Be Ball (Japan)
Be Ball (Japan) on TG16
Be Ball is the Japanese title for the ball-based action game released on the PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16) in Japan. Developed and published by Hudson Soft, it's known internationally as Chew Man Fu. This is an official commercial release from the early 1990s, part of a small subgenre of puzzle-action games that rely on precise ball movement rather than traditional platforming. If you've played Marble Madness or the later Super Monkey Ball, you'll see some DNA here, but Be Ball has its own deliberate pacing and level design.
You control a ball through a series of top-down maze-like rooms. The goal in each stage is typically to reach an exit or collect certain items while avoiding enemies and hazards. The ball moves with momentum; you steer it with the d-pad and can adjust speed or stop using the buttons. Along the way you'll push blocks, trigger switches, and use power-ups to clear paths. Some stages require precise timing or pattern memorization, especially when enemies patrol tight corridors. Dying means restarting the room, but checkpoints are sometimes available.
Be Ball is worth trying today if you appreciate quirky, challenging puzzle games from the 16-bit era. It doesn't have the flashiest graphics or deepest story, but its tight controls and clever level layouts make it a solid time-waster. For TurboGrafx-16 collectors, it's a nice import title that offers something different from the typical shooters and platformers on the system. Just be aware that menus are in Japanese, but the gameplay is intuitive enough to pick up without translation.
How to Play Be Ball (Japan) Online
Getting Started
Start the game by pressing Enter. Since this is a Japanese import, the title screen and menus are in Japanese. The first option is usually "Start Game" or "New Game" - select it with the X button. You'll likely see a level select screen or go straight to stage 1. Use the d-pad to navigate menus and X to confirm.
The core loop is simple: guide your ball through each room to the exit. You move with the d-pad, and the ball has inertia - it won't stop instantly, so plan your turns. Avoid enemies (they move in patterns) and traps like spikes or pits. You can push some blocks out of the way by rolling into them. If you touch an enemy or hazard, you lose a life and restart the room. Collect power-ups when possible; they might grant temporary invincibility or speed boosts.
Each level contains multiple rooms, and you progress by clearing all rooms in order. There is no save feature, so finish the game in one sitting or use save states (if your emulator supports them) to continue later. The game is challenging but fair - learning enemy patterns and room layouts is key. Take it slow at first, and don't be afraid to restart a room a few times to figure out the best route.
Be Ball (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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