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Released during the golden age of the Super Famicom, The Great Battle Gaiden 2: Matsuri da Wasshoi is a vibrant and eccentric entry in the long-running Compati Hero Series. Developed as a "gaiden" or side story to the core The Great Battle franchise, this title leans heavily into the whimsical and culturally rich atmosphere of a traditional Japanese festival. While many crossover titles of the era focused on serious intergalactic conflicts, this game takes a more lighthearted approach, blending iconic Japanese pop-culture heroes with surreal imagery and varied gameplay styles. It remains a fascinating artifact of 1990s gaming, showcasing the creative freedom developers had when mixing massive intellectual properties like Ultraman and Gundam in a non-canonical, playful setting.
The narrative of The Great Battle Gaiden 2: Matsuri da Wasshoi is as unconventional as its title implies. The word "Matsuri" refers to a Japanese festival, and "Wasshoi" is the rhythmic chant often shouted by participants carrying portable shrines (mikoshi). The peace of a vibrant festival is suddenly shattered by an unexpected alien invasion. These extraterrestrial gatecrashers aren't just looking for conquest; they are actively disrupting the festivities with their bizarre technology and minions.
To combat this festive threat, four legendary heroes join forces: the towering Ultraman, the justice-seeking Kamen Rider, the chivalrous Knight Gundam (representing the SD Gundam wing of the franchise), and Fighter Roar. Unlike his companions, Fighter Roar was a character created specifically for The Great Battle series, serving as the connective tissue between these disparate universes. Together, this quartet travels through various festival-themed locales to repel the invaders and ensure the party continues.
In terms of mechanics, the game offers a refreshing departure from the standard side-scrolling beat 'em ups usually associated with the franchise. The primary gameplay loop is a multi-tiered platformer. Much like the classic arcade games Ninja-Kid or Mr. Goemon, players can leap between the foreground and background or jump up and down through different floor levels. This verticality adds a layer of strategy to combat, as players must navigate enemy patterns that span the entire height of the screen.
However, the game is best known for its sudden genre shifts. Scattered throughout the levels are "flying gates." Entering one of these gates transitions the game into a side-scrolling shoot 'em up. In these sequences, the perspective changes entirely as the heroes pilot a flying lobster. The enemies in these sections are particularly surreal, featuring giant disembodied samurai heads and projectile-tossing Maneki Nekos (beckoning cats). This blend of platforming and shooter elements ensures the pace remains frantic and unpredictable, keeping players engaged with its constant variety.
This game was released exclusively on the Super Famicom in Japan, and due to the complex licensing of its crossover characters, it never saw an official international release.
Within the history of the Compati Hero Series, The Great Battle Gaiden 2 holds a special place as a sequel to the Game Boy title Tekkyu Fight! The Great Battle Gaiden. While it didn't reinvent the wheel for the franchise, it solidified the idea that "Gaiden" titles could experiment with genres and themes far beyond the scope of the main numbered entries.
Because the game features a mix of characters from Tsuburaya Productions, Ishinomori Productions, and Sunrise, the licensing hurdles have historically prevented it from being localized into English. Consequently, it has become a cult classic for importers and fans of Japanese retrogaming. Its legacy lives on through its unique visual identity and its commitment to a very specific, joyful cultural theme that few other games have managed to replicate with such charm.