Is Rygar [NES] Worth Playing Today? - SNESdrunk

Thanks to Roger for the request. I love the ideas in this game, but they're not always carried out to their fullest potential. Also, I forgot to make a joke about how the guy on the cover art looks like Donny Osmond.
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[@rpm773]

Last week, after 32 years, I think I finally got the Rygar music out of my head. And now it's back in it.

[@drgribb]

There are few other comments on youtube that I've identified with as strongly as this XD

[@AriesFireTiger]

Sagila's Cave is a jam

[@MJFallout]

Maybe we can suggest you some other classic, bleepy childhood earworms that then you can auto-suggest to yourself.

[@wrightguyz]

Yeah, Rygar was my Jam - I re-recorded one of my favorite songs from the game kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2KYh6h3jt6WosU

[@foxyfoxington2651]

That weird lullaby riff confused me, even as a kid.

[@LAVATORR]

There's this really heartwarming KZbin channel called Reactistan where people from rural Pakistan react to various foods and inventions from across the world. One episode introduced video games, and when asked if he'd ever played one before, the villager said he had, many years ago, and that it was about a man who threw his shield. Then, out of nowhere, it struck him: "RYGAR! I loved Rygar!" Seriously, the channel is amazing. Elderly Pakistani goat herders are surprisingly good with Zangief.

[@AMMAZZARE]

This was my first NES game. I actually got it at a flea market a few months before I even owned a NES.

[@jonathanlampkin6673]

Oh the Nintendo gems I used to find at flea markets. Miss those days.

[@jesusflores-dc2mw]

I also grabbed a few NES gems like Faxanadu from flea markets, but I never saw Rygar.

[@Facepalm9]

If you asked me to name just one game from my childhood that was the definitive, formative experience for me, it would be Rygar. I still play it every year or so for that dose of soulmending nostalgia. The world seemed so huge, dangerous, and mysterious and I felt like I was really on this mythic adventure.

[@mafiousbj]

What I love about this channel is it presents me with games I'd probably never heard off and will never play, yet you usually introduce them with an anecdote from your chilhood or life in general that just builds a connection from the get go!

[@freddiejohnson6137]

I still have my copy of Rygar because it was one of the few NES games that I had that I felt got better once you knew what was going on and you learned about the mechanics. The music for me is so memorable too. Probably would have helped back in the day if I had got a manual with my copy but people tended to lose them so easily back then or just throw them away might have made it so much easier to figure out what was going on.

[@notorious8361]

I still remember getting bored as a kid and jumping off the edge of the final castle only to discover another castle. Couldn’t really do anything but run around but it was still a cool discovery.

[@archaicruinx]

It was a fun and ambitious game. My neighbors had it, and I remember they left their NES on overnight so that they could beat it. Back when there was no internet, this game took 8-10 hours to complete.

[@TonyGearSolid]

I played Rygar a lot when I was a kid and its always been a personal favorite of mine. The game has some rough edges, trying to use the grapple in the overhead areas can be a real pain, but the developers were definitely ahead of the curve with some of their ideas and made what easily could've been a complete mess into something unique for the time.

[@ericwillard2364]

Man, I love this game, and I feel like it still holds up. When you put this one up against other 1987 releases, it’s pretty well ahead of its time.

[@drgribb]

The Rygar cave theme has gotta be one of the best tracks on any nes game, possibly even better than Journey to Silius or Mega Man 3. Such a good (and catchy) little tune.

[@lanychabot-laroche135]

What Megaman 3 track?

[@colosalkompakt]

I know, right! I was so proud when I was able to learn it on the piano at ~12years old. It's fun to play also, feels good for the hands :)

[@bowmanencore]

@@lanychabot-laroche135Probably title. Maybe he meant Snake Man, but I doubt it.

[@bowmanencore]

Search "Main theme from The Conversation" for the original.

[@RBIBaseball76]

I agree, because it keeps going a long time before it repeats. Conversely, the Dorago Palace theme is terrible because it’s only 4 notes repeated!

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

This was my first purchased game for NES, bought on the reputation Tecmo built with the Ninja Gaiden arcade game...Rygar has some of the beat tunes on the system, imaginative enemies, and nice level design...every person discovering NES for the first time should play this title...

