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Cadillacs and Dinosaurs

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Cadillacs and Dinosaurs is a 2D side scrolling beat 'em up. The plot is based on the comic "Cadillacs and Dinosaurs" and takes place in the "City In The Sea" and its neighboring nearby jungle. The story starts 500 years after the 20th century (the 26th century), when an ensemble gang called the B...

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Developer
Capcom

Released on
1993

Size
1–3 Players

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Beat 'em Up

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Cooperative
Yes

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Description

Cadillacs and Dinosaurs is a 2D side scrolling beat ’em up. The plot is based on the comic “Cadillacs and Dinosaurs” and takes place in the “City In The Sea” and its neighboring nearby jungle. The story starts 500 years after the 20th century (the 26th century), when an ensemble gang called the Black Marketeers begin hunting the dinosaurs to serve their unknown purpose. The continuous hunting process has made the dinosaurs violent and now they have started attacking villages and people.

The game has 4 playable characters: Jack Tenrec, Hannah Dundee, Mustapha Cairo and Mess O’Bradovich. Up to three players can play at once, guiding their selected characters through eight stages, battling various enemies and bosses. The player has access to several attacks. Each character has two special moves including one that depletes a character’s health upon contact with an enemy and when two or more players play together, they can trigger a team-attack. Players can also find and use various firearms, throwing weapons such as rocks and explosives, and melee weapons such as clubs.

Cadillacs and Dinosaurs

Overview & History

Released by Capcom in 1993, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs stands as a monumental crown jewel of the golden age of arcade beat-'em-ups. Developed on the CPS2 hardware, this side-scrolling masterpiece was officially licensed from Mark Schultz's acclaimed comic book series, Xenozoic Tales. Set in a post-apocalyptic 26th century where humanity has re-emerged from underground shelters to a lush earth overrun by resurrected dinosaurs, the plot pits four gritty heroes against the Poacher Syndicate—a ruthless gang led by the mutant Vice President, Dr. Simon Fessenden. Players must unravel the syndicate's sinister plot of mutating prehistoric beasts before the ecosystem collapses entirely. The game blends retro-futuristic pulp fiction with lush, hand-drawn sprite art, memorable character designs, and an iconic soundtrack, cementing its status as an enduring cult classic in arcade history.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard brawlers of its era, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs introduces deep combat mechanics and interactive environments that keep the action exhilarating from start to finish. Players can choose from four distinct protagonists: Jack Tenrec (the rugged mechanic and survivalist), Hannah Dundee (the resourceful diplomat armed with a pistol), Mustapha Cairo (the lightning-fast martial artist), and Mess O'Bradovich (the powerhouse tank). Each character boasts a unique repertoire of special attacks, weapon proficiencies, and devastating dash moves. Executing a simultaneous Attack and Jump triggers a crowd-clearing health-draining blitz move essential for escaping tight corners. Beyond hand-to-hand combat, players can wield a massive armory of firearms ranging from shotguns to heavy-duty rocket launchers. Adding to the immersive prehistoric theme, aggressive dinosaurs frequently wander into the fray, attacking both players and enemies indiscriminately unless provoked. The eight stages culminate in brilliantly designed boss encounters that demand precise timing, spatial awareness, and mastery of defensive maneuvers.