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Cover art of Rod-Land

3.6 / 5

9 votes

Platform
Arcade
Genres
Platformer
Player Perspective
Side view
Developers
Sales Curve Interactive · Jaleco
Publishers
Storm · Jaleco
Release date
December 31, 1990

Summary

Rod Land drops you into a tiny, single‑screen arena where you guide one of two pixie‑like fairies, Tam or Rit, armed with a glowing rod. The wand doesn’t blast foes; it merely freezes them in a tearful pose, letting you trap them in a shimmering field and slam them into the floor for a burst of power‑up. Because the game forbids jumping, movement relies on fixed ladders and a single, summonable ladder that appears either above or below you, disappearing when you place it elsewhere – a mechanic that can even snatch a monster’s own climb.
The arcade cabinet hides a hidden sequel: pulling the joystick down three times before play unlocks fresh graphics, tougher robotic enemies and new bosses, all still confined to the same compact screens. After its Japan‑only debut, the whole package resurfaced in the Arcade Archives collection for Switch and PS 4 in early 2021, preserving its synth‑driven soundscape.

Storyline

In Rod‑Land, the adventure begins with two brave fairies, Tam and Rit, who set out to rescue their mother from a tower where she’s been imprisoned. Their quest takes a darker turn in the arcade sequel, as the duo must explore a mysterious pyramid to halt an evil demon that is assembling a mobile fortress. Throughout the journey, the spirit of their late father appears at key moments, offering guidance and hinting that the demon was behind his death. The sequel also expands the enemy roster, introducing a variety of robotic foes that add new challenges to the storyline. The ending leaves players with the implication that the demon’s menace is far from over.

Edited by Maya Carter

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  • Screenshot 1 of Rod-Land
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Arcade Machine

Developers
Jaleco
Machine Style
Upright
Control Panel
Multi-player
Screen Orientation
Landscape
Sound
Mono

Multiplayer

Game modes
Cooperative

Alternative Titles

  • Rod Land Alternative
  • Rodland Alternative
  • Rod Land: A Fairy Tale Alternative