Aoi Blink

Aoi Blink is a platformer originally released for the NEC PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16) in Japan. It arrived during the early 1990s, a period when the platform was packed with colorful side-scrollers. The game is an official commercial release, though its developer and publisher are not widely documented outside of Japanese archives. What is clear is that it never saw a Western release, making it a curious piece for collectors and import enthusiasts. At its core, Aoi Blink plays like a typical 2D platformer of the era. You guide a character through horizontally scrolling levels, jumping between platforms, avoiding or defeating enemies, and reaching the end of each stage. The controls are straightforward: move left and right, jump, and perform an attack or action as needed. The level design relies on precise jumps and timing, especially when encountering gaps and moving obstacles. Without a manual or translation, the exact objective of each screen is conveyed through familiar genre conventions. As a Japanese exclusive, Aoi Blink offers a glimpse into the PC Engine's varied library beyond the shooters and RPGs that often define it. It is not a landmark title or a hidden gem in the traditional sense, but it represents the era's approachable, no-fuss platforming. If you enjoy exploring the platform's catalogue and appreciate simple, functional level design, this one is worth a quick run. Otherwise, you are not missing a masterpiece, just a competent piece of its time.