StarTropics

There is a Zelda-like adventure from Nintendo itself that never officially released in Japan — and you may never have heard of it. StarTropics was developed exclusively for the Western market and to this day ranks among the most endearing and nostalgic NES exclusives.

The story follows a young man named Mike, who sails to tropical islands to visit his archaeologist uncle — only for the uncle to vanish, kidnapped by mysterious forces. Mike sets off to find him, and his main weapon is, believe it or not, a yo-yo. This unusual weapon gives the battles a distinctive rhythm and charm that sets the game apart from other action adventures.

In gameplay terms StarTropics mixes exploration of villages and islands from a top-down view (à la Zelda) with dungeons full of puzzles, traps and battles. In the dungeons you also move across a grid of tiles, which adds a tactical touch — you have to think about where to step, because some tiles collapse or hide traps. The mix of exploration, action and puzzles is held together by a lovely tropical atmosphere and storytelling.

Most famous, though, is one particular puzzle. At a certain point the game required a code the player could obtain only by dipping the enclosed paper letter in water — only then did the hidden numbers appear on it. This physical „feely“ element, linking the box to the game, became a legend and, for emulation, understandably a nightmare for many a player.

StarTropics is remembered today with great affection as an unexpectedly personal, Western chapter in Nintendo's history — an adventure that deserves more attention than it usually gets.

Why play: A charming Zelda-like adventure with a yo-yo and a tropical atmosphere, developed by Nintendo for the West only — a nostalgic gem and a piece of gaming curiosity.