Katsuhiro Otomo’s post-apocalyptic anime Akira is revered still to this day. Having first been treated to a cinematic release in Japan way back in 1988, it is widely regarded as a landmark in Japanese animation.
With Nintendo having stabilised a dwindling games industry, Taito had once released an adventure game based on the cult sci-fi anime for the Nintendo Entertainment System. But, another game that had been destined for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, SEGA Mega Drive and SEGA CD was cancelled while in development.
Now, thanks to IGN‘s Up At Noon Live, we can catch a glimpse at what might have been. They were lucky enough to get hold of gameplay footage that was recorded at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 1994, which shows early levels from the game.
That starts with motorbike sequences reminiscent of Road Rash, shifts into awkward dungeon-crawling instances, and closes with side-scrolling platformer sections. It’s in equal parts brilliant but baffling at the same time.
