![Kagakusha Harley no Haran Banjou [Model SHVC-HV] screenshot](images/game/61585_2.png "Kagakusha Harley no Haran Banjou [Model SHVC-HV]")
科学者ハーリーの波乱万丈 © 1994 Altron Corp.
(Kagakusha Harley no Haran Banjou)
This side-scrolling platformer follows the misadventures of Harley, a brilliant scientist who accidentally shrinks himself to the size of a mouse during an experiment gone wrong. Players must guide a miniature Harley through a giant-scale household environment to recover the scattered components of his shrinking machine. The game combines standard platforming with resource management, requiring players to track ammunition for improvised weapons (like tacks and rubber bands) and fuel for Harley's jetpack.
GAME ID: SHVC-HV
Released on October 28, 1994 (Friday) in Japan at a retail price of 8,900 JPY.
Miniaturized Perspective: The game leans heavily into the "shrunken hero" trope, with everyday objects transformed into daunting obstacles. Levels range from navigating household furniture to high-stakes vehicle segments where Harley pilots a toy tank, providing a refreshing change of scale compared to traditional fantasy-based platformers.
Visual Concepts Development: While Altron published the title, the game was developed by the American studio Visual Concepts. This accounts for the game's distinct aesthetic, which feels slightly different from typical Japanese platformers of the time, featuring more western-styled character sprites and level layouts.
Resource Management: The game distinguishes itself by limiting Harley’s "science tools." Ammo management is critical; players cannot simply spam attacks and must instead choose their shots carefully, a mechanic that turns even minor household pests into strategic puzzles.