From a GBA Experiment to a Nintendo Switch Release
During the Game Boy Advance era, the team behind the iconic Metal Slug series at Nazca was developing an ambitious pixel-art RPG that was ahead of its time thanks to GPS-based mechanics. Unfortunately, after the forced abandonment of the GPS functionality and a major overhaul, the game was cancelled. However, the project was given a second chance: independent team Kohachi Studio, comprised of veterans from that same team, decided to bring the title back to life under the name Navinosuke: The Yo-Kai Buster.
It is a 2D pixel-art role-playing game set in a fictional ancient Japan. Players will step into the shoes of the apprentice onmyoji Navinosuke, explore locations teeming with yo-kai spirits, battle or befriend them, and uncover numerous secrets.
Development from Scratch Without the Original ROM
In an interview with Automaton-Media, the studio's CEO Ryota Seki revealed that reviving the project proved to be an extremely challenging task. No build or preserved ROM of the original GBA version remained.
The creators had to rely on:
- Memories of the original development team members;
- Incomplete design documents and drafts;
- A preserved collection of pixel art and an extensive library of screenshots.
According to Seki, the surviving pixel art helped them clearly understand the initial vision and recreate the game's structure without hesitation.
Adapting to Modern Standards
When the developers initially assembled the game strictly according to the old specifications, it turned out that modern gamers would find such gameplay too slow and frustrating. Currently, the team is making numerous adjustments based on playtesters' feedback. In particular, the combat system is being made more dynamic and spectacular with the help of new illustrations and special effects created by lead designer akio.
Around 90% of the original content is currently completed. Since the developers returned to the game after more than twenty years, they are also adding new elements and mechanics. The release of Navinosuke: The Yo-Kai Buster on Nintendo Switch is expected in 2027.
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