Play Little Mermaid - Ningyo Hime (Japan) Online

Game Overview

Okay, so Little Mermaid - Ningyo Hime is one of those NES Disney games nobody really talks about, but it’s way better than it has any right to be. You play as Ariel, but instead of singing about forks, you’re shooting bubbles at jellyfish and crabs like some kind of underwater superhero. The controls are weirdly smooth for an 8-bit game—once you get the hang of bouncing bubbles off walls, you’ll be ricocheting attacks like a pro.

The levels are short and sweet, full of little secrets (like hidden pearls tucked behind coral) and these oddly satisfying boss fights where you basically turn Ursula’s own minions against her. It’s got that classic Disney charm, but with enough challenge to keep you from breezing through in one sitting. Also, the music? Surprisingly catchy for something made in 1991.

If you’ve ever wondered what Mario would look like if it took place in Atlantica, here’s your answer. Just don’t expect Flounder to be as helpful as Luigi.