![Gekisha Boy (Japan) [En by Zatos v0.99] (~Photograph Boy)](/uploads/games/g-5369fad4f688.webp)
Gekisha Boy (Japan) [En by Zatos v0.99] (~Photograph Boy)
Gekisha Boy (Japan) [En by Zatos v0.99] (~Photograph Boy) on TG16
Gekisha Boy is an action photography game that originally came out in 1992 for the PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16 in the West, though this release stayed in Japan). It was developed by Tomcat System and published by Irem. The version here is a fan translation patch by Zatos, labeled v0.99, which adds English text to what was originally a Japanese-only title.
You guide a boy through sideways-scrolling stages, but instead of traditional weapons, your main tool is a camera. The goal is to snap photos of specific objects, characters, or events in each scene. You can jump and move around, and the camera's viewfinder helps you frame shots. The environments are interactive, with things happening that you need to capture at the right moment. It's part platformer, part timed puzzle, all built around the photography mechanic.
This game stands out because of its completely offbeat premise. Most action games on the PC Engine were shooters or platformers, so Gekisha Boy's focus on taking pictures feels fresh even today. It's not a deep or long game, but its quirky concept and simple controls make it a neat curiosity. If you enjoy weird arcade ideas from the early '90s, this is worth a quick play.
How to Play Gekisha Boy (Japan) [En by Zatos v0.99] (~Photograph Boy) Online
Getting Started: When you boot the translated ROM, you'll see a title screen with the English name. Press Start (Enter) to begin. The first stage is a simple street scene. You control the boy with the D-Pad and use the A button to jump, and the B button to take a photo (or run if you hold it). The camera's crosshair shows where you're aiming. You need to find and photograph the required targets, which are sometimes moving or appear only briefly.
Your score increases based on how good the photo is - lining up the subject in the center and capturing it at the right moment gives more points. If you miss too many targets or take too long, you may lose a life. There are multiple stages with different themes (like a beach, a cave, etc.), each with new things to photograph. The patch by Zatos makes the menus and on-screen prompts readable in English, so you can follow the instructions without guessing. Just experiment with your camera and have fun with the wacky concept.
Gekisha Boy (Japan) [En by Zatos v0.99] (~Photograph Boy) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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