Denjin Makai [Arcade] Review and Longplay [1994]

1994 had better than this.

Retro Review: Denjin Makai – A Forgotten Brawler Lost in the Arcade Shuffle

In the golden era of arcade gaming, where quarters were the keys to pixelated kingdoms, a little-known brawler named “Denjin Makai” emerged from the shadows. This side-scrolling beat ’em up, released unceremoniously in 1994 by Banpresto, aimed to capture the attention of arcade enthusiasts. However, despite its flashy moves and colorful cast, it ultimately became just another face in the crowd.

A Bland Brawl Through Familiar Streets

“Denjin Makai” is a game that feels like it was created from a checklist of genre staples. Six playable characters? Check. A dystopian future setting? Check. Waves of cookie-cutter enemies? Double-check. Each level offers a standard stroll through environments that look like they’ve been lifted straight from better games and sprinkled with a dash of neon and cyberpunk tropes.

The combat is functional but uninspired, with each character bringing their own set of moves that, while visually distinct, don’t add much to the tried-and-true formula of punching and kicking your way through throngs of enemies. Special moves and the occasional grab-and-throw provide some variety, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been seen before (or done better) in other brawlers of its time.

Visuals and Sound: The Silver Lining in a Sea of Mediocrity

If there’s one area where “Denjin Makai” manages to rise above mediocrity, it’s with its visuals. The character sprites are large and detailed, each with their own unique flair that hints at a deeper world that the game never fully explores. The backgrounds, while not groundbreaking, showcase a decent level of detail and help set the stage for the urban combat.

The sound, however, is a forgettable affair. The soundtrack doesn’t do much to energize the player, and the effects are standard punches and explosions that blend into the background noise of the arcade rather than punctuating the action on screen.

A Lackluster Legacy

In the end, “Denjin Makai” is a game that doesn’t quite manage to stand out in a genre that was already saturated with classics. It’s not that it’s a bad game—it’s just that in an arcade world where every new release needed something special to pull players away from their favorites, “Denjin Makai” simply didn’t have that spark.

For the curious retro gamer, “Denjin Makai” might serve as a brief diversion or a mild curiosity, a testament to the also-rans of the arcade era. But for those seeking the adrenaline rush of the best brawlers of the ’90s, this game is likely to be a footnote rather than a highlight.