Welcome back to another edition of Famicom Fridays, our weekly series where we spotlight a classic product from Sega’s rival era — this time diving into a fascinating entry from Konami’s lineup for the Famicom Disk System. This week’s pick is Falsion, a 1987 3D space shooter that pushed the boundaries of what Nintendo’s hardware could do.
Released exclusively for the Famicom Disk System, Falsion stands out as one of the few titles to utilize the Famicom 3D System — Nintendo’s short-lived stereoscopic accessory that delivered a glasses-based 3D effect. The result was a surprisingly immersive experience for its time, with ships, asteroids, and laser fire seemingly leaping out of the screen.
Developed by Konami, Falsion placed players in the cockpit of a sleek starfighter on a mission to rescue hostages from an alien empire. Gameplay unfolds in a fast-paced, forward-scrolling perspective, reminiscent of Sega’s Space Harrier or After Burner, though designed specifically to work within the Famicom’s limitations. Its soundtrack — composed by Hidenori Maezawa and Harumi Ueko — is a hidden gem of late-80s chiptune, pulsing with Konami’s signature energy.
Because of its 3D System compatibility, Falsion never made it overseas, and original disks are now sought-after collector’s items. Today, it stands as a reminder of Nintendo and Konami’s experimental spirit during a time when both were trying to keep pace with Sega’s arcade dominance in the 3D shooter genre.
Whether you experience it on original hardware, or through a modern emulator setup (sans 3D glasses), Falsion is worth a revisit for its bold ambition and stylish presentation.
🎮 Famicom Fridays celebrates these unique chapters of retro gaming history every week — exploring how Sega and its rivals shaped the golden era of 8-bit innovation.
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