Overview
GanGan GanChan ("GanGan" is Japanese for a loud repeating noise, or the sensation of a headache) is a maze action game for the Super Famicom. The star-shaped hero GanChan has to rescue a number of creatures lost across grid-like stages while avoiding an ever-changing roster of enemies.
Magifact is credited on the title screen as the publisher of the game, but the credits makes it clear that the programming and design were handled by the obscure group Team Mental Care. Team Mental Care also previously worked on the 1994 Super Famicom game Bastard!! Ankoku no Hakaishin for Cobra Team.
Gameplay
The goal of the game is to collect various cone- and ball-shaped characters who move around the maze randomly, while avoiding dangerous enemies who hone in on the player character. Each stage has a different setting, and is slanted slightly to add depth in a similar manner to Namco's Pac-Mania.
After collecting the characters, they follow behind the player character, and must be guided to a specific area in the center of the stage that is shaped like a star. While following behind, these characters can be caught by enemies pursuing the player, and will stop disperse if this occurs. By acquiring a large chain of characters to rescue in one go, the player can earn a lot of bonus points, but runs the risk of them getting chased away. Once four characters of the same color are safely escorted to the star, the player can collect a key of that color which appears somewhere on the stage. By collecting all four colored keys the player can move onto the next stage.
The player character also has a stamina gauge which replenishes from escorting characters to the exit, and allows them to use a burst of speed, throwing characters at enemies and various acquired power-ups that can protect them from their dogged pursuers.
Log in to comment