[@Milkthief]

This is one of the defining NES games for me personally. Amazing creativity and boundary pushing for '87. Love that music too.

[@PorkMarshmallow]

This game has huge nostalgia for me. I don’t know how I beat it as a kid, but somehow I had the patience and tenacity to get through the whole game. I also have never played any of the other ones later. I should check them out.

[@DanJackson1977]

The game was called Rygar in arcades too...that's where I first played it. it was Warrior of Argus only in Japan.

[@mugiwarated6319]

Heck yes it is! Such a unique game.

[@3zRides]

calm up commenter

[@emcats84]

Arcade is the best version.

[@murrayshekelberg9754]

I bought this when it was new and loved it. It doesn't get remembered the way many games are but it easily made my top 10 of the NES

[@harleymax01]

I loved this game. I was in 10th grade when it came out. I had a NES Advantage controller and turned the turbo control on. Found a spot where enemies re spawn and put a weight on the button. Left to do some chores for a few hours and came back and had full cubes of health. : )

[@chasonlapointe]

I loved Rygar, thanks for showcasing it!

[@CharlesHepburn2]

I have wonderful memories of playing this game way back in the 80’S. The music alone brings back great memories.

[@orionassante3386]

Rygar was one of the first NES games I ever saw when my cousin got a NES for Christmas along with a large bundle of games. To this day I still consider that Rygar music Christmas music as it was constant in my house along with the Super Mario Bros theme and Pro Wrestling theme. I still have endless love for the game although I have never beaten it. I had no idea that the game was supposed to be set in ancient Greece and that Rygar was actually a dead warrior resurrected.

[@dakritic]

Brings back some great memories. Appreciate you covering this one.

[@raym1477]

A fun, overlooked gem. I heard there was a “reboot” on the PS2 worth trying

[@mariusmacsouza3615]

Yeah, it's a worthy ps2 game. Play it any way you can.

[@archaicruinx]

The PS2 game is fun, although it's kind of short, the story is laughable, and the voice acting is pure cheese.

[@thepeanutgallery6100]

I remember having a bunch of old games that were my older brothers and I do remember playing Rygar. I really loved and still do love the PS2 game too.

[@Malibuva]

I grew up playing Rygar on NES. I have to say one of my favorite tied with Faxanadu. It really brought back memories when I played through and beat it multiple time on the Switch. I definitely recommend this one.

[@BenJabituya]

Before I even got a Nintendo Entertainment System, I played this at a cousin’s house in New York City. It was the first NES game I EVER played. I even own this game. The arcade version was straightforward and the NES version eschewed the arcade gameplay and went the Metroidvania route.

[@c.nelson3148]

Oh man, I loved Rygar when I was a kid (still do). This was one that I felt kind of flew under the radar for most people. It definitely has its faults, but it’s always been one of my favorite NES titles.

[@hoey2323]

I loooved this game when i was a kid. my dad bought it for me pretty much on a whim when i rode along with him to work one day.

[@paladin677]

Completing this game as a child may be my proudest gaming achievement. Either that or beating Zelda II. Definitely ahead of its time.

[@FreedomKat]

This game was a classic back in the day and still is!!! Love it! I was first to beat it back in the day around my area. I remember someone returning it "an adult" and they complained it was too hard lol.

[@PetterNe]

I LOVE this game! Never beat it as a child, so I replayed it decades later and pulled it off. The same goes for Ninja Gaiden which was quite brutal. Oh, and also: I never knew about the power ups you mention, IIRC. I beat the game without them. No idea about the screen-clearing move.

[@Sparkbomber]

The NES version of Rygar is a lot of things. I'll admit to some nostalgia on it, but you gotta admit the music is really something else. Very evocative. Agree mostly on your take on it, its a shame it isn't as polished, but time/system limitations count for a bit there.

[@mosehaydid4736]

The old 8 bit Nintendo game, Rygar, from the late 80’s. Loved that game. Liked the end music.

[@NYCHeavyHitz212]

That enemy respawn is seemingly identical to Ninja Gaiden’s.

[@murrfeeling]

Rygar's goofy chain yo-yo walked so that Kratos' absurd chain blades could run.

