I remember when I was in school and the only graffiti you’d see on tables other than the likes of Katie loves Shaun would be erect penises. Apparently Japanese children play noughts and crosses and draw butterflies as in Keshikasu-Kun: Battle Kastival (based on a manga found in CoroCoro Comic) you control Keshikasu-Kun a white eraser (or rubber to British people) who must not only erase all the offensive noughts and crosses and butterflies but must fight off some of the most dastardly villains this side of Tomodachi Quest with pencils, crayons, scissors, staplers and so-forth.

Coming packaged with a physical Keshikasu-Kun eraser but thankfully controllably also by either stylus or d-pad (which I prefer), the game takes place inside a school in Japan with each themed stage (classroom, science lab, kitchen, offices etc) consisting of four levels and an amazing boss (my favourite is actually the first boss who is a brilliant electric pencil sharpener!) with some brilliant storyline scenes splicing together the action. The action itself is 2D topdown like retro Zelda or Kiki Kaikai but combat is via a thrust type manoeuvre or a special attack (more on this later) with the rubbing out separate.

Keshikasu-Kun has both an energy meter and a sleeve. The latter of which is interchangeable (there are millions of designs either found within the levels or via a shop bought with in-game currency earned from cleaning up graffiti). It’s with each sleeve where Keshikasu-Kun learns his special attack but this can be lost when the energy meter is low or it’s rubbed off with too much erasing which is kinda a bummer as you need it most when you’re about to die. Death is treated most tragically in Keshikasu-Kun where he is simply disposed of in the trash can never to be seen again (until you press continue).

If this sounds fun then it absolutely is. The enemies are well designed (the scissors are cute girls with the blades being the legs and the stapler is a cute shaping crocodile). The graphics are solid enough although with the tabletop gameplay a feeling of depth would be greatly enhanced with a 3DS sequel. But. Konami. If any fault can be found with the game then it’s that dreaded curse brought about by in-game repetition although things are shaken up occasionally with a few battle royale-esque levels and the absolutely brilliant boss battles which bring to mind battling classic shoot’em up bosses from yesteryear.

All-in-all it’s difficult not to recommend Keshikasu-Kun: Battle Kastival to anybody who appreciates whacky Japanese games and innovative concepts or who play videogames with the sole aim to have fun. Keshikasu-Kun s both a reminder of not only arguably the golden years of Japanese gaming -or at least Japanese portable gaming- but also to a time when developers were willing to experiment with conventional videogame design that manages to work not because of its unconventuality but because of its damn playability. And the fact that it’s still available for cheap should make it a must buy for anyone with a DS/3DS.

7/10

Review by Bri Bri. For more information on Keshikasu-Kun: Battle Kastival go to http://www.konami.jp/keshikasu/