Play Majuu Ou (Japan) [En by Aeon Genesis v1.01] (~King of Demons) Online

Game Overview

Majuu Ou (or King of Demons if you're going by the fan translation) is one of those weird, moody SNES action games that never left Japan but totally should have. You play as Abel, a guy who gets royally screwed over—his family gets sacrificed to bring Lucifer back, and now he’s got to march straight into hell to save his daughter. His dead wife gives him some freaky demon powers along the way, which… yeah, that tracks.

At first glance, it feels like a Castlevania knockoff—gothic horror vibes, whipping enemies, the usual—but then you realize Abel starts with a gun, and things get weirder fast. Beat a level, pick a jewel, and boom, you’re shapeshifting into different demons. Some forms are clunky as hell (pun intended), but others, like the floating eyeball thing, are just fun to mess around with. It’s not as punishing as Castlevania, but the atmosphere is thick enough to cut with a knife, and the whole demon-morphing gimmick keeps it from feeling like a clone.

Honestly, it’s a shame this didn’t get an official release outside Japan—it’s janky in places, but in that endearingly ‘90s way where the ambition outweighs the polish. If you’re into obscure action games with a side of body horror, this one’s worth digging up.