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StarTropics

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In StarTropics, you play the part of Michael Jones. Mike's uncle (Dr. Jones, a famous archaeologist) is on C-Island looking for some lost ruins and has invited Mike to come visit him. However, shortly after arriving on the island Mike learns from Chief Coralcola that Dr. Jones has recently been a...

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Developer
Locomotive

Released on
1990

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Action

Publisher
Nintendo

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

In StarTropics, you play the part of Michael Jones. Mike’s uncle (Dr. Jones, a famous archaeologist) is on C-Island looking for some lost ruins and has invited Mike to come visit him. However, shortly after arriving on the island Mike learns from Chief Coralcola that Dr. Jones has recently been abducted! Now it is up to Mike to locate Dr. Jones and find out why he was abducted.

StarTropics is an action game with light role-playing elements, played from an overhead point of view. Starting out with just an island yo-yo, Mike will need to search the island for Dr. Jones. The villagers may be able to offer some clues, there are many dangerous enemies to defeat, and along the way there are a variety of new weapons and other items to be found which will help Mike on his quest. The cartridge uses a battery backup to allow games to be saved.

StarTropics

Overview & History

Released by Nintendo in 1990 exclusively for the NES, StarTropics stands as a beloved, uniquely tropical action-adventure that bypassed Japan entirely, launching straight into North American and European markets. Conceived by veteran producer Genya Takeda, the game follows Mike Jones, a young pitcher from Seattle who travels to the fictional C-Island to visit his eccentric uncle, an adventurous archaeologist named Dr. Steven Jones. Upon arrival, Mike discovers his uncle has been abducted by hostile extraterrestrial invaders known as the Pogo-Plons. To rescue him, Mike must pilot a submersible vehicle called the Sub-Shuttle across a vibrant archipelago, collecting magical mystical cubes and navigating hazardous dungeons teeming with bizarre wildlife and alien foes. Notably, the physical game packaging featured a tangible letter written in lemon juice that players had to physically dip in water to reveal a secret code crucial to the plot.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike The Legend of Zelda, which inspired its top-down dungeon exploration, StarTropics alternates between two distinct perspectives. The overworld and town exploration utilize a traditional overhead view where Mike converses with quirky villagers and gathers clues. However, entering a cave or dungeon shifts the camera into a grid-based, single-screen room system reminiscent of classic arcade puzzle games. Mike's primary weapon is the Island Yo-Yo, which can be upgraded into shooting stars, flaming torches, and boxing gloves as he progresses. Uniquely, instead of walking in every direction, Mike moves primarily by executing a signature hop, allowing him to leap over short gaps and dodge fast-moving projectiles simultaneously. Boss encounters require precise timing, pattern recognition, and clever utilization of temporary power-ups hidden within destructible urns.