Play Soreike! Amida-kun (japan) Online

I first came across Soreike! Amida-kun on the Game Boy back in 1991, a Konami release that fit right in with the platform's library of quirky Japanese titles. It wasn't a blockbuster, just one of those curious games you'd find if you dug a little deeper into the system's catalog.

You control Amida-kun, a little round character, and your goal is to climb upward through a series of single-screen stages. The main mechanic involves drawing your own ladders directly onto the screen to create a path upward, which you must do while avoiding or defeating enemies that crawl along the pre-drawn lines. You collect bells scattered throughout each stage, and you need a certain number to advance, adding a light puzzle element to the platforming. The game demands careful planning because if you draw a ladder incorrectly, you can easily trap yourself or leave no route to a required bell. It feels like a quiet, thoughtful puzzle game disguised as a platformer, where your own hastily drawn lines are often your biggest obstacle.