Sword Master (USA)

Sword Master on the NES is a unique side-scrolling action game, distinguished by its interesting transformation mechanic. Players begin their adventure as a heavily armored knight.

A key aspect of the gameplay is the ability to switch between two forms. As the armored knight, the character moves slower but possesses greater damage resistance, making this form suitable for direct confrontations.

However, players can transform into a nimble, unarmored sword master by pressing down + B. In this form, the character gains superior movement speed, higher jumping ability, and more agile attacks. In return, the sword master takes more damage when hit, requiring players to skillfully dodge and attack precisely.

The game features a health bar and a magic bar. Magic is used to unleash powerful special attacks like fireballs or lightning strikes, which can be learned by collecting magic scrolls scattered throughout the levels.

Throughout the journey, players will face a wide variety of enemies, from common monsters and enemy knights to challenging bosses at the end of each stage.

Sword Master is divided into multiple stages with distinct settings and themes, including dense forests, ancient castles, mysterious caves, and more, each presenting unique challenges.

The ultimate goal is to defeat the evil sorcerer and rescue the imprisoned princess. Level design often incorporates platforming challenges, hidden passages, and tactical enemy encounters. The game has a relatively challenging difficulty curve, requiring players to master both forms to succeed.