This week’s Famicom Fridays brings us one of the most charming—and significant—titles in early Japanese gaming: Door Door!
Released in 1983 by Enix for the Famicom and based on a computer version originally made for the NEC PC-8801, Door Door is a unique puzzle-platformer that mixes cute design with clever gameplay. But what truly sets it apart is that it marked the debut game of Koichi Nakamura, who would later become a key figure behind the legendary Dragon Quest series.
🚪 What is Door Door?
In Door Door, you play as a little round character named Chun, who must outwit a group of colorful alien pursuers. Your objective? Trap them behind doors by luring them into rooms and shutting the door behind them. Sounds simple—but the game becomes increasingly complex as levels add more aliens, trickier layouts, and time constraints.
With 50 levels of escalating challenge, Door Door is as much about timing and planning as it is about reflexes.
💡 Why It’s Special
What made Door Door stand out at the time—and still does—is its unconventional gameplay. Instead of shooting or jumping your way to victory like most early Famicom games, this one emphasizes:
-
Puzzle solving
-
Strategy and prediction
-
Using the level layout to your advantage
It was cute, clever, and unlike anything else on the system at the time.
🎨 Unique Aesthetic
The visuals of Door Door are delightfully simple, with quirky character designs and bright colors that give it a very distinct early-80s Japanese computer game vibe. The cover art, made from paper cutouts, only adds to its charm and surreal feel. Chun and the various aliens have since become cult icons among fans of retro Japanese games.
🧠 Did You Know?
-
Koichi Nakamura, the creator of Door Door, entered the game in a programming contest while still a university student—and won! This success led to him founding Chunsoft, named after the game’s main character.
-
The game was a huge hit in Japan's early home computing scene before landing on the Famicom.
-
Door Door inspired a sequel, Door Door mkII, though it was only released for Japanese PCs—not the Famicom.
🎮 Legacy
While not as globally famous as Mario or Zelda, Door Door holds an important place in gaming history. It's the launchpad for one of Japan’s most influential developers and one of the early signs that games could be more than just action—they could challenge your mind.
Its mix of cute visuals, tricky gameplay, and historical significance make it a must-know title for any Famicom collector or enthusiast.
🚪💥 Final Thoughts
If you're diving into Famicom history, Door Door is a perfect reminder that some of the most memorable classics are the ones that dared to do something different. Clever, cute, and endlessly replayable—it’s the kind of game that reminds us just how creative early game developers could be.
🕹️ Keep following us for more hidden gems and deep cuts every week on Famicom Fridays!
0 comments:
Post a Comment