Cadash
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| Cadash | |
|---|---|
 Cadash (Arcade version) |
|
| Developer(s) | Taito |
| Publisher(s) | Taito |
| Release date(s) | Arcade version 1989 TG-16 version  January 18, 1991 1991Genesis version 1992 |
| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, 2 to 4-player |
| Platform(s) | Arcade Game, TurboGrafx-16, Sega Genesis |
| Input | 8-way Joystick, 1 Button |
| Arcade CPU(s) | 68000, Z80 |
| Arcade sound system(s) | YM2151 |
| Arcade display | Horizontal, Raster, 320 x 240 pixels, 4096 colors |
Cadash is a hybrid RPG/platform arcade game, released by Taito in 1989. It was ported to the TurboGrafx-16 and Sega Mega Drive in 1991 and 1992 respectively.
[edit] Gameplay
Cadash is an early example of what would become a fairly common trend in Japanese-made arcade games of the early 1990s: the "Platform-RPG". While not generally recognized as truly belonging to the RPG genre, platform-RPGs have a distinct history that can be traced back to early 1987, when Nintendo released Zelda II: The Adventure of Link for their Famicom Disk System in Japan. Cadash borrows many principles of Zelda II's gameplay, combining side-scrolling platform action with an RPG-like system of statistics, levels, money and magic. This idea would go on to influence a number of early 1990s arcade games, such as Capcom's King of Dragons and Knights of the Round (though the RPG aspect was generally watered down).
Up to two players may select from four different characters: Fighter, mage, priestess, and ninja, each with different attacks, statistics and skills. Players then proceed through each level, killing monsters and bosses, collecting keys to unlock doors, and collecting gold and experience. Towns throughout the game sell items, weapons, and armor to the player, or provide information. In the console versions, extra lives can be purchased in town. The arcade versions has a limited game time, which can be extended by buying progressively more expensive hourglasses at shops, or by picking up rare bonuses.
The four characters varied significantly in power and abilities:
- The Fighter has powerful melee attacks and good agility, but is severely disadvantaged versus ranged or fast enemies which can't be killed before dealing damage.
- The mage has the most powerful attacks in the game through his spellcasting abilities which grow in power as he advances in levels, but is the physically weakest and slowest character. Also, spells don't work on several creatures, forcing him to either take damage or evade them. However, the mage is arguably the best boss killer thanks to his powerful spells.
- The priestess is perhaps the most powerful character in the game, as she combines average strength and agility with a medium-to-long range weapon, with the added benefit of healing and protective spells. She's the only character that can heal herself, combat poison, gain extra playing time (on the arcade version), and even become invulnerable for a relative long length of time.
- The ninja is the most agile character and uses exclusively ranged weapons, giving him a distinct advantage over other characters, although the priestess can eventually match him in effective range, and he lacks any magic attacks or healing. However, some of his weapons have special abilities such as a three-way shot and projectiles that go through enemies and walls.
The game, in the arcade version, supported a 4-players "link mode" using two Cadash cabinets, albeit with some limitations, such as each player having to pick a different character, and characters playing on the same machine being forced to keep up with each other, unable to venture "off screen".
[edit] Ports
In the early 1990s, Cadash was ported to the TurboGrafx-16 (in 1991) and the Sega Genesis (1992). The Genesis port curiously excluded two of the four playable classes, keeping only the fighter and mage.
