Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (1993)
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (literally "Beautiful Warrior Sailor Moon") is a beat 'em up action game developed and published by Angel (a subsidiary of Bandai) for the Super Famicom, released on August 27, 1993. It is based on the massively popular anime and manga series Sailor Moon, which follows the adventures of Usagi Tsukino and her fellow Sailor Guardians as they protect the Earth from evil forces. The game is a side-scrolling beat 'em up where players control Sailor Moon and her friends, battling through a series of levels, defeating enemies and bosses. Angel, known for their SD Gundam and licensed games, brought their expertise and love for the source material to this title.
Gameplay and Beat 'em Up Mechanics
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is a side-scrolling beat 'em up where up to two players can play simultaneously, controlling Sailor Moon and one of her fellow Sailor Guardians, including Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus. Each character has a unique fighting style and special attacks, including the iconic "Moon Tiara Action," "Mercury Aqua Mist," and "Mars Fire Ignite." The game's levels are diverse, ranging from city streets and amusement parks to enemy bases and otherworldly realms, each filled with enemies and traps. The game also features a "power-up" system, where collecting items enhances the characters' abilities.
The game includes boss fights against iconic villains from the series, including Queen Beryl and the Shitennou. The game's visual style is faithful to the anime, with large, expressive character sprites and vibrant, detailed backgrounds. The soundtrack features energetic and dramatic music that matches the action-packed and magical tone.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon received positive reviews for its faithful adaptation and fun beat 'em up gameplay, becoming a popular title among fans of the series. It remains a nostalgic classic for fans of Sailor Moon and Angel's licensed games.