Blandia
Blandia: arcade Fighting
Blandia is a weapon-based fighting game that hit arcades in 1992. Developed by Allumer and published by Taito, it was released in Japan in October 1992 and in Europe later that year. The game is a direct sequel to Allumer's earlier arcade title Gladiator, and it belongs to the early wave of weapon fighters that followed Street Fighter II's popularity. Alongside games like Time Killers, Blandia helped pave the way for later weapon-centric fighters such as Samurai Shodown.
In Blandia, you pick from a roster of fighters and go head-to-head in one-on-one matches. Your weapons aren't just for show: each character wields a unique blade, and you can also execute special attacks that sometimes involve magical effects. The core mechanic involves managing distance and landing hits with your weapon before your opponent does. Rounds are fast and aggressive, and the action emphasizes timing and positioning over complex combos.
For retro fighting fans, Blandia offers a neat snapshot of the genre's evolution in the early '90s. It's not as refined as later weapon fighters, but it has a certain charm in its straightforward approach and distinctive character designs. If you enjoy digging into the history of arcade fighters and want to see how the formula looked before SNK perfected it, Blandia is worth a few credits. It's a niche title, but an honest one with solid fundamentals.
How to Play Blandia Online
To start playing Blandia, insert a credit by pressing the Start button (Enter) on the title screen. Then use the D-Pad to highlight your fighter and press A (X) to confirm. The core loop is simple: win two out of three rounds against the AI opponent by reducing their health to zero before yours runs out. Each round begins with both fighters at opposite ends of the screen.
Your basic attacks are done with the B button (S) for a weapon swing, and you can jump with the A button (X). Press towards the opponent while attacking to deliver a stronger blow. Special moves are performed by combining directional inputs with the attack buttons. Experiment with quarter-circle and charge motions to discover each character's signature techniques. The health bars deplete quickly, so aggressive play often pays off, but be careful not to leave yourself open.
Since this is the arcade version, there are no difficulty settings or tutorials. The menu text is in English for the European release, so navigation should be straightforward. If you are playing the Japanese version, expect some Japanese text on the attract and character select screens, but the gameplay controls remain the same.
Blandia Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
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