[@GY27]

"Tickets please guy is still super cut" underrated and awesome reference

[@cygnusactual1618]

I still love this game to this day. It has a certain charm that a lot of other games don’t.

[@tsbulmer]

I never played it, but the game's visuals and fantastical names really captured my attention. The PS2 game didn't feel particularly related, but I remember having a *lot* of fun with it.

[@Skysmeller1]

The biggest annoyance in this game is not having any pause before enemies respawn. They respawn again the second you kill them.

[@PrekiFromPoland]

And the lack of passwords.

[@thejackal007]

The soundtrack is also a joy to listen to.

[@scottg7660]

A rare dissenting voice on Rygar. It’s generally considered a solid NES game.

[@rocko7711]

I need to get Swoll like the old man in this game

[@magicpowers9240]

My Dad (who didn't live with us anymore) got my brother and i this game xmas in 1987 and to this day i absolutely love some of the music

[@krebyrocks77]

I cannot confirm it, but I'm fairly certain Rygar is a game my brother and I picked up back in the day because of the cartridge art. Didn't have Nintendo Power or any other video game magazines to tell us what kind of game it was. I didn't like it very much as a kid but since I only had the cartridge, I wasn't privy to what was mentioned in this video. I had no idea where to go or what I was doing. I know the game isn't truly open world, but I also know I would game over by traversing into areas where enemies wiped me out in 2 hits many times. It's not a bad game. In a lot of ways it feels like a typical earlier NES game where having the manual or any outside information about it would have helped. When I wasn't getting KO'ed in areas I shouldn't have been, I would get bored trying to figure out where I needed to go. I definitely found Mr. Ticket please plenty of times but his cryptic messages might as well have been in another language. Even when he provided me with helpful items, more often than not, I wasn't able to figure out where and when to use them or I'd game over beforehand.

[@cameronstone4495]

Interesting note about PS2 Rygar, many believe it was an inspiration for God of War, as it shares a similar gameplay style (obviously preceding it). Most notable Rygar's shield/yoyo functions very similarly to Kratos' Blades of Athena.

[@hermitcard4494]

- So, are going to make a side scroller game or an overview game? - Yes.

[@CrazyHomelessWeirdo]

You forgot to mention one of the most iconic things about ragar and that is the freaking fantastic music that does get repetitive after a while though but the music that plays right when you start the game some of my favorite in the NES library

[@JanusKastin]

At the time it came out, Rygar had that same specific flavor of 80's fantasy mishmash that reminded me of Masters of the Universe. I always thought of it a unofficially the He-Man game I wished the handful of other He-Man games were.

[@jhousdan]

Rygar was my first all-night game binge. Me and a friend got together one Friday night while our moms went out. Ordered a pizza and sat down to play the game. Next thing we knew, it was like 615am and the sun was coming up (and we still were yet to kill the last boss... we could get to Ligar, but we couldn't beat him). The lack of polish on the game is definitely evident... especially trying to use the pulley in the overhead sections... fuck me with a rake those parts suck. Definitely in my top ten... possibly my top five.

[@beatsinmycrates]

One the 1st games I beat as kid. Just build your life containers and power up your weapon in the begining. Doesnt take long if you know where your going. Its a bit glitchy but lots of games in those days were. Music is great. Controls are odd but you get used to it. Still one of my favorites.

[@JodyBruchon]

I wish I had this as a kid instead of Zelda 2. It's awesome.

[@mRibbons]

Ever have one of those balloon balls on a rubber band? You hold the band and punch the ball. That's what I imagined his weapon was.

[@DanJackson1977]

You didnt mention theres an "experience points" system... so killing the respawning enemies actually builds your attack strength. Do it enough and bosses can be killed almost instantly. Easiest way to max your XP is to go to the land with the floating rocks where the red robots attack you. Pick a spot where one robot respawns... and keep killing that robot for about 10 minutes.. you'll know you're maxed out when you can kill a robot with one hit.

[@jimithi5543]

I love this game. Played it as a kid and later forgot the name. Years later I rediscovered it from a file name, rygar_ball.jpg. Tracked down a cartridge and now it's on my shelf. Also, proud to say I beat it without a map or guide.

