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The Black Bass (Japan)

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Not to be confused with "The Black Bass" for NES, which is actually the second game in the series, The Black Bass is a Japanese exclusive, originally released for MSX and ported to the Famicom. Players first choose from a few different lures. Then players have to cast the lures into the water...

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Developer
Another

Released on
1987

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Sports

Publisher
Hot-B

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Not to be confused with “The Black Bass” for NES, which is actually the second game in the series, The Black Bass is a Japanese exclusive, originally released for MSX and ported to the Famicom.

Players first choose from a few different lures. Then players have to cast the lures into the water using a meter to gauge the distance their fishing line is cast. Finally, players are presented a side view of the bottom of a lake. Players can move the lure back and forth to attract a bass to take a bite. If the bass falls for the bait and gets caught on the fishing hook, the player has to slowly and carefully reel in the fish. If the player is to careless reeling in a fish, the line can snap and cost the player a lure and the fish.

The Black Bass (Japan)

Overview & History

Released by Hot-B in 1986 for the Family Computer (Famicom), *The Black Bass* (known in Japanese as *The Black Bass*) represents a pioneering milestone as one of the earliest dedicated fishing simulation games on home consoles. Before fishing titles became crowded arcade experiences, this Japanese exclusive leaned heavily into the quiet, strategic patience of real-world angling. Originally conceived for home microcomputers, the Famicom port refined the core fishing experience, inviting players to step away from traditional platforming and action tropes to test their wits against freshwater predators. While Western audiences would eventually see localized variations under different banners, the original Japanese release established the foundational cursor-based casting and tension-management mechanics that defined Hot-B’s enduring franchise for generations.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The gameplay loop is divided into two primary phases: exploration/casting and the tense battle to land your catch. Players pilot a small motorized fishing boat across a top-down, grid-like lake map, choosing specific spots based on environmental cues like weed beds, submerged logs, and shaded shorelines. Once a location is selected, the perspective shifts to a side-scrolling underwater view or a specialized lure-action screen. You must select from a tackle box of plugs, spinners, and plastic worms, each reacting differently to water depth and retrieval speed. Using the D-pad, players rhythmically twitch and reel their line to mimic injured baitfish. When a largemouth black bass strikes, the game transitions into a stamina-based tug-of-war. Players must carefully balance reel-in momentum with the rod's tension meter; pulling too hard snaps the line, while giving too much slack allows the fish to spit the hook. Success requires memorizing fish behavior patterns and effectively managing an in-game time limit before the fishing trip concludes.

Keyboard Controls

Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Navigate boat on map, steer lure, and control rod angle during fights
Action Keys: Cast line, twitch lure, and reel in line
Enter: Start game, pause, and open tackle/status menus