Noah’s Ark

Noah's Ark

Overview & History

Released by Konami for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992 exclusively in Europe, Noah's Ark is an unusual and surprisingly polished top-down action-platformer. Departing from typical biblical adaptations, the game reimagines Noah's journey as an epic, globe-trotting rescue mission. God commands Noah to gather animals from various corners of the Earth before the great flood consumes the land. Blending Konami’s signature tight action design with charming pixel art, the game takes players through mystical lands like ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Greece, battling hostile creatures and mythical beasts to secure pairs of exotic wildlife for the legendary vessel.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard side-scrolling platformers, Noah's Ark utilizes a unique top-down perspective where Noah navigates grid-like environments, jumping over obstacles, chasms, and water hazards. Noah is armed with a slingshot, which he can upgrade by collecting various mystical fruit items scattered across stages. These upgrades alter his projectile attacks—allowing him to shoot bouncing grapes, piercing bananas, or explosive melons—to defeat bizarre enemies ranging from aggressive desert scorpions to stone gargoyles. At the end of each region, players face challenging boss encounters, such as giant sphinxes and leviathans. Throughout the stages, Noah rescues hidden animals, which directly translates to currency and point bonuses, while also collecting sacred tablets and power-ups to increase his maximum health and restore lost hearts.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause