Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). Play online

Summary

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves landed on the Game Boy as a surprisingly deep side‑scroll adventure that never got the fanfare it deserved. The title debuted on Nintendo’s July 1991 Power cover—a tease that frustrated many because the cartridge didn’t ship until months later, turning the issue itself into a collector’s oddity. What stuck with me was the game’s chameleon‑like gameplay: an overhead explorer mode for wandering Sherwood, a side‑view duel system with jump, attack and guard controls, an extreme top‑down melee for massive clashes of men, and even a hybrid horse‑racing sequence that mixed perspectives for a chaotic obstacle run.

Equipping virtually any item added a quirky charm, like when Duncan shows up brandishing a chicken leg as his weapon of choice. Despite its ambitious mode‑hopping, the pixel art feels cramped by modern eyes, a point the Power Unlimited review highlighted when it praised the excitement but docked points for the less‑polished graphics. Still, at a solid 83% rating, the Game Boy version managed to capture the spirit of the film without the usual movie‑tie‑in clunk, offering an adventure that feels both nostalgic and unexpectedly varied.

Storyline

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves opens in an Arab prison in Jerusalem, where Robin is locked up with Peter Dubois and Azeem. The trio must break free, but Peter is mortally wounded during the escape. Robin and Azeem manage to flee the prison and sail to England. Upon arrival Robin discovers his father has been murdered and the Sheriff of Nottingham rules the land in King Richard’s absence.
Maid Marian tells Robin that rebels are hiding in Sherwood Forest and urges him to seek them out. Robin joins the outlaw camp, which becomes his home base for the rest of the game. He repeatedly leaves the forest to complete missions and always returns to the camp for his next assignment. Each mission brings him closer to confronting the Sheriff.
The final mission pits Robin against the Sheriff of Nottingham; defeating him ends the game. The story concludes with Robin and Marian’s wedding, which is interrupted by the returning King Richard. Richard gives Marian away, and the couple is married. The ending ties the adventure together with the king’s restoration.