The game was designed by entertainer Takeshi Kitano and is centered on a salaryman who seeks a treasure on a remote island in the South Seas.

Takeshi no Chōsenjō has been negatively received in retrospect due to its unreasonable gameplay requirements that are difficult to clear without foresight.

Before he can initiate the search for the treasure, the salaryman must prepare by beating the old man who gave him the map, divorcing his wife, resigning from his job, and acquiring various skills at the culture center.

The salaryman can only ascend using gusts of wind and can only fire one bullet at a time, and crashing into a single enemy results in a game over.

However, many of Kitano's ideas were rejected either because of the limitations of the Famicom game system, or because the content was not suitable for young children.

This version includes widescreen support, a new stage taking place in America and new background music by Taito's sound team Zuntata.

Notably, the majority of these players were children – the very audience least equipped to understand Kitano's cruel humor.On the other hand, it left a strong impact on some critics.