Challenger

Challenger is an early NES release from Hudson Soft that alternates between two distinct gameplay formats. The objective involves a rescue mission, where a character must save another from a villain.

One segment is a side scrolling action sequence set on a moving train, requiring the player to overcome enemies and environmental hazards. A throwing knife serves as the primary weapon here, and the player must manage a time limit. This portion was adapted from a previous Hudson title called Stop the Express.

The other format shifts to an overhead perspective within a maze like area. Here, the goal is to locate specific items termed keywords, which are hidden inside various caves. Collecting all of these items unlocks access to a final confrontation, with this phase also operating under a time constraint.