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Super Arabian

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An action platformer styled as an Arabian Nights-flavored "storybook", which follows the trials of a brave Arabian prince as he attempts to infiltrate the palace and save a princess locked in the tower. To reach said damsel in distress, the prince must complete four "pages" (or levels) of the boo...

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Developer
Sunsoft

Released on
1985

Size
1–2 Players

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Action

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

An action platformer styled as an Arabian Nights-flavored “storybook”, which follows the trials of a brave Arabian prince as he attempts to infiltrate the palace and save a princess locked in the tower. To reach said damsel in distress, the prince must complete four “pages” (or levels) of the book: an ocean-bound ship, a maze of caves, the castle walls, and the tower, each infested with an assortment of mythical enemies, like flying Rocs and evil Genies.

Besides walking, jumping and climbing, the prince can cling onto vines, duck and crawl through tight passages, and glide along on flying carpets. Last but not least is the mighty kick, which sends the baddies sprawling.

To complete a level, all the lettered jugs must be collected. A bonus is awarded if they’re picked up in the right order to spell out the indicated word (different word in each level). Once a princess is rescued, the next section begins, more difficult than the last.

Super Arabian

Overview & History

Originally developed by Sunsoft and released as an arcade cabinet in 1983 before making its way to the Famicom in Japan by 1985, *Super Arabian* is a charming, often overlooked maze-platformer. The storyline follows a brave Arabian prince on a perilous quest across a series of scrolling labyrinthine stages to rescue his abducted princess from the clutches of rival desert bandits. Unlike typical action titles of the era, the game emphasizes puzzle-like maze navigation and collecting specific items rather than pure combat, giving it a distinct flavor reminiscent of *Pac-Man* mixed with platforming elements.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The core objective in *Super Arabian* is to traverse multi-tiered platforms and collect all the floating Arabic letter carpets scattered across each level to spell out words and open the exit door. Players must constantly evade quirky enemies such as genies, scorpions, and rival thieves. The protagonist's primary move is a unique kick attack, allowing players to dispatch enemies or break open jars to reveal hidden bonus items and point multipliers. With a strict countdown timer and labyrinth layouts that loop horizontally, players must master quick reflexes and memorization to survive the increasingly chaotic later stages.