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For decades, the silver-and-red silhouette of Ultraman has served as a beacon of hope in the world of Japanese tokusatsu. When the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) made its debut, fans were eager to see how the colossal hero would translate into the 16-bit era. The result was Ultraman: Towards the Future, a game that captured the scale and intensity of the legendary TV series. Often referred to simply as Ultraman, this title remains a memorable, albeit notoriously difficult, entry in the console's early library. It promised players the chance to step into the boots of a giant and defend Earth against a relentless tide of kaiju, blending traditional fighting game mechanics with the specific constraints of the source material.
Set in a future where Earth is under constant threat from extraterrestrial menaces, the narrative follows the Science Special Search Party, a high-tech defense force tasked with safeguarding humanity. However, even their advanced weaponry often falls short against the sheer power of alien invaders. The story truly begins when a super-being from a distant galaxy crashes his ship on Earth while in pursuit of the malevolent alien Bemular. This being merges with a human host to become Ultraman, Earth's ultimate line of defense.
Directly following the narrative threads of the original 1967 television show, the game places players in the center of a planetary crisis. As the titular hero, you must stand hundreds of feet tall to combat iconic monsters. The setting is one of high stakes; because Earth’s atmosphere is toxic to his natural form, Ultraman can only maintain his physical presence for a few minutes. This ticking clock provides a constant sense of urgency to every encounter, mirroring the drama of the classic television episodes.
At its core, Ultraman: Towards the Future is a one-on-one fighting game, but it deviates significantly from the standards set by genre giants like Street Fighter. Players have access to a standard repertoire of punches, kicks, and grapples. However, physical combat alone is never enough to secure a victory. The game features a unique "recharging" life bar for enemies. To successfully defeat a monster, Ultraman must deplete the opponent's health until the "FINISH" indicator appears. At this precise moment, the player must unleash the Specium Beam—Ultraman's signature special attack.
Strategy revolves around managing the power meter. There are four levels of special attacks that must be charged up during the fight. If a player fires the Specium Beam too early or misses, the enemy will continue to regenerate health, potentially leading to a stalemate. As the game progresses, enemies become more cunning, finding ways to dodge or block these finishing moves. Compounding this challenge is the strict three-minute time limit per stage, reflecting Ultraman’s limited solar energy. With only three lives and absolutely no continues, the game demands near-perfection from the player, making it one of the more challenging experiences on the SNES.
This game was released on several platforms, including the Super Famicom in Japan and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America.
Ultraman: Towards the Future holds a specific place in gaming history as an early showcase for the SNES's graphical capabilities, particularly its use of large character sprites. While it received mixed reviews upon release due to its punishing difficulty and stiff controls, it remains a cult classic among tokusatsu enthusiasts. It successfully captured the "feel" of an Ultraman episode, from the sound effects to the specific way the monsters explode upon defeat. Its legacy is defined by its loyalty to the 1967 source material, providing a nostalgic trip for those who grew up watching the Science Special Search Party battle giant threats on their television screens.