Play Aretha II - Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi (Japan) (Beta2) Online

Game Overview

Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi is one of those SNES RPGs that slipped under the radar outside Japan, which is a shame because it’s got this weird, dreamy vibe I love. You play as Ariel, a girl with a magic flute (yes, really), wandering through these lush, pastel-colored towns and fighting monsters in classic turn-based battles. The whole thing feels like someone took a Studio Ghibli sketchbook and turned it into a game—slightly janky, but full of charm.

It’s not as polished as the big-name RPGs of the era, but that’s part of its appeal. The beta version has some rough edges, like dialogue that cuts off weirdly or spells that feel a little unbalanced, but the music and art are so warm and nostalgic that I didn’t even care. If you’ve ever wanted to dig up a lost 90s JRPG that feels like playing someone’s half-finished but deeply personal passion project, this is it.