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P.O.W.: Prisoners of War

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A captured P.O.W. commando codenamed Snake (Bart in the NES version) must bomb his way out of a P.O.W. prison cell and escape. During gameplay, the player must fight through four levels where the mission is not only to escape, but to infiltrate the enemy base and destroy their leaders. There are ...

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Developer
SNK

Released on
1989

Size
1–2 Players

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Beat 'em Up

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Cooperative
Yes

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Description

A captured P.O.W. commando codenamed Snake (Bart in the NES version) must bomb his way out of a P.O.W. prison cell and escape. During gameplay, the player must fight through four levels where the mission is not only to escape, but to infiltrate the enemy base and destroy their leaders. There are brass-knuckles, body armor, knives, grenades and machine guns that the players can use in order to aid them in their mission.

P.O.W.: Prisoners of War

Overview & History

Released by SNK in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, P.O.W.: Prisoners of War is a gritty, military-themed beat 'em up adapted from the original arcade coin-op. Players assume the role of hard-boiled commandos, Snake and Paul, who find themselves unjustly detained deep within a heavily fortified enemy labyrinth. Unlike the arcade original's three-button layout, the NES port brilliantly adapts the intense prison-break narrative and rugged aesthetic for home consoles, delivering a gritty quest for survival across multiple hostile stages—from the suffocating confines of the cell block and the grueling factory yard to the open expanses of the jungle and the ultimate fortress stronghold.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

P.O.W. distinguishes itself from contemporary scrolling brawlers through its surprisingly deep repertoire of physical combat moves and environmental interaction. Players are not limited to basic punches and kicks; you can execute devastating flying dropkicks, powerful back-fists, and a furious spinning attack that clears out surrounding threats. Furthermore, enemies drop lethal contraband when defeated, allowing players to wield machine guns, knives, and heavy iron bars to turn the tide against relentless waves of guards, Doberman pinschers, and towering bosses. Navigating through destructible environments and avoiding environmental hazards adds a strategic layer to the relentless martial arts action.