Osomatsukun (Megadrive, 1988)

Gameplay

Osomatsu-kun is a side-scrolling action game released for the Mega Drive by Sega. At the time, Japan was entering a period when many players had grown tired of the Famicom and were looking for new stimulation.

They began migrating to machines with more advanced graphics. The PC Engine arrived first, followed by the Mega Drive, and then—slightly late to the party—the Super Famicom. Nintendo, acting as if “the true protagonist always arrives late,” came across as quietly ill-natured. Personally, I was completely captivated by the astonishing graphics of Kato-chan & Ken-chan, which led me to purchase a PC Engine. I was firmly in the PC Engine camp. From that perspective, the Mega Drive was inevitably intriguing. There is a Japanese proverb: “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” In short, other people’s things always look better. To put it more bluntly, your friend’s wife somehow looks more erotic than your own. When I saw an article on the Mega Drive in the Famicom magazine Famitsu, I found myself thinking, “Hm… not bad at all.” The colorful visuals of Osomatsu-kun caught my attention. As someone who had already abandoned the Famicom’s crude visuals in favor of the PC Engine’s prettier graphics, this reaction was unavoidable. Now, having finally obtained the very game I vaguely admired back then—across the vast passage of time—I am deeply moved. Well then… let’s begin. The first thing that stands out is the dual-layer scrolling background. For players of that era, this was more than impactful enough. As for the gameplay… this feels like a title designed to be played repeatedly, memorized little by little, and eventually conquered. In other words, a game that extends its lifespan through repetition and learning. While it looks cartoonish, it demands steady, methodical play. This is not an action game that sells itself on sheer exhilaration. Players who enjoy studying patterns and proceeding carefully may appreciate it. That said, while it might suit Japan’s diligent, cram-school-type mentality, I’ve never heard anyone call it a masterpiece. Which means… …Yes, that’s it. This game is the Mega Drive’s equivalent of Kato-chan & Ken-chan.

New hardware often launches with highly impactful, eye-catching titles aimed at potential buyers. These games prioritize demonstration value over pure gameplay, designed to push consumers into purchasing the system. I believe Osomatsu-kun carries that exact intention. After all, I myself was drawn in by the striking title screen of Kato-chan & Ken-chan and ended up buying a PC Engine. Saying “ended up buying” might sound regretful, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My days with the PC Engine remain some of my fondest memories. Returning to the game itself: as mentioned earlier, this is a memorization-based game. It may seem difficult at first, but once enemy patterns are learned, progression becomes manageable. The stages are filled with numerous branching paths designed to confuse the player, so memorizing routes is also required. As a result, the game’s lifespan is relatively long, making it less likely to feel like a wasted purchase—provided you don’t quit early. Players seeking fast, cathartic action will probably give up almost immediately.

So, in conclusion, this is a learning-based action game, which makes it unsuitable for overseas players. While it’s understandable that its non-release in the U.S. might spark curiosity, I would strongly advise against buying it. To be honest, there aren’t many people in Japan anymore who patiently study retro games either. Except for one. Ghosts ’n Goblins. That is a true masterpiece. It cannot be compared to Osomatsu-kun. Ghosts ’n Goblins remains the pinnacle of learning-based games, a rare title that still delivers genuine satisfaction even today.