Released by Bandai in 1990 for the Famicom, *Ultraman Club 2: Kaettekita Ultraman Club* serves as a charmingly condensed RPG interpretation of the iconic tokusatsu franchise. Utilizing the "Super Deformed" (SD) art style popular in the late 80s, the game centers on the Ultra Brothers as they traverse overhead maps to combat a variety of Kaiju threats. Unlike its arcade-focused predecessor, this sequel leans heavily into traditional role-playing elements, requiring players to navigate towns, manage resources, and engage in turn-based combat to save the Earth from intergalactic destruction.
The gameplay loop alternates between exploration and random encounters, where the battle screen presents a command-based menu typical of the era. While the visuals are vibrant and capture the essence of the showโs monster roster, the difficulty curve can be somewhat erratic, often necessitating significant grinding to overcome mid-game bosses. The password system replaces a battery backup, which was a common cost-saving measure for Bandai at the time, though it adds a layer of manual friction for modern players looking for a quick pick-up-and-play experience.
Ultimately, this title stands as a fascinating artifact of early licensed gaming, successfully translating the cinematic scale of the Ultra series into a pocket-sized RPG format. While it lacks the polish of contemporary heavyweights like *Dragon Quest*, its faithful recreation of classic Ultraman lore provides substantial fanservice for enthusiasts of Japanese pop culture.
