~The Phoenix Garo's Adventure~(Hi no Tori Hououhen Gaou no Bouken) Yamato, Afterlife, Ancient Times

Developed by Konami in 1987, this Famicom title is based on Osamu Tezuka's "Phoenix" manga and its animated film.

Players control the sculptor Gaou, who must travel through the Yamato, Future, and Primeval eras to recover 16 fragments of a stolen Phoenix sculpture.

Other characters like Akanemaru, Buchi, or Hayame appear on the box art and in the manual but are entirely absent from the game itself.

Gaou’s primary tool and weapon is a chisel (nomi), reflecting his identity as a sculptor.

The standout mechanic is the Onigawara system, allowing Gaou to create ogre-faced tiles as makeshift platforms or shields. This creative mechanic is an early precursor to sandbox games, allowing players to build bridges and climb sheer cliffs.

The game's structure is non-linear, utilizing a complex network of hidden warps to move between 16 stages. Some warps are hidden behind destructible blocks or statues.

Known internationally as "The Phoenix: Garo's Adventure", the title remains a Famicom exclusive without an official Western NES release.

The game is highly praised for its smooth controls and high-quality audiovisual presentation. The soundtrack by Konami’s Kukeiha Club is considered a masterpiece, featuring era-specific leitmotifs and the movie's theme song in the ending.

Some fans criticize the departure from the source material's philosophy. In the manga, Gaou finds enlightenment and respect for life, but in the game, he kills animals and aliens with a chisel.

Obscure mechanics, such as the "triple-jump" required to break specific floor blocks, can frustrate players who do not read the manual.

It remains a respected example of Konami’s creative peak during the 8-bit era, combining literary adaptation with unique spatial design.