Developer: Idea

Dragon Fighter (1991)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Dragon Fighter: A Side-Scrolling Action Classic

Released in 1991, Dragon Fighter is a side-scrolling action game developed by Technōs Japan and published by Taito. The player takes control of a magical human fighter who has the ability to transform himself into a flying dragon. The game is known for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics for its time.

Gameplay

The player controls the protagonist, a magical fighter, who can run, crouch, jump, and attack with his sword. He can also shoot a projectile attack by holding down the attack button. The player’s main objective is to defeat all of the enemies in each stage and reach the end-of-level boss.

One of the unique features of Dragon Fighter is the ability to transform into a dragon. To do this, the player must fill up the “metamorphosis gauge” by defeating enemies. Once the gauge is full, the player can transform into the dragon by pressing up and the attack button after jumping.

As a dragon, the player can fly in any of the eight directions and breathe fire at enemies. However, the dragon’s metamorphosis gauge will gradually drain while it is active. If the gauge empties completely, the player will transform back into a fighter.

Power-Ups

There are a variety of power-ups that can be collected in Dragon Fighter. These power-ups include:

  • Energy restoring potions: These potions restore the player’s health.
  • Flower: This power-up helps to fill the metamorphosis gauge faster.
  • Ring: This power-up destroys all on-screen enemies.
  • Staff: This power-up increases the player’s maximum health.

Stages

There are six stages in all, each with their own unique enemies and boss. The stages are:

  • Forest: The first stage is a forest filled with trees, mushrooms, and other obstacles. The boss of this stage is a giant spider.
  • Cave: The second stage is a cave filled with bats, snakes, and other creatures. The boss of this stage is a giant bat.
  • Desert: The third stage is a desert filled with cacti, scorpions, and other hazards. The boss of this stage is a giant scorpion.
  • Mountain: The fourth stage is a mountain filled with snow, ice, and other slippery surfaces. The boss of this stage is a giant snowman.
  • Castle: The fifth stage is a castle filled with knights, archers, and other enemies. The boss of this stage is a giant knight.
  • Throne Room: The sixth and final stage is the throne room of the evil dragon king. The boss of this stage is the dragon king himself.

Difficulty

Dragon Fighter is a challenging game, even for experienced players. The enemies are tough, the stages are long, and the bosses are powerful. However, the game is also fair, and it is possible to beat it with practice and perseverance.

Graphics and Sound

For its time, Dragon Fighter had impressive graphics and sound. The character sprites are large and detailed, and the backgrounds are colorful and varied. The music is also catchy and memorable.

Overall

Dragon Fighter is a classic side-scrolling action game that is still fun to play today. It is a challenging game, but it is also fair and rewarding. The graphics and sound are impressive for their time, and the gameplay is fast-paced and exciting. If you are a fan of side-scrolling action games, then you should definitely check out Dragon Fighter.

Tips for Playing Dragon Fighter

Here are a few tips for playing Dragon Fighter:

  • Use your sword to attack enemies up close and your projectile attack to attack enemies from afar.
  • Fill up your metamorphosis gauge as quickly as possible so that you can transform into the dragon.
  • Use the dragon’s fire breath to attack enemies from a distance.
  • Be careful not to let the dragon’s metamorphosis gauge empty completely, or you will transform back into a fighter.
  • Collect power-ups to help you defeat your enemies.
  • Practice makes perfect! The more you play Dragon Fighter, the better you will become at it.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Bomber Bob (1990)

by Nish
written by Nish 4 minutes read

Summary

Bomber Bob (1990): A Detailed Retrospective

Bomber Bob is a charming and addictive arcade action game released in 1990. Players take control of Bob, a cute blue rabbit with floppy ears and a knack for flying. Bob’s mission is to use his bombs to defeat enemies and progress through six increasingly challenging levels.

Gameplay

Bomber Bob is a top-down action game with simple but effective gameplay. Bob can move in eight directions and drop bombs to destroy enemies. Bombs explode after a short delay, so Bob must carefully time his attacks to avoid being caught in the blast radius.

In addition to bombs, Bob can collect a variety of power-ups that give him special abilities. These power-ups include:

  • Speed Boost: Makes Bob move faster.
  • Bomb Range: Increases the blast radius of Bob’s bombs.
  • Bomb Capacity: Allows Bob to carry more bombs at once.
  • Shield: Protects Bob from enemy attacks.
  • Invincibility: Makes Bob invincible for a short period of time.

Bob must use his bombs and power-ups strategically to defeat the various enemies that populate the game’s six levels. These enemies include:

  • Grunts: Basic enemies that walk towards Bob and explode on contact.
  • Fliers: Enemies that fly through the air and drop bombs.
  • Tanks: Heavily armored enemies that fire shells.
  • Bosses: Large and powerful enemies that require multiple hits to defeat.

Levels

Bomber Bob’s six levels are all unique and challenging. Each level has a different layout, enemies, and power-ups. The levels become increasingly difficult as the game progresses, and Bob must use all of his skills and abilities to survive.

The first level is a simple introduction to the game’s mechanics. Bob must defeat a few grunts and fliers before reaching the exit. The second level is more challenging, with more enemies and a faster pace. The third level introduces tanks, which can be difficult to defeat without the right power-ups.

The fourth level is a maze-like level with narrow corridors and hidden enemies. The fifth level is a large open area with a variety of enemies and power-ups. The sixth and final level is a boss fight against a giant robot.

Graphics and Sound

Bomber Bob’s graphics are colorful and charming. The characters and enemies are all well-animated, and the backgrounds are detailed and varied. The game’s sound effects are simple but effective, and the music is catchy and upbeat.

Legacy

Bomber Bob was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1990. The game was praised for its addictive gameplay, charming characters, and beautiful graphics. Bomber Bob has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Bomber Bob is a classic arcade action game that is still enjoyable today. The game’s simple but effective gameplay, charming characters, and beautiful graphics make it a timeless classic. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging arcade game to play, Bomber Bob is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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