Guardians / Denjin Makai II (P-FG01-1 PCB)

Winkysoft’s Guardians / Denjin Makai II, released in Japan in 1995 under license from Banpresto, delivers fast-paced 2.5D combat for up to two players. Select from eight distinct characters and battle through stages filled with enemies using an eight-way joystick and three attack buttons – standard strike, jump, and a powerful special move. Stringing together repeated strikes creates combos that can be modified into throws by subtly adjusting your movement at the moment of impact, adding depth to encounters. Gameplay focuses on fluid action and strategic resource management; health is restored through finding hidden food within breakable crates, while a power meter governs the use of devastating special attacks – though these come at the cost of some health. Players can also grab enemies for unique attack options and toss them at opponents for added damage. Weapons appear periodically to aid in combat but are temporary and disappear under certain conditions. At the end of each stage, players face a formidable boss enemy, testing their skills and character build. Guardians builds upon the foundation established by its predecessor, Denjinmakai, offering a challenging and engaging beat-em-up experience driven by dynamic movement and impactful attacks.