Dive Alert - Burn Hen (Japan)

Getting Started

When you first load Dive Alert - Burn Hen, you will see a Japanese title screen. Press Start to proceed. The main menu is entirely in Japanese, but the options are typical for a NEO-GEO Pocket game: the first option is usually "New Game" or "Story Mode". Selecting it begins a short cutscene that sets up your diving mission. You control a diver from a side-view perspective, swimming left and right through underwater stages.

The core gameplay loop involves exploring each area while keeping an eye on your oxygen gauge. Oxygen depletes slowly over time and faster when you swim quickly or take damage. You can find air refill stations scattered through the levels. The goal is to reach the end of each stage, often marked by a sub or a special item. Along the way you might encounter hostile sea creatures or obstacles that you can avoid or sometimes dispatch with a harpoon. If your oxygen runs out, you lose a life. The game saves progress automatically after completing a stage, so you can resume later.

Since all menus are in Japanese, navigation by memory or trial and error is necessary. The first stage is straightforward and acts as a tutorial. Pay attention to icons that indicate objects you can interact with, like treasure chests or switches. This is a niche title even among NEO-GEO Pocket games, but its slow-paced exploration and resource management make it a unique experience. If you have played other Dive Alert games, the controls and mechanics will feel familiar.