[@Mintcar923]

Not sure how they hold up today but the two Rygar titles captivated me so much I stuck with them til the end.. Something I didn’t even do with the Zeldas or what not.. At least not as of yet.. I think I played through the original multiple times if my memory suits me correctly.. So I guess it was pretty good..

[@Feelthefelt]

Happy Thursday Everyone!

[@michaelradican7216]

I grew up with Rygar, still love it to this day! The soundtrack is fire, gameplay sluggish at times, aye that soundtrack though right.🔥🔥🔥

[@98cubs]

One of my favorite games of all times!! Some of the best music too!!

[@SuperSaiyanGuyver]

Fun game, good action, catchy as hell music, with an original world and story. Its kind of like Clash at Demonhead for those reasons and just as memorable.

[@TirpitzLuminare]

Loved this game as a kid, brings back fond memories.

[@T-Roy_Rex]

My favorite NES game. Play through it on my Switch like once a month. So much nostalgia!

[@chaseedwards7024]

This has been on my list to play for years. I heard the PS2 one was pretty good too, I'll be playing them both at some point.

[@KinkESizemore]

The Tickets Please guy’s theme is the intro theme to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on NES

[@ankhenaten2]

On another note: gates of zendocon ending is eternally remembered

[@MA-lm1ql]

Straight the original and Nintendo games give you the real appreciation for gaming and this was one of the ones also played this also like others were talking about really cool here in these people's comments appreciate this video. This was also a really difficult game and I remember leaving the NES on overnight coming back like the next day to continue playing. With it paused or on the start screen so I wouldn't lose my place because on this game you there was no saving and turning it off

[@gitgeronimo9375]

Rygar is the one NES game I go back to year after year. I can now beat it in under 45 minutes, and it’s probably my favorite NES game. The music is INSANELY good too! Check out the original Japanese release, the music is totally different, but not quite as good as the US release.

[@makeitsonumbertwo]

I played this briefly as a kid and played the PS2 game and beat it as an adult. I bought the PS2 game because I remembered the NES game. The PS2 game isn't that bad. You can have 3 different versions of your disk weapon. Your standard one, one that's a melee type but fast, and one that protrudes really far and strikes multiple enemies.

[@evgaming9390]

This game is my top 10 all time games. Not going to lie it's nostalgia that pushed it in there. Warrior revived, collect armor and weapons, take out area bosses, unlock final boss, defeat him and be layer down to rest. Pure gold

[@Choralone422]

I remember renting Rygar a couple of times back then and really wanting to like the game. But not having a manual and how the game itself is pretty cryptic really frustrated much younger me. It's not a bad game just one that really needed some in game text to explain certain things.

[@7910norris]

“I could not make sense of what this game was” my experience as well! I played it not know what direction the game wanted me to go.

[@gregheaney6731]

In my top 10 of NES games, Rygar is in there at number 3. I love playing this one, as well as the arcade version.

[@darktetsuya]

rygar was always one of my favorites on NES! definitely agree some of the complaints here though, especially the lack of any kind of save feature. at least it exists on the Nintendo Switch online service so you can just drop a savestate when you're done playing and want to come back to it, so not for nothing but there's that option.

[@LegendoftheDragonSword]

I rented this game back in Junior High and never made it across to the Island because I just couldn't figure out how to get the crossbow to work from that top down angle (turns out you have to just stand there without moving and launch it across). I had to do all that work without a manual and the game was pretty confusing. It's always haunted me that I never finished the game. A few weeks back I put the cartridge in and didn't turn it off until I finished it. Surprisingly it wasn't nearly as difficult as I remembered. After I finished it I read the manual, saw the map and the stuff about the mind points. I had no idea about the mind points. Didn't need them. Anyway, another classic NES game off the bucket list.

[@MixMasterLar]

I didn't have this one growing up but it's definitely something I would have played a lot of had I owned it. I keep meaning to blast through and add it to the check list but it's super easy to just keep playing Mario 3 every time I hook up the NES

[@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269]

Haa! Rygar is a game that i didn't realize had a version of on NES back when it came out on PS2. i had a copy of both but never made the connection until years later, the PS2 version was pretty cool. The gameplay was kinda like God of War mixed with Onimusha but with whatever story and timeline Rygar has. (Mythological Rome or Greek influences) For the time that yoyo shield was pretty awesome 😄👍

[@francescosmith7859]

This is a game I played quite often as a kid and I enjoyed it but it did feel like I was wandering around aimlessly fairly often. I was glad to play this again as an adult and use some online maps to make navigation easier and outside of a few very annoying boss fights I found Rygar to be pretty fun.

