Play Hydlide Special (japan) Online

Hydlide Special came out in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by T&E Soft. It was part of that early wave of NES games where developers were figuring out how to translate computer RPGs to a console. You get a large world to explore from the start, which felt different from the more linear games at the time.

You control a hero named Jim, and your goal is to rescue three fairies and defeat the evil Varalys. The game is played screen by screen; each new area loads when you cross the border. You swing your sword at slimes and other monsters, but combat is simple and happens right on the main map. You also collect items like keys and a bow, and you must manage your health and magic points carefully. The pacing is slow, and the difficulty is high, partly because enemies respawn when you leave and re-enter a screen. Playing Hydlide Special feels like a deliberate, sometimes tedious, trek through a large and unforgiving world.