Challenger [Model HFC-CH]

チャレンジャー © 1985 Hudson Soft.
(Challenger)

Challenger is an action game that combines side-scrolling and overhead action with a pinch of exploration. The player assumes the role of an archaeologist (and adventurer) named Challenger as he attempts to rescue princess Maria kidnapped by an enigmatic villain known as Don Warudorado.

The game mixes three different gameplay phases, all divided into four scenes. The first scene takes Challenger on the roof of an express train traveling at full speed. Don Warudorado keeps Maria captive in the front car and Challenger must get to it, fighting all kind of enemies with his throwing knives along the way. But when he finally gets to her, Don Warudorado disconnects the front car from the rest of the train and escapes with the damsel.

Challenger is now trapped on Don Warudorado's island, who is now hiding in his highly protected Pyramid lair. But before he can reach his antagonist, Challenger must explore the island and find three key items in order to enter Don Warudorado's hiding place - a crown, a ring and a key. The items are hidden inside caves scattered throughout the island - there, Challenger has to jump from geyser to geyser in order to reach the precious artifacts. But things never come easy, and the island is infested by all kind of enemies and traps - Tama flames, Mourin rabbit-like creatures, Kara skeletons, Ojiizu mercenaries, Okkusuboun skulls, Pirarobo robots, Kebara carnivorous plants, sand pits and so forth. These enemies also sometimes drop special items when defeated - they come in two flavors; power-knives (super-speed and more powerful knives) and magic orbs (kills all enemies on screen). Although most of the enemies can be terminated by throwing knives at them, some are immune to them (for instance, Tamas and Karas can only be killed by collecting power-up items).

Once Challenger collects the three key artifacts, he can then enter the pyramid, fight Don Warudorado and deliver the princess. Interestingly, Challenger features sixteen difficulty levels (adjustable at the beginning of the game) which increase the number and type of enemies the player encounter throughout the game.