Introduce
In the NES game The Little Mermaid, players take on the role of the mermaid princess Ariel on an underwater adventure deep beneath the sea. The main objective of the game is to stop the evil sea witch Ursula, who is threatening King Triton's underwater kingdom.
The gameplay of The Little Mermaid is primarily action-adventure with underwater platforming elements. Ariel can swim freely in 8 directions, providing a flexible sense of movement within the ocean environment. Ariel's primary attack skill is creating air bubbles. These bubbles are used to trap various sea enemies, turning them into harmless orbs. Once an enemy is trapped, players can pick them up and throw them, dealing damage to other enemies or destroying obstacles.
Throughout the levels, Ariel will face many different types of sea creatures, from small fish and jellyfish to larger sea monsters. Each level is uniquely designed, taking players through familiar areas from the movie such as coral reefs, shipwrecks, underwater caves, and even Ursula's lair. Despite being simple, the game's graphics effectively convey the beauty of the ocean world and the Disney characters.
To assist Ariel in her adventure, players can collect power-up items. Shells serve as in-game currency, which can be used to purchase upgrades or restore health. Additionally, there are special items like starfishes, which grant Ariel temporary invincibility, or items that enhance her bubble attack power. Another important element is collecting hearts to replenish Ariel's health bar.
The game features multiple levels, each concluding with a challenging boss battle. Boss fights require players to master Ariel's movement and bubble attack skills to discover the opponent's weak points. The final battle against Ursula is the climax of the game, where players must utilize all the skills they have learned.
The Little Mermaid is considered an accessible NES title, suitable for all ages due to its simple yet somewhat deep gameplay, combined with Disney-style graphics and music.