"Princess bride........"

One of Namco's game in 1984. Also converted into Nes version. Definitely contributed Namco's mid-to-late 80's golden era. Yes, game back then was good...

This is your average medieval fantasy game of warrior going to slay dragons in order to save the princess. As lime as it sound, this game was actually a good follow up for ''The Tower of Druaga.'' Faster pace yet subtle, appealed to fans of above mentioned game. When Namco released this game as one of the Namcot series in Nintendo format, it got even more popular and they even brought out board game version of this along with ones for ''the tower of Druaga'' and ''Pac-Land.'' Also it featured detailed strategy in Namco's book series ''All about Namco vol.1,'' well known for 80's gamers in Japan. It was so popular to certain type of people(mainly game Otaku and kids,) there was novel version of this, too.

It was relatively innovative and had enough quality to gain fair recognition. This game took vitality system rather than life system, so though you might had been provided with only one life and restriction of damage reaction move(via Belmonts in Castlevannia), still it was easier than ''once you're hit, you're dead'' games. It also had mapping factor and sort of gave players feel of RPG though it was side scroller. Each rounds are consisted of map screen where you would go through various dungeons to reach dragon mountain. You are able to choose your desired destination and each dungeon gives you different power-ups and items. There are four kinds of dungeons(catacombs, caves, mountains, and towers) and four kinds of main enemies(Bishops, Fafnel=giant lizard, Skeletons, and Wizards.) Every three rounds, you'd have show down with main dragon and able to rescue princess(you have to have appropriate item, otherwise another dragon will fly in and take her away.) Once you clear 12th round, it'll repeat itself and this game never ends unless you die.

One of Namco's classics, along with games like ''Xevious'', ''Groveder'', and ''Metro Cross'', it brings up certain melancholy to these who knows Namco's golden era.

Graphic:
Pretty good for game around this time. Fairly large characters using quite bits of dots, rather detailed back-ground with nice oozing atmosphere, not too shabby. Of course compare to what you see nowadays, it's not too much.

Sound:
Only 5 tunes. One each for every dungeons and one for when you rescue princess Celia. Tempo of music quickens when your vitality goes low (via Street FighterII.) Since it was product of post-FM sound source chip, this one sounds rather ''techno.'' And it could get on ones nerve after a while. Sound effect is decent, but they mainly use higher notes and it is very annoying when you are crossing your sword with your enemies.

Control:
This is one of those games that jump command is depended on directional stick instead of button. But it is fairly easy to get used to since this is also one axis side scroller. Offers little variety of moves using certain command on joy-stick and button. Double jumping is one muster in this game. Not too bad, but not too good due to slow response.

Game Play and Replayability:
Quite interesting at first. You can pick up either of fire-ball scrolls (single fire-ball or 4way fire-balls) or power-ups (sword or shield) along the way, you can also replenish vitality by portions (red one is poison) or even gain some by taking mushroom. You'll face dragon at end of stages, and save princess. Depending on which of two items, crown or scepter, you have, you can see either of regular princess or dressed-up(dressed-less actually) princess. It could keep you interesting enough in early stage of game play.
On the other hand, down fall to this game is that they've tried to give you variety in game play, but it still is very repetitious after while. Same old enemies and same old dragons, and it just keep on going until you die. You can save princess in three different get-ups(dress, swim-wear, and bunny-girl outfit), but even this get old really quick. By the time you have earned mastery of this game, you would be playing this game because you can rather because you want to. Nice game, but unless you're heavily into 2D-sprites based game, you might get little use out of it. Because it definitely won't withhold standard of modern games in comparison, unfortunately.

Over All:
Though once this game was one of back-bones of Namco, unless you feel certain attachment to this game, you might wanna try something newer. It was nice game in time of its own, but you could play any games at this level in any forms of home entertainment systems nowadays. It's a good game, but not that good. I wouldn't suggest you investing in this game board unless you are fan and collector of Namco games. If you are Playstation owner, you can go lent ''Namco Museum'' and play this game along with few of Namco's tittles around then. You could also play it with MAME probably.... In reality, this was just your average game, but out of respect to role it played and Namco's golden age, I've given 7 for this one.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/11/00, Updated 11/11/00