Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū, also known as Go for it Goemon! A Tricky Journey is a Japanese side-scrolling adventure game. It was developed and published by gaming icon Konami, known for series like Castlevania, Metal Gear, Silent Hill, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Dance Dance Revolution. The game was originally released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and MSX. Over the next several years it got ported to the Game Boy Advance and for the Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U under the Virtual Console service.
While it is not one of the most memorable titles of the series, Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū still has overall positive reviews. And it was successful enough to keep the franchise going with over twenty games.
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū Premise
This ninja beat ’em up game has a top-view perspective, similar to The Legend of Zelda. It has eight provinces that each have several stages in which Goemon must find three passes before he can progress. These wooden passes can be found in secret passages, boxes, or in stores and can be bought with golden coins. While finding these special keys, players will also have to fend off bandits throughout several parts of feudal Japan.
©Screenshot of Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū – Original
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū Main Character
The lovable titular character of this series is Goemon. This heroic ninja was originally a simple thief who infiltrated castles and outwitted guards. But as the series continues he becomes a warrior with a sense of justice who fights powerful villains. Although he is now motivated by a noble cause, he is still a hothead with a strong temperament.
His main weapon of choice is a smoking pipe. He can also throw golden coins as projectiles but that could be considered a waste of money since they are needed to buy things. This early in the series, Goemon still has his traditional Japanese style with kabuki makeup and a classic red ninja outfit.
Goemon is based on a real historical Japanese figure called Goemon Ishikawa from the 16th century who was a famous bandit. After his death, he was turned into a heroic legend with mystical powers. He is often compared to Robin Hood who robbed the rich to give to the needy.
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū Series
This game is the second installment in the Ganbare Goemon (Mystical Ninja) series. This iconic series has gone on for decades with numerous games, spin-offs, board games, comics, and even an anime. If you are looking to continue Goemon’s ninja adventures, here are all of the titles in the main series.
| Title | Release |
|---|---|
| Mr. Goemon | 1986 |
| Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū | 1986 |
| Ganbare Goemon 2 | 1989 |
| Ganbare Goemon Gaiden: Kieta Ōgon Kiseru | 1990 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyuushutsu Emaki | 1991 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Sarawareta Ebisumaru! | 1991 |
| Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2: Tenka no Zaihō | 1992 |
| Ganbare Goemon 2: Kiteretsu Shōgun Magginesu | 1993 |
| Ganbare Goemon 3: Shishijūrokubē no Karakuri Manji Gatame | 1994 |
| Ganbare Goemon Kirakira Dōchū: Boku ga Dancer ni Natta Wake | 1995 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Uchū Kaizoku Akogingu | 1996 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Neo Momoyama Bakufu no Odori | 1997 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Kurofune Tō no Nazo | 1997 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Derodero Dōchū Obake Tenko Mori | 1998 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Kuru Nara Koi! Ayashige Ikka no Kuroi Kage | 1998 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Tengu-tō no Gyakushū! | 1999 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Mononoke Dōchū Tobidase Nabe-Bugyō! | 1999 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Hoshizorashi Dynamites Arawaru!! | 2000 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Ōedo Daikaiten | 2001 |
| Mini Kyodai Robo Goemon Compact | 2003 |
| Kessakusen! Ganbare Goemon 1•2: Yukihime to Magginesu | 2005 |
| Ganbare Goemon: Tōkai Dōchū Ōedo Tengu ri Kaeshi no Maki | 2005 |
©Screenshot of Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū – Original
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū Cheat Codes
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū has numerous cheats depending on which version you have. But don’t worry, we have broken them all down for you below by console.
