Rastan Saga

Infobox VG
title = Rastan


developer = Taito
publisher = Taito
distributor =
designer = unknown
engine =
version =
released =1987
genre = Platform game
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Arcade, Amstrad CPC, Apple IIgs, Commodore 64, DOS, Game Gear, Master System, MSX, ZX Spectrum
media =
requirements =
input = joystick

"Rastan" is a platform game, originally released by Taito Corporation in 1987 for the arcade hall. The game is known as "Rastan Saga" outside the United States and Europe. The player controls a barbarian who has to cross a number of levels and defeat Greek mythology inspired enemies while crossing obstacles and traps. The game's background graphics featured broad landscapes with changing sunlight effects, not earlier seen in video games in such detail and clarity.

Computer versions

Ports of the game were developed by Ocean Software under their Imagine label for the PC (1990), Sega Master System (1988), Commodore 64 (1987), ZX Spectrum (1987), MSX (1988), Amstrad CPC (1988), Apple IIGS (1990), and Sega Game Gear (1991). In addition, "Rastan" was included in "Taito Legends", a compilation of games for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and the PC (2005).

The ZX Spectrum version was awarded 9/10 in the July 1988 issue of Your Sinclair [ [http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/rastan.htm Rastan ] ] and was placed at number 54 in the Your Sinclair official top 100.

equels

The game was followed by two sequels, "Rastan Saga II" and "Warrior Blade Rastan Saga Episode III".

In 2002, Saffire created a 3-D fighting game published by Titus for the Playstation 2, and Nintendo Gamecube in the U.S. entitled "Barbarian". In 2003 the game was licensed by Taito and was retitled "Warrior Blade: Rastan vs. Barbarian" for its Japanese release. The game was released in Europe later that year. Since this game was not originally created by Taito, and since it originally didn't have Rastan or any other related characters, it actually has no connection to the Rastan universe [ [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/532098.html Barbarian Info - Barbarian Information - Barbarian Release Date ] ] .

Trivia

*The Commodore 64 version of the game, called simply "Rastan", was impossible to finish because of a bug early in the game. This bug prevented a player from making a critical jump from one platform to the other - Rastan would always fall short of the intended point and could never make it across.
*The game is probably best known for its music by Naoto Yagishita and Masahiko Takaki, which has been used in many remixes.
*The original opening to the story was not included in the US and European version of Rastan. In it, Rastan explains that he would be given all the treasures of an empire for exchange of a terrible dragon's head.
*Rastan Saga II was also known by two other names, "Nastar" and "Nastar Warrior".
*Rastan also made an appearance in another Taito game called "Champion Wrestler" as "Miracle Rastan".
*Rastan was never released as a full size dedicated cabinet in the arcades. Instead, the game was released as a "kit" conversion; a kit conversion allowed the arcade operator to convert an existing game cabinet into the "kit" game by providing new buttons, joysticks, decal stickers, marquees, monitor bezels, wiring harnesses, manuals, and the game PCB.

References

External links

*WoS game|id=0004033
*" [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9267 Rastan Saga] " at the Killer List of Videogames
*" [http://www.mobygames.com/game/rastan Rastan at MobyGames] "