The Legend of Zelda's Forgotten Sister Game - The Mysterious Murasame Castle

Link had a samurai sibling
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#TheLegendofZelda #MysteriousMurasameCastle #Retro

[@Nic5Cyprus]

Jon is king for attempting to singlehandedly make Mysterious Murasame Castle relevant again

[@TheShachattack13]

If he can make the Wii U relevant, there’s nothing he can’t make relevant

[@erickmaverick3128]

He has my full support!

[@Gran.Estratega]

And Panel de Pon and Dragon Quest and Famicom Detective and...

[@WooFooBattlefield]

"Singlehandedly" Ever heard of Derrick Bitner and his former "Missing in Action" series?

[@koolaid33]

clearly he did a good job.

[@silverdamascus2023]

You forgot a cameo: The floppy disk of The Mysterious Murasame Castle appears as one of the treasures in Pikmin 2.

[@PixelDough]

Woah... Wait... Then that makes the Wario Ware DIY replacement of the Murasame Castle minigame with a Pikmin minigame way cooler

[@THEGREATMAX]

Also shows up in one of the Warriors games on the Wii

[@seanmcpherson2801]

The Samurai and a bunch of Ninjas also show up as a sound effect animation in Mario Maker 2 :)

[@WitchDoctor87]

Murasame would be like a modern day roguelike game that uses random power ups. I wish I had this game when I was a kid.

[@craiganderson7986]

I haven’t been a kid for a very long time, but I Still Want This Game!!!

[@Man.Of.Obscurity]

It reminded me a lot of Risk of Rain. Great game if you haven’t tried it.

[@armyofninjas9055]

That sounds awful lol

[@nintendofan022]

@@armyofninjas9055 dont be a wet blanket

[@poopy-333]

Its on switch online now

[@Froge0]

I really thought this series was getting built up to have some kind of revival. it got one of the 12 Nintendo Land game slots, got a 3DS VC release with a lot of buzz around it and Takamaru got into Smash as an assist. Then it went back to obscurity.

[@sillyman2]

I swear Mario Maker 2 had something related to it?

[@therealbite]

@@sillyman2 it had a sfx where the main character and a bunch of ninjas appeared

[@Schimnesthai]

Is Retro Studios secret project :)

[@koolaid33]

@@Schimnesthai The Mysterious Murasame Castle 2: Murasame's Revenge what a title.

[@Vespyr_]

@@Schimnesthai That would be dope.

[@user-oc5mw3fe3x]

It’s interesting to see that on one hand Zelda is aesthetically vaguely western, on the other hand its sister Murasame is Japanese themed.

[@joshuaramey7375]

While Zelda has some western influence in terms of the castles and knights etc I would argue that Zelda takes much more from it's Japanese influence than it does it's western elements. There's just so much influence from Japanese folklore in those games.

[@user-oc5mw3fe3x]

@@joshuaramey7375 That’s right, at its core Zelda too has many Japanese elements. Its western-ness is mainly in superficial theming. (Sorry if my English doesn’t make sense.)

[@franc1658]

@さゆぬ dw dude your English is perfect 👌

[@lakshaykochhar6799]

@@user-oc5mw3fe3x No need to worry, your english is fine.

[@Koko-pm4qq]

Ok

[@cephalopod17]

Murasame Castle is one of those Nintendo franchises that need to come back. As you've pointed out, Takamaru has a history of cameos. With another obscure Japanese-exclusive Famicom game being remade and released to the west, the time is right for a Murasame revival.

[@erickmaverick3128]

Not to mention, Sakurai even considered Takamaru to be in Smash twice. Both times rejected because of obscurity issues, which wouldn't be a problem if he was playable. I mean, look at Marth, Roy, Pit, and the Ice Climbers, most of us didn't know who they were before their Smash debut, look at them now, household names.

[@dei123]

​@@erickmaverick3128 And they are part of the smash community and I saw that Takamaru has a lot of moveset after I play the games. I really like the game for its difficulty and originality.

[@matthewmcfadden4178]

I love it when Jon just makes random video ideas like these. Like not reviews or anything, just things he wants to talk about.

[@jserrano51]

Takamaru should had been the Classic Character representing the NES era in Smash Ultimate the same way Mr. Game and Watch, Ice Climbers, R.O.B and Duck Hunt Duo did.

