Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon S

Released in 1994 by Bandai for the Game Gear, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon S is a side-scrolling beat 'em up that brings the Sailor Moon S anime to handheld consoles. It holds historical significance as one of the few portable adaptations, capturing the magic of the series during its peak popularity and offering a accessible gaming experience for fans on the move.

Gameplay revolves around classic beat 'em up mechanics: use the D-Pad to move, press button 1 to attack, button 2 to jump, and the Option button for a special attack when powered up. Unique features include team-up attacks in two-player mode via the link cable, recreating iconic combinations from the anime. During boss battles, characters transform into Super Sailor forms with full animations, and Game Gear-exclusive mini-games between stages let you restore health by collecting hearts dropped by Luna and Artemis.

Players control Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus, each contributing to the fight against the Death Busters. The story follows the anime's narrative, with the Sailor Guardians battling through six colorful stages filled with enemies and bosses. The game's world is visually vibrant, mirroring the anime's aesthetic and immersing players in the Sailor Moon universe.

Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon S remains notable for its faithful adaptation and engaging gameplay, contributing to the enduring legacy of Sailor Moon video games. It is fondly remembered by retro gaming enthusiasts and anime fans for its charming presentation and innovative features, such as the link cable support, which made it a standout title in the 1990s beat 'em up genre on handheld devices.