Skull & Crossbones

Skull & Crossbones brings pirate-themed action to the NES in a side-scrolling adventure released by Tengen in 1990. Designed for up to two players, it lets a pair of sword-wielding pirates fight through dangerous stages filled with hostile creatures, enemy pirates, traps, and valuable treasure. The action is straightforward but demanding: move through each area, strike enemies with your cutlass, use available weapons and magic, and keep an eye out for useful pickups while trying to survive to the end.

The game has a distinctive arcade feel. Progress depends on quick reactions, careful positioning, and learning when to attack rather than simply charging ahead. Enemies can appear from several directions, and hazards make the platforming sections just as important as the swordplay. Treasure and other items add an extra reason to explore instead of rushing through every screen. With two players sharing the adventure, the action becomes more chaotic and entertaining, although crowded encounters can also make mistakes especially costly.

Its colorful pirate setting, unusual fantasy touches, and compact, action-focused stages give Skull & Crossbones a character that stands apart from more conventional NES beat-’em-ups. It is not a deep role-playing game or a leisurely exploration title; the appeal comes from mastering its controls, handling waves of enemies, and pushing a little farther on each attempt. The NES version retains the energetic spirit of the arcade original while fitting the experience into a home-console format.

For players who enjoy old-school sword fighting, cooperative arcade action, and pirate atmosphere, Skull & Crossbones is an interesting Tengen release to revisit. You can play online on your browser through RetroCloud and see how far you and a second player can get together.