JJ

About

JJ is a side-scrolling action game where you play as Jack, a character who uses a laser cannon and acrobatic jumps to fight serpentbeasts across alien planets. The camera follows Jack from behind, blending platforming and shooting mechanics as you cross environments filled with obstacles and enemies. Each level requires quick reflexes and precise timing, with the goal of clearing worlds to progress. The game leans into its 1980s roots with a minimalist design and straightforward controls. The game’s most notable traits include its use of 3D glasses and “3D mode,” a Square-developed technique that adds depth perception to side-scrolling action. This was the company’s final project using the technology before shifting focus to the Final Fantasy series. Nobuo Uematsu, later a legendary figure in game music, composed the soundtrack, reworking themes from the 1986 game 3-D WorldRunner. JJ remains a Japan-only title, released in January 1988, and is remembered as a brief but distinctive entry in Square’s early catalog.