The Legendary Starfy series is an underappreciated gem, which sadly only saw a single full release outside of Japan—The Legendary Starfy for the Nintendo DS. It is a 2D platformer set under the sea, where players take control of the titular character, Starfy, to solve the issues of all his sea friends. Despite being the fifth entry in the overall franchise, the game is designed so newcomers can jump in without any prior knowledge, but it will definitely leave them wanting more.
Starfy Comes West
My journey to Starfy began back with Club Nintendo informing me of the game. You could register your intent to purchase a game to earn extra points, and I would always check everything even if I never intended on playing it. With Starfy, I was semi-familiar with the character thanks to his appearance as an assist trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but I had never played a single game due to their Japanese exclusivity. When the game launched, I didn't have the funds to buy it myself, being a poor high school student and all, but that would change years later in 2012.
Shortly after Netto's Game Room's humble beginnings, I entered one of my earliest written reviews into a writing contest. I didn't expect anything to come of it—I mainly did it for fun—but when I received an email stating I had won, I was ecstatic! Not only did I receive a whole $30, which was a lot for a college student, but it's also what encouraged me to continue down this path in life. As for the reward, I used it to buy The Legendary Starfy and finally see what the series was all about.
A Unique Under the Sea Adventure
The Legendary Starfy really is a charming game. From its great cast of characters to the unique underwater stage design, it is a platformer that could stand out in a crowd if it were given more of a chance in the West. With tons of content, two playable characters, and interesting on-land stages mixed in as well, it is a game that is hard to put down once you get started. It is one of the few platformers I ensured I reached 100% completion in before moving on, and those who give it a chance will instantly see why. There simply isn't anything else quite like Starfy.
For those wanting to know more about the game, I've already discussed it at great length in my original 2012 review, but those wishing to give the series a shot for themselves can do so with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack to play Starfy 1 through 3. Sadly, they do remain untranslated, and come without an option to purchase them. This, of course, means there are no localized physical versions available either.
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