Rygar (US set 1)

Tecmo’s Rygar launched in American arcades in 1986 as an export release from Japan, where it was initially known as Argos no Senshi - Legendary Warrior. This side-scrolling platform fighter puts players in control of Rygar, a warrior armed with a unique Diskriminator weapon that can be attached to various shields for different attack ranges and abilities. The gameplay involves traversing diverse environments while battling enemies using projectile attacks and melee strikes, collecting stars to power up, and discovering hidden strengths within the game's world. Two players can participate in cooperative action as they work together to overcome challenges presented throughout the game’s levels. Differences exist between early US releases ("Set 1") and later versions ("Set 2"), with "Set 2" notably containing a code bug that allows two players to start a game simultaneously, though it may require specific dip switch settings and displays an unusual message when initiated. The US version generally emphasizes stars and explosive effects compared to the original Japanese release. Rygar subsequently appeared on various home platforms, including the NES, PlayStation 4, Atari Lynx, Commodore C64, Amstrad CPC, and Sinclair ZX Spectrum, as part of collections like "Tecmo Classic Arcade" and “Arcade Archives.”