Nerdicus NES Review #54 : Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja

Title : Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja

Publisher : Data East / Ocean

Genre : Beat Em Up

Players : 1 / 2 Players

Release Date : 1988

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $5-$6

There's a lot of debate as to what game has the greatest title for the NES. I'm not sure why there is such a debate, because it is obvious that BAD DUDES VS DRAGON NINJA is the winner. As a kid just seeing the cover and title of this game is enough to make your nerdy head explode. How much more epic can you get!?

So Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja (often referred to only as BAD DUDES) is your basic arcade style BEAT EM UP. Think Double Dragon, since it's pretty much the same thing. You take on the roles of BLADE and STRIKER, as you traverse each stage, beating the crap out of everyone you meet. Your goal? Rescue PRESIDENT RONNIE (aka Ronald Regan lol).

Let me ask you this. Are you a BAD ENOUGH DUDE to rescue the President? I sure as hell am.

What a way to appeal to kids by calling 'em Dudes, and letting them fight Ninjas. I don't know about you, but this was impossible to resist. If you played any other Beat Em Up, you know how this game works. It's a side scrolling stage, where countless number of enemies appear, each with usually different attacks. Occasionally you'll pick up weapon power ups, or health boosts, but in the long run your goal is to just to clear each stage without dying.

You've got basic punch / kick attacks, but then you also have combo moves such as a spinning jump kick for when you are surrounded by enemies. Typically at the end of each stage (or sometimes even in the middle) you'll encounter some boss enemies. These have more health, and traditionally stronger attacks than the basic mobs. So rail em with that flying kick!

As for the game play, it's not bad. At times it seems you move a little slow, while the enemies can run circles around you. The attack motions are also a tad jerky at times, and you'll find yourself missing enemies unless are right up in their face. But that's also typical in these type of games. The enemies always tend to have some sort of advantage over you.

Graphically, you can't really complain. Sometimes the background blends in with the foreground, and you have a hard time perceiving where you can jump up on, but it's never that big of a deal. I wish they did a better job of introducing new enemies instead of just changing the color of the ninja outfits.

And those GREY NINJAS are so freaking irritating. Damn Ninja stars in your face constantly!

One thing I loved was the music in this game. It's so damn catchy. Go ahead, you tube it. Tell me I'm wrong.

In terms of difficulty, as you can guess each passing stage gets more and more challenging. It's nowhere NEAR as hard as Double Dragon (which is impossible, so don't lie you never beat it!). You can pretty much sit down and breeze through this game in an hour or so.

That's about it. What are you waiting for then? Go save President Regan you BAD DUDE.

Final Score (out of 5) :

Until next time. Keep on gaming!