![Keeper [Model SHVC-K9] screenshot](images/game/61601_2.png "Keeper [Model SHVC-K9]")
Keeper © 1994 Datam Polystar
Keeper is a colorful and addictive puzzle game converted from the Sharp X68000 original. Players control one of three unique characters—the fluffy guardians, the cute Makendou, or the enigmatic Maririn—as they navigate a 5x5 grid. The core objective is to push and pull colored "fossil stones" to create alignments of three or more, clearing them from the screen to protect the local water springs after the eruption of Mt. Cod.
GAME ID: SHVC-K9
The Super Famicom game was presented at the Famicom Spaceworld' 93 in August 1993. It was then released on July 15, 1994 (Friday) in Japan at a retail price of 7,200 JPY.
Original X68000 Roots: Keeper originated as a title developed by Success and published by ASCII Entertainment for the Sharp X68000 in 1993. The Super Famicom port by Datam Polystar successfully preserved the frenetic, grid-based puzzle mechanics that made the original a cult classic among Japanese computer gamers.
Tactical Depth: Beyond simple tile-matching, the inclusion of special blocks—such as those that freeze time or serve as wildcards—transforms the gameplay into a high-stakes management puzzle. Players must balance clearing immediate threats with setting up chain reactions.
Dual-Mode Mastery: The game offers two distinct ways to play: the standard arcade-style survival mode where stones appear at a constant rate, and a more cerebral "Puzzle mode." The latter features 60 levels that require specific moves to clear, utilizing a password system that allows players to tackle the most challenging configurations at their own pace.
Multiplayer Dynamics: Keeper is particularly noted for its simultaneous two-player support, allowing for both cooperative play to keep the board clear, or intense versus matches where players compete to see who can manage their grid the longest.