Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Arcade, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS
- Developers: Silmarils
- Publishers: Infogrames
Manhattan Dealers: A No-Nonsense Beat ‘Em Up
Released in 1988, Manhattan Dealers is a side-scrolling beat ’em up arcade game developed and published by Silmarils. The game is notable for being the first game developed by Silmarils, and for its unique blend of action and strategy.
Gameplay
Players control Dirty Harry, a police officer who must clean up the streets of New York City by taking on drug dealers and other criminals. The game is played across nine stages, each with its own unique set of enemies and obstacles.
Harry can attack enemies with his fists and feet, and he can also pick up weapons such as knives, baseball bats, and guns. He can also use environmental objects to his advantage, such as barrels to crush enemies or fire hydrants to spray them with water.
One of the unique aspects of Manhattan Dealers is its drug-dealing mechanic. Harry must defeat drug dealers to obtain drugs, which he can then burn outside of town to regain his health. This mechanic adds a strategic element to the game, as players must decide whether to focus on fighting enemies or collecting drugs.
Enemies
Manhattan Dealers features a variety of enemies, including ninjas, punks, amazons, and other thugs. Each type of enemy has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and players must adapt their strategies accordingly.
For example, ninjas are fast and agile, and they can attack from a distance with throwing stars. Punks are tough and durable, and they can attack with knives and baseball bats. Amazons are strong and powerful, and they can attack with spears and axes.
Stages
The game takes place across nine stages, each with its own unique setting and challenges. The stages include a street, a park, a subway station, a warehouse, and a construction site.
Each stage is filled with enemies, and players must fight their way to the end to progress to the next stage. The final stage is a showdown with the game’s boss, a powerful drug lord named El Scorpio.
Reception
Manhattan Dealers was a critical and commercial success upon its release. Critics praised the game’s fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and unique blend of action and strategy. The game was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Manhattan Dealers is considered to be one of the classic beat ’em up games of the 1980s. The game’s unique blend of action and strategy has influenced many subsequent beat ’em up games, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Tips for Playing Manhattan Dealers
- Focus on collecting drugs. Drugs are essential for regaining health, so make sure to defeat drug dealers whenever possible.
- Use the environment to your advantage. Barrels can be used to crush enemies, and fire hydrants can be used to spray them with water.
- Be patient. Manhattan Dealers is a challenging game, so don’t get discouraged if you die a few times. Just keep practicing and you’ll eventually master the game.
- Have fun! Manhattan Dealers is a great game to play with friends or family. So grab a few controllers and enjoy the action!
Manhattan Dealers: A Detailed Walkthrough
Stage 1: The Street
The first stage of Manhattan Dealers is a street filled with punks. Defeat the punks and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the stairs at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 2: The Park
The second stage of Manhattan Dealers is a park filled with ninjas. Defeat the ninjas and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the exit at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 3: The Subway Station
The third stage of Manhattan Dealers is a subway station filled with amazons. Defeat the amazons and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the exit at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 4: The Warehouse
The fourth stage of Manhattan Dealers is a warehouse filled with thugs. Defeat the thugs and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the exit at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 5: The Construction Site
The fifth stage of Manhattan Dealers is a construction site filled with punks and ninjas. Defeat the enemies and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the exit at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 6: The Street (Again)
The sixth stage of Manhattan Dealers is a return to the street from the first stage. This time, the street is filled with ninjas and amazons. Defeat the enemies and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the exit at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 7: The Park (Again)
The seventh stage of Manhattan Dealers is a return to the park from the second stage. This time, the park is filled with thugs and punks. Defeat the enemies and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the exit at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 8: The Subway Station (Again)
The eighth stage of Manhattan Dealers is a return to the subway station from the third stage. This time, the subway station is filled with ninjas and amazons. Defeat the enemies and collect the drugs they drop. Then, head to the exit at the end of the stage to progress to the next stage.
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Review Score
7/10
