Bonze Adventure (World, Older)

Getting Started:

Bonze Adventure is a side-scrolling platformer where you control a bonze (a Buddhist monk) who must navigate through levels themed after Japanese Buddhist hell (Jigoku). The game is in Japanese, including its title screen and all on-screen text, but the core gameplay is intuitive: move right, jump over pits and obstacles, and defeat enemies using a weapon or attack. The first level starts immediately after inserting a coin and pressing Start.

The core loop involves running through stages, dodging or defeating various demons and ghouls, and collecting items like scrolls or power-ups. The controls are simple: use the arrow keys to move, X to jump, and S to attack. Enemies often appear in waves, and you must time your jumps and strikes carefully. Between stages, there are bonus rounds where you can earn extra points.

Since menus are entirely in Japanese, you may need to memorize the options: the first option on the title screen is usually 'Game Start' (press Start). There is no continue option in the original arcade release, so each credit gives you one life. The game is known for its challenging difficulty and unique setting, making it a fascinating piece of Taito's late-80s arcade output.