Go! Go! Ackman 2 is a vibrant showcase of Akira Toriyama’s unmistakable character design, bringing the mischievous demon Ackman to life in a way that feels like a playable Dragon Ball side-story. Released by Banpresto in 1995, this sequel polishes the foundations of the original platformer, tasking players with collecting souls to satisfy the demands of the Great Demon King. The aesthetic is quintessential 16-bit mastery, utilizing a bright color palette and fluid animations that capture the whimsical yet edgy tone of the manga. Interestingly, while quirky titles like the puzzle game Zoop were released in the UK and Europe in 1995 but never saw a Japanese Super Famicom release, Ackman 2 remained a domestic exclusive for decades until this fan-translation finally made it accessible to the English-speaking world.
The gameplay loop remains a classic side-scrolling affair, but it introduces several refinements that elevate it above its predecessor. Ackman is more agile here, capable of using a variety of weapons—ranging from melee swords to long-range bombs—and piloting several vehicles like jetpacks and tanks that provide a welcome change of pace. The level design is imaginative, frequently throwing new hazards and enemy types at the player to ensure the experience never feels stagnant. While the difficulty curve is relatively fair, the boss encounters require genuine pattern recognition, often involving the comical interference of Ackman’s arch-nemesis, the angelic Tenshi, who attempts to thwart your soul-collecting progress at every turn.
This English translation is essential for fully appreciating the charm of the title, as the banter between Ackman and Tenshi is where the game’s personality truly shines. The translation team has done a stellar job of maintaining the humor and snarky tone characteristic of Toriyama’s writing, making the brief cutscenes between stages a highlight rather than a hurdle. For anyone who enjoys high-tier SNES platforming or the specific visual flair of the mid-90s anime scene, Go! Go! Ackman 2 is a definitive hidden gem. It stands as a testament to the era's creative peak, offering a polished, albeit short, adventure that feels significantly more cohesive and mechanically sound than many other licensed titles of the same period.
