Overview and Gameplay
Jajamaru sets out to rescue Princess Sakura and stop the Great Demon Monk from reviving a monstrous supernatural power. This Japanese Famicom entry turns Jaleco’s ninja series into a top-down action RPG built around real-time combat, exploration, villages, shops, caves, towers, temples, and castles.
Progress depends on defeating guardian bosses, collecting key items, and learning spirit techniques rather than earning conventional experience points. New abilities expand Jajamaru’s health and spirit meters, open routes, restore health, attack enemies, or provide defensive and navigation effects. Money buys equipment, ammunition, medicine, oil for dark dungeons, and lodging. Three save files preserve progress.
Controls And Mechanics
- Directions: Move Jajamaru and navigate menus.
- A: Use the equipped weapon, speak with characters, buy items, and confirm selections.
- B: Use the selected spirit technique or cancel a menu selection.
- Start: Open or close the status, equipment, and item screen.
- Combat includes a chain weapon, limited-use shuriken and bombs, defensive equipment, and techniques powered by a spirit meter.
- This is a single-player adventure with no multiplayer mode or score-based objective.
Release And Credits
- Released: May 29, 1990
- Developer: Jaleco
- Publisher: Jaleco
- Original platform: Family Computer
- Japanese title: じゃじゃ丸撃魔伝 幻の金魔城
