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Sly Spy

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During the beginning, the president and his wife wave at the crowd next to a limousine at the White House in Washington D.C., while terrorists (some flying in using jetpacks) approach the president and his wife armed and dangerous while the screen turns red and black. Later, a secret agent known ...

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Developer
Data East

Released on
1989

Size
1 Player

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Beat 'em Up

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

During the beginning, the president and his wife wave at the crowd next to a limousine at the White House in Washington D.C., while terrorists (some flying in using jetpacks) approach the president and his wife armed and dangerous while the screen turns red and black. Later, a secret agent known as Sly Spy flies in a plane towards Washington D.C. to prevent the terrorists from infiltrating the city, and must also prevent a nuclear missile from launching.

Sly Spy

Overview & History

Released by Data East in 1989 for the arcades, Sly Spy (often subtitled Secret Agent) drops players straight into the trench coat of Agent Nick, a suave espionage operative tasked with stopping a nuclear terrorist organization known as C.C. From the opening stage set against the New York skyline to the treacherous underwater trenches and high-speed motorcycle chases, the game serves up a heavy dose of late-Cold War paranoia mixed with over-the-top James Bond and 007-style tropes. Operating on Data East's custom hardware, the game stands out with its distinct multi-plane stage design that alternates between side-scrolling beat-'em-up action and intense vertical and horizontal shooting sequences. While it never reached the same household-name status as Data East's Bad Dudes, Sly Spy carved out a dedicated cult following among arcade-goers for its sheer variety and cinematic aspirations.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Sly Spy is a diverse action platformer divided into eight distinct stages, demanding quick adaptation from the player. Unlike traditional beat-'em-ups, Agent Nick relies heavily on his silenced pistol for ranged combat, but he can also unleash devastating martial arts kicks and punches when enemies close in. Throughout the missions, players collect specialized briefcase power-ups that upgrade Nick's arsenal. These include a lethal machine gun, a directional boomerang, oxygen tanks for underwater scuba segments, and even a jetpack that lets players soar above hazards while raining fire down on terrorists. Boss encounters are theatrical and memorable, featuring bizarre comic-book-style villains—such as a hulking brute in a diving suit and a cybernetic assassin—requiring precise timing and bullet evasion to conquer.