Description

"Abarenbou Tengu" (also known as "Zombie Nation" in its North American release) is a 1990 horizontal scrolling shooter video game developed by KAZe for the Nintendo Famicom console. In this intriguing and somewhat bizarre game, players control the disembodied samurai head of Tengu, shooting a variety of weapons from his eyes and mouth at an onslaught of enemies to save the United States from an alien force that has turned the population into zombies. The game is renowned for its surreal and unique premise, detailed graphics, and challenging gameplay. It blends traditional Japanese folklore with apocalyptic sci-fi themes, creating a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from other games of its era.

The game was released by Meldac in Japan and later brought to North America with a change in storyline and graphics, reflecting a more Western-centric narrative under the title "Zombie Nation." In the U.S. version, the samurai head was transformed into the disembodied head of an ancient alien warrior, Namakubi, who is also fighting to reclaim the mythical samurai sword Shura and defeat the evil alien invader Darc Seed, who causes havoc across America. Regardless of the narrative variations, both versions feature destructible environments with many stages and intense boss fights that challenge the player’s shooting and dodging skills. "Abarenbou Tengu/Zombie Nation" remains a curious piece of video gaming lore, appreciated for its quirky concept and its role as a cult classic within the NES library.