Publisher: Irem Corporation

Legend of Hero Tonma (1989)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Legend of Hero Tonma: A Classic Side-Scrolling Platformer

Released in 1989 by Irem, Legend of Hero Tonma is a side-scrolling platformer that quickly became a classic. The game follows the adventures of Tonma, a young hero who must travel through a variety of levels to defeat the evil Dr. Mashirito and his army of robots.

Tonma is armed with a variety of weapons, including a gun, a sword, and bombs. He can also use his grappling hook to swing across gaps and climb walls. The game’s levels are filled with challenging platforming sections, as well as a variety of enemies and bosses.

Legend of Hero Tonma was praised for its challenging gameplay, memorable characters, and catchy soundtrack. It was also one of the first games to feature a grappling hook, which added a new level of depth and strategy to the gameplay.

Gameplay

Legend of Hero Tonma is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player controls Tonma as he travels through a variety of levels, defeating enemies and collecting power-ups. The game’s levels are filled with challenging platforming sections, as well as a variety of enemies and bosses.

Tonma is armed with a variety of weapons, including a gun, a sword, and bombs. He can also use his grappling hook to swing across gaps and climb walls. The grappling hook is a key part of the gameplay, and it allows Tonma to reach new areas and solve puzzles.

The game’s levels are varied and imaginative, and they offer a good mix of challenge and exploration. The early levels are relatively easy, but the difficulty ramps up as the game progresses. The later levels are filled with challenging platforming sections and difficult enemies, and they will require players to use all of their skills to survive.

Characters

Tonma is a memorable and likeable protagonist. He is a brave and determined hero, but he also has a sense of humor and a mischievous streak. Tonma is always ready to help those in need, and he never backs down from a challenge.

The game’s other characters are also well-developed and memorable. Tonma’s allies include the beautiful princess Cherry, the wise old sage Master Chin, and the loyal dog Pochi. Tonma’s enemies include the evil Dr. Mashirito, his right-hand man Generalissimo, and a variety of robots and monsters.

Graphics and Sound

Legend of Hero Tonma’s graphics are colorful and detailed. The game’s levels are varied and imaginative, and they offer a good mix of challenge and exploration. The character sprites are well-animated, and the bosses are particularly impressive.

The game’s soundtrack is also excellent. The music is catchy and upbeat, and it helps to create a sense of excitement and adventure. The sound effects are also well-done, and they add to the game’s overall atmosphere.

Conclusion

Legend of Hero Tonma is a classic side-scrolling platformer that still holds up today. The game’s challenging gameplay, memorable characters, and catchy soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a classic platformer to play, then Legend of Hero Tonma is definitely worth checking out.

Tips for Playing Legend of Hero Tonma

  • Use your grappling hook to reach new areas and solve puzzles.
  • Be careful not to fall into the pits.
  • Collect all of the power-ups to increase your health and firepower.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with different weapons and strategies.
  • Practice makes perfect! The more you play Legend of Hero Tonma, the better you will become at it.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

In the Hunt (1993)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

In the Hunt (1993)

In the Hunt is a horizontal scrolling shooter arcade game by Irem. It was released in 1993 and later ported to the Sega Saturn, the PlayStation and Windows 95 for the PC by Kokopeli. The game is set in a futuristic world where the player controls a spaceship that must fight its way through hordes of enemy ships and bosses in order to save the Earth from an alien invasion.

In the Hunt is known for its fast-paced action, colorful graphics, and catchy soundtrack. The game also features a variety of power-ups that can be collected to enhance the player’s ship’s firepower and speed.

Gameplay

The player controls a spaceship that can move left, right, up, and down the screen. The ship can fire lasers in eight directions, and can also collect power-ups that enhance its firepower and speed.

The game is divided into six stages, each with its own unique boss. The stages are set in a variety of locations, including space, underwater, and inside a giant alien spaceship.

The player must defeat all of the enemies in each stage in order to progress to the next stage. The game becomes increasingly difficult as the player progresses, with more and more enemies and bosses appearing on the screen.

Weapons and Power-Ups

The player’s ship can fire lasers in eight directions. The ship can also collect power-ups that enhance its firepower and speed.

