Play Gegege no Kitarou 2 - Youkai Gundan no Chousen (Japan) Online

Bandai released Gegege no Kitarou 2: Youkai Gundan no Chousen for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. It was one of many licensed games from that era, based on the popular manga and anime series about yokai, or Japanese spirits. The game stands out for its eerie atmosphere and reliance on exploration, fitting right in with the NES library's mix of action and adventure titles from the mid 80s.

You control Kitaro, a one eyed yokai boy, as he navigates side scrolling stages and overhead map areas. Your main goal is to defeat enemy yokai and progress through haunted environments, from forests to villages. Signature mechanics include using Kitaro's detached hair needle as a projectile weapon and interacting with non hostile yokai to gain information or items. The pacing is deliberate, with careful movement required to avoid ambushes and traps. It feels like a slow, thoughtful journey through a world where every shadow could hide a friend or a foe.