[@onewingedren2228]

he would be an interesting character, but unfortunately he would take hate because "aNiMe sWoRdFiGhTeR1!1!1!nO oNe aSkEd fOr tHiS1!1!1!😤😤😤"

[@DonkeyBoyVids]

@@onewingedren2228 idk most of the issue is the (assumed) overrepresentation of Fire Emblem rather than just anime swordfighters

[@paperluigi6132]

@@DonkeyBoyVids 8 Fire Emblem characters in comparison to 10 Pokémon and 9 (technically 13) Mario characters. Smash fans are hypocritical idiots who forget they're playing a Japanese game.

[@DonkeyBoyVids]

@@paperluigi6132 I agree, I think their biggest issue (don't necessarily agree myself) is that all the Mario/pokemon characters *look* noticably different, whereas to them all they see are characters from a game they haven't played that look the same. Personally I don't care much, I enjoy whatever the devs put in, but I have several friends that are diehard "no more fire emblem characters".

[@roskiart8750]

@@paperluigi6132 There's a major discrepancy in both the popularity of those series and Fire Emblem(Breaht of the Wild alone outsells the entire Fire Emblem franchise besides Heroes, while Mario Kart alone outsells Zelda as a whole) and in how thye'r portrayed(visual distinctiveness is one of Mario's and specially Pokemon's fortes, while it's a weakness for Fire Emblem) Big dealr or not there's a difference

[@LordTchernobog]

Mysterious Murasame Castle: You took everything from me!! The Legend of Zelda: I don't even know who you are...

[@rahmadjuanda6252]

Zelda : I miss the part where that's my problem

[@lakshaykochhar6799]

@@lumi_project How? Didn't the video said, that this game doesn't have any sequels?

[@lakshaykochhar6799]

@@lumi_project Oh sorry.

[@brandoncolis3841]

Mysterious Murasame Castle: You will.

[@svenbtb]

@@lumi_project are they actually though, or are you just saying that? there's no way that the sales numbers of equivalent releases for each (Famicom Disk version release, various Virtual Console release, GBA classics series, ect) are anywhere near the same, not even counting the overseas market. I'm not saying it's not good or that it doesn't have a fanbase but I'm pretty sure you're just saying stuff with no basis

[@DGR_Dave]

I always wanted to try this game...and now I want to play it even more after the video lol

[@Umbreon_Eevee]

That is the ninja in super mario maker 2!

[@Qoobon_]

Same! Always since mario maker 2!

[@CuriousCave128]

Same! I've always been fascinated by this game and wanted to play it.

[@rezterralico4369]

On the 3DS virtual console. I beat it back when it came out. Fun challenge.

[@dragonnasxavier3473]

Do it, Dave! You've got my like! :)

[@erickmaverick3128]

Here I am waiting for Takamaru getting revived with a new game, just like Kid Icarus Uprising... One thing the note is that Sakurai considered Takamaru twice for Smash, but rejected him both times. If he had a new game/reboot , he'd be a shoe in next time.

[@noahfessenden6478]

I believe Takamaru appeared in one of the "Warriors" games on Wii (Samurai Warriors I believe) but that's it. I think it'd be cool to see a resurrection for Murasame Castle as well.

[@erickmaverick3128]

@@noahfessenden6478 Yes, I already know that. I just want a brand new revival/reboot. Takamaru can still retread old grounds and old stages, but at the same time, I want more new things implemented in there to make it a memorable experience.

[@noahfessenden6478]

@@erickmaverick3128 just realized I should've finished the video before replying, sorry about that. A new game could be so rad though. Platinum Games could probably make something cool out of it come to think of it.

[@thedapperdolphin1590]

I haven’t seen any record of him ever being considered for Smash.

[@erickmaverick3128]

@@thedapperdolphin1590 Watch this video. They mentioned it. Its also on the Smash bros wiki. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2bRe4OEl8qGiMU

[@adriantuschek5208]

All I ask is for The Mysterious Murasame Castle (Nazo no Murasame Jō) to come to Nintendo Switch Online

[@MZ99698]

I think it’s great that Jon (and the channel) dedicate time to really interesting video game history, rather than just discussing endless rumours like lots of other channels do. 👍

[@woodneel]

This has so much better graphics and looks much more challenging and speedrunnable than Zelda! It's a darn shame this isn't the parallel universe with Murasame's Castle: Breath of the Wild...

