![Ganbare Goemon 3 - Shishi Juurokubee no Karakuri Manjigatame [Model SHVC-2U] screenshot](images/game/61363_2.png "Ganbare Goemon 3 - Shishi Juurokubee no Karakuri Manjigatame [Model SHVC-2U]")
Ganbare Goemon 3 - Shishi Juurokubee no Karakuri Manjigatame © 1994 Konami Company, Limited.
Ganbare Goemon 3 marks a significant departure in the series' structure. Trading the linear stage progression of its predecessors for a massive, interconnected world, this title leans heavily into the "Metroidvania" style of gameplay. The trio—Goemon, Ebisumaru, and Sasuke—are joined by the kunoichi Yae as they traverse feudal Japan to stop the titular Shishi Juurokubee from seizing control through his complex mechanical inventions.
GAME ID: SHVC-2U
Exploration-Focused Design: This title is famous for its non-linear world map. Players must backtrack through previously visited areas as they unlock new abilities for their characters, rewarding curiosity and exploration in a way the first two Super Famicom entries did not.
The Four-Character Team: With the addition of Yae, players have four distinct characters to cycle through. Each brings unique utility: Yae, for instance, adds underwater maneuverability and distinct combat range, while Sasuke and Ebisumaru retain their mobility and strength-based skills, respectively.
Time-Travel Narrative: The story centers on a time-travel plot that spans various historical eras of Japan. This narrative choice allowed the developers to create varied, visually distinct biomes that felt fresh compared to the more grounded setting of the previous games.
Technical Ambition: Pushing the hardware, the game utilizes sophisticated sprite management to handle the large, interconnected world without significant loading delays. It remains a high-water mark for 16-bit action-adventure design, prioritizing dense environmental design over simple point-to-point traversal.
Reviews:
[FR] March 1995, Consoles + N.41: 87/100