Bad Dudes

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a game by Data East
Genre: Fighting Games
Platform: NESNES
Editor Rating: 5.2/10, based on 8 reviews
User Rating: 5.0/10 - 2 votes
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See also: Beat 'em-Up
  • Type: Action
  • Levels of Play: 7
  • Difficulty: Avg.

Bad Dudes is a single-player version of the arcade bash-em-up of the same name. You control one of the Bad Dudes through multiple levels of horizontally-scrolling attacks on top of trains, through alleys, and on helicopters. Along the way you'll face countless attacks from all types of deadly Ninjas equipped with throwing stars and killer kicks! Boss villains guard the end of each level, power-up items help expand your attacks, and some amusing vocal effects round out this action game.

People say:

6

Bad Dudes has most of the elements found in the arcade version, but there is something about the moves of the characters that is faulty. The graphics are detailed, but animated in a jerky fashion. The play remains decent (the two-player combo option is missed) and should please most action fans.

5

Another Double Dragon clone. While the game is challenging, it is hampered with a not-so-smooth jerky player movement which gets annoying after a while and detracts from the overall game play. Nothing special, just another average action game.

5

The graphics and animation in Bad Dudes are not very spectacular and the game is far too easy for anyone but beginning players. The sounds are O.K., but the vocal effects at the end of every level (a trademark of the arcade) is poor. The game play is intact, it's just not intense enough to match the arcade.

4

Bad Dudes wasn't as good as I thought it would be. The graphics aren't overly impressive and the game play isn't that difficult. Fans of Double Dragon-style games might enjoy this one for awhile, but it isn't anything special.

Download Bad Dudes

NES

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • P-200, 32 MB RAM

Game Reviews

  • Manufacturer: Data East
  • Machine: Nintendo Entertainment System

  • Sound/Music 4

  • Graphics 7
  • Playability 7
  • Overall 7

Bad Dudes is the tale of, well, two bad dudes named Blade and Striker. They are experts in hand-to-hand combat, and their mission is to rescue the President, who has been kidnapped by ninjas. Your mission is to battle of the Dragon Ninja as you proceed through seven scenes to the final battle and subsequent rescue of the President.

The first screen lets you choose whether you want to be Blade or Striker. There doesn't seem to be any difference between them, so you don't have to waste a lot of time choosing. If you select a two-player game, you must take turns - you can't have both bad dudes on the screen at the same time. The action starts when you enter the first scene, called "the city". Control of your dude is simple. First of all, you can punch or kick by pressing the "A" button. The punch or kick is unleashed in the direction the stick is pressed (including straight up). You can jump into the air by pressing the "B" button, which also allows you to drop to a lower level (if one is available) by pressing the stick down simultaneously. Your bad dude moves in the direction you press the stick or control pad and can also duck.

The enemies are numerous and varied, although they are all variations on a ninja theme. The blue ninjas appear the most often, and they can be dispatched with a single hit. White ninjas are tougher. They require two hits and throw knives. Other enemies include a lady ninja, red ninja (uses a sword), samurai (nasty with a stick) and other assorted creatures, including rabid dogs. As per usual, at the end of each scene, a super warrior appears who can take a lot of punishment and usually has some special weapon that makes your job tougher. For example, the super warrior at the end of the city breathes fire but can be defeated by simply slugging him a few times, jumping to a different level while he breathes fire and repeating this cycle until he keels over. Other warriors are tougher, though.

You have three lives and lose ore each time you get hit ten times. A "hit" can be from an opponent or from the environment. For example, in the third level, falling into the sewer water diminishes you (as you can probably imagine). A game can be continued three times, then it's over, but you can replenish your life force (so you can take a full ten hits again) by picking up the energy canisters cropped by certain opponents. You can also pick up weapons such as nunchaku or a knife when opponents drop them, which makes you a more powerful warrior. Also, each level must be completed in a certain length of time, but this period can be increased by picking up clocks. Picking up objects is a little difficult in the heat of battle, since you must kneel down and press the "A" button.

Each scene presents additional challenges. The city is pretty straightforward, but by Scene 2 (the big rig), you must jump from one trailer to another without felling to the roadway, since that costs you hit points. When you get to the forest (Scene A), you must be agile enough to walk along the tops of tail hedges, since rabid dogs pursue you across the forest floor. The adventure continues through the freight train (don't misstep when jumping from car to car); the cave, which leads into the Dragon Ninja's fortress (heavily guarded and loaded with loose stalactites); and, finally, into the factory, where you must deal not only with multiple super warriors, but leap aboard the Dragon Ninja's helicopter and do battle with the main man himself.

Data East's ads for Bad Dudes proclaim the high quality of the graphics, and the backgrounds are very nice - high resolution with lots of color and realistic scrolling. However, the animation is jumpy for all the characters, and whenever more than a couple of enemies appear, they all start to flicker distractingly. Because of the flicker it's sometimes hard to tell how many enemies are attacking you.

