Power Blade (1991-)

• Developer: Natsume

• Publisher: Taito

• Genre: Platform

Power Blade for the NES was developed by Natsume and released in 1991, with Taito serving as its publisher. The game is a side-scrolling action platformer that casts players as Nova, a futuristic agent tasked with stopping an evil scientist from taking over the world. While it was released exclusively for the NES, it drew inspiration from popular action platformers of the era, combining precise jumping challenges with projectile-based combat. There were no prequels for the NES, and Power Blade stands as a standalone title, though it later inspired a sequel on the console.

In Power Blade, players navigate a series of levels filled with enemies, traps, and platforming hazards. The game draws inspiration from action-packed sci-fi films and superhero-themed media, emphasizing agility, combat, and exploration. Each stage presents a mix of enemy types and environmental obstacles, culminating in boss fights that test the player’s mastery of Nova’s abilities and weapons. The narrative provides a straightforward motivation, focusing on the protagonist’s mission to retrieve stolen data and defeat the villain’s robotic forces.

Gameplay features a combination of running, jumping, and throwing the boomerang-like Power Blade weapon to defeat enemies and interact with the environment. Levels are designed to encourage exploration, with hidden items and alternate paths that reward players for careful observation and timing. Nova can upgrade his weapon and gain temporary enhancements, which adds strategic depth to the action. Players must also manage their health and carefully navigate hazards such as spikes, moving platforms, and enemy projectiles, requiring skill and precision to progress.

The soundtrack features energetic and dramatic music that enhances the futuristic action theme, while sound effects emphasize attacks, enemy defeats, and environmental interactions. Power Blade received a sequel titled Power Blade 2, also for the NES, which built upon the original’s gameplay with additional levels and abilities. Promotion focused on the game’s fast-paced action, sci-fi setting, and unique boomerang weapon mechanic. Reception was generally positive, with critics praising its tight controls, level design, and engaging combat, though some noted that its difficulty curve could be challenging for less experienced players.

Images from MobyGames