After decades of translation attempts by many hackers, and no one being able to figure out the compression Konami used for this series, DDSTranslations has finally released translation patches for Ganbare Goemon 2 and Ganbare Goemon 3. The translation of the text and dozens upon dozens of graphics, signs, logos, and more looks so professional, you'd think Konami themselves made a modern translation of the game. Patches for Ganbare Goemon 4 and Soreyuke Ebisumaru Karakuri (a puzzle game) will also come out in the near future.
Most people are familiar with the first game of the series, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, and while the game is pretty good, the sequels (specially Goemon 2) are one of the finest and prettiest 2D games Konami has ever produced. Goemon 2 plays like a refined version of the 1st game, but this time there's a Super Mario World style world map making the game feel more like an adventure. The 3rd game of the series actually plays like A Link to the Past, but with platforming segments each time you enter a temple, or forest, etc.
There is a long history of people trying to hack (at least) Goemon 2 and no one was able to crack the compression. I remember there was a guy a couple of years ago at romhacking.net that was finally able to figure out how to decompress the data for one of the Goemon games, and I think that's what got the ball rolling to where we are here. Maybe someone with more experience can provide a timeline of what made these 4 translations possible after so many failed attempts.
Here are some screenshots, some are courtesy of Hardcore Gaming 101
Goemon 2
Goemon 3
Also a reminder that all 4 Goemon games released for the Famicom are also translated. Two action games, and two RPGs.
Most people are familiar with the first game of the series, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, and while the game is pretty good, the sequels (specially Goemon 2) are one of the finest and prettiest 2D games Konami has ever produced. Goemon 2 plays like a refined version of the 1st game, but this time there's a Super Mario World style world map making the game feel more like an adventure. The 3rd game of the series actually plays like A Link to the Past, but with platforming segments each time you enter a temple, or forest, etc.
There is a long history of people trying to hack (at least) Goemon 2 and no one was able to crack the compression. I remember there was a guy a couple of years ago at romhacking.net that was finally able to figure out how to decompress the data for one of the Goemon games, and I think that's what got the ball rolling to where we are here. Maybe someone with more experience can provide a timeline of what made these 4 translations possible after so many failed attempts.
Here are some screenshots, some are courtesy of Hardcore Gaming 101
Goemon 2
Goemon 3
Also a reminder that all 4 Goemon games released for the Famicom are also translated. Two action games, and two RPGs.
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