The Fairyland Story (1985). Play Free Online

Summary

The Fairyland Story is a quirky Taito arcade platform where protagonist Ptolemy blasts enemies into oversized cakes. Transforming foes lets you crush them for points, and a chain of squashed enemies can multiply scores dramatically. Levels reward careful memorization rather than frantic button‑mashing, a design choice borrowed from Lode Runner after the creator’s frustration with early prototypes. The game's boss and ending survived an executive veto thanks to designer Hiroshi Tsujino’s stubbornness.
The title migrated to home computers like the MSX and Sharp X68000, later surfacing in collections such as Taito Legends 2 and the Arcade Archives releases for Switch and PS4, which add leaderboards and extra modes. Critics in Japan praised its intricate stages and puzzle‑platformer feel, while overseas reviewers often compare its cake‑crushing mechanics to those of Bubble Bobble. Its legacy endures as a tasty precursor to many later Taito classics.

Storyline

The Fairyland Story is a classic arcade platformer where you guide the witch Ptolemy through a chain of single‑screen stages. Each level challenges you to clear the screen of enemies, which range from Orcs and pig‑like soldiers to Salamanders and fire‑breathing dragon‑like beasts. You’ll also face Wizards, mages that can shrink and hide Ptolemy, Clerics or bishops that multiply themselves, sturdy Golems, and phasing Wraiths. Between stages, an intermission screen shows Ptolemy riding atop a large, wingless blue dragon named Rodemy, giving a brief respite before the next wave of fantasy foes. The game’s simple yet frantic formula keeps the action tight, making every screen a frantic puzzle of timing and magic.

Edited by Maya Carter