Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Sculptured Software
- Publishers: Entertainment USA
Cage Match: A Retro Beat ‘Em Up Gem
Released in 1987, Cage Match is a side-scrolling beat ’em up arcade game developed by Technos Japan. The game is set in a wrestling ring surrounded by a steel cage, and the player controls one of eight wrestlers as they fight their way through waves of opponents.
Cage Match was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best beat ’em up games of its era. The game is known for its fast-paced action, over-the-top characters, and challenging difficulty.
Gameplay
Cage Match is a side-scrolling beat ’em up game in which the player controls one of eight wrestlers as they fight their way through waves of opponents. The game is set in a wrestling ring surrounded by a steel cage, and the player must defeat all of the opponents in each wave in order to progress.
The player’s wrestler has a variety of attacks at their disposal, including punches, kicks, and grapples. The player can also pick up weapons from the ground, such as chairs and pipes, to use against their opponents.
One of the unique features of Cage Match is the ability to climb the steel cage and perform aerial attacks on opponents. This can be a very effective way to take out multiple opponents at once, but it also leaves the player vulnerable to attack from below.
Characters
There are eight playable characters in Cage Match, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The characters are:
- Muscle Power: A large and powerful wrestler who is slow but strong.
- Acrobat: A fast and agile wrestler who can perform a variety of aerial attacks.
- Fighter: A well-rounded wrestler who is good at both offense and defense.
- Karateka: A martial artist who uses a variety of kicks and punches to defeat his opponents.
- Sumo: A large and heavy wrestler who is very strong but slow.
- Kung Fu: A Chinese martial artist who uses a variety of powerful punches and kicks.
- Ninja: A stealthy and agile wrestler who can use a variety of weapons to defeat his opponents.
- Amazon: A female wrestler who is strong and powerful, but also fast and agile.
Difficulty
Cage Match is a challenging game, even for experienced beat ’em up players. The enemies are tough, and they will often attack in large groups. The player must use all of their skills and abilities to survive and progress through the game.
There are three difficulty levels in Cage Match: Easy, Normal, and Hard. The Easy difficulty level is good for beginners, while the Normal difficulty level is more challenging. The Hard difficulty level is extremely difficult, and only the most skilled players will be able to complete it.
Legacy
Cage Match is considered to be one of the best beat ’em up games of its era. The game’s fast-paced action, over-the-top characters, and challenging difficulty have made it a favorite among fans of the genre.
Cage Match has been ported to a variety of home consoles over the years, including the NES, Super NES, and Sega Genesis. The game has also been released on a number of mobile platforms.
In 2021, a new version of Cage Match was released for the Nintendo Switch. This new version features updated graphics and sound, as well as new gameplay modes.
Conclusion
Cage Match is a classic beat ’em up game that still holds up today. With its fast-paced action, over-the-top characters, and challenging difficulty, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10
