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Cover art of Rygar

3.5 / 5

11 votes

Platform
NES
Genres
Action · Adventure · Role-Playing
Developers
Tecmo
Publishers
Tecmo
Release date
July 1, 1987

Summary

Rygar on the NES turns the classic arcade brawler into a sprawling, semi‑open world that feels surprisingly modern. You start in a top‑down hub that gradually opens up as you snag items like a grappling hook, crossbow and pulley, letting you swing past barriers that once seemed impassable. The iconic Diskarmor – a razor‑sharp shield on a chain that works like a yo‑yo – remains your primary weapon, but the way you grow stronger is what really sets this version apart.

Every enemy you slay hands you two kinds of experience: Tone, which nudges your attack power upward, and Lasting, which eventually adds a permanent health point. Starting with three hearts, you can push that number up to twelve, and the three spells – Power‑Up, Attack & Assail, and Recover – are fueled by star‑shaped Mind Points dropped by foes. Power‑Up amps your Diskarmor’s speed and range, Attack & Assail unleashes a ten‑hit area blast, and Recover tops off your health when you’ve collected the maximum seven points.

Safe rooms scattered across the map host helpful NPCs and a coat of arms that restores health, while the game’s unlimited continues let you push through its lengthy, password‑free adventure in a single sitting. Because of its non‑linear map and RPG‑style progression, the NES Rygar is often cited as an early Metroidvania gem, offering a depth that far exceeds its arcade ancestor.

Storyline

In Rygar for the NES, the peaceful realm of Argool was once ruled by five Indora gods. The evil king Ligar shattered that utopia, covering the sky with his floating castle and unleashing hordes of animal‑like soldiers that turned the land into a kingdom of evil.

A prophecy promised that when the land was overrun, a dead warrior would rise to save the people. The prayers are answered when Rygar returns from the dead, setting out to gather five sacred items from each Indora god—tools needed to confront Ligar.

Armed with the gods’ powers, Rygar battles the beasts, reaches the floating castle, defeats Ligar and passes through the Door of Peace. The door opens, peace returns to Argool, and the warrior is hailed as a true hero. The game brings the arcade legend to home consoles, letting players wield the Indora war gods’ weapons everywhere.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Rygar

Multiplayer

Game modes
Single