Some of the power-ups that can be collected include:

  • Speed Up: Increases the ship’s speed.
  • Power Up: Increases the ship’s firepower.
  • Spread Shot: Allows the ship to fire lasers in a wider spread.
  • Homing Missiles: Allows the ship to fire homing missiles that track down enemies.
  • Barrier: Creates a barrier around the ship that protects it from enemy fire.

Bosses

Each stage of In the Hunt features a unique boss. The bosses are large and powerful, and they require the player to use all of their skills and power-ups to defeat them.

Some of the bosses that the player will encounter include:

  • Stage 1: A giant squid-like creature.
  • Stage 2: A giant robot.
  • Stage 3: A giant alien spaceship.
  • Stage 4: A giant worm-like creature.
  • Stage 5: A giant alien mothership.
  • Stage 6: The final boss, a giant alien creature.

Graphics and Sound

In the Hunt is known for its colorful and detailed graphics. The game’s backgrounds are filled with vibrant colors and intricate details, and the enemy ships and bosses are all unique and well-designed.

The game’s soundtrack is also highly praised. The music is catchy and upbeat, and it helps to create a sense of excitement and urgency.

Ports

In the Hunt was ported to the Sega Saturn, the PlayStation, and Windows 95 for the PC by Kokopeli. The ports are generally faithful to the arcade original, but they do feature some minor changes.

The Saturn port is the most arcade-accurate of the three ports. It features the same graphics and sound as the arcade original, and it even supports the arcade’s four-player mode.

The PlayStation port is similar to the Saturn port, but it features some minor graphical enhancements. The PC port is the least arcade-accurate of the three ports. It features lower-resolution graphics and sound, and it does not support the arcade’s four-player mode.

Conclusion

In the Hunt is a classic horizontal scrolling shooter that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced action, colorful graphics, and catchy soundtrack make it a blast to play. If you’re a fan of shmups, then you owe it to yourself to check out In the Hunt.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Ninja Spirit (1988)

by Nish
written by Nish 7 minutes read

Summary

Ninja Spirit (1988): A Timeless Arcade Classic

Released in arcades in 1988, Ninja Spirit is a side-scrolling action game that quickly gained a reputation for its challenging gameplay, beautiful graphics, and innovative use of ninja weapons and abilities. Players take control of a ninja on a quest to avenge his master’s death and rescue his kidnapped girlfriend.

Gameplay

Ninja Spirit is a classic side-scrolling action game, similar to titles such as Shinobi and Strider. The player controls a ninja who must fight his way through seven stages, each with a unique environment and boss. The ninja is armed with a sword, which can be used to attack in all directions. He can also collect a variety of power-ups, including shurikens, bombs, and a kusarigama.

One of the things that sets Ninja Spirit apart from other ninja games is its fluid and responsive combat system. The ninja can perform a variety of attacks, including slashes, jumps, and throws. He can also use his sword to deflect enemy projectiles.

Graphics and Sound

Ninja Spirit is known for its beautiful graphics. The game’s backgrounds are lush and detailed, and the character sprites are large and well-animated. The game also features a catchy soundtrack that perfectly complements the action on-screen.

Challenge

Ninja Spirit is a challenging game, but it is also fair. The player must learn the attack patterns of the enemies and use their skills and power-ups wisely in order to progress. The game also features a number of checkpoints, so players can continue their progress even if they die.

Legacy

Ninja Spirit was a critical and commercial success, and it has been ported to a number of home platforms over the years. The game is still considered to be one of the best ninja games ever made, and it continues to be enjoyed by gamers around the world.

Seven Stages of Ninja Spirit

Ninja Spirit consists of seven stages, each with its own unique environment and boss. The stages are:

  1. Forest of Illusion: A lush forest filled with traps and enemies. The boss is a giant spider.
  2. Wasteland of Despair: A desolate wasteland filled with ruins and enemies. The boss is a giant worm.
  3. Swamp of Darkness: A dark and murky swamp filled with poisonous creatures. The boss is a giant crocodile.
  4. Temple of Doom: A ancient temple filled with traps and enemies. The boss is a giant demon.
  5. Cliffs of Death: A treacherous mountain pass filled with wind and snow. The boss is a giant eagle.
  6. Fortress of Fear: A heavily fortified castle filled with traps and enemies. The boss is a giant samurai.
  7. Throne of Darkness: The final stage, where the ninja confronts the evil mastermind behind his master’s death. The boss is a giant dragon.

