The King of Dragons
{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}{{Infobox video game
| title = The King of Dragons
| image = King of Dragons sales flyer.png
| caption = Arcade flyer
| developer = Capcom
| publisher = Capcom
| director = Tomoshi Sadamoto
| composer = Yoko Shimomura
| genre = Beat 'em up
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Arcade, Super NES
| arcade system = CP System
| released = Arcade{{vgrelease|JP|July 1991|NA|September 1991}}Super NES{{vgrelease|JP|March 4, 1994|NA|April 1994}}
}}
{{Nihongo foot|The King of Dragons|ザ・キングオブドラゴンズ|Za Kingu obu Doragonzu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1991 beat 'em up video game developed and published by Capcom for arcades. It follows players as they control characters through the kingdom of Malus to defeat monsters led by the dragon Gildiss. It features a level advancement system, allowing character attributes to be upgraded as players progress through the game. The game's music was composed by Yoko Shimomura.
The King of Dragons was ported to the Super NES in 1994. An emulated version of the game has been released in multiple Capcom compilations.
Gameplay
The game has 16 levels, though many are short. The King of Dragons features a role-playing video game-like level advancement system. Points scored for killing monsters and picking up gold count towards experience, and the character gains levels at regular intervals. With each level, the character's health bar increases, other attributes such as range improve, and the character also becomes invulnerable for a few seconds. Along the way, different weapon and armor upgrades for each character may also be picked up.
The King of Dragons features a simple control system that consists of a single attack button, and a jump button. By pressing both buttons, the character unleashes a magical attack that strikes all enemies in screen (its strength varies according to the character used) at the expense of losing energy. The fighter, cleric and dwarf can also use their shield to block certain attacks by tilting the joystick back right before the impact.
This is one of the many Capcom games to feature the yashichi power-up item (a "boost power-up" icon resembling a shuriken). There are three such power-ups hidden throughout the game, each giving the player an extra continue.
The five playable heroes each have their own traits and fighting skills in the game. The Fighter is good with melee attacks and defense but lacks magical ability. The Dwarf is able to dodge and block attacks, is the most agile character that has decent melee attacks albeit the shortest range and little magic ability. The Elf has good agility and great range with archery but is not physically strong. The Cleric has great defense, decent magic (with the ability to heal his comrades) and melee attacks but bad agility. The Wizard has poor defense but good magical attacks and quick melee attacks.
Ports
A port to the Super NES was published in 1994. It reduces the number of simultaneous players down to two and the characters are smaller. It is also possible to assign the magic attack and shield defense to different buttons.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=King of Dragons, The – Hardcore Gaming 101|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/king-of-dragons-the/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-12-04|website=|language=en-US|quote=The game was ported to the SNES, and other than the graphical downgrades and changing from three simultaneous players to two.}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=October 16, 2018|title=The King of Dragons (Arcade vs SNES) Side by Side Comparison - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWByZtL1HT8|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-12-04|website=www.youtube.com|publisher=VCDECIDE}}
The arcade version is part of Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2, released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in November 2006, and Capcom Classics Collection: Reloaded for the PlayStation Portable. It is also part of two compilations for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows: Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle (2018) and Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium (2022).
Reception
{{Expand section|date=June 2020}}
In Japan, Game Machine listed The King of Dragons on their October 1, 1991, issue as being the most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles such as Street Fighter II: The World Warrior.{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=412|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 October 1991|page=31|lang=ja}}
Doris Stokes of British magazine Zero reviewed the arcade game, rating it four out of five. She called it "a good, nicely addictive" beat-'em-up game.{{cite magazine |last1=Stokes |first1=Doris |title=Dosh Eaters |magazine=Zero |date=November 1991 |issue=26 (December 1991) |publisher=Dennis Publishing |location=United Kingdom |pages=91–92 |url=https://archive.org/details/zero-magazine-26/page/n90}}
In 2023, Time Extension included the game on their top 25 "Best Beat 'Em Ups of All Time" list.{{cite web |last1=Banks |first1=George |title=Best Beat 'Em Ups Of All Time |url=https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-beat-em-ups-of-all-time |website=Time Extension |publisher=Hookshot Media |access-date=19 February 2023 |date=14 February 2023}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/king-of-dragons}}
- {{KLOV game|8313}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:King of Dragons, The}}
Category:Capcom Power System Changer games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Category:Side-scrolling beat 'em ups