1995 Funtech
Platforms: Super A’Can
Journey to the Center of the Earth (地心歷險) was a title for the Super A’Can – a relatively obscure console released in 1995 exclusively in Taiwan by Funtech. Fresh to the market, the Super A’Can was Funtech’s ambitious attempt to rival fourth-generation consoles like the PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64.
However, since the console was based around the Motorola 68000 microchip – the same one that powered the Sega Genesis and Neo Geo – Funtech soon realized their ambition never even reached the starting line. Eventually, the console failed, dragging its manufacturer down with it.
Only 12 games were released for the system, many of which are now hard to obtain these days, and with barely any information remaining. While 12 games were officially released, rumour has it that there were more games planned for the Super’ A’Can. Many of whom are lost to time. Luckily, after extensive research, a few images related to three of these games have been found.
Journey to the Center of the Earth (地心歷險) was developed by Tai Ruan Technology. The game would have played similarly to other first-person RPGs like Shin Megami Tensei. You’d move through dungeon-like levels with your teammates, kicking, leveling up and slashing your way through waves of monsters.
After translating the image, we get a clearer idea of the premise:
“The protagonist is situated within a massive and complex subterranean labyrinth. Players must find a way to help them escape successfully. Every labyrinth has several exits; the depth of the plot and the game’s variety are even higher than other games of this type.”
The most important detail on this page however, is that Journey to the Center of the Earth was supposedly scheduled for release in July 1995. It was also meant to be the first true 3D game on the console. An attempt to showcase the hardware’s rawest potential. Unfortunately, that never came to pass.
FRANK: “Thanks to Brandon Cobb, we got a bit more info about the lost games. Brandon feels its extremely unlikely that any of the unreleased games will surface. Brandon has discussed the console at length with all the major players, and done business with just about all of them – but you just never know what might turn up some day.”
If you know anything more about the game – please do get in touch. With thanks to Brandon Cobb for the information.
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