NES Cheats
| Effect | Code |
| Special Continue | On the Game Over screen, hold A + B and press Start. You will continue on the same stage with the same amount of energy but your money is now halved. |
| CRC Test | Hold A + B while turning on the game to start the CRC test. |
NES Game Genie Codes
| Effect | Code |
| Have 3 Sandals | 0044:06 |
| Have Armor | 07C4:01 |
| Have Candle | 07DA:C8 |
| Have Helmet | 07CC:01 |
| Have Incense Pouch | 07C8:01 |
| Have Lunch | 07CE:01 |
| Have Slingshot | 0048:01 |
| Have Straw Hat | 07CA:01 |
| Have Talisman | 07C6:01 |
| Have The 3 Passes | 07C2:03 |
| Infinite Energy | 0040:60 |
| Infinite Time | 0050:99 |
| Invincible | 0046:01 |
| Max Gold | 07BE:FF |
| Stage Select | 001E:?? 01= Stage 2 02= Stage 3 03= Stage 4 04= Stage 5 05= Stage 6 06= Stage 7 07= Stage 8 08= Stage 9 09= Stage 10 0A= Stage 11 0B= Stage 12 0C= Stage 13 |
Game Boy Advance Action Replay Codes
If you have an Action Replay for your Game Boy Advance, here are some codes available for you to try out. Each code has several different versions that give the same effect. But just in case one does not work for you, try the others.
| Effect | Code |
| Master Code | 1FF3AF06 1F459A89 948CAB33 8C1842E3 |
| Infinite HP / Max HP | 3C7D31EE F689793A |
| Infinite Lives | BF679010 4073541C |
| Infinite Money | BC72D926 8BF37E6C ABC16A8B 4C7BE995 |
| Infinite Time | E8E8F296 5C1B91D2 |
| Invincible | 31854DE8 BB5EDF71 |
| Max Score | 9EA9E4AF 9D424F41 |
| Max Speed | C27993E2 2613B01B |
| Max Weapon | D6B992BE BC84B86A |
MSX Cheats
| Effect | Code |
| Get The Password | While playing, press F1 and then press F2. Can only be done once per stage. |
| Input Password | On the title screen, press CTRL |
| Continue | Type Z Z [ G T [ D Q E in the Password Menu |
| Max Energy Bar | Type G N A 7 Y ‘ [ Y G in the Password Menu |
| Play As Nezumi Kozou | Type H . H . W Y W Y in the Password Menu |
| Start With $2000 | Type 3 ‘ N X Y K X E 2 in the Password Menu |
| Allowance (Touch A Geisha Girl To Get $10) | Pause the game with F1 and type R G 7 , Y |
| Have The Map (On 3D Mazes Only) | Pause the game with F1 and type 6 7 2 [ Y |
MSX Province Passwords
These codes will lead you to the ending of each province. To enter them, press CTRL on the Password Menu and then enter the following.
| Effect | Code |
| Last Stage Province 1 (Izumo) | Na Ri Fu Mu To He Ku i Ka |
| Last Stage Province 2 (Tanba) | U Ta E Ku Ki O Ho E Ki |
| Last Stage Province 3 (Settsu) | E Ta E Ku Wo O Ho U Ta |
| Last Stage Province 4 (Omi) | Ro Ku Re A Me Ro Ni U Ki |
| Last Stage Province 5 (Owari) | Ki Chi O Ke Ku Ka Ma E Sa |
| Last Stage Province 6 (Shinano) | Ri U Yu Re He Yo Chi U E |
| Last Stage Province 7 (Edo) | Ra A Mo Ra Ho Ya So U O |
These are all of the known cheat codes for the game.
©Screenshot of Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū – Original
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū Cheat Code FAQ
Does Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū have any cheat codes?
Yes! The NES and MSX versions of the game have their own cheats. And the Game Boy Advance has codes if you have an Action Replay. These cheats can give players extra lives, more money, and so much more.
What is an Action Replay?
An Action Replay is a cheat device that allows players to input different cheats and codes for multiple different consoles like the SNES, Game Cube, Commodore 64, Game Boy Advance, and so much more. They manipulate the memory of the game code itself to allow cheats like invincibility, more powerful abilities, and even saving the game when it does not have a save mechanic.
What is a Game Genie?
A Game Genie is another cheat device, similar to the Action Replay or Game Shark. They are available for many retro consoles like the NES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, and more.
What makes a cheat device different?
Since developers implement traditional cheat codes in their games on purpose, not every game has them. But that does not mean players don’t want them. Hence, cheat devices were born. Devices like the Game Genie or Action Replay allow players to do things the developer did not intend, while regular cheat codes are put there by the developers.
How long will it take to finish Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū ?
According to HowLongToBeat.com, you can finish the main story of the game in under three hours. And for our completionists out there, the entire game including side quests can be finished in almost six hours.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Cover Art for Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū .