Since its soft launch in late 2024, Doraemon X 0.8 has amassed over 50,000 downloads. Fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the tight controls and respectful adaptation of the IP. The game has a 4.9/5 rating on Itch.io based on 1,200+ user reviews.
Common praise includes:
However, some criticisms have emerged:
One of the most surprising aspects of Doraemon X 0.8 is its narrative depth. The game takes place in an alternate timeline where an unknown virus, the "0.8 Glitch," has corrupted the 22nd-century database, turning friendly robots hostile and erasing key memories from Doraemon’s systems. Nobita has gone missing, and Shizuka is the only one left to guide Doraemon through a distorted version of their hometown. Doraemon X 0.8
The story is told through pixel-art cutscenes and in-game dialogues that maintain the emotional core of the original series while introducing darker themes—loss, identity, and sacrifice. Notably, the 0.8 version includes a fully playable prologue and the first two chapters, ending on a cliffhanger that has fans eagerly awaiting the next update.
Doraemon X 0.8 is a non-commercial, fan-developed action-platformer game that reimagines the classic Doraemon universe through the lens of 16-bit era gameplay, reminiscent of Mega Man X or Super Metroid. Unlike the standard party games or educational titles officially released under the Doraemon license, Doraemon X 0.8 offers a mature, fast-paced, and challenging experience.
The "0.8" in the title signifies that the game is still in late-stage development or open beta. However, don’t let the version number fool you—this build is feature-rich, stable, and offers hours of gameplay. The developer (known online as "NobiTech_22") has released Doraemon X 0.8 as a public demo to gather feedback, bug reports, and community suggestions before the final 1.0 launch. Since its soft launch in late 2024, Doraemon X 0
Disclaimer: This is a critical section of this report.
"Doraemon X" is a derivative work created without official permission. The character "Doraemon" is a registered trademark of Shogakukan and Fujiko Pro.
At its core, Doraemon X 0.8 is a 2D side-scroller with light Metroidvania elements. Players control Doraemon himself, but with a twist: instead of relying on Nobita, Doraemon is the primary hero, pulling gadgets from his 4D pocket in real-time. However, some criticisms have emerged: One of the
Key gameplay features in version 0.8 include:
Any discussion of a fan game must address the elephant in the room—or in this case, the robotic cat in the room. Doraemon is owned by Fujiko Pro, Shogakukan, and TV Asahi. These companies have historically been protective of their IP, but they’ve also tolerated small, non-commercial fan projects that don’t infringe on their official merchandise or game licenses.
The Doraemon X 0.8 developer has made it clear that they will never accept donations or monetize the game. They have also included a disclaimer on the title screen stating that the game is a "love letter" and not affiliated with the rights holders. So far, no cease-and-desist has been issued, and fans hope it stays that way.