Play Ganbare Goemon 2 (Japan) Online

Konami released Ganbare Goemon 2 for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, a time when side-scrolling adventures were common but few embraced such a peculiar sense of humor. It was the second entry in a series that never quite broke through overseas, but it built a dedicated following with its distinct style and cooperative play.

You control either Goemon or Ebisumaru, navigating a mix of platforming stages and top-down towns, using a pipe and a slingshot to attack the odd assortment of enemies that block your path. The main goal is to progress through the levels, defeating bosses and occasionally piloting a giant robot for screen-filling combat sequences. You collect coins to spend on power-ups and health-restoring food, and the pacing shifts between frantic action and slower exploration. It feels unpredictable and genuinely funny, like playing through a cartoon where anything can happen.