EGGCONSOLE Launches Aramo on Nintendo Switch eShop: Classic MSX Action RPG Returns

D4 Enterprise, the company known for its dedication to preserving retro gaming through its EGGCONSOLE series, is bringing another classic MSX experience to the Nintendo Switch.

Launching October 2nd, the 1986 action RPG Aramo will be available for download on the Nintendo Switch eShop, adding to D4 Enterprise's growing library of meticulously reissued titles. Aramo, originally developed by renowned Japanese studio Zainsoft (formerly known as Seinsoft), marks the fourth Zainsoft title to receive the EGGCONSOLE treatment.

This follows the successful digital re-releases of both MSX and PC-88 versions of the action RPG Tritorn and the PC-88 platformer/shooter Mirai.

D4 Enterprise continues to set the standard for retro game preservation by making hard-to-find classics accessible to a modern audience via the Nintendo Switch platform. Set against the mysterious backdrop of a protagonist stranded on an unknown planet, Aramo invites players to navigate the remnants of a once-advanced civilization in search of a way home.

The gameplay primarily features an isometric perspective, with players guiding a green avatar through maze-like environments, uncovering secrets, collecting items, and battling hostile alien forces.

When entering dungeons, the camera seamlessly transitions to a top-down perspective reminiscent of classic titles like The Legend of Zelda, which debuted in the same year as Aramo. Combat in Aramo channels the innovative spirit of mid-1980s Japanese RPGs, utilizing a bump-combat system popularized by contemporaries such as Xanadu, Ys, and Xak: players deal damage by moving directly into enemies.

As the adventure unfolds, players can acquire firearms to engage foes from a distance, introducing strategic variety and preparing them for tougher encounters.

The RPG elements are further emphasized by a level-up system, where defeating enemies grants experience, aligning Aramo with genre conventions of its era. Authentic to its MSX roots, Aramo requires players to map their journey and note crucial landmarks, rewarding careful exploration and observation.

The Nintendo Switch release will retail for $6.49 (USD) or £5.39 (GBP), making it an affordable addition for retro enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Uniquely, most of Aramo’s in-game text is already in English, distinguishing it from other EGGCONSOLE entries typically reliant on Japanese text and widening its accessibility for a global audience. With this latest addition, D4 Enterprise reaffirms its commitment to retro game preservation and the Nintendo Switch’s status as a vibrant home for classic titles.

The launch of Aramo on the Nintendo Switch eShop further cements the EGGCONSOLE lineup as a must-watch series for fans of gaming history and timeless adventures.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo eShop Switch Switch eShop EGGCONSOLE Nintendo Switch eShop D4 Enterprise MSX action RPG Aramo Zainsoft Seinsoft PC-88 Tritorn Mirai The Legend of Zelda Xanadu Ys Xak RPG