Summary
- Square Enix took risks with experimental games throughout the years, some of which remain relatively unknown.
- SquareSoft developed Aliens: Alien 2 for MSX, featuring Ripley fighting Xenomorph bosses.
- Square Enix’s diverse and lesser-known catalog includes games like Another Mind, Blue Wing Blitz, and Nameless Game.
1975 marked the commencement of Enix’s journey, while SquareSoft took their first steps into business a decade later, in 1986. Both companies began modestly, but over time, they each developed their most successful series: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. They were already substantial entities, but they grew even more when they merged in 2003 to form Square Enix.
Over the past few decades, Square Enix has seen a mix of triumphs and setbacks with their extensive collection of games. Their daring approach to innovation is worthy of praise, although not all ventures reached the successes of iconic series like Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. Today, let’s tip our hats to some unusual titles, revisit the overlooked ones, and ponder if they are worth exploring in today’s gaming landscape.
This list will include Enix, SquareSoft, and Square Enix games.
8. Aliens: Alien 2
Bigger Than Life
In Japan, SquareSoft created several games for the MSX computer, one of which was called “Aliens: Alien 2”. The title might seem a bit repetitive, but it’s actually based on the sequel to the original “Alien” movie. This game follows Ripley as she battles through Facehuggers and other terrifying creatures in side-scrolling levels.
In the game, players will encounter numerous Xenomorph bosses that are significantly bigger than Ripley’s sprite, making them seem even more intimidating. It’s quite surprising to consider that a video game based on the Western franchise, Alien, would offer unique versions only in Japan.
7. Another Mind
Live From Your Head, It’s A Mystery!
- Developer: Square
- Publisher: Square
- Released: November 12, 1998 (Japan)
- Platform: PS1
A different title, namely “Another Mind,” was a captivating adventure game developed by SquareSoft for the PlayStation 1. What made it stand out was its innovative use of live-action graphics, primarily through photographs, to narrate its peculiar storyline. Following a car accident, players find themselves in an unusual predicament, as they come to consciousness with a foreign presence within their brain. The game’s plot revolves around the exploration and unraveling of this enigma.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve noticed that Japan has a massive fascination with adventure games. Some standout examples from this genre that utilized live-action sets are “Murder on the Eurasia Express” by Enix for the PlayStation 1 and “Love Story” by Enix for the PlayStation 2. These titles merely scratch the surface of what’s out there in this genre.
6. Blue Wing Blitz
Plane-Based Tactics
- Developer: Square
- Publisher: Square
- Released: July 5, 2001(Japan)
- Platform: WonderSwan Color
Gun Hazzard. However, there’s another, even more uncommon tactical RPG titled Blue Wing Blitz, which was developed by SquareSoft exclusively for the WonderSwan Color, a portable system only available in Japan.
Instead, players navigated the battlefield using airborne vehicles like planes and other aircraft, which offered just as much excitement, although on a more compact scale compared to mechs. Once again, SquareSoft demonstrated their enthusiasm for the WonderSwan Color platform by developing Wild Card.
5. Mario Hoops 3-on-3
Mario’s Other Square Enix Venture
Back in the day, I got my hands on an epic adventure called “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars”. This one-of-a-kind journey was a joint effort between Nintendo and SquareSoft, who introduced our beloved Mario to the world of Role-Playing Games (RPG) for the first time. You see, not many gamers might know this, but Square Enix did dabble in more Mario games down the line, although they weren’t strictly RPGs.
Back in the day, I got my hands on this awesome basketball game called Mario Hoops 3-on-3. It was a blast playing hoops with characters like Mario, Luigi, and even Princess Peach! Not to mention, there were some characters from Square Enix thrown into the mix too. The best part? You could take control of Moogles and mages, each boasting unique special moves that added an extra layer of excitement to the basketball action. And let me tell you, Mario Sports Mix on the Wii was the perfect sequel to keep the fun rolling!
4. Nameless Game
A Unique Horror Game
The unnamed title, “Nameless Game”, was developed by Square Enix and offered an unusual blend of gameplay mechanics within the horror genre on the DS platform. Many aspects of this game may resonate with seasoned horror enthusiasts, as it primarily adopts a first-person perspective, allowing players to traverse multiple eerie environments in search of collectibles.
Additionally, there existed a retro-style RPG game, vibrant and reminiscent of NES’s aesthetic charm. This game was rumored to be haunted, requiring players to alternate between different viewpoints to unravel the mystery. It’s worth mentioning that while it did get a DS sequel, none of these games managed to leave Japan.
3. Nankoku Shonen Papuwa-kun
Platform Action Straight From The Comics
- Developer: Daft
- Publisher: Enix
- Released: March 25, 1994 (Japan)
- Platform: SNES
The manga titled “Nankoku Shonen Papuwa-kun,” originally published by Enix in Japan, also had a corresponding video game for the SNES with the same name. Despite being exclusively available in Japanese, this action platformer is generally straightforward to grasp and play.
The artwork showcases an unusually vibrant aesthetic, reminiscent at times of clay figurines. Additionally, it’s quite peculiar due to its roots in a humor-focused television program.
2. Rise Of Mana
Hiding On Mobile
- Developer: Goshow
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Released: March 6, 2014 (iOS, Japan)
- Platforms: iOS, Android, PS Vita
Among the listed franchises, “Rise of Mana” stands out as one of the larger ones, and it’s the “Mana” series title that Western gamers have been eagerly anticipating for nearly a decade now. Originally debuting on mobile devices in 2014, it later made its way to the PlayStation Vita in 2015.
Similar to many games in the genre known as “Mana” series, this game incorporated action-oriented gameplay and offered co-operative mode as well. Notably, it was accessible for all players at no cost, which introduced gacha elements into its system. However, these mechanics were relatively less intrusive compared to those found in other free-to-play games.
1. Square’s Tom Sawyer
Will Never See The Light Of Day Again
It’s highly unlikely that the game “Tom Sawyer” by Square will be re-released. This is because it’s another video game inspired by a popular Western literary work, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” a novel from the late 1800s that many people are familiar with. However, most people might not know that SquareSoft developed a role-playing game with a turn-based system that loosely follows the storyline of this classic novel.
Today, there are issues with it that make it questionable or hard to digest now because of racially insensitive portrayals. However, Square Enix could potentially re-release it after altering some sprite images, although this might be a substantial task for a product they may not prioritize much these days due to perceived lack of value.
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2025-05-22 14:33