[@NK-nx7ej]

I want to thank you Jon for introducing me to all these gems. I've heard of some of 'em, but you manage to describe what's special about them so darn well. I put all your recommendations on my list. Keep these videos coming!

[@rezterralico4369]

RECCA Summer Carnival 92 downloadon the 3DS. Some of the craziest music to come out of the NES era. Guy who did the streets of rage music and did club music on an NES famicom game with samples. Also that vertical shooter had lile a dragonball Z spirit bomb defense move. F that final boss. Beat it legit. There is also a second mode after beating the final boss. I need to get on that someday but first I have to legit beat parachute on game and watch 2 on game mofe B for 1000 points. Had to spend 8 hours to get back into that title again. At 932 as my current best.

[@opfryingpan9770]

I'd love for Nintendo to bring back some of their old properties. This is a good example. Another one I thought of, what would a modern Ice Climber game be like?

[@Thor-Orion]

Ice-Climbers could definitely use a revival. Puzzle-Platformer.

[@dutchdykefinger]

Very unlikely it would have the awful air control and colission detection on jumps I liked the game, but jumping is a bit of a faff :')

[@gusramos7928]

I'd love a Celeste collaboration with Ice Climbers. Something like Cadence of Hyrule

[@TheB3]

Also known as that one VFX in Mario Maker 2 used in every Little Timmy level

[@PrestoJacobson]

It's a great tune!

[@iviyohane]

I remember Hideki Kamiya saying that he wanted to work on The Mysterious Murasame Castle along Star Fox. Maybe someday...

[@samueld8413]

Great timing, I finally got around to finishing all the Nintendo Land games, and Takamaru’s Ninja Castle was probably one of my favorites

[@LarryTheKoopa]

"Unlike Kid Icarus which gets a game when the stars align" LOL

[@nickk3077]

The real reason to play your 3DS in 2021!

[@TAREKOZA]

There are hundred reasons to play 3ds one is "free online"

[@rezterralico4369]

That or RECCA Summer Carnival 92 on the 3DS or to shell out like 5000 dollars for a physical copy.

[@zenunderground9893]

Hopefully Nintendo will keep working at keeping an all-digital future at bay. They have such an amazing history of innovation and standing their ground with physical media. I'm still amazed every time I put a Switch game in and there is no update or download needed.

[@Yokokazuo]

My first Warriors/Musou game was Samurai Warriors 3 and thus it was my introduction to Takamaru. I think I may have gotten close to the end, but I can’t recall for sure if I did beat the Mira same castle or not. I remember it being pretty tough though. Next introduction was Nintendoland, the game itself on 3DS and Smash. I’ve still got to get around to playing through the original game more though. I’d like to see a revival sometime in the future perhaps.

[@TheBobcatXtreme]

Thank you for putting this video out! I've been a fan of the Mysterious Murasame Castle since 2008-2009 and it's nice to see more and more people being introduced to the game in various ways. I've longed for a modern sequel/remake/whatever to this game for about a decade and I would really love to see Nintendo or another studio take a crack at it one of these days!

[@sebastianfernandez6146]

Murasame could be Nintendo’s official rogue like game

[@Thor-Orion]

Where did this term come from? I had never heard the term Rogue-Like in 30 years of gaming and all of a sudden everyone is using it.

[@polytanksan5761]

@@Thor-Orion It's a genre not a term

[@Thor-Orion]

@@polytanksan5761 what’s a genre if not a term for designating similarly themed and styled media?

[@polytanksan5761]

@@Thor-Orion the genre is named after the 1980 game Rogue which is an ASCII based game that runs in terminal and the forerunner of the genre

[@Thor-Orion]

@@polytanksan5761 okay, you’re all over the place. Who knows about that game? It’s from 1980, so why hasn’t “rogue-like” been used in gaming media in the intervening 30 years? It all of a sudden started being used by everyone last year. Been gaming my whole life and had never heard the term until last year. I don’t even know why I’m replying though, you’re insufferable with your usage of google to try to seem like you know this obscure bullshit that no one really cares about. Like you’re not even having a conversation, you’re just posting dribble.

