Flashback (Japan)

Flashback is a 1992 cinematic platformer originally developed by Delphine Software, and this is the Japanese Mega Drive port released in 1993. It's a story-driven side-scroller that prioritizes puzzle-solving and stealth over run-and-gun action. The game presents a science fiction world where you control Conrad B. Hart, an agent with amnesia, and the visuals are famous for their rotoscoped smooth animation - a technical feat for 16‑bit consoles.

You guide Conrad through a series of interconnected, open-ended levels. He can run, jump, climb ledges, and use a holographic disguise device to blend in. Combat is deliberate and sparse; you carry a pistol with limited ammo and a force field that protects you for a few seconds. The core loop involves exploring each area, talking to NPCs (text is in Japanese here), finding key items, and figuring out how to progress. Death is frequent, and you have unlimited continues, so trial and error is part of the experience.

This Japanese version is the same game as the Western release, but all on‑screen text and menus are in Japanese. For English‑speaking players, it's still perfectly playable once you memorise the menu options. Flashback remains a standout because of its movie‑like pacing, mature sci‑fi plot, and silky animation. It's a essential piece of 16‑bit history that holds up well if you enjoy deliberate, thinking‑person's platformers.