Rastan Saga (c) 1987 Taito.
A platform hack 'n' slash game in which a single player guides a barbarian hero through a number of fantasy-themed levels, fighting through swathes of mythological fantasy creatures, including orcs, skeltal warriors and multi-headed hydra. More powerful weapons can be picked up as well as bonus items which can increase the barbarian hero's health and give increased protection against enemy attack. Players should be wary that some collectable items are cursed and will have a detrimental effect on the hero's health and performance. Unlimited continues are available throughout the game.

>>> TECHNICAL DETAILS
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Prom Stickers : B04
Main CPU : 68000, Z80
Sound Chips : YM2151, MSM5205
Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 320 x 240 pixels
Screen refresh : 60.00 Hz
Palette colors : 8192
Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 2

>>> TRIVIA
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This game is known outside Japan as 'Rastan'.
Rastan was inspired by 'Conan the barbarian' saga books. In the first stage in the background you can see the same statue as in the movie 'The Lord of The Rings'; as the film appeared several years AFTER Rastan Saga, this may be complete co-incidence.
The main character, Rastan, appears as a selectable characters, 'Miracle Rastan', in 'Champion Wrestler'.
Pony Canyon / Scitron released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Kyukyoku Tiger : G.S.M. Taito 2 - D28B0008) on 21/11/1988.
Zuntata Records released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Zuntata History L'ab-normal 1st - ZTTL-0038) on 01/04/1999.

>>> GAME UPDATES
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Rastan Saga has some differences :
* In the attract mode appears the intro (instead the description of the objects).
* If you waste too many time without advancing in the stage, only 2 bats will attack you (instead of 8).

>>> TRICKS AND TIPS
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If you die on the final stage, the game ends and you cannot continue; this means that the entire final level must be completed on a SINGLE credit. In order to make this even remotely possible you should deliberately die at the end of the fifth stage while fighting the boss (a multi-headed dragon). You should then use another credit to continue and defeat the dragon with your first man (with as little damage as possible). If you cannot defeat him with the first man and little damage, kill off the remaining men and start with a fresh credit. Always go after the special weapons where possible; if special weapons run out, jumping and striking doubles the damage done with the sword. Pushing up and the jump button will jump higher than pushing the jump button alone.

>>> GAME SERIES
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1. Rastan Saga (1987)
2. Rastan Saga II (1988)
3. Warrior Blade - Rastan Saga Episode III (1991)

>>> DESIGNERS / PROGRAMMERS / STAFF
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Game designer : Nenko Nishimura
Game programmers : Yoshinori Kobayashi, Hideaki Tomioka, Touru Takahashi, Hideo Kazama
Character designer : Nenko Nishimura
Art designers : Nenko Nishimura, Taira Sanuki, Seiji Kawakami, Genya Kuriki
Hardware engineer : Noboru Takeshita
Hardware designer : Masahiro Yamaguchi
Music composers And Sound Effects : Naoto Yagishita, Masahiko Takaki
Art advisor : Junji Yarita

>>> GAME PORTS TO OTHER SYSTEMS
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* Consoles :
Sega Master System
Sony PlayStation 2 (2005, 'Taito Memories Vol. 1')
* Computers :
MSX2 (1988)
Commodore C64 (1988)
ZX Spectrum (1988)
Amstrad CPC (1988)

>>> OTHER GAME RESOURCES
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Game's rom.