Don't tell your mothers!Looking back at the classic war simulation “Famicom Wars'' that wasn't serious but was authentic

There is a genre called “war simulation game”. The game involves players moving troops placed on a map like pieces in a game of shogi or chess to defeat enemy forces.

“Famicom Wars'' is a masterpiece of Famicom software that has designed this genre in an easy-to-understand manner and allows children to play with peace of mind. Many people still remember the commercial that was inspired by the movie “Full Metal Jacket.'' And the software itself was a masterpiece.

This time, we'll look back at the “dreadful simulation'' that fascinated children.

◆“It’s not serious” war simulation
War simulation games are often aimed at people with a certain amount of knowledge.

For example, the PC game “Blitzkrieg” released in 1990 is truly a game for serious people.

The story is about leading a German armored division to fight against the Soviet army, but all of the weapons that appear are real and detailed! At the beginning of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, the only tanks the German army had were the Panzer III and the short-barreled Panzer IV, and it is also accurately reproduced that it would be quite difficult to take on the Soviet Union's KV1 and T34. Ta.

Furthermore, “Blitzkrieg'' was also ported to the Super Famicom under the title “Barbarossa,'' but the “Corporal of Bohemia'' was proudly depicted on the package. In modern times, it would be pointed out by various organizations around the world! ?

Compared to these serious war simulation games, Famicom Wars, released in 1988, has a very pop worldview.

It is not based on an actual country, but the battlefields are also cutely named after the topography, such as “Fava Bean Island'' and “Onigiri Island.'' Also, the fact that there are as few types of weapons as possible, such as “Tank A”, “Tank B”, “Self-propelled gun A”, and “Self-propelled gun B”, is directly connected to the ease of play.

If the weapons are the same, there will be no difference in performance between them and the enemy camp.

Like in “Blitzkrieg'', the content is not too detailed, such as “The T34 is difficult to defeat with a Panzer III, but if you call in an 88mm gun or a Tiger tank, you can easily defeat it.'' .

◆Actually, full-fledged strategy
However, “Famicom Wars'' had a strategic nature because there was no difference in the performance of weapons.

For example, Donut Island is a stage with a large lake in the center. If you go clockwise, you will reach the forest area, and if you go counterclockwise, you will reach the city area. It's a nonsense idea to produce units and advance from both the right and left flanks.

We will keep the minimum number of troops in forest areas where it is difficult for armored vehicles to pass, and aim for urban areas where mobile warfare can be easily carried out.

What is important in Famicom Wars is the terrain, and thinking about “What will happen if I send a tank here?'' and “Is it possible to use the terrain to hold off the enemy with a minimum number of troops?'' will lead to victory. . Oh, I feel like a general!

Also, if your opponent's forces are larger at the beginning of the war, you can buy time with defensive battles and wait for units to be produced.

This is a strategy that is also practiced in real wars. Just because you're making good progress from the beginning doesn't mean it will continue to the end. Rather, you can try to force your opponent to make the first move and exhaust them. These mental battles are important because there is no difference in the performance of the weapons.

◆TV commercials that everyone imitated
A major feature of “Famicom Wars'' is that it was created as a game that can be played at home, with comical movements of soldiers and battle scenes that keep the vividness to a minimum, while ensuring realistic strategy. And above all, the impact of the TV commercial was enormous.

“Famicom Wars is coming out! Don't tell your moms!”

I'm sure some people imitated this line, which clearly captured the psychology of elementary school students at the time.

And if you think about it, this commercial doesn't use any game images in its length. Despite this, why is it that the desire to purchase is so frightening? “Famicom Wars'' lives up to its title and is still talked about as a representative work of the Famicom. Even if modern children got their hands on it, they should be able to play with it!

“Famicom Wars” is distributed as a software included in “Family Computer Nintendo Switch Online.”