Dragon Fighter (1990). Play online

Summary

When I pick up Dragon Fighter on the NES, I control a magically empowered warrior who swings a sword, runs, crouches and jumps like a classic side‑scroller. By holding B until the character flashes I can charge a projectile, and the shot type swaps with the colored outfit I collect—green by default, then blue or red power‑ups. Defeating enemies fills a “metamorphosis” gauge; once it’s at least half full, I can press up during a jump’s apex to become a dragon.

As a dragon the screen scrolls itself to the right and I hover while firing in the same color‑coded style, able to move in any of the eight directions but never turning back. The gauge drains slowly, and I can revert to human form anytime by pressing down + A. Along the way I grab health potions, a flower that speeds gauge gain, and a ring that clears the screen. Each of the six stages ends with a guardian and rewards a staff that boosts my maximum life and partially restores it, while only three continues are available if I lose all health.

Storyline

Dragon Fighter drops you into the fantasy realm of Baljing, where the evil warlock Zabbaong has razed the once‑peaceful land with his monster horde. The Dragon Spirit, guardian of the Baljing people, awakens a statue of a legendary warrior to exact revenge. As the living statue, you must battle through hordes of creatures across varied terrain, gathering power‑ups and weapons. Your quest leads you toward Mount Gia, Zabbaong’s dark citadel, where the final showdown awaits. Defeating the warlock restores peace and honors the fallen citizens of Baljing.