Ranma 1/2: Akanekodan Teki Hihou

"Average gameplay, but story keeps Ranma fans engrossed"

Ranma 1/2 was one of the most popular series in Japan. It started airing around 1989 and pumped out a lot of episodes. It is about a guy named Ranma Saotome that is cursed. When he is splashed with cold water, he turns into a female version of himself. Hot water reverses him back to male. He is a martial arts master and the girls are always all over him. This superb series had comedy and romance but with martial arts and fighting as well. This game was a game based on the series that came out for the Super Famicom. It is called ''Akanekodan Teki Hihou'', or roughly translated, that means ''Red Cat Villain's Secret Treasure''. In 1994, a friend of mine gave me this game as a birthday present and I still own it to this very day.

Graphics: 7/10
The graphics are not especially good, even for 16-bit graphics. When compared to later games like Chrono Trigger, these graphics are much worse. However, you can easily tell the characters apart from each other and the graphics do not detract from the gameplay. They are very all cartoony and the sprites all have VERY big heads which adds to the comical look in this game.

Music/Sound: 7/10
This is one of those game were you never really remember the music too well. When it is there as you are playing, it serves it's purpose. It is comical music mostly, like it should be. The sound is very funny, like when you are hitting enemies. The music and sound fit this game well.

Story: 9/10
This game has a great story. It starts out in the dojo. Ranma's father, Genma (''the panda''), is kidnapped by a a weird group of cat-headed guys. Now it's up to Ranma and his friends to solve this mystery. Along the way, you meet all your favorites from the show. Such as Akane, Shampoo, and Ryoga and many others. Great story for all Ranma fans because you're controlling the characters from the series. Did I mention that this game has a lot of humor!

Gameplay: 7/10
The gameplay in this game is pretty standard RPG stuff like a Final Fantasy type game. You walk around and can talk to people. You buy armor, weapons, items at shops. This game is also a random battle game. There are caves and dungeons like that.
The battles are also pretty standard. You have your attack, defend, and use items commands or use special attacks. The battles also have a very funny Auto Battle feature. If you choose to have an automatic battle, all the enemies and characters jump into a cloud of dust and all you see is his cloud and the sound of people beating each other.

Overall: 8/10
As I have said, this game is great for the Ranma fan. There is nothing new in terms of gameplay, but the story and humor more than make up for it and make this game enjoyable to play.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/13/02, Updated 01/13/02