About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/7395/2564272-psycho%20dream%20%28j%29000.png" data-ref-id="1300-2564272" data-ratio="0.875" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/7395/2564272-psycho%20dream%20%28j%29000.png" data-ref-id="1300-2564272"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/7395/2564272-psycho%20dream%20%28j%29000.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/7395/2564272-psycho%20dream%20%28j%29000.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a></figure><p>Psycho Dream is a sci-fi side-scrolling action-platformer developed and published by <a href="/riot/3010-1701/" data-ref-id="3010-1701">Riot</a> for the <a href="/super-nintendo-entertainment-system/3045-9/" data-ref-id="3045-9">Super Famicom</a> exclusively in Japan on December 11, 1992. An English version, known as <em>Dream Probe</em>, was planned for release by <a href="/renovation-game/3010-4859/" data-ref-id="3010-4859">Renovation</a>, but was cancelled prior to release (although it was advertised and reviewed by publications).</p><p>The game's story is set in modern-day <a href="/japan/3035-37/" data-ref-id="3035-37">Japan</a> and involves <a href="/virtual-reality/3015-421/" data-ref-id="3015-421">virtual reality</a>, as two "Debuggers" (Ryo Shizima and Maria Tobari) must venture into a <a href="/dreaming/3015-592/" data-ref-id="3015-592">dreamlike</a> "D Movie" (or "drug movie") to rescue its inhabitant: the young girl Yuuki Sayaka. The D-Movie chosen is the fictional "Haito Monogatari", which involves a dilapidated city infested by various creatures.</p><p>The gameplay is similar to some other action-platformers at the time, such as the <a href="/castlevania/3025-86/" data-ref-id="3025-86">Castlevania</a> and <a href="/valis/3025-236/" data-ref-id="3025-236">Valis</a> series. It is known both for its transformative <a href="/power-up/3015-700/" data-ref-id="3015-700">power-up</a> system (as players have different upgrade paths, one for melee and one for ranged) and its lack of <a href="/extra-life/3015-1806/" data-ref-id="3015-1806">extra lives</a> (forcing players to <a href="/continue/3015-635/" data-ref-id="3015-635">continue</a> from the beginning of the stage when their health is depleted).</p><p>It was later digitally re-released for the <a href="/nintendo-switch/3045-157/" data-ref-id="3045-157">Nintendo Switch</a> as part of the <a href="/super-nintendo-entertainment-system-nintendo-switc/3015-9415/" data-ref-id="3015-9415">Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online</a> service worldwide on February 17, 2021. It is the first time this game has seen a release outside of Japan.</p><h2>Critical Reception</h2><p>Electronic Gaming Monthly issued the scores of 5,6,5,5 adding, "...there is a good variety of levels with plenty of nice scenery to look at, but when you play the game you find the power-ups are rather mild and the bosses slow down the game too much".</p>