Play Shikinjou (Japan) on gb Online

Shikinjou is a Japan-only Game Boy release from 1990, developed by Natsume. It arrived during a period when developers were still exploring how to translate complex adventure and puzzle concepts onto the handheld's limited hardware, often resulting in unique, condensed experiences.

You control a lone warrior navigating a multi-level castle, screen by screen, with the goal of defeating the evil lord sealed within. The core gameplay involves pushing large stone blocks to clear paths or trigger switches, solving environmental puzzles to progress between floors. Combat is simple but deliberate; you face enemies like phantom samurai in brief, contained encounters. The pacing is methodical, and the puzzles can be quite challenging, demanding careful observation of each room's layout. It feels like a quiet, thoughtful test of logic set against a stark, monochrome backdrop.