[@RGozz]

Dig the varied content here. Will always watch videos like these. Great job to Jon and the rest of the NL crew.

[@Y0PPS]

If this was kept up, I believe it could have become an amazing franchise.

[@cuccooverlord9812]

I want a Sakurai reboot like the one with Kid Icarus.

[@Edmondemccrea]

Thanks for letting me know about this game. I hope Nintendo explores letting another studio build a new game from it

[@xmaverickhunterkx]

I've been thinking about this game for a long time. Thanks for the in depth info.

[@peppy619]

This game needs to come back. Imagine a stealth game, with cell shaded graphics. It'd be great

[@versusmaxwell]

I've seen this title around a few times but didn't know anything about it, thanks so much for shedding so much light on it!

[@deformemvita]

This was literally my first Disk System game (came with my FDS) and I always thought it was incredibly cool.

[@requiem165]

MURASAME BETTER NOT BE FORGOTTEN, ITS MY FAVOURITE NES GAME

[@Rubberman202]

This game is in desperate need of a revival!

[@Daniel-yz3zf]

I must say Jon, your content really elevates this channel to a different level. Keep it up :)

[@MusyabbirHaqim]

Man this is the kind of game that should be on NSO

[@kmcsciguy]

Enjoyed this history lesson! So cool Zeds had a sister game.

[@Unaliq]

Awesome! I have been wondering who he was when I saw him pop up in MM2. Thanks for Takemaru and Murasame's history, NL aka, Deep voice Patrick Stewart.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

We didn't get this until August 7, 2014, when it was made available on the Virtual Console. This is truly one of Nintendo's lost early games in the Famicom Disk System era.

[@radioactiveop]

Immediately thought of this video after it was announced for NSO :)

[@clausshou]

I know it's very improbable, but I would love to see a Murasame Castle like BOTW. Less exploration of big spaces and little more of action focus.

[@htoast_art]

I obviously like watching videos and discussions about current games. But this kind of retrospectives are some of my favorite videos of this channel. Really well researched and enjoying all the way. Thank you!

[@godzil42]

Still on my to buy list for my FDS. I've always loved the music of that game, and it is partly the reason why I know it :D

[@updownbrodown215]

The music for this game absolutely rips. Every time I play it I can’t get it out of my head.

[@jw6588]

This is the best kind of Nintendo content. Well done, fellas, well done!

[@StuieHunter]

Possibly my favorite video on the whole channel! I know you said on twitter Jon that you try not to out up too much stuff about Japan exclusives, but this was fascinating for a newcomer to the Nintendo world like myself. I learned so much, and I hope you do more videos like this in the future :)

[@botao123]

I played the Wii U Nintendo cameo, and just thought it was a random Ninja game without realizing it had deeper roots!

[@Anothy264]

i hope the franchise returns cause it's awesome

[@Blackshroom]

Revive/reboot this franchise with Platinum Games at the helm, this game looks awesome, imagine the potential with current gen tech.

[@JustAPrinnyDood]

Let's not forget Takamaru was even considered for Smash 4 but he wasn't popular enough. : (

[@superdude11235]

Well now I know where the "ninja" sound effect in Mario Maker is from!

[@sarahmonster4936]

These are my all time favorite type of videos. Thank you.

[@hes_alive]

I feel like the spiritual sequel to this game is Magic of Scheherazade.

[@pharaohphoenix6194]

Excellent video Jon! I only knew of this game through Nintendo Land, I had no idea what its gameplay or legacy were like until now. It really does look fun and quite interesting, I’d like to try it sometime.

[@johtojoe420]

I played it on the 3DS and I loved it. I really want to see a new game or Takamaru as a fighter in Smash

[@Transientimage]

The first time I ever saw this game was through Dr. Sparkle's legendary "Chrontendo" series. Ever since I saw it, I instantly wanted to play it and fell in love with the game. It's kind of baffling to me, this is only a stand alone game. My other favorite Japan exclusive Getsu Fuma Den (which you should also totally cover in a video) is getting some love next year, with a new game. Hopefully this game can get one too. Great video. I love these kinds of videos youre putting out Jon.

