Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Released: 1987 Genre: Action Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
Capcom did not get off to a good start with their NES games. 1942 is a disaster of a video game that should be studied by future generations as a guide on how you shouldn’t port an arcade game. Commando was decent but not the greatest game in the first place. And as much as we all have fond memories of it the NES version of Ghosts ‘n Goblins is terrible. Trojan marked a change as they would handle their ports in house rather than sending them to Micronics, butcher of many a classic. Trojan many not have had the impact of their later titles but is still a solid game overall.
The game takes place in an unlikely setting considering its name. The world has regressed in the wake of a nuclear disaster. Mutants roam the post apocalypse and the people are ruled by a dictator named Achilles. It’s like Fist of the North Star except replace martial arts with swords and shields. The NES version was the best of the home ports and even has a few new features to boot.
The difference between a Capcom port and a Micronics hack job is immediately apparent. The game runs at a flawless frame rate, with almost no flickering and slowdown. It is doubly impressive considering the game is pushing numerous large sprites on screen simultaneously. The NES version is faithful to the arcade to the degree that it can manage. Level themes are the same even if their design is different although obviously the level of detail has been reduced. Some enemies have been redesigned but you’ll be hard pressed to complain. They’ve even added some enemies and a new boss to boot. It set a high bar for their output going forward, one that they would continually surpass.
Trojan has a different set of mechanics compared to the NES games that came before it. You have a sword and shield with each controlled by a face button. Jumping is accomplished with the D-pad which was different at the time. Platforming is minimal so it makes little difference. It is a wise choice as managing your sword and shield plays a huge role in the gameplay. The controls are tight even if a bit unconventional.
The pacing in Trojan is different compared to most action games. This version is slower than the arcade game yet more balanced at the same time. Most enemies take a single hit to kill but they still attack in large numbers. The game tends to mix up enemy types frequently to force you to use the shield constantly to avoid taking damage. It is impossible to avoid; guarding is crucial to gameplay. You can block in every direction, even diagonally. You can even block heavy attacks from bosses. I like the back and forth that takes place when facing bosses; it becomes more than just a simple slugfest. That distinction makes Trojan unique compared to the rest of the NES library, especially at the time of its release.
A number of gameplay additions were added to the NES version of Trojan. You can enter nearly any manhole to either find items or take part in optional boss fights. These are actually the areas you will probably even find items as power-ups are rare. The jump boots allow you to leap to new heights and attack airborne enemies. Unfortunately they aren’t around when you need them. Life restoring hearts are exceedingly rare, necessitating mastering blocking attacks. If you can find the Yasichi symbol it doubles your strength, making it possible to breeze through the game.
Trojan can be a tough game at times, which is surprising as this home port is better balanced than the arcade. Attacks inflict less damage and you’ll find less enemies. But even still you will find it hard to stay alive as the game does not refill your health between level segments. Boss battles can be brutal at times; even Iron Arm at the end of the first level is a test to see how much you’ve learned the game’s mechanics. Yet in spite of this I enjoyed rising to the challenge. It’s funny, when I was young we would see who could finish the game the fastest. If the mechanics weren’t so engaging I doubt anyone would keep returning to it again and again.
In Closing
Trojan is often forgotten when it comes to the early NES library. With its tight mechanics and solid presentation I would recommend Trojan over the NES Ghosts ‘n Goblins any day. Not a classic but a good game nonetheless.
