Box art

Technical Information

Platform: NES
Versions played: Nintendo Switch Online
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Other versions: NA
Release date: Oct/05/1984 (JP)
Genre: Action / Arcade
Where to play now: Nintendo Switch Online

Miyamoto’s hidden title

About the Game

Devil World is a fascinating entry in Nintendo‘s history, crafted by none other than Shigeru Miyamoto, the creative genius behind classics like Mario and Zelda. But unlike those household names, this title never made it to North America, due to the inclusion of religious symbols like the cross and the Bible. Go figure… However, it did see a release in Europe, offering players there a chance to experience Miyamoto’s lesser-known creation.

In Devil World, you play as Tamagon, a plucky little dragon with a mission to navigate maze-like levels and collect crosses, all while dodging an array of enemies and traps. The game’s primary challenge lies in snatching up all the crosses scattered throughout each stage, staying one step ahead of your devilish adversaries. As you advance, the levels become trickier, with more devious layouts and hazards to test your skills. The ultimate aim? To outwit the Devil himself and claim victory in this sinister world!

How Is the Gameplay

Devil World is an action-packed romp through maze-like labyrinths teeming with devilish enemies and cunning traps. As you guide Tamagon, your trusty dragon, through each stage, you’ll need to navigate the winding paths with a keen sense of strategy to complete various objectives. Whether it’s gobbling up all the pellets scattered across the maze or hauling Bibles to the central altar, each task requires careful planning.

The game may look like it’s scrolling, but every stage is actually contained on a single screen, with the maze wrapping around vertically and horizontally. This clever design twist ups the ante, demanding you to plan your moves thoughtfully to avoid being boxed in by the maze’s ever-shifting layout.

While collecting those scattered pellets, you’ll also need to grab crosses, which give Tamagon a brief but fiery advantage: the ability to breathe fire on enemies. But don’t get too comfortable – those walls are always on the move, ready to crush the careless. This dynamic creates a thrilling mix of urgency and strategy, pushing you to quickly gather crosses and pellets while deftly dodging danger. It’s a game of quick reflexes and sharp wits, proving that Devil World is easy to jump into but tough to truly conquer.

What’s Good About the Game

One of the standout features of Devil World is its creative and challenging gameplay. Navigating shifting mazes while scooping up pellets and crosses injects a strategic twist and a sense of urgency into every level. Some stages present particularly devious challenges that require you to stay focused and think quickly to avoid getting trapped or crushed by the moving walls. This clever blend of creativity and challenge keeps the gameplay fresh and rewarding, making Devil World a perfect choice for players seeking a unique and mentally stimulating gaming adventure.

What Isn’t So Good About the Game

While Devil World kicks off with creative and engaging gameplay, the charm can start to fade after a while. The thrill of maneuvering through shifting mazes and collecting pellets and crosses might lose its luster after extended play sessions, leaving you craving a bit more variety or depth. Plus, the game doesn’t offer much in the way of incentives or rewards to keep you hooked beyond that initial burst of fun, which might dampen its long-term appeal for some.

Technical Features

When it comes to technical features, Devil World doesn’t exactly push the graphical boundaries of its time. The game sports a limited color palette and simple sprites, but there’s a certain retro charm to the visuals – especially in the devil character’s quirky animations up top. That said, the lack of visual variety might make it tough to keep you engaged over the long haul.

As for the audio, Devil World keeps things minimalistic. There’s no continuous soundtrack to accompany your maze adventures, and the sound effects, while par for the course in 1984, can start to grate on your nerves after a while. This repetitive audio design might just pull you out of the experience more often than you’d like.

How Does It Compare

When stacked up against its contemporaries, Devil World lands somewhere in the middle of the pack. It doesn’t quite break new ground or revolutionize the genre, but it still delivers a fair bit of fun – especially if you have a soft spot for labyrinth-style action games. However, its appeal might not measure up to other titles from the same period that offer a richer variety of gameplay experiences. So, while Devil World has its charms, it might not be the first choice if you seek a more diverse adventure.

Is the Game Worth It

Devil World is worth a playthrough for its historical significance alone – it’s one of Shigeru Miyamoto’s earlier creations, after all. If you have a keen interest in gaming history, experiencing this lesser-known title at least once can be a fun dive into the past. However, when stacked against the iconic games that would soon follow, like Super Mario Bros., its charm might fade for modern players seeking a more dynamic and engaging experience. While Devil World has its quirks, it’s more of a nostalgic curiosity than a must-play masterpiece.

Tips and Tricks

– Get to Know the Levels: Each round is like a well-organized meal – two stages and then a dessert. Master the sequence, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a maze-master.

– Be Objective: Stay on task and focus on the level’s goals, whether it’s snatching up pellets or ferrying Bibles to the altar. Avoid aimless wandering – you’re here to get things done, not to sightsee!

Get Those Ice Creams: Occasionally, four ice cream cones will make a glamorous appearance, parading around the edge of the screen. Snag them for sweet bonus points if you’re brave enough to risk getting squished!

Game Trivia

– Devil World is notable for being the only NES game created by Shigeru Miyamoto that never saw a release in the USA. This was due to Nintendo of America‘s policies, which banned the inclusion of religious imagery in their games.

– This is the first game developed by Shigeru Miyamoto exclusively for a console. Until then, his contributions involved ports to some of Nintendo‘s most famous arcade games.

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