Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru
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| Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru | |
| Full Title | Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru |
| Developer | Intelligent Systems |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| System | Game Boy, 3DS Virtual Console |
| Release Date | Game Boy JP Japan September 4, 1992 3DS Virtual Console September 5, 2012 |
| Genre | Action/Adventure |
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (translated as For The Frog The Bells Tolls) is a game released for the Game Boy. The game was never released internationally, but it is notable for its engine, which would later be used for The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.
Story[edit]
The story tells of the rivalry of the Prince of Sablé (named by the player, but sometimes called by fans as "Prince Sablé") and Prince Richard, who have competed in fencing and other acts since childhood. The Prince of Sablé has proven himself better in all areas except for fencing, in which Richard has excelled. One day. they receive word that a neighboring kingdom, the Mille-Feuille Kingdom, has been invaded by King Delalin and captured Princess Tisamaru.
Richard takes off before the hero to save the princess, leaving the Prince of Sablé to catch up. In addition, he meets up with a frog who wishes for the hero to unite all the frogs in the kingdom into a safe place.
Gameplay[edit]
The game is unusual for its gameplay style and is often best compared to Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. This is due to bird's eye view for the world map and 2D platforming while inside caves, dungeons, and similar areas. The features a large amount of interaction with NPCs, giving the game a distinct RPG style, though the game lacks any sort of experience system.
As with the Zelda series, the hero only gets stronger by obtaining additional items. These range among more powerful rapiers, better shields, and other tools. The player does not directly control the hero in battle, as it is instead handled automatically by the game while the player watches. When the Prince wins in battle, he gains money, hearts, and other items. If he loses, it is not game over, and he will just restart from the last town he was at.
Later in the game, the Prince can assume alternate forms to help in his quest. The first is a frog form, where he is given high jumping ability. He is able to enter watery areas, talk to frogs and some soldiers, and eat insect-type enemies and automatically restore a heart. However, in this form he can fight no other enemies, and he attracts snakes. He can also turn into a snake later on, which allows him to enter tight spots and talk to other snakes.
Legacy[edit]
Although the game itself never had any sequel or other kind of follow-up, the game's engine was used for Link's Awakening and inspires the later handheld Zelda titles Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages.
Ports/Remakes[edit]
- A remake was planned in 2002 for the Game Boy Color, but the project never came to fruition, likely due to the release of the Game Boy Advance.
- In 2012, it was released for download through the Nintendo 3DS's eShop as part of the 3DS Virtual Console in Japan.
- In May 2024, it was added to the Nintendo Switch's digital library of Game Boy games that were available for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Like other releases of the game, it was onlu made available in Japan.
Other References[edit]
- The character of Prince Richard also appears in Link's Awakening as an NPC whose castle has been taken over by his servants. His villa he escaped to is filled with frogs, and in the DX remake of the game, he poses with Link for a picture.
- Another character makes a cameo in Wario Land 4, this one being Dr. Arewo Shitain. He appears as the unnamed 'professor' character that Wario encounters in bonus room stages.
- In the Super Smash Bros. series, the Sablé Prince has appeared as an Assist Trophy starting in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U. The games have also contained a sticker, trophy and two Spirits of him.