Aretha (video game series)

Aretha
Aretha the Super Famicom cover art by Tosihiro Nukiyama
DevelopersJapan Art Media[1]
Game Arts
PublisherYanoman Corporation[2]
First releaseAretha
16 November 1990
Latest releaseRejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata
21 April 1995

Aretha[a] is a series of role-playing video games developed by Japan Art Media (JAM) and published by Yanoman Corporation to an exclusively Japanese market. It was originally released for the Game Boy in 1990. A sequel to the original trilogy named Aretha the Super Famicom was later released for the Super Famicom in 1993. Aretha was the first title in the game series of the same name. A collection of the Super Famicom trilogy is planned for release on July 30, 2026, for modern consoles exclusively for Japan.[3]

Gameplay

In the SNES version, an all-directional random encounter turn-based battle screen is used that allows enemies to attack from the rear, the side, and the front.

Plot

Aretha tells the story of Ariel, the granddaughter of a wise old grandmother who has been turned a ten-year-old, who has been given a simple task: to go through the forest to Nineveh, the nearby town, and meet a certain person while visiting the place. Eventually, Ariel uses this quest to hone her magic skills to fight the ultimate battle against evil.

Development

Aretha was developed by Japan Art Media and published by Yanoman.[4]

Games

Game Details
Aretha

16 November 1990 – Game Boy
Aretha II

27 September 1991 – Game Boy
Aretha III

16 October 1992 – Game Boy
Aretha the Super Famicom

26 November 1993 – SNES
Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi

2 December 1994 – SNES
Rejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata

21 April 1995 – SNES
Aretha Collection 1993-1995

30 July 2026 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5		 Notes:
  • A compilation of the three SNES games, Aretha the Super Famicom, Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi, and Rejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata. A special edition contains bonus materials.[5]

Reception

The Super Famicom version of the game was on the console's top-ten bestseller list in early 1994.[6]

Legacy

Aretha was followed by two sequels, Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi (ARETHA II ~アリエルの不思議な旅~) and Aretha III, and a standalone side-story game Rejoice: Aretha Ōkoku no Kanata (リジョイス 〜アレサ王国の彼方〜). They were released for the same platforms between 1991 and 1995.

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: アレサ; "Aretha"

References

  1. ↑ 会社名. "会社概要／日本 アート メディア JAPAN ART MEDIA". Jam1989.co.jp. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  2. ↑ "沿革 - ジグソーパズルのやのまん". Yanoman.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2004-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  3. ↑ Romano, Sal (2026-04-08). "Aretha Collection 1993-1995 announced for PS5, PS4, and Switch [Update]". Gematsu. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  4. ↑ Todd, Daniel (January 12, 2019). "Aretha". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  5. ↑ Romano, Sal (7 April 2026). "Aretha Collection 1993-1995 announced for PS5, PS4, and Switch [Update]". Gematsu. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "SNES N-Force Magazine Issue 10". March 1994. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
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