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3DS

The Mysterious Murasame Castle to Finally See Western Release

by Clay Johnson - May 26, 2014, 9:50 pm EDT
Total comments: 3 Source: Nintendo

The game comes to the European 3DS Virtual Console 28 years after its Famicom Disk System debut.

The Mysterious Murasame Castle has been scheduled for a May 29 release on 3DS Virtual Console in Europe. A Nintendo-developed title published in 1986 for the Famicom Disk System, it has previously never been made available outside of Japan.

The game, a contemporary of The Legend of Zelda, is viewed from a top-down perspective, with players navigating environments one screen at a time in a manner similar to that title. However, its gameplay is more linear than Zelda, featuring a time limit and higher emphasis on action. The story revolves around a mysterious force threatening Edo period Japan, and thus prompting a samurai apprentice named Takamaru to battle through a series of four castles to reach the once-peaceful titular castle and rid it of evil.

Nintendo has rarely made reference to The Mysterious Murasame Castle in the 28 years since its release, especially to Western audiences. There have been a few exceptions, most notably the Nintendo Land attraction Takamaru’s Ninja Castle. Takamaru was also a playable character with his own special mode in the Wii version of Samurai Warriors 3 and was seen as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Unfortunately for many hoping to get their hands on this long lost curiosity, The Mysterious Murasame Castle has yet to be announced for any new territories other than Europe, though it has been rated by the Australian Classification Board. For more on the game, check out our review of its Japanese 3DS Virtual Console release.

Talkback

I actually REALLY like this game.  heck, I even did a little bit of fan art of Takamaru one time for funsies.

http://clexyoshi.deviantart.com/art/I-felt-like-drawing-Takamaru-okay-430679585 yes, I know it's kinda shoddy, but fuckit, man! I would buy this game if it came to the US... or if... y'know, Nintendo were to announce that Mysterious Murasame Castle was the next franchise they're going to give the Kid Icarus treatment, only it's developed by Platinum Games. <3 <3 <3

Dan LaserMay 28, 2014

I've said this before but... Takamaru for Smash?!?

That would be very cool if Nintendo were to revitalize the Mysterious Murasame Castle franchise... Looking forward to trying out the NES game once/if it eventually is released in North America.

StratosMay 28, 2014

This could be the outlet for Nintendo to experiment with the Zelda formula in some radical ways. I'll support it if it releases in the states.

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