Genpei Toumaden [Model NC90001]

Genpei Toumaden © 1990 NAMCOT.

Genpei Toumaden is a side scrolling action game by Namco and conversion of the arcade game of the same name originally released in 1986. The game tells the story of the legendary samurai warrior Taira no Kagekiyo, who has been resurrected to complete his greatest mission - ascend to the mystical underworld, defeat his deadliest enemies and retrieve three sacred treasures (necessary to defeat his arch-enemy Minamoto no Yoritomo). Unlike other action games of its time, Genpei Toumaden combines three different gameplay mechanics - the Yoko mode (side-scrolling 'mini' stages), the Big mode (side-scrolling 'large' stages) and the Heimen mode (top-down 'plane' stages). In a nutshell, the Yoko stages use really small sprites and fast paced action, with multiple enemies on screen, platforms, traps and pitfalls (which lead to special penalty levels), whereas the Big stages mainly feature boss and large enemy battles. Finally, the plane stages are similar to the Yoko mode, but utilize a top-down view and feature chests as maze-like stages. Each level has at least one red Torii gate (traditional Japanese gate) that leads to the end of the stage (or in some occasions, to a completely different location). Finally, the player comes equipped with a lethal sword which can be upgraded by collecting purple orbs left behind by defeated enemies - however, the sword can also lose power if Kagekiyo happens to hit indestructible objects (such as large floating stones). Other orbs are also available in the game, such as the green orbs (they act as money), blue orbs (health), as well as special items, such as the magic scrolls (temporary special attack) or the sword (increases power in exchange of money). Genpei Toumaden is a vast game and many levels feature forked paths.