Guardian Legend, The (USA)

In The Guardian Legend, players take on the role of a transforming female robot, known as The Guardian, with the ultimate mission to infiltrate and activate the self-destruct sequence of the alien planet Naju before it reaches Earth. The game uniquely combines two main genres: top-down action-adventure and vertical-scrolling shooter.

The action-adventure segment takes place on a vast overworld map, where players explore areas, search for keys, items, and power-ups. You'll need to solve simple puzzles, unlock doors, and occasionally interact with friendly creatures to gather information. This is where you manage your stats like energy (HP) and Chips, the currency and ammunition for sub-weapons. Battles in this section typically involve shooting enemies that appear on screen, using your primary laser weapon and various "runes" (special sub-weapons) that consume Chips.

The unique aspect of The Guardian Legend is that when players enter specific "corridors" (often marked by red squares on the map), the game completely switches to a vertical-scrolling shooter mode. In these stages, you'll fly through space, dodging bullets and destroying hordes of enemies in a classic shmup style. At the end of each corridor is a challenging boss battle; defeating them allows you to progress further, sometimes unlocking new areas or receiving crucial upgrades such as increased maximum energy or new runes.

Thorough exploration of the map is key to finding all corridors and secrets, helping The Guardian become stronger to face increasingly greater threats. The seamless blend of these two gameplay styles creates a unique and engaging experience, making The Guardian Legend a classic title on the NES console.