Inspired by the three-dimensional The Legend of Zelda games with some role-playing game elements, the player assumes the role of Goemon, who is set once again to save Japan. Goemon is able to use a large variety of weapons (including his trademark pipe), as well as equip sub-weapons, items and magic, which can be assigned in 4 hexagons for quick use. Another twist is the addition of a white tiger known as Kotora, whom Goemon can use to attack enemies when he locks on them.
Localization attempts
The now-defunct company Working Designs attempted to bring the game to English audiences as Mystical Ninja Goemon beginning in 2002. Motivated to promote a series "that's never quite received the recognition it deserves here [in the United States]",[2] Working Designs displayed the game in its booth at E3 the same year.[3]Mystical Ninja Goemon remained on the studio's release list until its closing in 2005;[4] it is rumored that Sony squashed the game's North American release due to subpar graphics, although this has yet to have been proven.[5] Two prototype builds of the unreleased English language version were leaked on the internet in November 2021, unveiling that it was going to be released as Mystical Ninja Goemon Zero.[6]
