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Category: Games
Sub-Category: RPG
Platform: Nintendo NES, Arcade
License: Proprietary
Interface: GUI
Wikipedia: Willow
First release: 1989
Willow (ウィロー, Uirō) – a side-scrolling platform and shooter arcade video game developed and published by Capcom in 1989. It is based on the film Willow, released the previous year, faithfully reproducing the story.
The Willow arcade game is completely different from the other two video games based on the film, Willow for the computer and Willow for the Nintendo NES.
There are two playable characters, Willow and Madmartigan, battling the evil Queen Bavmorda. At the start, the player assumes the role of Willow, while Madmartigan becomes unlockable starting from the second level. Both heroes have three lives, with hit points. The player must try to complete the levels without running out of time.
There are six levels, as well as six bosses, but there isn’t the usual breakdown: levels 1, 3, 4, and 5 contain a boss, level 2 has none, and in the sixth level, the player faces the final two (Kael midway through the stage and Bavmorda at the end). The boss of the fourth level is Sorsha, Bavmorda’s daughter: just like in the movie, she will join the side of Good after being defeated.
The game uses a joystick (for movement) and two buttons (A to shoot, B to jump). With the coins collected during the game it is possible to obtain various power-ups, recovery of health and possibly even extra lives (depending on the amount of money), every time the player approaches the benevolent magician who will appear from time to time.
