Dragon Breed
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Dragon Breed |
is a side-scrolling shooter created by Irem and launched in arcades in 1989, utilizing M72 and M81 hardware platforms. The home computer versions were produced by Activision in 1990.
Gameplay
The player assumes control of King Kayus, who rides the dragon Bahamoot. Bahamoot is impervious to enemy attacks and can either block incoming projectiles or inflict damage upon enemies through direct contact. Although Kayus is susceptible to harm, he wields a crossbow that fires forward.
Bahamoot's body moves fluidly in response to Kayus' actions, enabling the dragon to serve as a moving shield or a whip-like weapon. Players have the ability to wrap Bahamoot’s tail around adversaries or themselves, granting temporary invincibility.
Additionally, Bahamoot can launch fireballs that grow stronger the longer the fire button is pressed, featuring four power levels that culminate in a dragon-head-shaped projectile. The game incorporates some platforming elements, as Kayus can dismount onto horizontal ledges.
Power-ups appear as orbs, which are acquired by shooting small green dragons or collecting them while on foot. There are four orb varieties that alter Bahamoot’s color and attacks: red provides flame breath; gold releases crescent-shaped projectiles in all directions; silver calls forth homing mini-dragons; blue emits electric bolts downward. Gathering up to three identical orbs boosts these abilities.
Plot
From the promotional brochure:
Reception
In Japan, Game Machine listed Dragon Breed as the fourth highest-grossing table arcade game in their August 15, 1989 publication. Computer and Video Games gave it a C+ score.
External links
- Dragon Breed at System 16