Armadillo is a unique 1991 platformer for the NES developed by AIM and published by IGS. Originally released only in Japan (with a planned US release ultimately canceled), the game follows Billy the Shell as he sets out to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend. The standout feature is Billy’s ability to curl up into a ball, letting him bounce off walls, smash blocks, and defeat enemies with momentum-based physics.
How to Play
Use the Arrow keys to move, press Z to jump, and press X to curl into a ball. While in ball form, you can bounce off enemies and surfaces, but be carefulโyour momentum makes you harder to control. Press Enter for Start and Shift for Select.
Tips
- Your rolling ability is powerful, but mastering the bounce trajectory is essential for surviving the later platforming stages without falling into hazards.
- Look out for power-ups, such as the hat, which allows you to take an extra hit before losing a life.
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