Bonze Adventure (World, Older)
Bonze Adventure (World, Older): arcade Platformer
Bonze Adventure, known in Japan as Jigoku Meguri, is a platform arcade game that hit Japanese arcades in June 1988. It was developed and published by Taito, a company famous for classics like Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble. This is an official release that never came out outside Japan, though it later received a PC Engine port in 1990.
Players control a little monk character as he runs and jumps through side-scrolling stages. The levels are themed around Buddhist hell imagery, with enemies and obstacles inspired by Japanese folklore. The gameplay revolves around typical platformer actions: avoiding hazards, jumping over pits, and dealing with enemies - likely by jumping on them or using some attack, though specific mechanics are not widely documented. The goal is to reach the end of each stage without losing all lives.
Bonze Adventure is a niche title that stands out for its unique cultural theme and relatively obscure status. It is not a groundbreaking game but offers solid platforming action wrapped in a distinctive aesthetic that sets it apart from more mainstream arcade releases of its era. Retro enthusiasts and collectors of Taito's library will find it an interesting piece of late-80s arcade history.
How to Play Bonze Adventure (World, Older) Online
Getting Started
Insert a coin (or press the appropriate key in emulator) and press Enter to start. The title screen is in Japanese, but the game is straightforward: choose a difficulty if prompted, then begin playing as the monk. The main objective is to navigate each stage from left to right, avoiding or defeating enemies and collecting items.
The core loop involves jumping over pits, timing moves past moving obstacles, and figuring out how to handle each enemy type. The controls are typical for a platformer: use arrow keys to move, X to jump, and S for any attack or run action (the exact function of S may vary depending on whether the game uses a dedicated attack button). Since menus are entirely in Japanese, simply press start to skip them and jump into action. The game ends when you lose all lives, but you can continue by inserting more coins. Focus on pattern recognition and precise jumps to survive the hellish levels.
Bonze Adventure (World, Older) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
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