Caveman Ninja

Game Details:

This title's level design is incredibly imaginative, making the most of its Stone Age theme. Players can switch weapons by collecting different icons, including stone axes, boomerangs, fire, electricity, and even their own doppelgangers. The game introduces a unique "Hunger" health system (in some versions), where the player's health slowly drains over time and must be replenished by collecting food from defeated enemies, adding a sense of urgency to the gameplay. Its boss battles are particularly noteworthy; giant man-eating plants, mammoths, and a screen-filling T-Rex delivered a powerful visual impact for their time. Additionally, the game offers branching paths, which increases its replay value. Data East's signature quirky style is present throughout, with characters' exaggerated expressions when hit and humorous performances in cutscenes, making it one of the most popular co-op games in 90s arcades.

Game Guide:

• Core Mechanic: Charged Attack This is the most important move in the game. Hold down the attack button, and the protagonist's arm will spin rapidly, releasing a larger and much more powerful weapon. However, be careful: if you charge for too long, the character will become exhausted and enter a brief stunned state, which is often fatal during boss fights.
• Weapon Selection Guide:
• Stone Axe: The starting weapon, with balanced power suitable for most situations.
• Boomerang: Hits on its way out and on its way back, allowing it to strike enemies behind you. Ideal for clearing out flying enemies.
• Doppelganger/Shadow: An extremely powerful weapon that creates multiple phantoms to cover a large area of the screen.
• Fire: Especially effective against enemies in ice levels and deals damage over time.
• Maintain Your Health: Never pass up the eggs you find along the way. Breaking them can drop fruit or meat. Since your health constantly decreases, move quickly even through sections without enemies and don't linger in one spot for too long.
• Key Boss Fight Strategy: When facing large bosses (like the first level's T-Rex), the safest position to deal damage is often at the edge of the screen or in a specific safe spot on a platform. Use charged attacks to hit its head's weak point, and watch for its wind-up animations—for example, when the T-Rex opens its mouth, it's about to breathe fire or bite.
• Branching Path Advice: At the end of a level, directional arrows will appear. The difficulty between routes can vary greatly. It's recommended that beginners choose the "Forest" path (up), as the environment is more open and forgiving. The "Cave" path (down), on the other hand, demands more precise platforming.