Changeable Guardian Estique
A transformable mecha shooter for the NES/Famicom.
Changeable Guardian Estique is a 2024 horizontal-scrolling shooter for the Nintendo Entertainment System/Family Computer, developed by Cat Hui Trading and published by Broke Studio. The game follows the transformable mecha Estique, piloted by Mary and Kanon from the planet Petelgeuse, as it defends Earth from the Van-De-Raus space pirates. It was directed by Takayuki Komabayashi, a former M2 staffer, and features contributions from former Compile employees.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Takayuki Komabayashi
- Designer
- Kenji Takayama, Takayuki Komabayashi
- Programmer
- Satoshi Fujishima, Takayuki Hirono
- Artist
- Hiroki Kodama, Kenji Takayama
- Writer
- Hiroki Kodama
- Composer
- Ayako Saso
- Sakuoki Kudo
- Shinichi Sakamoto
- Shinji Hosoe
- Platforms
- Nintendo Entertainment System/Family Computer
- Microsoft Windows
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
- Genre
- Horizontal-scrolling shooter
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Changeable Guardian Estique is a horizontal-scrolling shooter set in 2413, where the Van-De-Raus space pirates have invaded Earth and seized control of five financial centers. The player controls the Estique, a transformable mecha piloted by Mary and Kanon, which can switch between a horizontal spaceship fighter and a vertical robot. Fighter mode enhances weapon attacks, while robot mode has a larger hitbox but can unleash a barrier that clears bullets and grants immunity to environmental damage. Health regeneration is faster in robot mode and occurs automatically if Estique avoids damage for a period. The player collects items that alternate between Wave (W), a wide three-directional shot, and B.I.T. (B), two orbital barriers that fire at enemies and block shots. Collecting an item replenishes the special attack reserve or uses it automatically if full. The game has six stages, each ending with a boss, and offers three difficulty levels: Normal, Hard, and God of Game.
Development
Changeable Guardian Estique was developed by Cat Hui Trading, a Japanese company founded in 2021 by Takayuki Komabayashi. Komabayashi previously worked as a sales manager at the Akihabara game store Beep Shop and joined M2 in 2017, contributing to the Sega Genesis Mini and Game Gear Micro teams before going independent. He served as director, producer, and planner. Former Compile staffers participated in production, including lead programmer Takayuki 'Jemini' Hirono (of Zanac, The Guardian Legend, Aleste, and Blazing Lazers). Satoshi 'Pac' Fujishima assisted with programming and handled sound effects. Production designer Hiroki 'Daigattai' Kodama (of Power Strike II and Spriggan Mark 2: Re-Terraform Project) created the original story concept and character designs. Artist Kenji 'Yamatan' Takayama worked on stage design and in-game graphics. The music was scored by Ayako Saso, Sakuoki 'sdhizumi' Kudo, Shinichi Sakamoto, and Shinji Hosoe. In 2025, SuperSweep released a CD album in Japan containing the original soundtrack and bonus tracks.
Release
Changeable Guardian Estique made its debut at the 2023 Digital Games Expo in Japan, an event focused on indie and doujin titles, where its demo was distributed as a ROM image. It later appeared at Wonder Festival 2024 Winter, BitSummit Drift 2024, and Taiwan’s G-Eight 2024. Players could try it at the Hey game center in Akihabara, and a demo was available at Kenchan Electronics. Broke Studio, a French publisher started by Antoine Gohin in 2017, released the game for the NES and Famicom on December 16, 2024. The English and Japanese releases have distinct storylines and different opening and closing graphics. In 2025, AMATA Games announced ports for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam, set for August 6, 2026. These versions will include both language editions, a score attack mode, and a gallery. A physical Nintendo Switch edition is planned for November 26, 2026.
Reception
Changeable Guardian Estique was mostly well-received by critics. John Szczepaniak of Time Extension praised its polished gameplay, beautiful visuals, minimal sprite flicker, and high-difficulty depth, but disliked the regional differences between the Famicom and NES versions and the confusing difficulty labels. M! Games' Thomas Nickel called it a technically impressive 8-bit shooter, noting the near absence of flicker, strong gameplay, and level design. Retro Gamer's Andrew Fisher described it as a stunning title that pushed the NES hardware, with gorgeous graphics and music.
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