Linda Cube

{{More citations needed|date=December 2024}}{{Infobox video game

| title = Linda Cube

| image = Linda Cube cover.jpg

| developer = Alfa System
MARS Corporation{{efn|Additional work for the PlayStation version by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.{{cite web |year=2021 |title=JAPANスタジオ作品一覧 1998年～1994年 |trans-title=List of Japan Studio works 1998–1994 |url=https://www.playstation.com/ja-jp/corporate/playstation-studios/japan-studio/history-1994-1998/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226134223/https://www.playstation.com/ja-jp/corporate/playstation-studios/japan-studio/history-1994-1998/ |archive-date=26 February 2021 |access-date=1 March 2021 |publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment |language=ja}}}}

| publisher = {{ubl|NEC (PCE)|Sony Computer Entertainment (PS1)|ASCII Corporation (Saturn)}}

| producer =

| designer = Shoji Masuda{{cite web |last1=Kalata |first1=Kurt |title=Linda³ |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/linda%C2%B3/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=1 February 2024 |date=31 March 2018}}

| programmer =

| artist =

| writer =

| composer =

| engine =

| series =

| platforms = PC Engine CD, PlayStation, Saturn

| released = {{vgrelease|JP|1995 (PCE)|JP|1997 (PS1)|JP|1998 (Saturn)}}

| genre = Role-playing

| modes = Single-player

}}

Linda Cube (alternatively Linda³) is a 1995 role-playing video game developed by Alfa System and MARS Corporation and published by NEC for the PC Engine CD. A port for the PlayStation was released in 1997 by Sony Computer Entertainment as Linda Cube Again. Another port for the Sega Saturn was released in 1998 as Linda Cube Kanzenban{{efn|"Kanzenban" means "complete edition"}}. An English fan translation of the PlayStation version was released in 2024.{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=Bizarre Horror JRPG 'Linda Cube Again' Gets An English Translation |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/02/bizarre-horror-jrpg-linda-cube-again-gets-an-english-translation |website=Time Extension |publisher=Hookshot Media |access-date=1 February 2024 |date=1 February 2024}} Still in 2024, Biglobe, owner of NEC Home Electronics IPs, sold the rights of Linda³ to Meteorise, which is Alfa System's parent company; though the franchise still is co-owned between Meteorise, MARS and Kadokawa Corporation.{{Cite web |title=株式会社メテオライズ　知的財産権・著作権譲渡に関するお知らせ |url=https://www.meteorise.co.jp/notice_linda3.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.meteorise.co.jp}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-04 |title=知的財産権・著作権譲渡に関するお知らせ |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000005.000153710.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES |language=ja-JP}}

Plot

The game is set on the planet Neo Kenya, where a meteor is set to impact in eight years wiping out all life. The protagonist Ken Challenger and his girlfriend Linda are tasked with catching 30, 50 and 100 animals of both genders, depending on the scenario, and thereafter boarding an Ark that was sent by God to preserve the planet's lifeforms.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| Fam = 29/40 (Saturn){{cite web |title=Linda³ Kanzenban/Magazine articles |url=https://segaretro.org/Linda%C2%B3_Kanzenban/Magazine_articles |website=Sega Retro |access-date=1 February 2024 |quote=Review scores: 8/10, 6/10, 7/10, 8/10}}

| rev1 = {{ill|Joypad (magazine)|fr|lt=Joypad}}

| rev1Score = 10% (PS1){{cite magazine |title=Tests - Linda 3 |journal=Joypad |date=November 1997 |issue=69 |page=65 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d4/Joypad_FR_069.pdf |language=French}}

| rev2 = RPGamer

| rev2Score = 4.0/5 (PS1){{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Michael |title=Linda3 Again - Staff Retroview |url=https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/other/psx/linda3/reviews/linda3strev1.html |website=RPGamer |access-date=1 February 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615134734/www.rpgamer.com/games/other/psx/linda3/reviews/linda3strev1.html |archivedate=15 June 2011 |url-status=live}}

| rev3 = {{ill|ドリームキャストFAN|jp|lt=Saturn Fan}}

| rev3Score = 24/30{{cite magazine |title=Now on Sale!! Saturn Soft Impression!! |journal=Saturn Fan |date=26 June 1998 |issue=12 |page=139 |publisher=Tokuma Shoten Intermedia |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/93/SaturnFan_JP_1998-12_19980626.pdf |language=Japanese |quote=Review scores: 9/10, 8/10, 7/10}}

| rev4 = Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

| rev4Score = 24/30{{cite magazine |title=Sega Saturn Soft Review |journal=Sega Saturn Magazine |date=19 June 1998 |volume=19 |page=190 |publisher=SoftBank Group |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ad/SSM_JP_19980619_1998-19.pdf |language=Japanese |quote=Review scores: 7/10, 9/10, 8/10}}

}}

Linda Cube has been noted as one of the most bizarre Japanese role-playing games. {{ill|Joypad (magazine)|fr|lt=Joypad}} liked the characters and called the first hour of the game "quite exciting" but said the graphics are ugly and combat extremely boring. In a retrospective review, RPGamer praised the voice acting and atmosphere but criticized the lack of story.