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Adventure Island II (1991-)

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  • Developer: Now Production

  • Publisher: Hudson Soft

  • Genre: Platform

  • Composer: Miyoshi Okuyama

Adventure Island II was developed by Hudson Soft and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1991, with Hudson Soft also serving as the publisher. It is the direct sequel to the original Adventure Island, continuing the adventures of Master Higgins as he sets out once again to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend, Tina, and restore peace to the island. The game built on the foundation of the original by introducing new gameplay elements and expanded exploration, while maintaining the core side-scrolling platform mechanics that defined the series.

This installment introduced several new features that distinguished it from its predecessor, including multiple characters to choose from and the addition of rideable dinosaur companions, each with unique abilities. Players can explore a map between stages, selecting different levels in a non-linear fashion, which added a layer of strategy and replay value. The gameplay still focuses on running, jumping, and defeating enemies with various weapons, but the new mechanics and expanded world gave players more freedom and variety in how they approached the challenges.

The soundtrack for Adventure Island II continued the series’ tradition of lively and memorable music, with upbeat tunes that captured the adventurous and tropical setting. The NES sound hardware was utilized effectively to create catchy melodies that reinforced the game’s energetic pace. Sound effects remained consistent with the series, featuring satisfying audio cues for attacks, item pickups, and dinosaur interactions, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Adventure Island II followed the original Adventure Island closely and was later succeeded by Adventure Island 3 and other entries in the franchise across various platforms. The game was promoted mainly through gaming magazines and retail outlets, targeting fans of the original and platforming enthusiasts. It was well received by critics and players alike for its improvements over the first game, with particular praise given to the introduction of dinosaurs and the expanded map system, solidifying its place as a worthy sequel in the Adventure Island series.

Images from MobyGames