Conflict (1989-)

• Developer: Vic Tokai

• Publisher: Vic Tokai

• Genre: Strategy

• Composer: Michiharu Hasuya

Conflict is a turn-based strategy game developed by Vic Tokai and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989. The game was both developed and published by Vic Tokai, a company known for a range of titles during the NES era. It was an exclusive release for the NES and did not receive ports to other consoles or computers. Conflict stood out from many other games on the platform due to its strategic, war-themed gameplay, which contrasted with the more action-oriented or platforming games that were dominant at the time.

The game is set during a fictional global war and places players in command of Allied forces with the objective of defeating enemy troops across a series of large-scale battle maps. Each map is grid-based, and players move different types of military units—such as infantry, tanks, artillery, and aircraft—using turn-based mechanics. Combat is resolved through strategic positioning and careful resource management, as players must consider terrain, fuel, and ammunition. The game features a ranking system, where players rise in rank as they win battles, gaining access to better equipment and units.

There were no prior entries in the Conflict series before this NES release, although the title would later inspire loosely related games bearing the same name on other systems. At launch, the game had a modest promotional push, primarily through listings in gaming magazines and retail catalogs. Given the NES’s relatively younger player demographic, the game's slow-paced and cerebral gameplay was a niche offering. However, it managed to find a small but dedicated audience who appreciated the tactical depth it brought to the NES library.

Critical reception was mixed. While some players and reviewers praised Conflict for offering an uncommon genre on the console and for its layered strategic design, others criticized it for its steep learning curve, slow pacing, and lack of visual variety. Over time, the game has become something of a cult classic among retro strategy fans, remembered as one of the few NES titles to offer a true turn-based war game experience. Its challenging mechanics and serious tone helped it stand apart from the platform's more mainstream titles.

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