Written: 9.19.06 Acquired: 7.25.06 Status: Cart only Price: $28
Publisher: Hudson
Released: 3.22.96
Developer: Hudson
Scarcity: 4
Ever see a picture of a game and INSTANTLY knew you had to play it... at ANY cost?
The first time I saw a screen shot of DoReMi it had me charmed
It single-handedly inspired me to shift the focus from the SNES to SFC
Same guy from Milon's Secret Castle
DoReMi Fantasy is a highly polished side-scrolling platformer. There are 7 worlds each with their own theme. In each world there's a minimum of 6 levels followed by a boss. An overhead map allows you to backtrack. The levels aren't particularly long, but they possess plenty of detail, quirky enemies, excellent backdrops, ace set pieces and satisfying gameplay moments
Milon is a great character, full of charm and animated brilliantly. Graphics are OUTSTANDING. The game has a real sense of LIFE to it... you really have to see it in motion to fully appreciate it. Milon can take 3 hits (green suit then blue, red). Jumping on the heads of baddies will only stun 'em. To do away permanently, you have to encase them in a bubble and then POP! 'em
From world 2 on, each level contains a Musical Star you must find and grab (usually not that hard, but later on can become tricky). Therefore, you're forced to explore the beautiful layouts (if you finish a stage without getting the star, you can't battle the boss)
Some are positioned in much tougher places
A look at each of the 7 worlds:
1. THE WOODS
Basic, gets you acquainted to the game. You may feel a bit uninspired but it gets much better. Highlights include a log ride, falling leaves over a pit where you must time and leap from one to the next....
.... and this neat haunted log cabin home to some great set pieces such as the Pinocchio-like dolls
Their noses extend, acting as platforms
There's even a mini-game that's Duck Hunt-esque!
Boss: Tree-Man who climbs the trunks in the foreground. Very easy
2. FOOD
The night levels feature a gorgeous constellation in the background
I just love this atmospheric world. Lots of neat graphical touches, a surreal soundtrack and some bizarre-o enemies to go along with everything else
Launching posts propel Milon high through the air... usually bursting a gaggle of blocks in the process... as seen here
Just ace!
The larger-than-life pyramid composed of empty wine glasses is an outstanding set piece. Slowly, smoothly, they fill with wine... and Milon even reacts properly if you're idle!
"Remember, always protect yourself!"
This world also introduces the forced scrolling level
Boss: Iron Chef... barely semi-challenging
3. CHURCH
Some creepy music here! Highlights include a bell hopping stage and a unique level where on/off switches litter the floor (touch any off switch and darkness devours the scene except for the color of the switches and Milon's white pupils)
Cling on the curtains to manuever yourself
Notice the cool visual effect of the curtains
Boss: Magician-like creature who floats around... now the boss difficulty begins to build. Battle in front of a theatre stage
4. WATER
Though much of this level is on land, there are plenty of underwater sequences. I quickly developed a burning hatred for those annoying spear throwing frogmen... and suspect you will too....
Boss: A giant princess whose weak spot is her face. As you pelt away, her true colors are soon revealed...
5. ICE
Ah, I love this world. It has some of the game's best graphics and stages
It's incredibly fun to play through. 5-3 is a sled stage that rocks
Ooooh, lovely NORTHERN LIGHTS
The animation is just off-the-chart amazing!
Milon turns into Sonic!
Blow a bubble which freezes forming a block for Milon to hop on. Just brilliant. And yes, it's more slippery than a used car salesman!
Boss: Gi-normous snowman.... really the first boss to give me a good amount of trouble
6. FIRE
C'mon you knew this was coming! No platformer is complete without ye ole mandatory fire-y level
Two fairly difficult force-scrollers are spread across this blazin' world
Boss: A sun that transforms into a moon and vice versa. When you're fighting the sun, it'll be daytime. Moon night time. Nice touch. Sun is MUCH easier than the moon side
7A. TOYLAND
The toy stages are stunning in the richness of colors the game developers used. In addition to some gnarly 2D graphics, there are plenty of cool little gadgets in this dangerous toy world
Looks so good you could eat off of it!
Boss: A giant Christmas present, with an ugly head popping out. He hurls a barrage of orange fireballs that are difficult to dodge... took many tries before I could beat him
7B. HAUNTED HOUSE The Haunted House can be tricky indeed, with all the traps and spirits lurking about... not to mention a strange Yoda-like leaping nuisance
Boss: Two for the price of one! First it's a giant green farting (I kid you not) creature. Luckily, he's super easy and perfectable 100% of the time once you learn his simple pattern. Thank God, because you'll need all 3 hits to have a chance to beat the final boss. You get much props if you can. I tried for 90 minutes, then finally gave up
Misc. Notes ----
Slowdown does occur but it's not often nor does it affect gameplay really
When you lose to a boss or level, you start with 1 hit (red suit). So you'll find yourself backtracking often to restore your health to 3 hits (green suit) before re-facing the boss. Hard love...
Infinite continues
4 character password system (too bad it wasn't battery-backed). PW's put you on the 1st stage of that world, so you have to do all the work again if, say, you quit at a boss battle
Hold attack until Milon flashes to unleash his super attack
Different powerups are available and hidden inside breakable items. Powerups include floating shoes, double bubble, bubble gum (very handy should you fall in a bottomless pit), etc.
The storyline unfolds in pictures and text. The pictures are self-explanatory when it comes to the game introducing new gameplay elements in each world
Milon is a selectable character in Hudson's Saturn Bomberman (1997)
There's an English translated rom floating out there. There's not much text to begin with, but it's nice to be able to follow the story. Here we see some Bombermen ready to help out Milon!
Milon would return the favor by appearing in Saturn Bomberman
CLOSING THOUGHTS
DoReMi Fantasy is an excellent platformer every serious SNES fan should own. It's a shame it didn't receive a domestic release. Personally, I think it's one of the system's finest platformers, as well as one of THE best, period. It's terrific top to bottom, and as a friend of mine once put it perfectly...
Overall: 9.0