Pirate Ship Higemaru (1984). Play online

Summary

Pirate Ship Higemaru is a fast‑paced arcade maze where you guide Momotaro, a Norwegian sailor, across the decks of a pirate ship. Instead of shooting, you pick up barrels, drums, bags or other crates and hurl them horizontally or vertically. Any pirate hit is knocked off‑screen, and barrels that smash into walls break for points while the other objects stay solid. A single touch from a pirate costs a life, and there are no other attacks to worry about.

Each level contains a set quota of pirates plus a unique foe called the Bow, who regenerates after being destroyed. Every fourth stage becomes a bonus round where barrel points double and the entire enemy list is made up of non‑regenerating Bows. Destroy 16 barrels and Momotaro briefly turns invincible, allowing him to walk straight through enemies. Points climb as successive pirates are hit by the same barrel, and hidden items under barrels grant extra scores.

After the sixteenth floor the pattern resets, but barrel layouts keep changing, so the game technically loops forever. The title was Capcom’s third arcade release and ran on the same Z80‑based hardware that powered classics like 1942 and Exed Exes.

Storyline

In Pirate Ship Higemaru you play as Momotaru, a lone sailor determined to take down the notorious Higemaru pirates. The action unfolds aboard the pirates' own ship, where Momotaru hurls barrels and assorted objects at the swarming foes. Each wave of enemies grows tougher, culminating in a showdown with Bows, the pirate captain who commands the crew. The game’s simple yet frantic mechanics capture the classic arcade feel, rewarding quick reflexes and clever use of the environment. Fans of retro shooters love how the title blends straightforward combat with a quirky pirate theme.