Strider Hiryuu

Strider Hiryuu is a side-scrolling action platformer released for the NEC PC Engine CD in Japan. It is the Japanese title for the PC Engine CD port of Capcom's classic arcade game Strider, bringing the fast-paced ninja action to the CD-ROM format. The game was published by NEC Avenue and remains a notable entry in the console's library, though it never saw an official Western release.

The player controls the skilled ninja Strider Hiryuu, who can run, jump, and climb across vertically oriented levels. The core gameplay involves slashing through enemy soldiers and robotic foes using a cybernetic sword called the cypher, while also performing wall jumps and sliding under obstacles. Unlike some console ports, this version includes animated cutscenes and CD-quality music that enhance the arcade feel, though the level structure follows the original arcade progression.

Today, Strider Hiryuu is worth checking out for its faithful recreation of the arcade gameplay mixed with the PC Engine CD's multimedia extras. It is a solid action game that stands up well among other platformers of the era, especially if you enjoy games with a high difficulty curve and tight controls. Because it is a relatively simple port with added CD features, it appeals most to retro collectors and Strider fans who want to experience the game on this particular hardware.