Hammerin' Harry 2 (Famicom) Playthrough
4Playthrough of Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushū (大工の源さん2 赤毛のダンの逆襲 / Hammerin’ Harry 2: The Revenge of Red-Haired Dan), Irem's 1993 action-platformer for the Nintendo Famicom.
🎯 (0:00:00) First loop
🎯 (0:23:20) Second loop
Released exclusively for the Famicom in 1993, Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushū (Hammerin’ Harry 2: The Revenge of Red-Haired Dan) continues Irem’s quirky action-platformer series. As the fourth entry overall, it follows directly from the first Hammerin’ Harry, which had already appeared in both arcade and NES form.
The story remains simple and familiar: Dr. Parallel and his corrupt company have built a secret laboratory, and once again Harry’s girlfriend Kanna has been kidnapped. Armed with his trademark oversized wooden mallet, Harry sets out to smash through waves of henchmen, topple bosses, and ultimately rescue her.
Gameplay largely mirrors the original Hammerin’ Harry on the NES. Levels are side-scrolling stages where players dispatch enemies, dodge hazards, and use the mallet’s range and weight to clear obstacles. A few sections deviate from the formula, introducing horizontally scrolling shooter stages for variety, but these diversions are short and straightforward. The majority of the experience remains a traditional beat-’em-up platformer.
Technically, the game reflects both strengths and weaknesses of its late Famicom release window. The graphics are colorful and cartoonish, carrying a lighthearted tone that matches the series’ sense of humor. Sprites are expressive, and environments maintain a cheerful charm. The frame rate is serviceable, though not especially smooth, and the soundtrack is lively if unremarkable. Controls are responsive, allowing reliable jumps and attacks, which is essential in a game that leans on tight platforming sequences.
By 1993, the Famicom was already aging hardware, and Hammerin’ Harry 2 feels dated compared to what was available on 16-bit systems. Its design offers little innovation beyond the shooter interludes, and mechanically it doesn’t expand much on its predecessor. Still, it delivers a consistent and approachable action experience, one that balances challenge with accessibility.
In the end, Hammerin’ Harry 2 stands as a lighthearted, if modest, entry in the series. It may not push the platform forward or rival contemporary releases, but for fans of the original, it provides more of the same comedic, mallet-swinging fun.