#cocoron

"I am the most beautiful queen in the world!” -

Game Dave Looks at Mega Man-esque Cocoron for Famicom

Cal, my character from the Famicom game Cocoron.

his original sprite, for reference.

I think I found a real gem here.

This game is called Cocoron, it was a Japan only game, but as you can see, this is an english patched game. It’s a platformer with some shooter elements. 

Might not seem that special, but at the beginning of the game and after each boss, it gives you the option to create your own character by combining heads and body parts and weapon choices, each having their own stats and special abilities. I made a pumpkin headed sentai that throws flower bombs, a skull headed robot with jet boots that shoots pencils, a harpy that throws baseballs, a dragon riding a cloud that shoots music notes, and a boat with a gundam head that shoots shurikens. They can power up as they play through the levels and break open eggs.

Even more interesting, when you complete a level, and you get taken back to the map screen, and choose your next level, you aren’t automatically taken to the next level. No, you are now at the end of the last level you played and you must work your way backward through the level. The terrain of the path you take changes depending on which level you are traveling to and from.

There’s not much variety in enemies.. a lot of armadillos and penguins, but they always manage to whip out some new tricks that surprise. One armadillo might just be a normal mook with the attack pattern of a goomba, while others might toss their shell at you or use it as a parachute.