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Hydlide 3

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MSX 1 RPG Pub T&E Soft Dev T&E Soft 1987 Japan 1 Player 5 (0) 2

Hydlide 3

What is Hydlide 3?

Compiled by the Retro Games Online Editorial Team · Updated June 27, 2026

Hydlide 3 is an action roleplaying game originally released for the MSX1 computer in 1987. It is part of T&E Soft's Hydlide series, which gained a cult following for mixing realtime combat with stat growth. This MSX version was one of the earliest installments to reach Japan and helped define the action RPG genre on 8bit home computers.

The player controls a hero who must navigate a large overworld and multiple dungeons while fighting enemies in real time. Combat uses a simple collisionbased system where you run into foes to attack, and you can also cast spells by collecting items and managing a MP pool. Character progression revolves around gaining experience points from battles to level up, which increases stats like strength and vitality.

For modern retro gamers, Hydlide 3 stands as an interesting piece of early action RPG history. Its gameplay can feel clunky compared to later titles, but the challenge and sense of exploration are genuine. If you are curious about the roots of games like The Legend of Zelda or Ys, this MSX release offers a direct window into what players were enjoying in the mid80s.

How to Play Hydlide 3 Online

Getting Started

When you start Hydlide 3, you are placed in the game's central town. Speak to the townsfolk by walking up to them and pressing the confirm button (X) to gather clues about where to go and what to do. The game does not have a text manual in english, so pay close attention to the spoken hints to understand your objectives.

The core loop involves leaving town, exploring the overworld, and entering dungeons to fight monsters and find keys or items that open new areas. Combat is simple: walk into an enemy to attack, but be careful as enemies can damage you as well. Use the B button (S) to dash and avoid attacks. Gain experience by defeating foes and level up in town after returning.

Since the interface is in Japanese, the menus may be confusing at first. Fortunately, most interactions rely on simple confirm and cancel commands. Save often if the emulator supports it, because Hydlide 3 has no builtin save feature on the original cartridge and losing progress means starting over from the last checkpoint in town.

Hydlide 3 Keyboard Controls

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: Trigger 1
S: Trigger 2
Enter: Start

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hydlide 3 exclusive to MSX 1 or did it appear on other systems?

The game was originally released on the MSX1 in Japan, but it also received ports to the Famicom and other home computers like the MSX2. Each version has slight differences in graphics and audio, but the core adventure remains the same.

Is Hydlide 3 considered easy to pick up or challenging?

For its era, Hydlide 3 offers a solid level of difficulty. Enemies can hit hard early on, and the lack of a continue system means you often start from the beginning after dying. Learning enemy patterns and managing your health are key to making progress.

Who developed Hydlide 3?

T&E Soft developed and published Hydlide 3 for the MSX1. The same company created the earlier Hydlide games and later titles in the series, establishing a niche for realtime action RPGs on Japanese home computers.