Rod-Land (1990). Play online

Summary

Rod Land rolls back to the early‑90s arcade cabinets where two tiny fairies, Tam and Rit, wield a glowing wand that acts more like a stun baton than a weapon. The rod freezes monsters instead of destroying them, and the fairies can then smash the immobilized foes into the platform below to collect power‑ups.

Movement is confined to a single screen filled with platforms, ladders and occasional tunnels, and the characters can never jump. Their only vertical mobility comes from the ladder system: they can summon a single custom ladder either above or below them, and placing a new one causes the previous rung to vanish—perfect for intercepting a climbing enemy.

The original cabinet hides a secret sequel: pulling the joystick down three times before start launches a version with new graphics, bosses and robotic opponents. Hamster Corporation brought that classic to modern consoles in the Arcade Archives collection for Switch and PS4 in 2021.

Storyline

Rod‑Land follows the fairy sisters Tam and Rit as they embark on a daring rescue of their mother, who is imprisoned in a towering spire. Their quest leads them through enchanted forests and sky‑high platforms until they finally free her.
In the arcade sequel, the duo is thrust into an ancient pyramid where an evil demon is assembling a mobile fortress. The spirit of their late father appears at key moments, offering guidance and hinting that the demon was behind his death. New robotic foes patrol the ruins, adding fresh challenges to the evolving storyline.