyroll-Hime’s friends in the anime club or pay a visit to spooky manga creator Junji Ito who is currently OBSESSED with spirals.
- Some games let you pet the dog, this one lets you *try* to pet the cat. Can you succeed and give Crunchyroll-Hime’s best friend Yuzu a pat on the head?
- PLAY IT LOUD! with a chiptune soundtrack by future (time paradox averted) award-winning 8-bit composer and musician Protodome.
The game will be playable on the Game Boy Color via a physical cartridge created in partnership with Limited Run Games. This very cartridge is now available to pre-order for $44.99 (around £38 / 43€) in either 'Crunchyroll Orange' from the Crunchyroll online store or in 'Limited Run Blue' from Limited Run Games. Pre-orders will end on 23rd December, 2022 with the game expected to ship in May, 2023. Get ready to blow the dust out of that thing before loading it up.
Aside from this physical release, Crunchyroll has also announced that Hime's Quest will be available to download and play for free on browsers in December.
What do you make of Hime's Quest? Comment like its 1999 down below!
[source crunchyroll.com, via gematsu.com]
Comments 22
If only I didn't break my brother's GameBoy when I was 2
No Switch, No buy.
The price isn't even that bad, and there'll be ebay sellers eventually. And it literally said that it will be free to play in the browser at some point.
Crunchyroll: "Voice actor union disputes and monopolizing the anime industry? What are you talking about? Look at the 8-bit throwback game starring our kawaii mascot made for a system you're nostalgic for! Isn't it just so charming and retro?! (Please love us.)"
I mean, I like the idea of this. Just some people don't think it's fair, but I very much think this is a fair price and whatnot. I mean, I can't deny Hime's adorable face, even if I'm currently boycotting Crunchyroll cause they're making everything not popular premium.
The GBC cart is just a gimmick for hardcore collectors. If you're not willing to pay $50 for a GBC cart in 2022 (and that's most people) you've got the browser option. That's what I'll be doing.
I want the physical copy, but I broke my brother's GameBoy when I was a toddler, so I have to play the browser. I'd be very willing to pay 50 dollars, but my mom wouldn't even let me.
Pretty neat, although I naturally hope it will also come to Sw- BROWSERS?!👹
Any chance of a Switch port? I'd definitely purchase it, because I love retro-style games like this!
I love when games come out for long outdated hardware.
A lot of love for the GBC these last couple of years!
I bought the official repro of Shantae for it, but goodness, modern handhelds have spoiled me rotten. It's so hard to play on a non-backlit handheld now.
Getting real Link's Awakening vibes from the dungeons.
Might be good! Might be shovelware, we'll see.
That is an extremely reasonable price, sounds like some collectors are living in a bubble lol.
Hope it's ported to the Switch
I kinda don't want to give Crunchyroll my money lately, since they just ****ed over the main VA of one of the rare anime dubs I actively like more than the original, for no real reason. But if it was cheap enough on the Switch, I have to admit Gameboy Zelda does immediately interest me.
So hopefully it just kinda mid so I can easily ignore it in that case. :V
If that game is as greatly developed as the crunchyroll streaming service, it will not only destroy your Gameboy colour/advance but also burn to the ground your entire neighborhood. I wouldn't even trust those people with programming a simple hello world
Very nice, day 1 purchase... err, download for me
Go Hime
Why? Like what’s the point? I can’t play it? It’s stupid.
Can they make the switch app actually work instead
I've been playing my GBC recently and it's a fantastic little portable. I will definitely order the orange edition, it even has a legit looking box!
Looks right up my alley. Glad I still gots me my GBA SP.
Pre-orders got extended to January 26th, still expected to ship sometime in May.
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