Classic Games Database
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Rod-land

Review
Also known as
Arcade Archives: Rod Land Yōsei Monogatari Rod Land アーケードアーカイブス 妖精物語ロッド・ランド 妖精物語 ロッド・ランド

Use a magic rod to stun and fling enemies across platform levels to rescue your captured parents.

Rod Land was originally released in arcades in 1990 by Jaleco. The NES version was released in Europe in 1992 by Sales Curve, while a North American NES release was planned but cancelled. The legacy year 1990 refers to the arcade original, not the NES version.

About Rod-land

Rod-land is a platform game where players control two fairies, Tam and Rit, who must rescue their family after their village is corrupted. The adventure spans two distinct missions, first ascending a tower to save their mother and then exploring a pyramid to confront a demon and find their father.

Gameplay involves navigating levels filled with platforms, ladders, and enemies. The fairies wield a magic rod that can stun foes or grab them to be flipped overhead, a primary method of inflicting damage. Grabbed enemies can also be thrown to eliminate other creatures or clear a path. Defeated enemies sometimes leave behind items, including point bonuses or special devices.

Movement is defined by specific mechanics. Platforms are reached via ladders, balloons, or by falling. The characters' magical boots allow them to create a single temporary ladder above or below their position, replacing any previous one. Each level contains flowers that, when all are collected while enemies remain, trigger a timed bonus stage. In this stage, remaining foes transform, and defeating them releases letters spelling EXTRA, which grants an extra life if collected.

The structure includes numerous levels with end-of-level bosses. The core loop involves clearing enemies and collecting items while managing movement options, making the pacing challenging.

Rod-land Screenshots

7 images
Sales Curve Storm logo
Title screen
Credits screen
They've kidnapped Mom!
Head to the tower to save her
Preparing to fight the blobby foes
Pretty flowers on level 2