Rick Dangerous

Rick Dangerous

Overview & History

Released initially in 1989 by Core Design for 8-bit computers, Rick Dangerous found a cult following with ports across multiple platforms. While officially a Sega Genesis port was never commercially finished or released back in the day, the enduring legacy of the franchise—combined with homebrew prowess and modern retro preservation—brings the British secret agent's perilous escapades to 16-bit hardware. The storyline casts you as Rick Dangerous, a dashing 1940s Indiana Jones-esque adventurer whose plane crashes deep in the Amazon jungle, kicking off a globetrotting quest that spans Aztec temples, Egyptian pyramids, and a futuristic alien spaceship. Armed with a trusty six-bullet revolver, a limited supply of explosive dynamite sticks, and a pointy wooden stick, Rick must outwit sadistic traps, trigger-happy guards, and bizarre monsters in this notoriously punishing die-and-retry platformer.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Rick Dangerous operates on trial-and-error gameplay where anticipating hidden hazards is vital to survival. Levels are packed with sudden boulder rolls, spikes from ceilings, and collapsing floors that punish blind rushing. Rick's core mechanics require precise positioning: players can walk, jump, crawl through tight spaces, and punch walls to uncover hidden bonuses or push blocks. Your revolver dispatches enemies from afar, but ammo is strictly limited, forcing tactical use of your dynamite—which can be dropped and detonated with a timed fuse to blast through floors or take down resilient bosses. Scoring relies on collecting hidden treasures, statues, and crowns while racing against a relentless countdown timer.

Keyboard Controls

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