Strider (USA, B-Board 89624B-2)

Strider is a fast-paced platform and fighting scrolling game released by Capcom in 1989. Players control Strider Hiryu, a lone operative tasked with infiltrating a heavily guarded fortress. Utilizing a powerful plasma sword and grappling hook, you’ll battle through waves of robotic enemies and formidable bosses across a series of vertically scrolling stages. Two players can join forces to tackle the challenge together, coordinating attacks and navigating dangerous environments. The game's title screen prominently displays "Strider" in English above stylized kanji that gradually ignite with color. Developed originally in Japan as Strider Hiryu, this export version features some slight differences from its Japanese counterpart, notably a missing vocalization during sword swings. The gameplay emphasizes quick reflexes and strategic use of the grappling hook to traverse gaps and evade attacks while engaging in close-quarters combat. This arcade release served as the first installment in the Strider series, which would later be expanded with a sequel in 1999. It has since been ported to numerous platforms including consoles like the NES, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation, as well as home computers such as the Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC.