Holy Diver (video game)

"For the album Holy Diver by the band Dio, and its title track, see Dio."Infobox VG| title = Holy Diver


caption = Front cover of "Holy Diver" package.
developer = Irem
publisher = Irem
designer =
engine =
released = ^JPN April 28, 1989
genre = Platform game
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = NES
media =
requirements =
input =

nihongo|"Holy Diver"|ホーリーダイバー is a video game software developed and published by Irem on April 28, 1989 for the Famicom (Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was scheduled for a North American release in the same year, and even received a brief write-up in "Electronic Gaming Monthly". For unknown reasons, the game was never released outside Japan.

Brief info

The game is named after a Dio album and song, and features a main character who is, presumably, a representation of the band's leader and singer, Ronnie James Dio (in the same costume as the video for the song). The game is based on magic and medieval fantasy, themes which are often present in Dio's music. The band's "Holy Diver" music video also features similar imagery. More rock and metal references are made in the game's ending, with references to King Crimson, Slayer, Zakk W. and Randy R. (Zakk Wylde and Randy Rhoads, both were/are guitarists for Ozzy Osbourne.) It is thought to be about a "holy" warrior in the year 666 "diving" into hell to destroy Satan.

Although Irem designed the game, its plot and setting looks like it's in the same vein as Konami's two video game titles: "Castlevania" and "Getsu Fūma Den". In fact, one of stages has sprites and graphics similar to those found in Konami's other game titled "Contra" (the final boss is also very similar to Contra's). The HUD is like the one used in Nintendo's "".

External links

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