Ganbare Goemon! - Karakuri Douchuu

Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Douchuu is an action-adventure game featuring the thief Ishikawa Goemon. Gameplay is a top-down exploration where players must collect three passes per stage to progress, using a pipe for combat against enemies like ninjas and bandits. There is light RPG element through items such as speed sandals and a slingshot, and stages include hidden passages and shops. No deep story; it focuses on exploration and combat in feudal Japan settings. The standout feature is the blend of Zelda-like free-roaming town exploration with belt-scrolling beat 'em up action, allowing jumping, item collection, and secret finding in a compact 8-bit format. Characters include Goemon as the heroic protagonist. It was the first home console entry in the series.