Blue Marlin

The Blue Marlin is one of the more unusual sports games on the NES, especially for players who enjoy fishing rather than traditional arcade action. Developed and published by Hot-B, the game was released in Japan in 1991 and reached North America in 1992. Instead of focusing on quick reflexes, it puts you in the role of an angler competing in a deep-sea fishing tournament, where patience and careful decisions are just as important as timing.

The tournament takes place across four rounds, with the first event set in Florida and the remaining competitions taking place around the Hawaiian Islands. Each location gives you several fishing spots to choose from, so deciding where to cast your line is part of the strategy. The ultimate goal is straightforward: catch the largest billfish before the fishing day ends and advance to the next tournament.

Once a fish takes the bait, the game becomes much more involved. You need to manage your line, control the tension, and react to different situations as the fish fights back. A marlin might make a sudden run, become exhausted, or even put your line in danger around the boat. Other fish, including sailfish, swordfish, tuna, dorado, barracuda, and sharks, can also appear during your time on the water.

The Blue Marlin also gives your fisherman room to improve. Three attributes—Muscle Power, Body Strength, and Skill—can increase as you catch more fish, making later battles more manageable. A password system lets you continue your progress between tournament rounds.

It may look slow compared with most NES sports games, but that is part of its charm. The Blue Marlin is built around anticipation: choosing a spot, waiting for a bite, and then trying to keep control when a huge fish suddenly takes off. For fans of unusual retro simulations, it remains a fascinating little NES fishing game.