![Youkai Buster - Ruka no Daibouken [Model SHVC-AYOJ-JPN] screenshot](images/game/62649_2.png "Youkai Buster - Ruka no Daibouken [Model SHVC-AYOJ-JPN]")
Youkai Buster - Ruka no Daibouken © 1995 Kadokawa Shoten
Youkai Buster: Ruka no Daibouken (Phantom Buster: Ruka's Big Adventure) is an action-platformer developed by Sting Entertainment. The game stars Ruka, a demon girl over 1,000 years old (disguised as a teenager), who acts as a "Youkai Buster." Under the orders of Mr. Enma (a sentient, detached demon head), she must recover Enma's stolen body from a mysterious antagonist named "Body." The gameplay features classic 2D platforming, utilizing a magic-based combat system where Ruka wields a rod/whip to dispatch various monsters inspired by Japanese folklore.
GAME ID: SHVC-AYOJ-JPN
Released on June 9, 1995 in Japan. The game served as a promotional tie-in for Marukatsu Super Famicom, a gaming magazine published by Kadokawa that featured the character Ruka as its official mascot.
The "Jetsons" Connection: The game is a significant "reskin" of the 1994 title The Jetsons: Invasion of the Planet Pirates (also developed by Sting). Because the original Jetsons game was not released in Japan, Kadokawa contracted Sting to re-purpose the engine, assets, and level design, replacing the Jetsons characters and setting with original Japanese supernatural-themed sprites and narrative elements to appeal to the local market.
Gameplay Mechanics: Because it utilizes the Jetsons engine, the platforming mechanics—which focus on gravity manipulation and momentum-based physics—are quite robust compared to typical licensed mascot games of the era. The gameplay is frequently praised by retro enthusiasts for being unexpectedly tight and responsive.
Character Origin: Ruka was created specifically to boost the circulation of Marukatsu Super Famicom magazine. The game was an attempt to transition the magazine's mascot from print media to interactive media, though it remained a cult curiosity rather than a mainstream franchise.
Rarity: Due to its nature as a niche magazine tie-in and its status as a late-lifecycle Super Famicom release, the cartridge has become a sought-after collector's item in the retro market.