Beyond his worldwide fame with Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama has to his credit a title that has remained in the shadows: Go Go Ackman. Released in 1994 for the Super Famicom, this platform game blends the author’s characteristic humor with unique gameplay. Despite being little known, Go Go Ackman stands out for its visual style and a story that features Ackman, a little demon who must face angels on his way.
Go Go Ackman: Akira Toriyama’s most unknown game
Throughout his career, Akira Toriyama has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, especially thanks to Dragon Ball, one of the most successful franchises in history. However, behind the fame of Goku and his intergalactic adventures, there is a title that few know about: Go Go Ackman, a video game for the Super Famicom (the Japanese version of the Super Nintendo) released in 1994.
The story follows Ackman, a demon who is sent to the world of humans to capture souls. What starts as a common mission soon turns into an absurd adventure full of situations that parody both video game clichés of the time and Toriyama’s own creations.
One of the first things that stands out in Go Go Ackman is its unmistakable visual style, which reflects the direct influence of Toriyama’s best-known works. The characters, from Ackman to the angels that confront him, present a stylized design and exaggerated shapes, very similar to the characters of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, another of Toriyama’s most emblematic works. The backgrounds, although simple, maintain the cheerful and dynamic tone of his other works, with bright colors and comic details.
In terms of gameplay, Go Go Ackman is a traditional platformer, with levels where players must jump, dodge obstacles and defeat enemies. However, the game has a couple of twists that make it unique. Throughout the levels, players must collect different items and weapons, which include lightning bolts and bombs, but what really stands out is the use of Ackman’s special ability to summon demonic creatures to aid him in his mission.
Throughout his adventure, Ackman faces a series of bosses, including angels with exaggerated personalities and outlandish attacks. The mechanics of defeating these bosses are designed to be fun and light-hearted, with touches of humor in the dialogue and animations. This relaxed and unpretentious approach helps the game, despite its technical limitations, feel entertaining and accessible.
Despite having the backing of Akira Toriyama, Go Go Ackman did not achieve the expected popularity due to its limited distribution in Japan and the lack of a significant advertising campaign. In addition, the arrival of more advanced consoles such as the PlayStation overshadowed its release, causing it to go unnoticed in an ever-changing video game market.
Although Go Go Ackman never reached the status of Toriyama’s great titles, over time it has gained cult status among retro video game fans and followers of the creator of Dragon Ball. This forgotten game is further proof of the versatility of Toriyama, who not only shone in the world of manga, but also in video games, leaving a legacy that continues to be admired and rediscovered by new generations.
In short, Go Go Ackman is one of those hidden gems that, despite its lack of mass recognition, continues to surprise for its freshness, humor and the unique touch of its creator. If you are a Toriyama fan or a lover of retro videogames, this peculiar title is definitely worth exploring.
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