Devil World

Devil World

Overview & History

Released by Nintendo in 1984 for the Famicom and later brought to the NES via various regional releases, Devil World is a frantic maze-action game designed by the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto. Distinctly blending elements of Pac-Man with a surreal, Christian-mythology-inspired aesthetic, the game casts the player as Tamagon, a green fire-breathing dragon tasked with navigating labyrinthine underworlds. Despite its critical role in Nintendo's early history and a European release on the NES, the game's overt religious imagery—featuring crucifixes, bibles, and horned devils—initially kept it off North American store shelves due to Nintendo of America's strict guidelines against religious symbols at the time.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

In Devil World, Tamagon must collect all the dots scattered across the maze while avoiding deadly monsters and the malevolent overlord, the Devil, who hovers at the top of the screen dictating the scroll of the world. As the Devil issues commands, the entire maze shifts horizontally or vertically, crushing Tamagon against walls if he isn't careful. To fight back, Tamagon can consume crosses to gain the ability to breathe fire, turning enemy monsters into helpless, edible eggs. Players can also collect bibles that freeze the Devil temporarily, and magic books that clear obstacles. Each stage culminates in a bonus labyrinth where Tamagon must trap fleeing monsters to achieve a high score before progressing deeper into the fiery underworld.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move Tamagon through the maze and navigate menus
• Action Keys: Breathe fire or use collected items when powered up
• Enter: Start the game or pause current gameplay