Makai Island is an unreleased 1987 action-adventure prototype developed by Capcom for the NES. Originally launched in Japan as Higemaru Makaijima, this fully translated English version was cancelled before hitting North American shelves. You play as Momotaru, captaining a pirate ship across the high seas to engage in naval combat and explore seven diverse islands in search of treasure. The game uniquely blends arcade-style sailing with top-down dungeon exploration.
How to play
The gameplay shifts between two modes: navigating your ship on the ocean and exploring islands on foot. On the water, you must steer your vessel and fire cannons at enemy pirate ships. On land, you explore dungeons by picking up and throwing barrels or rocks to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. Use the D-pad to move or steer, and press A or B to attack, fire cannons, or throw objects. Press Start to pause. In the browser, these map to the arrow keys for movement, Z/X for actions, and Enter for Start.
Tips
When exploring the islands, take your time to clear out enemies using barrels, as they can quickly overwhelm you in tight, maze-like spaces. During naval battles, try to position your ship to land broadside cannon shots while staying out of the enemy’s direct firing line. Always explore thoroughly to find the keys needed to unlock new areas and progress your adventure.
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