Jigoku Gokuraku Maru: Pack-In-Video Classic Famicom Title
Jigoku Gokuraku Maru Hell Paradise Boy is a whimsical oriental myth action platformer published by Pack-In-Video exclusively for the Famicom. The spirit boy travels between mortal villages, hellish underworlds and heavenly realms, battling ghosts and yokai. Overworld navigation and side-scrolling combat alternate during the pilgrimage quest.
Horizontal scrolling spirit-world stages host roaming supernatural foes. Spirit energy pickups restore vitality and unlock special exorcism attacks. Every realm concludes with a powerful spirit boss duel.
Hidden shrine sanctuaries offer temporary vitality recovery for thorough explorers. Later hell zones combine fast airborne spectres and heavy ground demons attacking simultaneously.
Pack-In-Video’s colourful heaven-and-hell themed tile graphics and eerie ceremonial background music maintain unique East Asian afterlife fantasy atmosphere.
Strategically, consistent quest completion requires conserving spirit power for flying ghosts. Reliance solely on basic melee leaves the protagonist vulnerable to out-of-reach airborne spirits.
For contemporary Famicom retro oriental myth platform collectors, Jigoku Gokuraku Maru is a scarce domestic Pack-In-Video afterlife fantasy curio.