River City Ransom

"To the Citizens of River City: I hold your high school captive! With my gangs of students and vicious bosses roaming the streets, nobody can stop me now. Meet my demands - or else!"

Slick, the meanest, most powerful gang lord in River City, has issued this ultimatum - and the entire town is powerless in a grip of fear!

Fortunately, Alex and Ryan weren't in school the day Slick took it over. But now, their fellow students are prisoners - including Ryan's girlfriend! It's up to our two young heroes to battle their way past several dangerous city gangs, then defeat the gang lord, to free the students of River City High and restore peace to the panic-stricken populace!

SAVE YOUR GIRL AND MAKE THE BAD GUYS PAY IN RIVER CITY RANSOM!

American Technos is probably one of the most famous video game companies in the world. Don't worry if their name doesn't sound immediately familiar, because this blockbuster company has yet to release a game of their own. American Technos, you see, is the U.S. arm of Technos Japan, a development company responsible for some of the most popular video games of all time, including all-time favorites such as Double Dragon, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, Renegade, Mat Mania, V'Ball, and more! While most of these gaming mega-hits were originally produced as arcade titles, Technos is now setting their sights for the home market with a brand new action/adventure that carries all of the fantastic sights and sounds that have become Technos trademarks!

Their first entry into the NES sweepstakes expands upon play themes that have proven successful in the past. Combine Double Dragon with two-player features and adventure overtones and you have River City Ransom!

River City Ransom is filled with plenty of punch and kick action, as well as the standard assortment of power-up implements that enhance your character's fight skills. In addition to these conventional features, however, River City introduces you to a variety of shops where you can buy food, medicines, and even books! These items increase your stamina, attack abilities, and even the types of attacks you can perform!

Before you can purchase anything, you must first collect the money that appears each time one of the rival gang members is beaten into submission (usually accompanied by colorful text on the bottom of the screen). Pick up these coins and cash them in for big rewards!

River City Ransom has good graphics and sound effects, but the game really excels in the number of options that are provided. The game also talks you through with cleverly worded sentences that help explain the story. River City Ransom is filled with options (you can buy dozens of items) and packed with action! Great fun throughout!

STOP AND SHOP

As you fight your way to victory, you can enter through doorways and into shops. Once in these establishments, you can purchase many interesting items that will not only increase your stamina, but in many cases will also improve your fighting abilities.

To purchase the different foods, books, and medicines, you must pick up the money that appears after each gang member is thwarted. Some of these power-ups, especially the books and exotic foods, carry heavy price tags, so it may be wise to save up your loot!

There are 24 shops in all that sell everything from cookies to vitamins to saunas. Most of the food items will increase your vitality, while the books in the shops can be read to learn all new fighting techniques and enhance the power of your attacks!

Another clever Double Dragon rip with text and adventure overtones.