Conan (1991). Play online

Summary

Conan (also called Conan: The Mysteries of Time) is a 1991 NES side‑scrolling action‑adventure that sneaks a puzzle element into its brutal combat. The six stages—Catacombs of Belveras, Ruins of Ry‑leeh, Kordavo at the Black River’s mouth, the Forests of Asgard, Sky Castle of Vanaheim, and Tombs of Zamboula—each hide special weapons, and the only clues are the cryptic notes tucked into the instruction booklet.

Although it drags the Conan the Barbarian name, the game is actually a home‑grown version of System 3’s computer title *Myth: History in the Making* rather than an adaptation of any Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Development credits bounce between Mindscape and Eastridge Technology, but Mindscape handled worldwide publishing. Critics panned the title for steep difficulty, clunky controls, and backgrounds that never quite capture the wild Hyborian vibe, leaving it a cult curiosity for retro hunters today.

Storyline

Conan the Barbarian on the NES follows the Cimmerian hero’s quest for the Aquilonian throne. One night, while camped, a mysterious old man named Nemonios appears by the fire and tells Conan of an ancient legend. Four sacred Urns, once belonging to the kingdom’s early kings, have disappeared from the Crypt of Cahalla. Nemonios warns that whoever recovers and returns the Urns will be granted the throne. Determined, Conan sets out to locate the lost relics and claim his rightful rule.