GeGeGe no Kitaro 2: Youkai Gundan no Chousen is an NES RPG released by Bandai in Japan on December 22, 1987. Based on the iconic Japanese manga and anime *GeGeGe no Kitaro*, it follows Kitaro, the last survivor of the Ghost Tribe, as he works to keep peace between humans and yokai.
Players control Kitaro, traveling across Japan to fend off waves of evil yokai and protect the human world. It uses streamlined traditional RPG mechanics with turn-based battles: players input commands, then watch the fight play out until the turn ends. Despite its simplified system, the game is quite challenging, especially early on—Kitaro must approach battles carefully to level up and grow stronger.
The game map faithfully recreates Japan’s geography, plus parts of Korea and an unspecified small island. Players explore houses, castles, and caves to complete quests that dispel supernatural storms blocking their path, letting them continue their adventure.
Notably, while it is the sequel to *GeGeGe no Kitaro: Youkai Daimakyou* (released in the US as *Ninja Kid*), the two play very differently: the first is a side-scrolling action game, while this entry is a full RPG.
Overall, *GeGeGe no Kitaro 2: Youkai Gundan no Chousen* delivers a deep dive into the yokai world with its unique story and challenging gameplay.