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PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus (Japan)
What is PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus (Japan)?
PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus is the original Japanese release of what most Western players know as Bonk's Adventure. It came out in 1989 for the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine in Japan) and was developed by Red Company with publishing handled by NEC Home Electronics. This is a side-scrolling platformer that served as the debut title for the PC Engine's unofficial mascot, a caveman with an oversized head who attacks by biting or headbutting enemies. The Japanese title includes the elaborate subtitle "Pithecanthropus Computerurus" as a playful pseudo-scientific name, but at its core it's a straightforward, colorful action game.
You control the caveman as he runs and jumps across levels filled with enemies, pitfalls, and power-ups. The main attack is a headbutt or spin attack by pressing the B button while running. Pressing X makes him jump. Collecting smiley face icons restores health, while larger ones give a temporary super-spin attack. Each world ends with a boss fight, usually a giant animal or monster that requires pattern recognition. The game is very linear - no exploration, just left-to-right progression. There are also hidden bonus areas if you jump into certain walls or use specific items. The Japanese version has menus and text entirely in Japanese, so if you don't read the language, you'll navigate purely by trial and error or prior knowledge of the game.
For anyone interested in the roots of the PC Engine library, PC Genjin is essential. It's not a complex or deep game by modern standards, but it's one of the best pure platformers of the 8-bit era. The graphics are bright and chunky, the music is catchy, and the controls are tight. Compared to other mascot platformers of the time, like Super Mario Bros. 3 or Mega Man, Bonk has a unique visual style and a satisfying, weighty feel. The Japanese version has some differences from the Western releases - mostly minor artwork and difficulty tweaks - so it's worth playing for fans who want to see the original vision without censorship or rebalancing.
You control the caveman as he runs and jumps across levels filled with enemies, pitfalls, and power-ups. The main attack is a headbutt or spin attack by pressing the B button while running. Pressing X makes him jump. Collecting smiley face icons restores health, while larger ones give a temporary super-spin attack. Each world ends with a boss fight, usually a giant animal or monster that requires pattern recognition. The game is very linear - no exploration, just left-to-right progression. There are also hidden bonus areas if you jump into certain walls or use specific items. The Japanese version has menus and text entirely in Japanese, so if you don't read the language, you'll navigate purely by trial and error or prior knowledge of the game.
For anyone interested in the roots of the PC Engine library, PC Genjin is essential. It's not a complex or deep game by modern standards, but it's one of the best pure platformers of the 8-bit era. The graphics are bright and chunky, the music is catchy, and the controls are tight. Compared to other mascot platformers of the time, like Super Mario Bros. 3 or Mega Man, Bonk has a unique visual style and a satisfying, weighty feel. The Japanese version has some differences from the Western releases - mostly minor artwork and difficulty tweaks - so it's worth playing for fans who want to see the original vision without censorship or rebalancing.
How to Play PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus (Japan) Online
When you start the game, you'll see a title screen with Japanese text. Press Enter or X to advance past it, then use the D-Pad to select "Game Start" (likely the first option) and press X to begin. You control a caveman running from left to right. The core loop is simple: move right, avoid pits, dodge or attack enemies, collect items, and reach the goal at each stage. There is no map or inventory - just pure platforming action. A few extra life points can be found in hidden rooms, but the main route is straightforward. If you die, you'll restart at the beginning of the current level unless you've collected a 1-up or reached a checkpoint (which are not clearly marked). The entire game is in Japanese, but since the gameplay is linear and the menus are minimal, you don't need to read anything to play. Just remember that pressing S while on the ground makes you run faster, and pressing it again while running does your spin attack. Jumping on enemies from above usually stuns or defeats them, but you can also headbutt them from the side. The difficulty ramps up noticeably by world 3, so expect some trial and error. If you get stuck, the game supports save states in the emulator - use them to practice tricky sections.
PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
Frequently Asked Questions
Roughly how long does it take to finish PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus?
A single playthrough takes about 45 minutes to an hour for a first-time player. Experienced players can finish it in under 30 minutes since the game is short with only eight levels. No saves or passwords exist in the original, so you must finish in one sitting unless using emulator save states.
Does PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus have a multiplayer or co-op mode?
No, the game is strictly single-player. No simultaneous or alternating multiplayer modes exist in this version. Later entries in the Bonk series added two-player options, but the original PC Genjin does not.
Who developed PC Genjin - Pithecanthropus Computerurus?
The developer is Red Company, a Japanese studio known for early PC Engine titles. The game was published by NEC Home Electronics. Red Company also created other classic PC Engine games like Air Zonk and the later Bonk sequels.
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