20 years later, an N64 cult classic gets a killer spiritual sequel

Between 1986 and 2005, Konami released 20 entries in a beloved series. Yet you’ve likely never heard of Ganbare Goemon, a colossal franchise that predates the publisher’s hits like Castlevania, Metal Gear, and Silent Hil. Only four of its games reached the U.S. None found widespread success. 

For that reason, I appreciate that most Polygon readers won’t have rosy nostalgia for the diminutive set of Ganbare Goemon English-language localizations haphazardly spread across SNES, Game Boy, and N64. That Konami hasn’t created a new entry in nearly two decades would suggest Ganbare Goemon is doomed to trivia at your local bar arcade. 

This would be the end of the shortest, saddest article on Polygon if not for developer Good-Feel, founded by Goemon veteran Etsunobu Ebisu, willing the spiritual sequel Bakeru into existence. And, most importantly for the English-speaking audience, localizing the game — in all its Japanese geographical glory — for release in the west on Nintendo Switch and Steam. 

I’m certain it will be the only game this decade to include “Battle your way through all 47 Japanese prefectures” as a marketing bullet point. 

Bakeru plays and feels like a modern riff on Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, the English release for N64 that achieved cult status. Like that entry, Bakeru blends melee combat, light platforming, Japanese history and folklore, and a cartoonish sense of humor. But unlike the N64 game, Bakeru has polished controls, clever pacing, and all the other quality-of-life tweaks you’d expect in 2024.

The titular Bakeru is a tanuki who gradually unlocks shapeshifting powers that transform him into creatures itty-bitty and gargantuan, helping him to overcome various challenges. The adventure is split into digestible levels, each representing a different corner of Japan, and each is filled with local tourism facts and curiosities. 

It feels, in short, like a Nintendo game like Kirby and the Forgotten Lands without quite the time and budget to have that Nintendo sheen. No surprise: Good-Feel previously oversaw the development of Kirby’s Epic Yarn and Yoshi’s Crafted World for the house that Mario built.

At the time of publication, Bakeru has 105 Steam reviews, portending an outcome similar to the Goemon games that reached U.S. shores. Hardly the interest you’d expect (or hope) for an independent studio best known for creating literal Nintendo games. Will it be another 20 years until Goemon or Bakeru returns?

Dear reader: I simply can’t worry about that right now. I still have 12 Japanese prefectures to visit.