[@danielhoward6558]

Woah I never knew about his appearance in Samurai Warriors 3! Takamaru is a cool character and Murasame Castle has so much potential. I played the original on 3DS and it would be so awesome if Nintendo brought it back in full force as a 3D sequel or even a remake of the original--putting the same love and attention into it as they do mainline Zelda and Mario games.

[@Pacmanfan-po9rn]

After Famicom Detective Club, I expect this to get a remake next.

[@axemredalawadhi8482]

I would want Joy mech fight remake

[@EricAndre615]

Love this game. Seeing as how it doesn't really need translation, it's so closely related to Zelda, and it's an awesome game, I don't see why this has never been released outside Japan. I'd love to see this game come back again in a modern version or at the least get released on the US Switch online service. Shame it's not seen a wider audience.

[@leozeld_nb]

Actually when I found out about the game because of the costume on Smash 4, I bought the game and played it so much. It has become my favorite game since then, and it is the only game I play that I never get bored of. Nintendo needs to do something about this game. ASAP.

[@theasianflameskimmer5119]

Zelda: who the heck are you Takamaru: I’m you but forgotten

[@rifter0x0000]

When I first saw the NES graphics I was blown away by the fact they were as good as the arcade versions early on. Not only classic games like Popeye and Donkey Kong, but Super Mario Bros. The shading and colors in games like Mike Tyson's Punch Out and Super Mario Bros. really stood out, and no other console had been able to match arcade graphics. That was the holy grail. The Atari consoles were billed as a way to practice playing so you'd be better when you had to feed an arcade game quarters, but of course couldn't come close to them in terms of graphics. Zelda was amazing to me as well, not only because of the graphics, sound, story, and opening sequence, but features like an automap, saving to battery, and the open world allowing progression to higher level areas to obtain powerful items as well as out of order dungeon exploration. This game reminds me not only of Zelda but later games like Kung Fu Heroes. The latter because of graphics rather than gameplay. The concept of overwhelming the player while giving them the power to overcome was a big part of classic games like Robotron. The mask reminds me of Berserk, and the concept would be used later for Super Mario Bros. 2 (the North American version). I'd definitely have played it a lot back in the day, and would probably play it now if I could.

[@andreworders7305]

The fact that KZbin gaming actually managed to correctly tag this is impressive

[@studioarentain3960]

I knew that the game existed, but I had no idea it was a sister game to Zelda! Another fascinating video! :)

[@unnamedtoaster]

The Nintendo Land mini game has even more references packed into it. Once you beat the boss once, when you play again, you’re now able to throw stars during the cutscene where Monita thanks you for saving her. If you throw a couple stars at her, you reveal that she’s actually a mask in disguise as a maiden! It could also be argued that, in the extra stage, because you’re playing through the same game again with harder difficulty, that this is another reference. But that’s a bit of a stretch since three of the other mini games also see you replaying the standard levels with a harder difficulty after beating them once.

[@faithmatthews4635]

Takamaru’s Ninja Castle in Nintendo Land was my introduction to The Mysterious Murasame Castle. It’s home to some of the best music and gameplay Nintendo Land has to offer in my opinion :)

[@alinepiroutek8932]

I always imagined Takamaru Ninja Castle reboot as a hellish 3D game like Ninja Gaiden

[@kevincmejia]

I always thought that the right way to modernize it, it would be making a game in the same vein go Ninja Gaiden, it just works

[@alinepiroutek8932]

@@kevincmejia The only thing left to forgotten franchises is to dream

[@BananaSmoothie-]

Great video! I’d love to see a video fully on all the sister games cuz I never knew about this. Would also make for a great Scott the Woz episode topic

[@newageBoundhippie]

I bought it on 3DS the moment it was released....I suck at it. Love it, but it's way too hard for me. Personally I'd love to see a remake/reboot/sequel done in a Ghost of Tsushima style open world feudal Japan.

[@Tabletop_Epics]

One of my favorite games on 3DS.

[@spacemanspiff4777]

I really love these kinds of videos. Great work Jon and everyone else involved!

