Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushuu

About Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushuu (NES)

Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushuu is an action platform game developed by Micronics and published by Irem for the Family Computer in Japan on October 22, 1993. It is the second game in the Hammerin’ Harry series, known in Japan as Daiku no Gen-san, and it never received an official release outside Japan in its original form.

You play as Gen, the tough carpenter hero of the first game, armed with his trusty wooden mallet. Dan the Red, a rival from the original game, has returned working for the evil scientist Dr. Parallel, and Gen must fight through eight stages to stop their plan and rescue the people they have taken.

Detailed Gameplay

Daiku no Gen-san 2 plays like a traditional side-scrolling action platformer, but it keeps changing the rules just when you settle into a rhythm.

Hammer combat and platforming

• Gen attacks with his big mallet, smashing enemies, blocks and obstacles in front of him.
• A charged ground smash can knock tough foes back and deal with armored enemies that shrug off normal hits.
• Stages mix ladders, moving platforms, tight jumps and hazards, so you must time every swing and leap.

Eight varied stages

• The journey runs from a shopping district and a building construction site to a steel mill and an undersea tunnel.
• Later stages take you into a secret factory, Dr. Parallel’s island, his laboratories and a final control tower.
• Each stage has its own enemies, traps and layout, so no two levels feel like a repeat of the last.

Shooter stages and the finale

• A few stages switch to horizontal shooting action, with Gen riding a flying hammer through enemy fire.
• These sections test dodging and steady aim rather than platforming skill, giving the game welcome variety.
• The final stage scrolls vertically and punishes touching the bottom of the screen, so you must keep climbing.

Boss battles against Dan

• Most boss fights pit you against Dan, who attacks from different vehicles and often throws dynamite.
• Learning his attack pattern matters more than button mashing, since his moves change with each encounter.
• Other foes include a demented robot that must be smashed back into a press to defeat it.

Game Highlights

• A Japan-only Hammerin’ Harry sequel: A late 1993 Famicom release that stayed in Japan for decades, now easy to discover.
• Gen and his giant mallet: Simple, satisfying hammer combat with a ground smash for tougher enemies.
• Eight stages with real variety: Construction sites, an undersea tunnel, a jungle-style island and a secret factory.
• Shooter surprises: Flying-hammer shooting stages and a vertical finale break up the platforming in the best way.

Controls

On the NES controller, Gen moves and swings with a simple two-button setup. - D-Pad: Move Gen left and right, climb ladders and crouch. - A Button: Jump across gaps and onto higher platforms. - B Button: Swing the mallet to attack enemies and smash objects. - Start Button: Pause the game. - Select Button: Use on menus and option screens where prompted.

Tips and Strategies to Win

Daiku no Gen-san 2 rewards patience and pattern-spotting over reckless speed. - Do not swing wildly at bosses: watch Dan’s vehicle and dynamite throws first, then attack in the safe gaps. - Keep moving in the shooter stages and focus on dodging first, because enemy fire fills the screen quickly. - In the vertical finale, climb steadily and never drop back, since touching the bottom costs a life. - Explore for bonus rooms and health items before boss doors, because later stages hit much harder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Daiku no Gen-san 2 a sequel to Hammerin’ Harry? A: Yes, it is the second Hammerin’ Harry game for the Famicom. It keeps the carpenter hero Gen and his mallet, but adds new stages, shooter sections and Dan the Red as the returning villain.

Q: Was Daiku no Gen-san 2 released outside Japan? A: No, the original Famicom version was released only in Japan in 1993. It later became known to Western players through re-releases under the English title Hammerin’ Harry 2: Dan the Red Strikes Back.

Q: Can I play Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushuu online for free? A: Yes, you can play Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushuu online for free in your browser here, with no download or installation needed.