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The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy

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Arcade

A fast moving platform game in which the player controls the Indiana Jones-esque and unfortunately named 'Edward Randy'. The levels are an inventive mix of standard platform action and 3-D scrolling levels; the latter usually having the player driving a jeep and repelling the enemy attacks. The g...

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Developer
Data East

Released on
1990

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Beat 'em Up

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Cooperative
Yes

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Description

A fast moving platform game in which the player controls the Indiana Jones-esque and unfortunately named ‘Edward Randy’. The levels are an inventive mix of standard platform action and 3-D scrolling levels; the latter usually having the player driving a jeep and repelling the enemy attacks. The game is based on the archetypal Hollywood action blockbuster and features a filmic score to back up the on-screen action. The player’s only weapon is a whip – another nod to the Indiana Jones character – which can be used to both attack enemies and as a ‘rope’, to enable the player to reach distant platforms.

The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy

Overview & History

Released by Data East in 1990 for arcade cabinets, The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy is a breathtakingly kinetic side-scrolling action game heavily inspired by 1930s pulp adventure serials and cinematic blockbusters like Indiana Jones. Set in a fictional 1930s alternate history, the storyline follows the daring hero Edward Randy and his partner Chloe as they race against a nefarious, militaristic syndicate to recover a powerful mystical artifact before it can be used to conquer the world. Operating on Data East's customized hardware, the game gained a cult following for its relentless pacing, blending traditional beat-em-up mechanics with frantic, vertically and horizontally scrolling vehicle-chase sequences. While it never received a contemporary home console port, its legacy lives on as one of the most visually dazzling and purely adrenaline-fueled arcade experiences of the early 1990s golden age.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy distinguishes itself from standard scrolling brawlers through its brilliant integration of a signature whip-grappling mechanic. Players do not merely punch enemies; instead, Edward utilizes a versatile whip to lash foes, swing across bottomless chasms, disarm armed guards, and interact dynamically with the environment. The controls consist of a directional joystick, a whip attack button, a jump button, and a dedicated action button used for acrobatic leaps and grappling onto moving vehicles such as biplanes, motorcycles, and runaway trains. Stages dynamically transition from traditional on-foot platforming to breakneck vehicular pursuits, requiring split-second reflexes to dodge incoming gunfire and leap between accelerating conveyances. Featuring stunningly detailed sprite work, explosive set-pieces, and an unforgettable brass-heavy soundtrack, Data East crafted a masterclass in arcade momentum that keeps players on the absolute edge of their seats from start to finish.