Following the successful arcade debut in 1990, Gensan threw his hat into the console/hand held arena:

1991: Console debut on the Famicom.
1992: Two Gameboy games, one a quiz the other an action game.
1993: Part 2 of the Famicom followed by two Super Famicom releases.
1994: A third Gameboy game.

Sadly, Mr. Gensan hasn't shown up in a video game since. From 1996, however, our favorite butt-kicking carpenter has been a mainstay in the Pachinko world. Eat your heart out Mario!

Luckily, IREM came to their senses. Fourteen painfuly long years later, Gensan is back doing what he does best: games. If you were a fan of the arcade/Super Famicom versions or games such as, to name a few, Marvel Land, The Adventure of Little Ralph, Ghosts 'N Goblins or Metal Slug than you should definitely pick up a copy of Ikuze! Gensan on the PSP.

In total there are 10 stages + additional bonus content. Besides Gensan the carpenter, there are eight awesome characters with unique abilities including a sushi chef, DJ, Rakugo comedian, Zen monk, and homerun slugger with whom you can battle through each stage. For hardcore gamers, additional characters can be unlocked each time you beat the game.

Sadly, you can not play through as one of these Carpenters.

As a bonus, the first part of a new anime starring Gensan is also included on the UMD. You can see it here.

[Shinobi Mamenchou]