Hideo Kojima is arguably one of the most distinctive creative forces in gaming. Over the years, he’s provided some of the most impactful experiences within the industry, often pushing boundaries with offbeat concepts or unconventional hardware integration. Take the original Metal Gear Solid, for instance, where Psycho Mantis reading your memory card still lingers in the minds of many players. Or consider Death Stranding’s innovative premise that sets it apart. However, there is one game that stands out as potentially stranger than anything else Kojima has been part of, and that’s Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand.
First introduced in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance, the game “Boktai” revolved around a character who was a vampire hunter. Instead of traditional stakes, this character wielded the Gun Del Sol, an innovative weapon that discharged intense sunlight at enemies. What made “Boktai” stand out was its unique cartridge containing a light sensor. Playing the game during daylight helped to power up the Gun Del Sol. Over two decades since its debut, creator Kojima has shared insights into the creation of “Boktai”, including the integration of the light sensor into the gameplay.
In an interview with GamesRadar+ (via Nintendo Life), Kojima mentioned that UV sensors were extremely costly back then. Interestingly, Konami’s toy division had developed a UV sensor-equipped teddy bear, but it didn’t resonate with consumers, leaving them with this advanced technology without a purpose. Kojima managed to secure a reduced price due to this unique situation, and the sensors found their way into Game Boy Advance game cartridges instead of toys. Recalling the incident, Kojima said, “Timing is everything when it comes to choosing ideas.
In the quirky world of Boktai, it’s clear that Kojima had more innovative ideas up his sleeve for the UV sensor. Way back when, this creative mind mentioned he had thought about incorporating a breath sensor in the game too! The rationale was that players could eat specific foods to influence their in-game adversaries, since vampires are vulnerable to garlic. Whether there were technologies advanced enough to realize Kojima’s vision remains uncertain, but it seems his teammates weren’t fond of the idea!
Read Next
Boktai may not be Hideo Kojima’s most famous title, but it stands out as a shining example of the innovative concepts he brings to gaming. Even two decades after its initial release, Kojima continues to explore fresh avenues in game design. The upcoming Xbox game OD, announced some time ago, has sparked much discussion and curiosity. Trademark registrations for the game in 2023 hint at features like “social scream” and “social stealth,” though their meanings remain unclear. Given Kojima’s track record, these terms could potentially refer to something truly bizarre and unforgettable.
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/death-stranding-2-gameplay-trailer-earthquake-flood-combat/embed/#
Read More
- We Loved Both of These Classic Sci-Fi Films (But They’re Pretty Much the Same Movie)
- Masters Toronto 2025: Everything You Need to Know
- Street Fighter 6 Game-Key Card on Switch 2 is Considered to be a Digital Copy by Capcom
- The Lowdown on Labubu: What to Know About the Viral Toy
- ‘The budget card to beat right now’ — Radeon RX 9060 XT reviews are in, and it looks like a win for AMD
- Mario Kart World Sold More Than 780,000 Physical Copies in Japan in First Three Days
- Valorant Champions 2025: Paris Set to Host Esports’ Premier Event Across Two Iconic Venues
- Microsoft Has Essentially Cancelled Development of its Own Xbox Handheld – Rumour
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Forza Horizon 5 Update Available Now, Includes Several PS5-Specific Fixes
2025-06-20 00:42