Son Son

Released by Capcom in July 1984, *Son Son* is a classic and whimsical action-shooter inspired by the legend of the Monkey King (Journey to the West). Players control Son Son and Ton Ton as they journey toward Tenjiku, advancing through a six-tiered, horizontally scrolling landscape. The game’s enduring appeal lies in its intuitive four-way joystick and shot button controls, its brisk pacing, and a charming soundtrack. The design is packed with playfulness, from the strategic use of "POW" items to turn enemies into fruit, to the discovery of hidden characters. Notably, it is also a well-documented technical quirk of the game that no sound effect plays when defeating the bosses that appear on clouds at the end of each section.

Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie have set off on a journey to Tenjiku. Along the path to the Buddha, they must fight their way through various monsters. Players control either Sun Wukong or Zhu Bajie, adventuring forward while defeating the enemies that stand in their way. The objective is to clear all 20 stages and reach their final destination, Tenjiku.