Tips for Playing Ninja Spirit

Here are a few tips for playing Ninja Spirit:

  • Learn the attack patterns of the enemies and use your skills and power-ups wisely.
  • Use the checkpoints to your advantage. If you die, you can continue your progress from the last checkpoint.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with different weapons and power-ups.
  • Practice makes perfect. The more you play Ninja Spirit, the better you will become at it.

Conclusion

Ninja Spirit is a timeless arcade classic that still holds up today. It is a challenging but fair game with beautiful graphics, innovative gameplay, and a catchy soundtrack. If you are a fan of ninja games, or if you are just looking for a great retro game to play, then Ninja Spirit is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Ninja Baseball Bat Man (1993)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Ninja Baseball Bat Man: The Ultimate Arcade Beat ‘Em Up

Released in 1993 by Irem, Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a side-scrolling beat ’em up arcade game that quickly gained a cult following among fans of the genre. With its unique blend of baseball and martial arts gameplay, over-the-top characters, and quirky humor, Ninja Baseball Bat Man stands out as one of the most memorable arcade experiences of the early ’90s.

Gameplay

Ninja Baseball Bat Man follows a group of four ninjas who use baseball bats as their primary weapons. Players can choose from four characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles:

  • Joe “Joe the Bat” Jackson: A powerful slugger with a slow swing but devastating power.
  • Ryang “Ryang the Shooter” Ryu: A speedy infielder with a fast swing and projectile attacks.
  • Lee “Lee the Leaper” Harvey: A high-flying outfielder with acrobatic moves and a long-range bat swing.
  • Kim “Kim the Kick” Lee: A female ninja with powerful kicks and the ability to grapple enemies.

The gameplay in Ninja Baseball Bat Man is simple but addictive. Players must fight their way through hordes of enemies, using their baseball bats to knock them out. Players can also pick up various power-ups, such as health items, invincibility, and homing bats.

One of the unique features of Ninja Baseball Bat Man is the ability to charge up your bat swing. By holding down the attack button, players can unleash a powerful charged swing that can knock out multiple enemies at once. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the combat, as players must decide when to use their charged swings wisely.

Characters

The characters in Ninja Baseball Bat Man are one of the things that make the game so memorable. Each character has their own unique personality and fighting style, and they all work together to create a truly unforgettable experience.

  • Joe “Joe the Bat” Jackson: The leader of the group, Joe is a powerful slugger who loves to hit home runs. He is also a bit of a hothead, and he is always ready to start a fight.
  • Ryang “Ryang the Shooter” Ryu: The speedy infielder, Ryang is a quick and agile fighter who uses his projectile attacks to keep his enemies at bay. He is also a bit of a show-off, and he loves to taunt his opponents.
  • Lee “Lee the Leaper” Harvey: The high-flying outfielder, Lee is an acrobatic fighter who uses his long-range bat swing to attack his enemies from afar. He is also a bit of a klutz, and he is always getting himself into trouble.
  • Kim “Kim the Kick” Lee: The female ninja, Kim is a powerful fighter who uses her kicks and grappling abilities to take down her opponents. She is also a bit of a tomboy, and she is not afraid to get her hands dirty.

Story

The story of Ninja Baseball Bat Man is simple but effective. The four ninjas are on a mission to defeat the evil Mr. Baseball, who is trying to take over the world with his army of mutant baseball players. The ninjas must travel across the world, fighting their way through hordes of enemies, in order to reach Mr. Baseball and put an end to his evil plans.

Graphics and Sound

For a 1993 arcade game, Ninja Baseball Bat Man has impressive graphics and sound. The character sprites are large and detailed, and the backgrounds are colorful and vibrant. The game also features a catchy soundtrack that perfectly captures the over-the-top tone of the game.

Legacy

Ninja Baseball Bat Man was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1993. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, quirky characters, and over-the-top humor. Ninja Baseball Bat Man has since been ported to various home consoles, and it remains a popular game among fans of the beat ’em up genre.

Conclusion

Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a classic arcade beat ’em up that still holds up today. With its unique blend of baseball and martial arts gameplay, over-the-top characters, and quirky humor, Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a truly unforgettable experience. If you are a fan of beat ’em up games, or if you are just looking for a fun and challenging arcade experience, then you owe it to yourself to check out Ninja Baseball Bat Man.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More