The Japanese version of Capcom's The Little Mermaid. Ariel in a polished platformer, original bubble mechanic. Entirely in Japanese. Same excellence as the NES version.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player3+
Description
Action platformer featuring Ariel the Little Mermaid battling underwater enemies, American version. Published by Capcom, released in the USA in 1991. Ariel in side-scrolling view swimming with music notes as weapon and colorful bosses. American version of Capcom's Disney masterpiece on NES.
The American NES edition of Capcom's Little Mermaid, this short but polished platformer circulated widely across North America, hence an affordable loose value. Sealed copies climb hard because mass distribution wiped out intact units. The appeal rests on the Capcom name and a clean complete copy rather than print scarcity, unlike the Japanese original.
Is Little Mermaid, The still worth playing in 2026?
An action platformer from Capcom, The Little Mermaid has Ariel fight undersea enemies by trapping them in bubbles, across colourful levels inspired by the Disney film. The gentle, accessible gameplay, the polished art direction and the fairy tale mood make it a charming title, short but well crafted, aimed at a young audience. The difficulty stays gentle. For someone nostalgic for the film, a fan of accessible retro platforming or someone curious about Capcom's care on licence, the title keeps a tender charm and a polished production.
