Play Ranma 1-2 (Japan) Online

Ranma 1-2 came out for the Game Boy in 1990, developed by Atelier Double. It was one of those early handheld tie-ins, based on the popular anime, and it fit right in with the platform's growing library of action titles. You didn't expect much from licensed games back then, but this one had its own ideas.

You control Ranma Saotome, working through side-scrolling stages to rescue Akane from an abduction. The key mechanic is switching between Ranma's male and female forms on the fly; each has unique moves, like the guy form's stronger punches or the girl form's higher jumps and wall kicks. You explore interconnected areas, defeat recurring enemies, and hunt for keys to open up new paths. The pacing is deliberate, with some backtracking, and the difficulty can spike in later stages. It feels like a compact, thoughtful adaptation that makes you work with its transformations.