New Fantasia (1995 copyright)

New Fantasia, released in 1995 by Comad and New Japan System, presents a unique twist on the classic puzzle formula established by games like Qix. Two players simultaneously control cursors and must outline sections of the screen to “color them in,” revealing portions of an image. Adding complexity are patrolling enemies that must be avoided or eliminated while racing against a time limit. The game is part of a series that began with Fantasia and continued through titles like WOW New Fantasia. This arcade title features recognizable digitized portraits appearing as the images are revealed, including likenesses of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uncle Fester, Robin Williams, Peter Weller, Yasser Arafat, and Saddam Hussein. Players utilize an 8-way joystick for cursor control and a single button to draw lines and manage their actions within each level. Approximately 70,000 units of New Fantasia were produced. The game was classified as refused in Australia in 1996 following review by the Victorian Police. As an adult variation, it builds upon established gameplay mechanics with a mature thematic element, distinct from earlier titles within the series.