Cadash (Italy)

Cadash is an action role-playing platform game that Taito released for arcades in 1990. The Italian version you can play here is an official regional release of that same arcade board, preserving the original ROM data. This hybrid genre title blends side-scrolling action with RPG character progression, a rare combination for arcade machines of its era. The game later appeared on home consoles like the TurboGrafx-16 and Sega Genesis, but this arcade version remains the definitive experience for many fans.

When you start Cadash, you choose one of four character classes: fighter, mage, priestess, or elf. Each has different stats and starting equipment. From there, you explore a fantasy world moving from left to right, fighting monsters in real-time platforming combat. Defeated enemies yield experience points and gold, letting you level up and buy better weapons, armor, and spells. The game has a ticking clock mechanic that pressures you to progress efficiently, but you can also find hidden areas and side quests. There is no saving in the arcade version, so finishing it in one sitting is a challenge.

Today, Cadash stands out as an early attempt to marry RPG depth with arcade action. The Italian version is identical in gameplay to the original, so you're getting the same tough but rewarding experience. If you enjoy games where you can grind for levels while dodging traps and platforming, this one holds up well. It is not as polished as later entries in the genre, but its mix of exploration, combat, and character growth remains compelling for retro enthusiasts.