[@vash01251]

This is a game that deserves a remake/remaster or the Blaster Master Zero treatment

[@nintendianajones64]

I'd give anything for a 2D metroidvania sequel with pixel art graphics.

[@winterwolf2164]

I first encountered this game at my uncle’s, where he would run the NES but turn the TV off to keep his game saved 😂. I beat it in 2010; it was decent enough. The PS2 Rygar was one of the first three games I bought with the system (along with MGS2 and Shattered Soldier)-it’s a great game before God of War was created.

[@thecreeper6799]

Yes! This game was one of the first game that felt rewarding for playing... I remember a ton of farming tho but still amazing. Story was cool. I was a kid so what did I know of story lol. I'd play this now and I'm old lol

[@LegatoSkyheart]

I'm a bit surprised it took you this long to cover Rygar.

[@Mito383]

Waiting to watch this before work so I can have a great rest of my day.

[@zidarose]

This was a fun video. Still won't play Rygar, but do like learning about the game.

[@benjaminstracke3992]

Sounds a bit like Gargoyles Quest on the Gameboy concerning the mix of switching point of view and gameplay

[@ClintOrWhatever]

Last year was when I really got into playing NES games, and out of all I played, Rygar was easily one of my favorites. It took time for me to really understand it, and there are definitely cryptic parts that I just looked up what to do on lol, but I love the ambition and, though limited, the combat is really addicting to me. It's an easy recommendation from me, you just gotta be prepared for some jank.

[@cobaltplasma]

I remember as a kid getting the NES version and thinking "what the heck is this!? this is completely different!" because I loved the arcade game so much. But coming back to it later I really, really got into it, it wasn't really close to the arcade version but had evolved into something completely on its own, more engrossing and engaging and I had a blast with it. Don't know if it'd make my top 10 but it's up there for sure.

[@FreedomDaveX]

The first time I saw Pokemon was in some manga anthology magazine in the 90s. This was before their art style was overhauled to match the anime. I seriously thought they had something to do with Rygar because the beastly reptilian designs of many of them reminded me of the monsters from Rygar.

[@Sephiroth144]

This was one of my favorite games that I only finished once, (given the length combined with the lack of password/saves); frustrating, but the lore and interesting challenge kept me coming back. I'd be very down for a remaster of it... (which, ideally, would include the original arcade game)

[@Sephiroth144]

Seriously, with some more polish, this game could've been comparable to The Guardian Legend.

[@2001mark]

I think it's great for an NES library to play & revisit. Not the finest, yet still fun & accessible.

[@hermitcard4494]

- What about a hero wielding a whip? - Konami did that. - Ok lets give him a yoyo. - Good, nobody has done it.

[@shkeni]

The arcade gets insanely difficult but I always loved its weird world that didn't feel the need to explain itself to you. I never played the NES version but it looks like they were really trying to take it to the next level.

[@deviantknight7009]

I used to love this game as a kid. The music is awesome

[@RockTB2022]

Not even a mention of the music? This was a banger!

[@josepantoja6571]

That first level was so awesome

[@neilljameson4944]

One of my absolute faves on the system but I've never been able to get through the last section.

[@40STILLGAMING]

This is the first game I ever beat. It had a decent learning curve. I would argue that this game is way more easier to complete and understand than Simon’s Quest.

[@UtushoReiuji]

I've played this one to to the point where I clear it within an hour whenever I pick it up. It takes about 20 minutes of grinding at the right spots to make some of the boss battles tolerable but other than that, great game.

[@colbyboucher6391]

3:53 Capra Demon flashbacks

[@ehrenloudermilk1053]

Rygar on PS2 is an awesome god of war type game. I do recommend

[@guyfromnj]

Fantastic game. So ahead of its time. It’s janky but charming. Not as good as faxanadu but if you like faxanadu you will probably like this.

[@jessragan6714]

One of those songs sounds like a famous lullaby. Anyone else catch that?