CC
NES ActionPlatformer 1989

Strider

Reviewed by Marcus Webb & Elena Castillo ·

Capcom's NES reimagining of their 1989 arcade game — NES Strider is a separate design from the arcade original, featuring Hiryu navigating a globe-spanning cyberpunk adventure with a Plasma Cypher sword, animal companions, and side-scrolling action through the Soviet Union, Amazonia, Antarctica, and the Grand Master's space fortress.

🔑 Cheats & Codes 🎲 Trivia 🎮 Games Like This
Strider box art

💡 Strider — Key Facts

  • → Strider was developed by Capcom and published by Capcom
  • → Released in 1989 on NES
  • → Genre: Action, Platformer
  • → We rate it 8.5/10 — highly recommended
  • → Capcom's NES reimagining of their 1989 arcade game — NES Strider is a separate design from the arcade original, featuring Hiryu navigating a globe-spanning cyberpunk adventure with a Plasma Cypher sword, animal companions, and side-scrolling action through the Soviet Union, Amazonia, Antarctica, and the Grand Master's space fortress.

Overview

NES Strider and the arcade Strider are not the same game. Released in the same year, the NES version is a different design — slower, more exploratory, with inventory management and narrative elements the arcade original doesn’t have.

Both are worth playing. They’re different experiences of the same character.

Hiryu’s Globe

The arcade Strider moves through locations at arcade pace — rapid, action-focused, each stage a showcase for the CPS1 hardware’s capabilities. The NES Strider takes Hiryu through the Soviet Union, Amazonia, Antarctica, and the Grand Master’s space fortress at a different tempo.

There’s time to explore. Items to collect. Animal companions to find and deploy. The globe-spanning structure provides visual variety that the arcade’s stage-by-stage progression achieved through spectacle rather than exploration.

The Plasma Cypher

The sword swings with momentum. Hit one enemy and the arc continues into the next. The deflection capability — blocking certain projectiles with the blade — creates a defensive option that pure offense games don’t provide.

The NES Strider’s combat feels different from the arcade’s charged-shot system. Slower. More deliberate. The trade is: less spectacular, more considered. The companion system adds options — the robot eagle, the robot panther, the robot hawk — that the arcade’s pure action didn’t require.

The Western Introduction

Many Western players met Hiryu through the NES version before the arcade version was accessible. The NES game’s globe-spanning narrative, inventory system, and companion collection created a specific impression of the character: a ninja agent operating across a cyberpunk world’s geopolitical landscape.

That impression was accurate to the spirit if not the mechanics of the arcade original. The character carried — Strider sequels and the 2014 reboot built on the identity the franchise established across both versions.

Our Review

8.5
Excellent / 10
🎮
Gameplay
★★★★★
🎨
Graphics
★★★★★
🎵
Audio
★★★★★
🔄
Replay
★★★★★

Gameplay

Strider NES is an action-platformer following Hiryu through multiple international stages — each with distinct environments and mission objectives. The Plasma Cypher sword is Hiryu's primary weapon, with a swinging momentum-based attack and the ability to deflect certain projectiles. Hiryu can collect companions: a robot eagle, a robot panther, and a robot hawk that assist in combat. The game has an inventory system for collected items and a password save system. Unlike the arcade original's pure action focus, the NES version adds exploration and item collection elements.

Graphics

The NES Strider's visuals capture the cyber-ninja aesthetic of the franchise — Hiryu's design, international stage variety, and boss encounters are competent for NES hardware.

Audio

Stage-appropriate music for each international location — distinct Soviet-themed, jungle, and space music create environmental variety.

Replayability

Password system allows resuming progress. The globe-spanning stage structure provides environmental variety that makes replay less repetitive than single-environment games.

Historical Significance

Strider NES (1989) was a separate game design from the Capcom CPS1 arcade Strider released the same year. The NES game emphasized exploration and narrative over the arcade's pure action focus. While the arcade Strider is the more celebrated version, the NES game was many Western players' introduction to Hiryu. The franchise produced arcade and console sequels through Strider 2 (PS1, 1999) and Strider (2014, multi-platform).

✅ Pros

  • + Globe-spanning stage variety creates environmental diversity
  • + Animal companion system adds combat assistance options
  • + Plasma Cypher momentum-based combat is satisfying
  • + Large-scale stage boss encounters
  • + Password save for longer adventure

❌ Cons

  • - Different from and less acclaimed than the arcade original
  • - Inventory system complexity unusual for action game
  • - Some item-gated progression without guide
  • - Occasional slowdown with multiple sprites

Also Known As

Strider NESHiryu no Kenストライダー飛竜

Strider FAQ

How does NES Strider differ from the arcade Strider?
The NES Strider and arcade Strider are separate game designs released in the same year (1989). The arcade Strider (CPS1) is a pure action game — fast-paced side-scrolling combat through stage environments with Hiryu's iconic charged Plasma Cypher. The NES Strider adds exploration, inventory, and narrative elements that the arcade game doesn't have — it's closer to an action-adventure than a pure action game. The NES version was designed by a different team with the goal of creating a longer experience appropriate for home play. The arcade original is generally considered the superior game; the NES version is a different but worthwhile alternative.
What are the animal companions in Strider NES?
NES Strider features robotic animal companions that Hiryu collects during his mission: a robot eagle that provides aerial combat assistance, a robot panther that assists with ground enemies, and a robot hawk with different attack characteristics. The companions appear as combat allies when enemies are in range. They represent collected items from the game's inventory system rather than permanent party members — specific items summon specific companions. The companion system provides combat variety and was an original addition for the NES version not present in the arcade game.
Is Strider available on modern platforms?
Strider (2014) is a full modern remake/reboot available on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC — this is the most accessible modern Strider experience. Strider (arcade/Genesis) is available through various Capcom compilations. The NES Strider is not on modern digital platforms but original cartridges are commonly available. Strider 2 (PS1/arcade, 1999) is available through Capcom Arcade Cabinet compilations in some regions. The 2014 Strider is the recommended modern entry point for the franchise.
What is Hiryu's Plasma Cypher weapon?
The Plasma Cypher is Hiryu's signature weapon — a sword-like device that generates a plasma energy blade for cutting. In the arcade original, the Cypher can be charged for a more powerful sweeping attack and is augmented throughout the game. In the NES version, the Plasma Cypher functions as Hiryu's primary close-range weapon with a momentum-based swing mechanic — the swing carries through multiple enemies if they're in the arc. The NES version doesn't have the arcade's charge system but retains the deflection capability (certain projectiles can be reflected). The Cypher's design — a ninja's tool reimagined as high-tech energy weapon — became the franchise's visual signature.

Related Games

Games Like This →