Released into arcades by Taito in 1988, Syvalion is a strange-but-interesting scrolling shooter in which you control a golden metal dragon (called “Mechadragon“) that must fight its way to the end of a series of mazes within a time limit. The dragon can breathe fire to destroy enemies and must pick up power-ups, or move quickly without firing, to keep its flame breath bar filled. At the end of each stage is a boss battle which you need to win to progress.

Syvalion was designed by the late Fukio Mitsuji, creator of the classic Bubble Bobble, and used a trackball to control the dragon. If you’re playing the game in MAME now you can easily set the game up to use digital controls, or even a mouse or real trackball.

The game is broken down into chapters and can be played in ‘Basic’ mode, where you learn as you go, and also in ‘Real Combat Series’ mode, which is more difficult, scores higher, and the levels and sound are different, and you can also enhance your weaponry as you progress.

The Mechadragon has limited health and contact with enemies, projectiles and indestructible traps will deplete it. If the dragon is close to death it will darken in colour and a warning will flash on screen to indicate its impending destruction. When the dragon’s life energy is completely gone it explodes in an impressive manner. You can, however, insert more coins and continue where you left off.

Syvalion has crisp, high resolution graphics and fast, smooth scrolling. The gameplay is unusual and absorbing.

Ports of Syvalion were also released for the Sharp X68000 (in 1990) and the Super Nintendo (in 1992). An emulated version of the arcade game was also re-released as part of a compilation, called Taito Legends 2, for the PlayStation 2. The Mechadragon has also appeared in cameo roles in other Taito video games, including in the X68000 version of Bubble Bobble and the PSP game Dariusburst.

More: Syvalion on Wikipedia