Remember the days when portable gaming meant squinting at a green-tinted screen, fueled by a handful of AA batteries? The Game Boy library is packed with iconic titles, but also hidden gems that deserve another look. One such title that often flies under the radar is Jaleco's peculiar action-platformer, Avenging Spirit Game Boy.
While the game saw life in arcades and even got a recent multi-platform re-release (of the arcade version), the Game Boy port offers a surprisingly distinct experience that some retro fans argue is even better than its coin-op sibling. Let's possess some digital bodies and find out why.
What is Avenging Spirit About?
The premise of Avenging Spirit is wonderfully bizarre. You play as a young man whose girlfriend has been kidnapped by a mysterious crime syndicate. Just as you're about to intervene, you're gunned down! But fear not, death is merely a minor setback. Your spirit rises, and you're tasked by your girlfriend's father (a paranormal investigator, naturally) to rescue her by possessing enemies.
It's a classic damsel-in-distress setup, but the ghostly possession mechanic turns the standard action-platformer formula completely on its head.
Possess and Progress: The Core Gameplay
At its heart, Avenging Spirit is a side-scrolling action game. As a spirit, you're vulnerable but can float freely. Your goal is to inhabit the bodies of the various enemies you encounter. Each host body gives you different abilities – some might have a gun, others martial arts moves, flight, or even unique projectile attacks.
Managing your host's health is key, as is your own ethereal energy meter. If your host dies, you pop out as a spirit and need to quickly find a new body before your spirit energy drains away. This constant need to swap bodies keeps the gameplay fresh and forces you to adapt your strategy based on the enemies available.
Why the Game Boy Version is Special
While the arcade version is visually flashier, the Avenging Spirit Game Boy port has a significant gameplay difference that many players prefer: the ability to voluntarily swap bodies.
In the arcade, you were often stuck with a host until they died. On the Game Boy, if you find a new enemy you'd rather control, you can simply leave your current body and possess the new one (provided you have enough spirit energy). This gives the player much more control and tactical flexibility, allowing you to switch to the best body for the current situation rather than being forced into a less-than-ideal one. This single change transforms the flow of the game and makes the GB version feel more strategic and less punishing in certain scenarios.
Despite the graphical downgrade inherent to the Game Boy hardware, the sprites are clear, the animations are decent, and the levels are well-designed for the platform. The core possession mechanic translates perfectly, arguably enhanced by the body-swapping feature.
An Under-the-Radar Game Boy Classic?
Avenging Spirit on Game Boy never reached the same level of fame as, say, Super Mario Land or Metroid II, but it developed a reputation as a cult classic among those who played it. Its unique concept, combined with the satisfying loop of possessing different enemies and utilizing their abilities, makes it stand out from the many generic platformers on the system.
For retro gamers looking for something a bit different from the standard Game Boy fare, this game offers a unique blend of action, strategy, and charmingly spooky atmosphere. It's a solid example of how creative mechanics could shine even on limited hardware.
Finding Avenging Spirit Today
Tracking down a physical copy of Avenging Spirit Game Boy might require some searching on auction sites or specialized retro game stores.
For digital options, while the recent Ratalaika Games re-release brought the arcade version to modern consoles and PC, the Game Boy version was notably absent. This means experiencing the GB port typically requires emulation. You can find Game Boy emulators for almost any modern device. Finding ROMs online can be tricky due to copyright, but sites like Archive.org sometimes host historical software for preservation purposes (always be mindful of local laws regarding ROMs).
Playing via emulation is a great way to experience this specific version and appreciate its unique take on the possession mechanic.
Final Thoughts: Is it Worth Playing?
For fans of classic Game Boy titles or anyone intrigued by unique gameplay concepts, Avenging Spirit Game Boy is absolutely worth checking out. Its voluntary body-swapping feature sets it apart, offering a more player-friendly and strategic experience than its arcade counterpart. It's a creative, engaging platformer that deserves more recognition as a quality title on Nintendo's venerable handheld.
If you're diving back into the Game Boy library, don't let the unassuming title or box art fool you. Give Avenging Spirit a chance – you might just find yourself possessed by its retro charm.
FAQ
Q: Is the Avenging Spirit Game Boy version included in the recent re-release? A: No, the recent digital re-release by Ratalaika Games primarily features the arcade version of Avenging Spirit. The Game Boy version is not typically included.
Q: How does the Game Boy version differ from the arcade? A: The main difference is that the Game Boy version allows players to voluntarily switch between possessed bodies at any time (using spirit energy), whereas the arcade version generally requires the current host to die before you can possess a new one.
Q: Is Avenging Spirit a difficult game? A: The difficulty can vary depending on the version and your skill with platformers. The Game Boy version's body-swapping feature can make it slightly more forgiving and strategic than the arcade version for some players.
Q: Who developed Avenging Spirit? A: Avenging Spirit was developed by Jaleco.
