Rastan

Rastan (known as Rastan Saga in Japan) is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash platformer released by Taito in arcades in 1987. You play as the barbarian warrior Rastan, fighting through six levels of mythical lands populated by wizards, dragons, and skeletons. The sword-wielding hero can jump, climb ropes, and collect power-ups including an axe, a mace, and a fire sword that shoots projectiles. Each level consists of three stages: an outdoor area, a castle or cave, and a boss battle. Set in a flashback of King Rastan recounting his rise to power, the game rewards timing and technique over frantic action.

ZX Spectrum

Released in 1988 by Imagine Software, developed by Icon Design with coding by Ed Knight and Jas C. Brooke . Your Sinclair magazine awarded it 9/10 and a Megagame, praising the smooth multidirectional scrolling, huge sprites, and great 128K music . The game supports Kempston and Interface 2 joysticks plus keyboard, with 48K and 128K versions available . The 128K model features enhanced AY sound throughout . A notable flaw is enemy color-clashing against backgrounds, sometimes causing unfair health loss . Placed at #54 in Your Sinclair's official top 100 .