Frankenstein: The Monster Returns (1991). Play online

Summary

Frankenstein: The Monster Returns (often just called Frankenstein) popped onto the NES in July 1991, courtesy of Bandai America and the notoriously “ghost‑like” studio Tose. The side‑scrolling action game drops you into four monster‑infested stages, each ending in a hefty boss fight that rewards extra life or a power‑up when you finally land the winning blow.

Weapons are scattered everywhere—swords, clubs, maces, plus projectile bits like red balls, fire, bombs and slings—while hearts, life icons and blue potions keep your health ticking and even raise your maximum HP. Getting hit not only drains your health but also weakens your current weapon, urging you to stay aggressive.

Reviewers were split: Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a lukewarm 6/10 average, calling it another generic action title, whereas VideoGame rated it a solid 7/10, praising the challenging final boss. Though not a direct adaptation of Shelley’s novel, the game leans heavily on the iconic Universal Frankenstein look, which was first teased at CES 1990 alongside Dick Tracy and Gilligan’s Island.

Storyline

In Frankenstein: The Monster Returns, the peace of a quiet village is shattered when a bolt of lightning strikes the monster’s tombstone, reviving the creature after years of lying in the grave. The resurrected Frankenstein’s monster immediately attacks the settlement and kidnaps Emily, the daughter of the village elder. Using dark magic, the monster summons a horde of lesser monsters to guard him and block any would‑be rescuers. The player’s mission is to battle through these summoned foes, track down the monster’s lair, and save Emily from his clutches. The game’s core goal centers on confronting the revived monster and rescuing the elder’s daughter.