Superdeluxe Games have announced today a collection for the Shubibinman series.
Originally published on PC Engine in 1989, Shubibinman was only released in Japan and it’s a side scrolling action game featuring 2 different characters, Tasuke and Kyapiko that must save the world from a classic alien invasion after a doctor, simply called Doc, enhances them as a cyborg.
The sequel Shubibinman 2 was released 2 years later, in 1991 again on PC Engine and was ported also in the west as “Shockman”. The gameplay moved from a swordplay attack to a ranged weapon similar to Rockman/Megamen series and includes also 2 stage that must be played as a horizontal shoot’em up.
A year later, in 1992, the third chapter arrived, this time on CD (always on PC Engine) and the Western released was cancelled after being planned for 1993. Obviously this chapter can count on an improved graphics and sprite animations, better sound and animated cutscenes due to the optical support.
In 1994 a new chapter was planned for Super Famicom but in the end it was released in 1997 for Satellaview, the Japanese online service for Super Famicom, so without a physical release. The game is not a direct sequel (it’s titled Shubibinman Zero) and introduces two new characters, Raita and Azuki, each one with their own attack style, and featuring co-operative play. It was re-released in physical form in 2017 by Columbus Circle.
The collection includes all 4 episodes and adds an image gallery, a rewind/fast forward function and the ability to save anywhere in the game.
Shubibinman Complete Collection will be released for Switch and PlayStation 5 on 12 June 2025 with support for English language, the package includes a reversible jacket and a manual; unfortunately no limited editions are planned.
