Romaji: Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima IV) is a Famicom exclusive video game (i.e.: It was never released in America nor Europe on the NES). It is known as the last official video game ever to be released on the console - almost four years after the Super Famicom was initially released and 11 years after the Famicom was released.
The game, while still a side-scroller, is wildly different from the three previous games that were released on the console. It is more inline with games such as Metroid, as it's less of a platformer and more of an action-adventure video game. The next game in the series, Super Adventure Island II, was very similar to this title. Currently, English speaking fans of the series can play the game via a translated patch.
This section requires an expansion. More information is needed. Sources are recommended.
Gameplay[]
This section requires an expansion. More information is needed. Sources are recommended.
Development[]
Adventure Island IV (also known as Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima IV) was developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft, released exclusively in Japan in 1994 for the Famicom (NES). It was the final game Hudson developed for the 8-bit console, and its development marked a departure from the series’ traditional arcade-style platforming. Instead, the team focused on creating a Metroidvania-style adventure, incorporating non-linear exploration, item collection, and backtracking mechanics, something uncommon for the Adventure Island franchise. This shift was likely influenced by the popularity of exploratory action games like Metroid and The Legend of Zelda. The game retained the series’ signature tropical aesthetic and protagonist Master Higgins (Takahashi Meijin in Japan), but with a greater emphasis on story, inventory management, and puzzle-solving. Technically, the game pushed the aging Famicom hardware with detailed sprite work and a richer overworld structure. As a late Famicom release, it didn’t see an international release, making it one of the rarer and more unique entries in the Adventure Island series. Despite limited exposure, Adventure Island IV is now considered a hidden gem and a bold final chapter for the franchise’s 8-bit era.
Reception[]
This section requires an expansion. More information is needed. Sources are recommended.
