Marvel Land
Encyclopedia
is a platform
arcade game
released by Namco
in 1989.
wings which allowed you to jump higher and fly (to a certain extent), shoes that allow you to temporarily walk faster, and a clone powerup that allowed you to whip multiple copies of yourself at other enemies in a line. Using these items makes it easier defeating enemies and collecting various items to increase your score.
All of the game's four levels take place in a fantasy amusement park, the "Marvel Land" of the title. Most levels take place outside with various obstacles in your way. Other levels include a ride on a roller coaster
and even a walk through a funhouse
. At the end of the regular outside levels, you jump through a large target where you can earn extra points.
The game has enemies that consist of a variety of mole-like baddies and a wide range of other creatures. Boss battle
s are performed at the end of the last level of all four worlds. They are unique in that they are played more like a minigame
which can consist of rock paper scissors, musical chairs
or even tug of war
. After you defeat a boss you rescue a fairy
(Princess Luxy after you defeat the final boss), and are treated to a bonus stage where you catch falling stars for points in a float
parade
at night.
After the minigame against the Mole King the game takes on the regular "final boss" theme and you have to fight him as he claims "If you think you've beaten this mole, you've got another thing coming! This time, it's for keeps!". At this point, the chances of winning are proportional to how many bosses you defeated earlier. This game features a lot of secret "warp" areas that will allow the player to bypass most of the game. However, defeating each of the three regular bosses grants the player powerful orbs; these orbs are required to defeat the Mole King in the final battle.
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
released by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
in 1989.
Gameplay
In Marvel Land you play as Prince Paco (Talmit in English), who is on a quest to save Princess Luxy (Wondra in English) from the evil Mole King (Japanese: 魔王モウル; Maō Mōru). The gameplay was in the platformer style so popular at the time. Powerups included dragonDragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
wings which allowed you to jump higher and fly (to a certain extent), shoes that allow you to temporarily walk faster, and a clone powerup that allowed you to whip multiple copies of yourself at other enemies in a line. Using these items makes it easier defeating enemies and collecting various items to increase your score.
All of the game's four levels take place in a fantasy amusement park, the "Marvel Land" of the title. Most levels take place outside with various obstacles in your way. Other levels include a ride on a roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
and even a walk through a funhouse
Funhouse
A funhouse or fun house is an amusement facility found on amusement park and funfair midways in which patrons encounter and actively interact with various devices designed to surprise, challenge, and amuse the visitor. Unlike thrill rides, funhouses are participatory attractions, where visitors...
. At the end of the regular outside levels, you jump through a large target where you can earn extra points.
The game has enemies that consist of a variety of mole-like baddies and a wide range of other creatures. Boss battle
Battle
Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the hierarchy of combat in warfare between two or more armed forces, or combatants. In a battle, each combatant will seek to defeat the others, with defeat determined by the conditions of a military campaign...
s are performed at the end of the last level of all four worlds. They are unique in that they are played more like a minigame
Minigame
A minigame is a short video game often contained within another video game. A minigame is always smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained. Minigames are sometimes also offered separately for free to promote the main game...
which can consist of rock paper scissors, musical chairs
Musical chairs
Musical chairs is a game played by a group of people , often in an informal setting purely for entertainment such as a birthday party...
or even tug of war
Tug of war
Tug of war, also known as tug o' war, tug war, rope war or rope pulling, is a sport that directly pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. The term may also be used as a metaphor to describe a demonstration of brute strength by two opposing groups, such as a rivalry between two...
. After you defeat a boss you rescue a fairy
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
(Princess Luxy after you defeat the final boss), and are treated to a bonus stage where you catch falling stars for points in a float
Float (parade)
A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy Fest parade, the...
parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
at night.
After the minigame against the Mole King the game takes on the regular "final boss" theme and you have to fight him as he claims "If you think you've beaten this mole, you've got another thing coming! This time, it's for keeps!". At this point, the chances of winning are proportional to how many bosses you defeated earlier. This game features a lot of secret "warp" areas that will allow the player to bypass most of the game. However, defeating each of the three regular bosses grants the player powerful orbs; these orbs are required to defeat the Mole King in the final battle.
Ports and related releases
- Marvel Land was ported to the Sega Mega DriveSega Mega DriveThe Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
/Genesis and released in North America, Japan, Australia, and Europe, all in 1991. The European port, however, was re-titled Talmit's Adventure'". - Some rides featured in levels along with the bonus level paradeParadeA parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
floatsFloat (parade)A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy Fest parade, the...
contain popular NamcoNamcois a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
characters such as Pac-ManPac-Manis an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
(1980), Pooka from Dig DugDig Dugis an arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan in 1982 for Namco Galaga hardware. It was later published outside of Japan by Atari. A popular game based on a simple concept, it was also released as a video game on many consoles.-Objective:...
(1982), Solvalou from XeviousXeviousis a vertical scrolling shooter arcade game by Namco, released in 1982. It was designed by Masanobu Endō. In the U.S., the game was manufactured and distributed by Atari. Xevious runs on Namco Galaga hardware. In Brazil the arcade cabinet was printed with the name 'COLUMBIA' for the game, while the...
(1982), MappyMappyis a 1983 arcade game by Namco. In the United States, it was manufactured and distributed by Bally/Midway. Mappy is a side-scrolling platformer that features cartoon-like characters, primarily cats and mice. The game's main character itself is a mouse. Mappy runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware,...
(1983), Gil and Ki from The Tower of Druaga (1984), GrobdaGrobdais a multi-directional shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1984. It is a spin-off from Xevious, as the player's tank first appeared in that - as an enemy.-Gameplay:...
(1984), Paccet from BaradukeBaradukeis a scrolling shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1985. It runs on Namco Pac-Land hardware but with a video system like that used in Metro-Cross and Dragon Buster.-Gameplay:...
(1985), Wonder MomoWonder Momois a beat 'em up arcade game that was developed and published by Namco exclusively in Japan. It runs on Namco System 86 hardware This game was never released outside of Japan, due to its slightly questionable content.-Gameplay:...
(1987), Amul (in dragon form) from Dragon SpiritDragon SpiritDragon Spirit is a 1987 vertical scrolling shooter arcade game released by Namco and Atari Games . It runs on Namco System 1 hardware, and was later ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System, Amstrad CPC, Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, DOS, Atari ST, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16 and ZX Spectrum...
(1987), BravomanBravomanBravoman, known in Japan as , sometimes referred to as Berabow Man is a 1988 platformer/beat-em-up hybrid arcade game developed and released by Namco for the arcades only in Japan. It was later ported to the NEC TurboGrafx-16 in 1990. This version was also released outside of Japan simply as Bravoman...
(1988), Valkyrie from Valkyrie no BōkenValkyrie no Boken: Toki no Kagi Densetsuis a video game software developed and published by Namco. It was released only in Japan for the Nintendo Famicom on August 1, 1986, and for the Wii's Virtual Console on March 20, 2007.-Plot:...
(1986) and its sequels. - The pink female robot that appears in the game (受付小町; Uketsuke Komachi) later appears in the Namco MuseumNamco MuseumNamco Museum refers to the series of video game compilations released by Namco for various 32-bit and above consoles, containing releases of their games from the 1980s and early 1990s...
series behind the museum's information desk.