Cadash (Japan, oldest version)
Cadash (Japan, oldest version) Overview
Cadash is an arcade action role-playing platformer that landed in Japanese arcades in 1991, developed and published by Taito. It's an early attempt to blend side-scrolling platforming with RPG mechanics, and it predates many console action RPGs. The version here is the original Japanese arcade board, often considered the oldest release, and it later saw ports to the TurboGrafx-16 and Sega Genesis.
Players pick from a small roster of character classes - fighter, mage, and others - each with unique stats and starting equipment. The game unfolds across side-scrolling stages filled with monsters, traps, and treasure. Combat is real-time: you jump, attack, and use spells or items. Between stages you visit towns to buy gear, upgrade weapons, and talk to NPCs. Experience points raise your level, improving health and attack power.
What makes Cadash stand out today is how neatly it combines the twitch reflexes of a platformer with the slow-burn progression of an RPG. It's also one of the few arcade games to support two-player simultaneous play, letting a friend drop in as a second character. The arcade version has a specific rhythm and challenge that console ports didn't perfectly replicate, making this old Japanese board a treat for retro enthusiasts.
How to Play Cadash (Japan, oldest version) Online
Two short paragraphs about the game itself:
First, you'll see the title screen and then a character select. Use the D-pad to highlight one of the four classes - Fighter, Mage, Priestess, or Ninja (names vary) - and press X to confirm. The Japanese menus are mostly kanji, but the select screen is easy to navigate by position. Start the game and you'll be dropped into the first stage, a forest path with slimes and bats.
The core loop is straightforward: walk right, fight monsters, collect gold and items, and reach the stage exit. Gold lets you buy equipment in towns between stages. Pay attention to your health bar - dying costs a continue. The RPG side is light: you level up automatically after enough kills, boosting your stats. Spells (for mage classes) are mapped to the attack button while holding a direction or combination. If you're playing co-op, player two uses the same controls and can revive the first player after a death.
Cadash (Japan, oldest version) 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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