SUNSOFT is Back! レトロゲームセレクション

Two great games (and one not so great, I look at you Firework Thrower Kantaro's 53 Stations of the Toukaido), now even better with an official translation! These are old NES games so you know what you are buying, so beware.

SUNSOFT <3 PS. u can 100% the chevos in 3mins :)

どのゲームも難しいですが、どれも雰囲気がとても良いです。クリアできませんが、昔を懐かしんで楽しんでいます。サンクラブ会員なら当然ですよね。

This was a lot of fun and features some of Sunsoft's deepest cuts, especially for Western gamers. It's cool seeing the effort that was put into dusting off these gems and making them accessible to fans outside of Japan. I hope Sunsoft releases more collections (deep cuts and games popular in the West) in the future. Thank you, Sunsoft.

SUNSOFT is Back! レトロゲームセレクション is a retro compilation developed and published by SUNSOFT that celebrates the company’s legacy from the early days of the Famicom era. The collection brings several classic 8-bit titles to modern platforms such as Steam, allowing players to revisit—or discover for the first time—games that were originally released during the mid-1980s. Rather than heavily remastering the originals, the compilation focuses on preservation, presenting the games in their classic form while adding modern quality-of-life features that make them easier to experience today. The result is a digital time capsule that highlights both the creativity and limitations of early console game design. The collection includes three distinct titles from SUNSOFT’s early catalog: The Wing of Madoola, Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido, and Ripple Island. Each game represents a different approach to gameplay and reflects the experimental nature of game development during the 8-bit era. By combining these titles into one package, the compilation provides a small but varied snapshot of the types of experiences players encountered during the early years of console gaming. The Wing of Madoola serves as the action centerpiece of the collection. In this side-scrolling adventure, players control Lucia, a warrior tasked with defeating a powerful enemy and recovering a legendary magical artifact. The gameplay emphasizes platforming and combat, with Lucia traveling through dangerous environments filled with enemies, traps, and hidden items. Like many action games from the 1980s, the challenge lies in learning enemy patterns, mastering precise timing, and navigating levels carefully. The mechanics are straightforward—jumping, attacking, and collecting power-ups—but the difficulty can be demanding, especially for players unfamiliar with the unforgiving design philosophies common during the era. In contrast, Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido offers a more eccentric and lighthearted experience. The game follows Kantaro, a traveling fireworks maker journeying along the famous Tokaido road in historical Japan. Along the way, he must fend off enemies who attempt to steal his fireworks technology. The gameplay combines simple action mechanics with exploration, as players throw fireworks to defeat enemies and search levels for useful items. The unusual theme and whimsical tone give the game a distinctive personality, setting it apart from many other action titles of its time. The third game, Ripple Island, shifts the focus toward narrative and puzzle-solving. This title is structured as an adventure game where players interact with characters, examine environments, and select commands to progress through the story. The plot follows a young hero named Kail who embarks on a quest to rescue a kidnapped princess from a tyrannical ruler. Unlike the action-heavy gameplay of the other two titles, Ripple Island encourages players to explore locations and make decisions through a command-based interface. This slower, more story-oriented approach demonstrates how developers of the era experimented with different ways to tell interactive stories. One of the most important aspects of SUNSOFT is Back! レトロゲームセレクション is the inclusion of modern enhancements that help make these classic games more approachable. Players can use features such as save states and rewind functions, allowing them to recover from mistakes or continue from specific moments in the game. These additions are particularly valuable because many games from the 1980s were known for their difficulty and limited save options. By adding these tools, the compilation preserves the original gameplay while removing some of the frustration that might discourage modern players. Beyond the playable games themselves, the collection also includes additional materials that provide insight into the development of these titles. A gallery mode allows players to view historical artwork, design sketches, and promotional materials from SUNSOFT’s archives. These extras help transform the collection into more than just a set of games; it becomes a small digital exhibition that celebrates the company’s contributions to early console gaming. Visually, the games remain faithful to their original 8-bit presentation. Characters are rendered as pixelated sprites, environments are constructed from repeating tile patterns, and animations are relatively simple compared to modern standards. However, this retro style carries a nostalgic charm and serves as a reminder of how developers once worked within extremely limited hardware capabilities. The bright colors and stylized designs show how creativity often compensated for technical restrictions during the early years of the medium. The sound design also reflects the technological limitations of the Famicom era. Each game features chiptune music composed using the simple sound channels available at the time. While the audio may seem minimal by modern standards, the melodies are memorable and energetic, capturing the distinctive sound of early console games. These soundtracks contribute significantly to the nostalgic atmosphere of the collection. One of the most fascinating aspects of the compilation is how it highlights the evolution of game design. The three included titles demonstrate different approaches to gameplay—from fast-paced action to narrative exploration—showing how developers experimented with mechanics and storytelling techniques while the industry was still developing its identity. Playing these games today offers insight into how design philosophies have changed over time. However, the collection is not without its shortcomings. Because the games are preserved largely in their original form, certain aspects of their design may feel dated to modern audiences. Difficulty spikes, cryptic objectives, and repetitive level structures are common characteristics of early console games. Additionally, the relatively small number of included titles may leave some players wishing for a larger selection from SUNSOFT’s catalog. Despite these limitations, SUNSOFT is Back! レトロゲームセレクション succeeds as a nostalgic tribute to an important era of gaming history. The compilation offers players the opportunity to experience three distinctive titles from SUNSOFT’s past while also learning about the creative process behind them. For longtime fans of retro games, the collection serves as a celebration of the company’s legacy and its role in shaping early console entertainment. Overall, the game functions as both a playable retro archive and a reminder of how far the medium has evolved. While the experience may appeal most strongly to retro enthusiasts and players interested in gaming history, the addition of modern conveniences helps make these classic titles accessible to a wider audience. It is a thoughtful collection that respects the past while allowing new generations of players to explore the roots of console gaming. Rating: 7/10

1本660円と考えるとまあ妥当な値段なのかな。 クイックセーブとロードの他、巻き戻し機能等昨今の復刻ゲームについている機能があるのでプレイしやすくなっている。 おま環かもしれないが、画面に関係する操作（フルスクリーンに変える、別ウィンドウにフォーカスを移す等）を行うとなぜかソフト全般の動作が非常に重たくなった。