[@Sinn0100]

Wait, wait, wait...the Famicom Disk System was created to get around the memory constraints of Nes cartridges. Technically speaking when the Nes released in the US it had already been pushed as far as it could go. Super Mario Brothers was (at the time) the pinnacle of what could be achieved with the machine. It was also said to be Nintendo's last cartridge. That is until developers learned how to employ bank switching. This essentially doubled the size of the carts which in turn made the Disk System all but obsolete. Within months of the Famicom Disk System's release it was rendered obsolete which is why plans for a US release were canceled. Japan of Nintendo did what they thought they had to do. I can't believe they supported the Disk System for two years after knowing that they no longer needed it.

[@UltimatePerfection]

Ah, Nintendo's Chrono Trigger to the Zelda's Final Fantasy.

[@blahdelablah]

Seems more similar to Smash TV than Chrono Trigger.

[@TAREKOZA]

In 2040 we will still discover new nes games that we've never seen before

[@Famitrack]

I remember buying this game on 3ds back when I was in to old games and learning about Nintendo history

[@Aqua_Toad]

This is so cool Jon! I never knew this about thrse two game engines and their associated games. If only they'd continued Metroid Primes engine in the same fashion with Kid Icarus... A missed opportunity to have Retro be an even more important company.

[@MegaManNeo]

Not going to play the game but I'm always fascinated by foreign games. Thanks for covering this one.

[@hayesblake]

What a bloody cracking video this was. Much love to the Nintendo life family ❤️

[@furret002]

Honestly putting mysterious murasame castle characters in Zelda would be epic, like imagine 2 characters to start the Zelda game, takamaru as the ninja that could work as apart of some ninja clan which would be epic instead of playing as link

[@jeezps1338]

I love this type of your videos Jon.

[@nahumgardner]

You're doing the lord's work, Jon!

[@cbkirby6199]

Theory: Takamaru is Doshin the giant’s great half stepbrother in law.

[@TheShachattack13]

I guarantee you mysterious murusami castle comes to Nintendo online before earthbound

[@Nintentoad125]

I wouldn't mind that tbh

[@CJCat64]

"It is... acceptable"

[@rezterralico4369]

Thanks. I should play eathbound NES on my wii u. Happy that I got the 6 hour battery expansion for that Wii U.

[@paulsmith9192]

Never heard of this game til now

[@2911Lucas]

I got this game on my 3DS for free. It was part of club Nintendo here in germany 😀

[@LandPirate62]

Awesome job Jon! Would love to see more spotlights like this.

[@RedMage8BT]

As someone who was never a fan of the first Legend of Zelda, Murasame Castle looks like a much better game tbh. I always loved the track in Smash Bros.

[@wormskull2454]

I was blown away when I discovered Golden Axe Warrior for Sega Master System like 10 years ago, then 3D Dot Game Heroes a few years before that, hell even The Everlasting on PC98 is an amazing Zelda homage, but I NEED THIS GAME! I’m searching for a Rom for this tonight!

[@Jshsprngr]

This title WAS released in the US on 3DS. It was given in a group of GBA ports that were a gift for buying the 3DS within the first couple of months of launch!

[@gusramos7928]

I remember playing this one in a famicom emulator. Always thought that Platinum should have gone for a revival of this game instead of Star Fox

[@carlrygwelski586]

I always used to make this song on my custom brawl stages because it was super catchy, but more importantly it was called DOUUCHEMAN

[@zenunderground9893]

Wow I wish Nintendo would do more sister games with two games on the same engine around the same short time. Mario Odyssey engine. BOTW engine. Link to the Past engine. So much potential for completely fresh but similar experiences.

[@Ironcabbit]

There’s only a certain number of enemies in each room, so even though the rooms start out bullet hells, they won’t stay that way if you can work hard enough.

[@retrobution1262]

I had wondered about this game while playing nintendo land with my kids. Very obscure, and awesome.

[@Amaster0516]

The best Nintendo game ever. It is a personal favorite of mine.

[@arendardeshityrion3296]

Yesterday Nintendo made this game available worldwide inside Nintendo Switch Online

[@haydenhyde9395]

I absolutely adore this game! It never getting an SNES sequel was a crime. Here's hoping it'll come back some day.

[@donnylurch4207]

I read somewhere that Sakurai considered Takamaru as a fighter for Smash 4, but settled on an assist trophy because he couldn't come up with an original-enough design. I think he should rethink that decision, but then I just love retro throwback fighters.

[@EURIPODES]

This game is definitely making its way to my retroid pocket 2.