Over the years, we've seen several canceled games, like the case of Nintendo NES. Akira, that cult animated film, had a canceled game that has just come to light thanks to the efforts of a collector who shows us the lost Akira game for Game Boy.
Akira's Video Game History
There is no doubt that Akira is one of the true 'Holy Grails' of Japanese animation. Unfortunately, we can't say the same about its video games, with three bad releases: Akira for Famicom (1988), Akira for Amiga (1994), and Akira Psycho Ball for PlayStation 2 (2002). During the 90s, another Akira game was in development for Super NES, Genesis, and Sega CD, but they were canceled along with the prospects of another Akira title for the Game Boy and Game Gear handhelds. Recently, Patrick Scott Patterson, a video game collector, managed to get his hands on the lost Akira game for Game Boy.
The Game Boy Prototype Revealed
At the beginning of the video, Patrick shows us that he got not one, but four copies of the Akira game. Each one has several stages of development since none is complete. When loading the game, a menu appears with two options: Game (the main adventure) and Practice (which allows you to play all levels). Just like in the film, the story takes place in Neo-Tokyo during the year 2019, where we are introduced to the character Shotaro Kaneda, the leader of a gang of motorcyclists known as The Capsules. In fact, in the first level you take control of Kaneda's motorcycle while dodging obstacles, grabbing objects, and jumping between ramps.
In the second level, you stop riding the motorcycle and take direct control of Kaneda through a side-scrolling stage, jumping between platforms and fighting enemies. The third level maintains the same structure but now controlling Tetsuo Shima, who can use his powers to briefly fly through the stage.
The sixth level is similar to the first but driving a hovercraft that can shoot at enemies, while the seventh and final level is the confrontation against Tetsuo transformed into a giant mass. Because it's a prototype of the game, none of the levels are finished (you can reach the end of the stage but nothing happens) and the repetitive music can drive anyone crazy who spends more than ten minutes playing it. Akira is another case that fits into the circle of games based on movies you'll never get to play, and judging by the video, perhaps it's for the best.
Patrick Scott Patterson
