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With over 30 million copies of the original manga sold, a popular anime adaptation (who can forget the lengthy, fabulous transformation sequences?), and even a lingerie brand, the Sailor Moon franchise has spread to every corner of the globe since its inception in 1991. The series is enjoying renewed popularity at the moment thanks to the reboot series Sailor Moon Crystal.

Given the prominence of the nineties anime Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon in the public consciousness, some might not be as familiar with a number of spin-off video games–understandably so, considering that most of them were never released outside of Japan. In the pictures below, see Sailor Moon and company in all their pixellated glory.

The nineties saw a number of Sailor Moon games released in Japan for the Game Boy, Sega Mega Drive, Super Famicom, and other systems. For example, in the Super Famicom title Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S–Jougai Rantou!? Shuyaku Soudatsusen, the Sailor Senshi square off against evil a la Street Fighter. Another Super Famicom release, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshiokiyo, has players clearing colored blocks in the style of Tetris or Bejeweled.

Each of these games features slightly different art styles, from one reminiscent of the anime to a more chibi approach. Let’s take a look at some of the iterations of the Sailor Senshi throughout these games.

From left to right:

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (Arcade, 1995)
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (Sega Mega Drive, 1994)
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshiokiyo (Super Famicom, 1994) 
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS: Fuwa Fuwa Panic (Super Famicom, 1995)

▼ Sailor Moon

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▼ Sailor Mercury

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▼ Sailor Mars

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 ▼ Sailor Jupiter

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▼ Sailor Venus

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Looking through these, we can’t help but feel a little disappointed that they weren’t a part of our childhood. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any indication of the games making the to jump to America, so fans of the franchise will have to settle for these tantalizing glimpses.

Source: Sprite Database via Kotaku US
Images: Sprite Database/Roket, Sprite Database/Jurae818