Overview and Gameplay
Teenager Astyanax is transported to the fantasy realm of Remlia, where he must rescue Princess Rosebud from the wizard Blackhorn. This NES adaptation substantially redesigns Jaleco’s arcade game with a new hero, story, stages, enemies, weapons, magic system, and solo structure.
The action moves through linear side-scrolling stages filled with monsters, platforming hazards, and large bosses. A power gauge charges whenever Astyanax stops attacking, rewarding carefully timed heavy strikes instead of constant swinging.
Controls And Mechanics
- Use the directional pad to walk and duck, A to jump, and B to swing the current weapon.
- Press Up and B together to cast the selected spell. Start pauses the game and is also used while paused to change spells.
- Bash changes between spear, broad axe, and sword forms. Stronger weapons cause more physical damage but also increase spell costs.
- Blind freezes enemies, Blast damages nearby targets, and Bolt strikes every enemy on screen.
- Items restore health, improve the charging gauge, change weapons, or grant extra lives.
Version Notes
The North American release uses the title Astyanax. The Japanese Famicom edition is titled The Lord of King and has a different title-screen presentation.
Release And Credits
- Release: March 1990
- Publisher: Jaleco USA, Inc.
- Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
- Players: One
