Pocket Zaurus: Ju Ouken no Nazo is a delightfully bizarre 1987 Famicom exclusive from Bandai that serves as a playable marketing vehicle for a line of dinosaur-themed stationery. Players control Hashimoto, a real-life Bandai employee reimagined as a salaryman who transforms into a humanoid dinosaur to battle through various historical and futuristic epochs. The recent fan translation is an absolute necessity for Western players, as the game frequently interrupts its side-scrolling action with text-heavy multiple-choice questions, RPG-style menus, and cryptic hints that were previously impenetrable to those who did not speak Japanese.
Mechanically, the game is an experimental hybrid that attempts to blend traditional platforming with shoot-’em-up segments and light adventure elements. Hashimoto attacks by throwing boomerangs, which requires precise timing given the game's stiff jump physics and aggressive enemy respawn rates. The difficulty is notoriously high, often feeling unfair due to punishing hit detection and the requirement of specific items to progress past certain screens. While the visuals are colorful and the character designs are brimming with 80s charm, the trial-and-error nature of the level design means you will see the game over screen frequently before mastering its eccentricities.
The translation finally allows the game’s weird personality to shine, revealing a narrative that is far more involved than the average 8-bit platformer. It stands as a fascinating cultural artifact of a time when Japanese developers were willing to mix genres and themes with reckless abandon to promote toy lines. For the retro enthusiast, this translated version is a rewarding, if occasionally frustrating, deep dive into the Famicom’s most eccentric corners.
