Daikatana (2000). Play online

Summary

Daikatana on Game Boy Color flips the original first‑person shooter into a top‑down action‑adventure that feels right out of an early Zelda. At John Romero’s request, director Takeo Mogi steered the game toward puzzle‑filled dungeons, super‑deformed heroes, and a magic‑sword quest across multiple eras.

The title shipped in Europe in September 2000 and later as a Nintendo Power download in Japan, but a North‑American launch was pulled after the brand’s reputation tanked on PC. Even so, its E3 demo earned a runner‑up for IGN’s best handheld adventure, hinting at the different direction it was taking.

Critics gave the GBC version a solid 79 % on GameRankings, praising its instant‑save system, colorful sprite work and clever puzzles. Complaints focused on the limited sound palette, a wonky translation and characters that feel mechanically similar, though those issues never outweighed the overall charm of this little handheld gem.

Storyline

Daikatana on the Game Boy Color follows Hiro Miyamoto, a determined young warrior who learns that his family's ancient sword has been taken. The thief is Kage Mishima, a long‑standing enemy who seeks to use the blade’s time‑warping powers to rewrite history. Mishima’s first move is a brutal assault on Hiro’s family dojo, where he also kidnaps Hiro’s close friend Mikiko. With the Daikatana in hostile hands, Hiro must track down Mishima, rescue Mikiko, and prevent the weapon from altering the past. The game’s story drives a fast‑paced quest across time‑bending challenges.