Play Tsuri Kichi Sanpei - Blue Marlin Hen (Japan) Online

Tsuri Kichi Sanpei: Blue Marlin Hen came out in 1988 for the NES, developed by TOSE and published by Toei Animation. It was part of that wave of late 80s games based on popular manga and anime, a niche but familiar sight on the console. You don't see many fishing games like this one.

You control Sanpei, a young fisherman, and your goal is to catch increasingly difficult and valuable fish, culminating in the blue marlin. The gameplay is split between navigating a world map to find fishing spots and then the actual fishing sequences, which are a test of timing and endurance. When you hook a fish, you enter a struggle where you must rapidly press buttons to reel it in while managing your line tension to avoid a break. Upgrading your rod, reel, and line is essential for tackling bigger prey. It's a patient, sometimes frustrating game that makes every successful catch feel like a genuine accomplishment. The whole process is surprisingly tense for such a simple concept.