Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki Dayo Zenin Shuugou! is the Japan-exclusive sequel to River City Ransom. It improves upon its predecessor across the board with better graphics, more music, new attacks, more advanced stages, and a much larger world map. Additionally, when you play in single player you have an AI-controlled teammate to simulate co-op gameplay.
Welcome to Downtown Special... hail, fighters! Meet us in Suruga... Land of mystery... home of Mt. Fuji. Across the raging sea... duty calls... and romance... Kunio's love awaits... or does she?
Tsuu: Brother! Wait!
Kunio: Hurry, slug! Mr. Bunzo's in trouble!
Okoto: Kunio!
Kunio: I tried to hurry back!
Okoto: This man is...
Asaji: Heh... I'm Okoto's fiance.
Kunio: We'll see about that!
Asaji: Shut up, loser! The boss is waiting...
Kunio: Oh, master! Forgive my delay!
Bunzo: Ah, Kunio! You finally got here! Tora has cursed me! Go find a healer who has Kanpou!
Kunio: You can count on me!
Bunzo: Please hurry!
This game seems to be a stage play put on by Kunio and friends, thus the medieval Japan setting.
The guys over at http://www.romhacking.net made a fantastic fan translation of this game that maintains the story and tone of the original. Check it out!
Jul '91
Jidaigeki is a good follow-up to River City Ransom, and it's understandable yet a shame it didn't get ported over to the US. The new attacks and more advanced areas go a long way to spice up the gameplay, but the new system where you track down enemies can get somewhat tedious. The graphics and sound are excellent, but there is quite a bit of lag.
