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Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen (Japan) (DV 1)

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Famicom Disk System Adventure 1987 Japan 1 Player 5 (0) 18

Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen (Japan) (DV 1)

Getting to Know Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen (Japan) (DV 1)

Compiled by the Retro Games Online Editorial Team · Updated June 27, 2026

Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen is a text-heavy adventure game released for the Famicom Disk System in 1987. It was developed and published by Nintendo as part of their Famicom Mukashibanashi series, which focuses on interactive storybook experiences. This first disk (Zenpen) sets up a tale inspired by Japanese folklore, where you guide two children through a haunted island.

The player controls the siblings Donbe and Hikari, navigating them through environments using menu-driven commands. You inspect objects, talk to characters, and solve puzzles to progress the story. The game relies heavily on reading and interpreting clues, with occasional branching choices that affect the narrative. It's more like a digital choose-your-own-adventure than an action game, with a focus on exploration and dialogue.

For retro fans, this is a standout example of early narrative-driven gaming on the FDS. The hand-drawn visuals and atmospheric music complement the eerie folk tale atmosphere. If you enjoy text adventures or want to see how Nintendo experimented with storytelling before the broader RPG boom, it's worth a look. Just be prepared for the all-Japanese text if you don't read the language.

How to Play Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen (Japan) (DV 1) Online

Getting Started When you boot up Zenpen, you are greeted with a title screen in Japanese. Press Start to begin. The game opens with a short story sequence before you take control of Donbe. You move between screens using the D-pad, and interact with objects or people by pressing the A button (confirm) when the cursor highlights a hotspot. Your main goal is to explore the island, talk to spirits and villagers, and collect items that will help you lift the curse on the island. The core loop involves reading dialogue, examining your surroundings, and using items from your inventory at the right moments. Use Select to open the menu, where you can check items, save your progress (on the FDS disk), or change options. Since this is a Japanese-only title, all menus and text are in Japanese. If you do not read Japanese, you may need a translation guide or walkthrough. The game autosaves to the disk periodically, but you can also manually save at certain points. There is no in-game map, so make mental notes of where characters and important locations are.

Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen (Japan) (DV 1) Keyboard Controls

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: A button (jump / confirm)
S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
Enter: Start / Pause
V: Select

Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen?

It was developed by Nintendo, specifically by their internal teams focused on Famicom Disk System titles. The game is part of a series that leans on traditional Japanese storytelling.

In what year was Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen originally released?

The original release year is 1987, exclusively for the Famicom Disk System in Japan. It came out on September 2, 1987.

Is Famicom Mukashibanashi - Shin Onigashima - Zenpen exclusive to Famicom Disk System or did it appear on other systems?

This first part was only released on the Famicom Disk System. A sequel, Shin Onigashima - Kouhen, also stayed on the FDS. There have been later compilations or re-releases on other Nintendo platforms, but the original disk is a Japan-exclusive format.