GeGeGe no Kitaro: Yokai Daimakyou

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GeGeGe no Kitaro: Yokai Daimakyou is a 1986 platformer from Tose and Bandai that adapts the iconic Japanese manga character Kitarō. Players navigate side-scrolling levels as the eponymous hero, using hair as a primary weapon and switching between sub-tools like a flying finger and a vest. The game alternates between action and puzzle-solving, with distinct level designs that mix traditional yokai and Western horror elements. While the Japanese version stars Kitarō, the Western "Ninja Kid" edition rebrands the character as Kyo with altered visuals and weapon sprites, though core mechanics stay consistent. The original Japanese release sold over a million copies in its first year, cementing it as the eighth best-selling Famicom game of 1986. Its blend of recognizable manga lore and creative boss battles, like fighting a Dracula-like figure named Buckbaird, sets it apart from contemporaries. Though the Western version simplified some elements, the original retains its connection to the source material, featuring monsters like Nurikabe and Sunakake Babaa as level allies. The game’s longevity is partly due to its tight controls and clever use of Kitarō’s signature tools, which feel responsive even by modern platformer standards.