Konami has announced a major collection of classic Goemon games that will bring together more than three decades of titles from the beloved series. The collection, called Ganbare Goemon Daishuugo, will launch on July 2, 2026, in Japan for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
The announcement came during a Japanese Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase earlier this week. The collection marks a significant moment for fans of the series, which has remained largely dormant in recent years. However, the company has not announced any plans for a Western release, meaning the collection will remain exclusive to Japan for now.
Background
The Goemon series, also known as Mystical Ninja in some Western markets, has a long history in gaming. The franchise began in 1986 with the original Ganbare Goemon: Karakuri Douchuu on the Famicom and continued through the Super Famicom and Game Boy eras. The games are known for their humor, colorful characters, and parodies of pop culture and other video games.
Over the years, only a handful of Goemon titles made their way to Western audiences. Three games received official localization: The Legend of the Mystical Ninja for the Famicom, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon for Game Boy, and one title that appeared in a European Konami compilation. The lack of Western releases meant many fans never experienced the full breadth of the series.
Konami is partnering with M2, a studio known for its expertise in emulating and preserving classic games, to handle the technical side of the collection. This collaboration signals Konami's commitment to quality emulation and preservation of these titles.
Key Details
The collection includes 13 games spanning three classic gaming systems. Four titles come from the original Famicom console, five from the Super Famicom, and four from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color systems.
The Famicom games in the collection are:
- Ganbare Goemon: Karakuri Douchuu (1986)
- Ganbare Goemon 2 (1989)
- Ganbare Goemon Gaiden: Kieta Ōgon Kiseru (1990)
- Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2: Tenka no Zaihou (1992)
The Super Famicom lineup includes:
- Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyuushutsu Emaki (1991)
- Ganbare Goemon 2: Kiteretsu Shōgun McGuiness (1993)
- Ganbare Goemon 3: Shishi Jūrokubē no Karakuri Manjigatame (1994)
- Ganbare Goemon Kirakira Dōchū: Boku ga Dancer ni Natta Wake (1995)
- Soreyuke Ebisumaru! Karakuri Meiro – Kieta Goemon no Nazo!! (1996)
The handheld games are:
- Ganbare Goemon: Sarawareta Ebisumaru! (1991)
- Ganbare Goemon: Kurofune Tō no Nazo (1997)
- Ganbare Goemon: Tengu-tō no Gyakushū! (1999)
- Ganbare Goemon: Seikūshi Dynamites Arawaru!! (2000)
Features and Pricing
The collection will include modern conveniences for players. Konami has added rewind functionality, quick save options, turbo buttons, and rapid fire buttons to make playing these older games easier for modern audiences. The collection will also feature a music player and a gallery showing each game's original instruction manual, allowing players to experience the games as they were originally intended.
In Japan, the collection will cost 5,478 yen, which is roughly $35 to $40 in US currency. Physical editions will be available for both PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, while the PC version on Steam will be digital only. Konami plans to offer a limited-edition package in Japan that will include physical items alongside the games.
What This Means
"Given that many of these titles were never localized, it's unlikely we'll see this collection come to the West, but maybe this will mean we finally see Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon N64 and Goemon's Great Adventure finally get a reissue somewhere down the line."
The Japan-only release is a disappointment for Western fans who have long wanted easier access to the Goemon series. Many of these games have never been officially released outside Japan, making this collection inaccessible to English-speaking players without importing or using other methods.
The announcement does mark the 40th anniversary of the Goemon franchise, making this collection a celebration of the series' longevity. For Japanese players, it represents a comprehensive way to experience the evolution of the series across three different gaming generations.
The timing of the announcement suggests Konami may be testing interest in the franchise. If the Japan-only release performs well, it could open the door to future Goemon projects or even localized versions of this collection. However, the company's decision to announce the collection only during a Japanese Direct suggests they are not currently planning international availability.
For retro gaming enthusiasts in Japan, the collection offers an affordable way to play games that would otherwise require purchasing original cartridges and hardware, which can be expensive and difficult to find. The addition of modern features like rewind and save functionality also makes these older games more accessible to players who may not be familiar with the challenges of classic gaming.
