Another day brings confirmation of a new title for Nintendo’s hybrid console. This time, City Connection has announced Abarenbo Tengu and Zombie Nation for Switch (also coming to PC via Steam).
Here are the details that have been shared:
- Abarenbo Tengu & Zombie Nation includes both the Famicom game released in 1990, Abarenbo Tengu, and its English localisation Zombie Nation, from 1991.
- It is a side-scrolling shooter.
- It will be released on October 28th.
Here’s the premise and trailer:
■ Introduction
This revival is a double playthrough of Abarenbo Tengu, a game released in 1990 on the Famicom System, and Zombie Nation, released the following year. Save the world and fight to keep the peace in this exciting side-scrolling shooter, now with new modes and features.
Abarenbo Tengu
In the year 199X, just before the 21st century, an unidentified evil star approaches the United States. As it approaches the mainland, it transforms into an evil life form that is about to cover the entire country. The life form (Darc Seed) emitted a spectrum that turned everyone into a wraith. The few people who still had their souls were captured. The prayers of the people crossed the sea and reached the Tengu of Yamato, the guardian god of peace. Using his own spiritual power, he created a “mask of the Great Tengu” and flew it to the mainland to restore freedom and peace. What awaits him is a completely uncontrollable army and monsters that have been created by Darc Seed’s energy. Can the “Great Tengu” save the United States from this chaos in time?
Zombie Nation
1999. What appeared to be a harmless meteorite that crashed in the Nevada desert turned out to be Darc Seed, an evil alien creature with horrific powers. Firing strange magnetic beams, Darc Seed had turned the defenceless nation into zombies and brought the Statue of Liberty to life to do his dirty work. These rays had also given him control of many deadly weapons, but none was more powerful than the legendary samurai sword, Shura. When the great samurai chieftain, Namakubi, learned that the sword had fallen into the hands of evil, he immediately set out for the United States. For only he possessed the strength and knowledge to retrieve the magic sword and free the United States from the evil clutches of Darc Seed.
How to play
Two games to choose from
Select Abarenbo Tengu or Zombie Nation from the title screen.
New modes
There are two modes to choose from in both Abarembo Tengu and Zombie Nation. You can choose between PETENGU Mode and EXCITENGU Mode in Abarembo Tengu, and ZOMBIE Mode and SAMURAI Mode in Zombie Nation.
(Default will be set to PETENGU Mode and ZOMBIE Mode).
PETENGU Mode / ZOMBIE Mode – In this mode, you can play with useful functions such as Rewind, Quick Save and Quick Load. Clearing all rounds unlocks the Special mode.
EXCITENGU Mode / SAMURAI Mode – This is a mode that allows you to play in the same way as the original. Although you can only use the Accessories for useful features, you can challenge for achievements. You can check the results of your practice in PETENGU Mode and ZOMBIE Mode, beat all the rounds and unlock achievements. (This mode cannot be used in Special Mode).
Introduction of new functionsFour useful functions
New function #1: Rewind – You can save and load anywhere in the game. Abarembo Tengu and Zombie Nation have three save slots each.
New feature #2: Quick Save and Quick Load – You can save and load anywhere in the game. Abarembo Tengu and Zombie Nation have three save slots each.
New feature #3: Rapid Fire – You can enable/disable the rapid fire feature in Abarembo Tengu in the options screen. (Zombie Nation included this feature in the original game).
New feature #4: Accessories – You can display the mode, difficulty (EASY / HARD), scores and also high scores on the screen. In EXCITENGU and SAMURAI modes, you can also check your achievements.
Additional contentThree surprises
Extras – You can see it from the title screen. You can see the original designs, such as packaging and posters. (You can view the manual for each game via the menu).
Achievements – You can view achievements from the title screen. You can view the achievements you can challenge in EXCITENGU and SAMURAI modes. If you use the Accessory function, you can check the achievements you have earned during the game.
Special – The special is unlocked when you clear all the rounds in PETENGU or ZOMBIE modes and can be selected in the menu of each game. You will be able to play “that mode” where you can play with the hidden controller.
Physical EditionThe physical version of this Nintendo Switch title is now available in limited quantities as EXCITENGU BOX! It includes a soundtrack CD with new songs and arrangements by Abarembo Tengu’s sound director and composer, Norio Nakagata, a book of setting documents with treasured artwork and interviews with the developers, and an alternate cover sheet that can be exchanged for the ‘Munen’ edition – the artwork was drawn by the original designer, Satoshi Okano/OKN! You can listen to it and freak out, read it and freak out, or show it and freak out. It’s a superb special edition. (There is no standard, game software-only version available as a physical version outside of the EXCITENGU BOX package).