Cabal (World, Joystick)
TAD Corporation • 1988


Cabal drops players into a warzone as commandos on a mission to dismantle an oppressive regime across five distinct stages. This side-scrolling shooter utilizes a unique over-the-shoulder perspective, challenging players to target enemies by moving an on-screen crosshair while simultaneously dodging incoming fire. Initially armed with unlimited ammunition and a few grenades, players can earn weapon upgrades like rapid-fire guns and shotguns by destroying enemy units and environmental objects—buildings, barricades, vehicles – which also awards bonus points. Two players can team up to navigate the challenging levels, each controlling their own commando and coordinating attacks against tanks, helicopters, and other armored threats. Static positioning allows for more accurate targeting but leaves the commandos vulnerable, requiring strategic movement and skillful use of the "duck and roll" maneuver to avoid damage. Destroying enemies often yields power-ups and bonus points that can significantly aid in progressing through the increasingly difficult stages. The game features a dynamic scoring system rewarding destruction of specific targets like armored vehicles and enemy snipers, while also incorporating elements such as timed bomb drops and hidden bonuses within destructible environments to incentivize exploration and skillful play. Successfully navigating each stage demands both precision targeting and an understanding of the unique strategies needed to overcome specialized enemies and environmental hazards.
Details
- Manufacturer
- TAD Corporation
- Year
- 1988
- Players
- 2
- Genre
- Shooter / 3rd Person
- Display
- raster
- Emulation status
- good
- MAME ID
- cabal
Machine data derived from the MAME project.