POWER BLAZER
( Power Blade )
Game Cover
Game
パワーブレイザー
©Taito Corp. 1990
Release: 1990-04-20 (¥5900)
Cartdridge TFC-PB-5900
Platform/Action game

American Version
country
Released in America as
POWER BLADE
( NES-7T-USA )

European Version
country
Released in Europe as
POWER BLADE
( NES-7T-XXX )
Power Blazer is an action/platform game by Taito. In the 21st century, the whole world is handled by a super-computer called the Brain Master. But one day, all systems start to inexplicably shut down at once. Humans have to accept the evidence, Brain Master has taken over the once gladdened Earth and plunged it into chaos. The player takes control of Steve Treiber, a highly trained soldier on a lone mission behind enemy lines. He is the only one capable of taking Brain Master offline and to save the world. Our young hero is armed with a powerful combat-boomerang called the 'Power Blazer'. The weapon can be thrown forward and take out all kind of enemies. It can also be charged-up for farther reaching and more powerful attacks - a special power meter located at the top of the screen displays the current weapon charge. This meter is upgraded throughout the game by collecting power capsules defeated enemies leave behind. Steve can also collect bombs and use them to wipe out all remaining foes on screen or pick-up and store energy tanks to refill some lost health. At the beginning of the game, the player can freely choose one of the six available stages in any order. Stages are fairly large and most of them have different routes to the finish line (this only applies to the Japanese version of the game though, see the info section). A password is given to the player at the end of each zone to save his progress.
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American version The American (and European) version of the game, called Power Blade (picture on the right), is significantly different than the Japanese version tested here. The protagonist of Power Blazer was replaced with a beefier Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alike character called "Nova". The gameplay is roughly the same but it was greatly improved - controls are better and the boomerang can be thrown in any direction which hugely improves the overall gameplay. Power Blade features a longer introduction sequence, new enemies, different bosses and a totally different mission map. Stages are also far less linear and Nova has to find an informant first. They are usually hidden somewhere in the visited zone and they unlock the door to the area's boss. Interestingly a sequel to the American version of the game was released in Japan in 1991 and was called Captain Saver. But when it was released in American, the game was renamed Power Blade 2.

spackaging Like other games released by Taito for the Famicom System, Power Blader comes in a hard and more durable plastic case (picture on the left).

Teaser text from the American version:
22nd Century Warrior!
When New Earth's Master Computer is attacked by aliens, only NOVA, lord of the ancient Power Blade, can hope to battle through to Control Center and restore the Data Base.

Game Staff (Copied from the end credits) :

Programmer
Iwasagon
Designer
Kamegon
kato
Sound
Yamako
Banbi
Produce
Kikuchi
Njk
Thanks
Hattori
Hatano
Presented by
Taito


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Documentation
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Power Blazer has an interesting story and is a fine (and rare) example of a game that was vastly improved when redesigned for the American market. Power Blazer is a fun, yet flawed, Megaman wannabee. Graphics, enemy designs and the soundtrack are excellent but controls are a bit stiff and limited. Jumps are really short and the boomerang can only be thrown in front of the character at a ridiculously short range. Power-ups don't really help as the power meter needs to recharge before you can throw the weapon again at full power. Finally, the game gives you the choice of six stages to start from but completing them doesn't appear to unlock any special item... the American version did address the fundamental control issues and is a lot more fun to play, but I personally miss the cartoony design from the original. All in all the original Japanese game is fun despite some annoying flaws but the American version is a much better game which most certainly deserves four stars or more.




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