The Great Battle Gaiden 2: Matsuri da Wasshoi

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The Great Battle Gaiden 2: Matsuri da Wasshoi swaps traditional storytelling for a chaotic mix of platforming and shooting action. You control one of four licensed heroes, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and others, jumping between levels that alternate between side-scrolling platform sections and vertical shooters. The stages flip between running on festival-town platforms and piloting a flying lobster through bullet-hell skies. Combat feels brisk but shallow, with basic attacks and power-ups tied to each character’s theme. The alien invasion plot takes a backseat to the gimmicky genre-hopping, which keeps things brisk if not particularly memorable. The game stands out for its oddball charm and niche Super Famicom appeal. Its blend of licensed characters and abrupt gameplay shifts makes it a curiosity for retro fans, though the lack of English translation limits broader appeal. While not as polished as later 90s shooters or platformers, it offers a brisk 30-minute run for those into its specific brand of chaos. Unsurprisingly, it never left Japan, likely due to its heavy reliance on local pop culture and its quirky, uneven design.