Today, Crunchyroll, the premiere anime brand worldwide, is announcing Hime’s Quest… 23 years late. Crunchyroll mascot Crunchyroll-Hime once went 8-bit on the most beloved gaming handheld of 1999 in an action-adventure to save the world’s electronics from Y2K. One issue, Crunchyroll didn’t exist to release it—our bad!
Hime’s Quest for Game Boy Color will be available for a limited time only via pre-order beginning November 18th on the Crunchyroll Store and Limited Run Games in available territories. You can pick between Crunchyroll Orange, exclusive to the Crunchyroll store, or Limited Run Blue, exclusive to LimitedRunGames.com. The window for pre-orders and adventure remains open until December 23rd. For fans without a Game Boy Color, Hime’s Quest will be free-to-play and download on supported browsers later this year.
Ahead of the launch later this year, fans can finally see a glimpse of Crunchyroll-Hime pixelated and in-action in a trailer by the gaming comedy troupe Mega64. Fans eager for adventure but feel it’s dangerous to go alone can join up at the Crunchyroll Booth (#526) at Anime NYC this weekend to play a Hime’s Quest demo.
“Crunchyroll wanted to capture the nostalgia of 90s pop culture, a shared touchstone for anime fans, and we are thrilled to transport Crunchyroll-Hime to that era in an adventure developed on fan-favorite hardware from that time. Hime is our beloved princess mascot, and we are excited to see her lore expanded in ways that speak to fans’ love for anime and gaming with Hime’s Quest.” said Terry Li, Senior Vice President of Emerging Business, Crunchyroll.”
Here’s what you might have read on the back of the game box circa 1999:
Take control as Crunchyroll-Hime to save the anime club from Y2K in her first-ever video game: Hime’s Quest. Set in 1999, something electric is in the air. A malevolent force has crept into New Crunchy City, wreaking havoc on its technology, and tragically destroying the Anime Club’s precious DVD/VCR combo player. Can you root out the dastardly cretin brazen enough to ruin their meeting?
Adventure through haunted forests, mirage-filled deserts, and more in Crunchyroll-Hime’s largest quest yet.
Hack and slash your way through dungeons and face off against totally buggin fiends in league with Y2K.
Kick back with Crunchyroll-Hime’s friends in the anime club or pay a visit to spooky manga creator Junji Ito who is currently OBSESSED with spirals.
Some games let you pet the dog, this one lets you try to pet the cat. Can you succeed and give Crunchyroll-Hime’s best friend, Yuzu, a pat on the head?
PLAY IT LOUD! with a chiptune soundtrack by future (time paradox averted) award-winning 8-bit composer and musician Protodome.