Nekketsu Oyako

About

Nekketsu Oyako is a side-scrolling beat 'em up where you control Rando and his two kids as they punch and kick through increasingly absurd scenarios. The game blends side-scrolling action with a goofy sense of humor, like battling enemies inside a giant whale’s belly or dealing with limited healing items that only the adult character can use. Combat is straightforward but chaotic, with basic combos and environmental hazards that add variety to each stage. The kid characters can’t drink alcohol, which often triggers cringe-worthy “adult only” prompts during fights. What sticks out is the game’s oddball charm and the way it subverts genre norms with a family unit as protagonists. It’s a relic of early 90s beat 'em ups that never left Japan, which makes it a curiosity for retro fans. The PlayStation and Saturn versions share the same core but differ in polish, with the PlayStation port often praised for smoother visuals. Despite limited replay value, the quirky writing and over-the-top scenarios keep it memorable.