1. Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (Famicom)
2. Dragon Scroll: Yomigaerishi Maryuu (Famicom)
3. Ninja-kun: Majou no Bouken (Famicom)
4. Hello Kitty World (Famicom)
5. Galaxian (Famicom)
6. Esper Dream 2: Aratanaru Tatakai (Famicom)
7. Ninja Jajamaru-kun (Famicom)
8. Jajamaru no Daibouken (Famicom)
9. Front Line (Famicom)
10. Field Combat (Famicom)
11. Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken (Famicom)
12. Mississippi Satsujin Jiken: Murder on the Mississippi (Famicom)
13. Space Harrier (Famicom)
14. Geimos (Famicom)
15. Attack Animal Gakuen (Famicom)
16. Sky Destroyer (Famicom)
17. Ripple Island (Famicom)
18. Oishinbo: Kyukyoku no Menu 3bon Syoubu (Famicom)
19. Bird Week (Famicom)
20. Baltron (Famicom)
21. Yie Ar Kung-Fu (Famicom)
22. Challenger (Famicom)
23. Ikki (Famicom)
24. Dough Boy (Famicom)
25. Atlantis no Nazo (Famicom)
26. Bio Senshi Dan: Increaser tono Tatakai (Famicom)
27. Yume Penguin Monogatari (Famicom)Konami's 1991 release Yume Penguin Monogatari is in fact the third game to star the lovable Penta the Penguin, following the (very common) Antarctic Adventure and the (very rare) Penguin Adventure. While the initial Penta Adventure duo consisted of two similar simplistic multi-platform titles, Yume Penguin Monogatari is a vastly more complex platformer/shmup hybrid, developed exclusively for the Nintendo Family Computer.
In his first two outings, Penta was but a cutesy mascot, an avatar. Now, he's the hero of a much larger narrative. And what a ride it is. Apparently, Penta has some sort of binge-eating problem. He's swollen to an unacceptable size, prompting his longtime lover, Penko, to bail on the relationship. She shacks up with an alpha penguin named Ginji, but drops an ultimatum on Penta's feathery head: should he drop a few lbs. she'll consider taking him back. Ginji, apparently amused by the whole situation, decides to go along for the ride, though he warns that his "gang" lurks behind every corner, enticing Penta with an array of fattening treats. The story progresses along with the game, with cutscenes interspersed between each proper stage. Those who lack a working knowledge of Japanese will want to seek out the fan translation; this is not a tale to be missed.
During the platforming segments, pressing A causes Penta to jump while B unleashes his weight-dependent attack. By default, he utilizes a short-range kick. Should he put on too much weight, Penta becomes a penguin-shaped blob, with a pitiful jump range and belly-flop attack. If Penta manages to slim down sufficiently, he can fire a projectile from his beak. Current weight is represented by a meter at the screen's bottom. It is raised and lowered based on the food Penta consumes, naturally. To get slim, Penta must chug nutritional shakes. Obesity is triggered by consuming the food tossed by Ginji's gang... apples and rice balls. Seriously? Has Japan no concept of proper junk food? Maybe the game is an early anti-carb statement. Also note that the weight meter doubles as a traditional health meter. So, yes, according to the game's "logic" if Penta makes contact with an enemy he also gains a few pounds. Same goes for if he falls into a pit, whereupon he emerges massively heavy (waterlogged?). Calibrated directly above the weight/health meter is a heart, either broken or whole. This represents the weight threshold required for finishing a stage. Penta can technically "complete" a stage while too heavy (and brokenhearted), only to find himself scolded by Penko via landline phone, and sent back to the level's start. Mercifully, the game treats lives and continues as one and the same, and infinite chances are granted to complete each segment.
Shmup stages are auto-scrolling. The "rules" remain the same, though Penta now flies an airplane with one standard attack. Both the platforming and shoot 'em up sections impose a strict time limit upon the player; in addition to keeping his weight in check it's also important for Penta to grab clocks that will add seconds to the overall time limit. Shakes and clocks alike can occasionally be found lying about, though most are collected by defeating Ginji's thugs. All stages conclude with a boss showdown, replete with taunting dialogue about the poor penguin's physique. Bosses all follow a similar pattern: they move about and shoot waves of "bad" food at Penta. But there will be an occasional shake thrown into the mix, so it is still possible to complete a stage even if Penta initiated the boss battle while brokenhearted. It's extraordinarily difficult to best a boss if Penta enters the arena as a belly-flopper, however. Konami actually managed to sneak a "bad ending" into the game, in addition to the stock Game Over, if an overweight Penta manages to somehow defeat Ginji at the end.
Speaking of endings, the game unnecessarily pulls a Ghosts 'n Goblins. Rescue Penko successfully and she declares that it's time for a "second lap." Rescue here again and prepare for one of the most absurd and trollish game endings of all time. All said, even if we are to consider two loops, the game feels oddly short, with only six unique stages total. The cutscenes and world map tease the player into thinking an epic journey is about to commence, but then things wrap up almost as soon as they begin. No saves or passwords, naturally.
This is a Konami cartridge, so top-notch mechanics and graphics are to be expected. Yume Penguin Monogatari is a gorgeous game. It's one of the most colorful Famicom experiences, boasting an array of memorable scenes. Penta scales a giant frosted cake, waddles along the seashore, cruises through Ancient Egypt, and of course makes a visit to Antarctica itself. The accompanying music is whimsical, upbeat, and silly, if not particularly memorable. It's impossible not to dig those sound effects though, ripped straight from Contra. Controls are smooth as ice (ha), though being demoted to a weaker state after taking damage can get especially annoying in some of those more cluttered stages. Makes me think that the developers were fans of Gradius.
Aside from some passing cameos, this is sadly Penta's last big appearance. And what a note to end on. While Yume Penguin Monogatari feels a tad underdeveloped, the utterly bizarre premise and top-notch Konami production values make it a worthwhile experience. I certainly can't think of another game dedicated to binging birds.