Play Pirates Of Dark Water, The (beta) Online

I picked up The Pirates of Dark Water for the Super Nintendo back in 1994, a game Sunsoft put out based on the animated series. It was a time when licensed games were a real gamble, and this one fit right into that mix of hopeful adaptations on the 16-bit consoles.

You control Ren, the main character from the show, navigating screen by screen through side scrolling environments. Your goal is to collect the thirteen lost treasures of Rule to save your world from the consuming Dark Water. You use a sword for close combat and can find a crossbow for ranged attacks, which becomes essential for hitting switches and enemies from a distance. The game has a methodical pace, often requiring you to backtrack and figure out where to use specific items you find, and the platforming can be quite unforgiving. Playing it feels like a deliberate puzzle box where every new screen demands your full attention.