On May 26th, 2022, Nintendo added two games to the SNES Online app and one game to the NES Online app. At the same time, the Famicom Online apps also got 3 new games. However, instead of Congo’s Caper, the Super Famicom app got the first Umihara Kawase game. It is somewhat strange that Nintendo decided to do this since the SNES Online app has Super Famicom games already with much more Japanese text than Umihara Kawase has, but that is what they have decided to do for now. Regardless of that you should still try out the game because it is quite good.
What is it?
Umihara Kawase is a puzzle platformer game. The main mechanics are walking, jumping, and using the grappling hook. The walking and jumping are pretty slow and you don’t have much air control while you jump. The main focus is really on the grappling hook, which is actually a fishing line because the game is fish themed. You can shoot the fishing line at platforms and then extend or shorten its length. It is also used to stun enemies. As long as you hold down the grappling hook button it will stay connected, and if the line is short enough you will hang from it. If you quickly shorten an extended line you will gain a lot of momentum, which can be used to your advantage. The game has a relatively advanced physics engine for a Super Famicom game, and that is what the platforming is built around. Unsurprisingly this makes for a fun game, and the level design is pretty good to back it up.
There are a few issues with the game, but not many. One of them is the enemies. The regular enemies aren’t particularly well designed, and the way that they constantly respawn doesn’t really contribute to the game being better either. Boss fights also have some issues. The main issue is that it is often impossible to figure out what you are supposed to do without trial and error, which doesn’t make for that much. Luckily most of the game is not spent fighting the questionably designed enemies.
The music and graphics are pretty good but definitely not worth playing the game for. Playing Super Famicom games for their graphics is a bit weird to do at this point anyway, so it isn’t such a big deal. They obviously put more effort into making the levels fun than trying to make them look good. Still, the visual style of the game is interesting and unique. Maybe one of the reasons the stages look this way is to make the non-linear stage progression less jarring.
How do you play it?
If you are reading this you probably don’t have a Japanese Nintendo Switch Online subscription (but if you do you can just download the Super Famicom app and play it). That doesn’t mean you can’t play this game, though. You just need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for some other region.
To get the Super Famicom Online app on your Switch you can make a new account with its region in Japan. From there you can download the app on the eShop with that account even though it doesn’t necessarily have a subscription. Once it is downloaded on your Switch, the app can be opened by your profile that does have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, even if that account’s region isn’t Japan.
From inside the Super Famicom app you can find this game’s box art and click on it to play. The interface is the same as the SNES Online app in other regions so you shouldn’t have too much trouble using the app if you are familiar with that. Once you are in the game you will find that the effort was worth it since the game is pretty good… enjoy!
