Play Genpei Touma Den - Computer Boardgame (Japan) Online

Genpei Touma Den came out on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986, developed by Namco. It was one of those games that felt a bit different from the usual platformers and action titles of the era, drawing on Japanese history and folklore in a way that wasn't very common at the time.

You control a warrior named Taira no Kagekiyo, moving screen by screen through side-scrolling areas and overhead map sections. Your main goal is to defeat enemies and bosses across various stages, using a sword for close combat and a bow for attacking from a distance. The game involves a lot of exploration, finding keys to progress, and battling through diverse settings like villages, caves, and surreal underworlds. The pacing is deliberate, and the difficulty can be unforgiving, with limited continues. Playing it feels like navigating a challenging, atmospheric folktale where every small victory matters.