Bleach: Soul Carnival

About

Bleach Soul Carnival is a side-scrolling beat 'em up that tasks you with fighting through over a dozen stages to take down Sōsuke Aizen. You play as various characters from the Bleach universe all rendered in exaggerated chibi styles. Each level is a straightforward brawler with light combos and enemy waves building up to boss battles. Unlockable bonus stages and alternate characters add some replay value. The story ties into the gap between Ichigo’s training and the Hueco Mundo storyline but takes a backseat to the action. The game’s charm comes from its visual style. The super deformed characters clash with the series’ usual dark tone creating a quirky contrast. While the combat is simple and the stages repetitive by modern standards the lighthearted take on Bleach’s roster makes it memorable. A sequel was released but the first entry remains a niche pick for handheld fans. Short matches and low barrier to entry keep it from being outright tedious.

Storyline

This game features more than 10 stages and the player must proceed to the final stage and fight Sōsuke Aizen. Bonus stages and extra characters can also be unlocked. The game takes place between Ichigo's training and the Hueco Mundo arc. All characters appear in a super deformed version of themselves. A sequel for this game has been released.