Bad Dudes is not especially different from other Karate adventures, including Double Dragon. The figures are larger, and the background graphics are of higher quality, but the play action is pretty simple. There are none of the fun touches o' Double Dragon, such as picking up an oil can and bowling over your opponents with it or whipping them into submission (well, maybe I'm a little twisted). If you already own one of these games, Bad Dudes doesn't offer much that is new, but if you are still looking to add one to your collection, check it out.

  • Manufacturer: From Data East
  • Machine: Commodore, IBM, Tandy, Amiga, Atari ST and Apple II personal computers and the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Ask anyone who's played them both in the arcade. Bad Dudes is clearly the game of choice. It's no contest.

BAD DUDES has better graphics. Better action. Better playability. From the arcade to the Nintendo to computer formats, you can count on a better game with BAD DUDES. And we're even available on more systems than they are.

The joystick play is incredible - fast, smooth and responsive. And the game play and graphics of the home versions are amazingly true to the arcade original.

Check it out for yourself. The martial arts excitement of BAD DUDES makes Double Dragon play like a dinosaur.

One soon to be extinct.

Number of Levels: 7 Theme: Action Difficulty: Average Number of Players: 1 or 2 Available: 1990

Hey Dude, Are You Bad Enough!?!

In the arcades, Bad Dudes was a fine derivative that took advantage of the play mechanics made popular in Double Dragon. Since Dragon made its debut, there have been countless numbers of scrolling karate adventures, both in the arcades and at home, but none have captured the punch and kick formula quite as well as the coin-operated version of Bad Dudes.

The Nintendo home version is a single player version of the arcade bash-em-up. You can control only one of the Dudes (either Blade or Striker) at any one time, unlike the coin-op which offered simultaneous two-player competition. You control your hero's progress through seven different horizontally-scrolling areas filled with attackers on top of trains, in alleys, and on top of helicopters. Along the way you'll face enemy attacks from all types of deadly Ninja opponents. Some of these deadly Ninjas are equipped with throwing stars as well as powerful kicks! Blue Ninjas are your primary opponents, bringing the battle in close, but you'll also face even deadlier White Ninjas who toss a spread of throwing stars and Red Ninjas that are even more aggressive.

The Red Ninjas also hold the key to another one of Bad Dude's most important features. Whenever a Red Ninja has been eliminated, one of four power-ups will be left behind. These range from a Coke that restores vital health to a Clock that stops the stage time to Nunchuck and Dagger weapons for increased offensive attacks.

Each level culminates in a face-to-face slugfest with one of the enemies powerful Bosses. Whether it's the magical Green Ninja who splits into several opponents, or the mighty fire-breathing Russian Karnov, the Bad Dudes Bosses are bad through and through! Try the super punch in these areas (build up power and deliver it in a single blow) and blow the bad guys away!

People say:

6

Bad Dudes has most of the elements found in the arcade version, but there is something about the movements of the characters that is faulty. The graphics are detailed, but animated in a jerky fashion. The play remains decent, but I miss the 2-Player cooperative option.

5

Another Double Dragon clone. While the game is challenging, it is hampered with a not-so-smooth jerky players movement which gets annoying after a while and detract from the overall game play. Nothing special, just another average action game.

5

The graphics and animation in Bad Dudes are not very spectacular and the game is far too easy for anyone but beginning players. The sounds are O.K., but the vocal effects at the end of every level (a trademark of the arcade) is poor. The game play is intact, it's just not that intense.

4

Bad Dudes wasn't as good as I thought it would be. The graphics aren't overly impressive and the game play isn't that difficult. Fans of Double Dragon-style games might enjoy this one for awhile, but it isn't anything special. This isn't Bad Dudes, but it isn't Bad Duds either.

ARE YOU BAD ENOUGH FOR BAD DUDES

Although it may look like a clone of Double Dragon at first glance, Data East's new arcade adaptation, Bad Dudes, is much, much more! While it shares the same type of horizontally-scrolling beat-em-up action, Bad Dudes introduces a wide variety of additional features that includes Boss attackers at the end of every area, multiple levels to battle on within each playfield, and an assortment of power-up weapons that would make Billy Lee run for cover!

  • Number of Levels: 7
  • Theme: Action
  • Difficulty: Easy-Average
  • Number of Players: 1 or 2

Your goal in Bad Dudes is to rescue the President from a band of nasty Ninjas who specialize in terrorist tactics. It's up to you to infiltrate their stronghold and overcome the Boss Ninja who's planning to send the President away. Before you can reach the Commander in Chief, however, you must traverse six levels filled with all kinds of ninja warriors. Make it past these guardians and it's one on one with the ultimate Boss, the Dragon Ninja, on top of a flying helicopter!

The graphics in Bad Dudes are first-rate, with highly-detailed scrolling backgrounds presenting a different set of challenges for each round. All of the background scenery is colorfully drawn and animated. The giant helicopter that carries the last Boss in level seven fills the screen with roaring rotor blades while you battle for control of the President's future.

The character animation, however, is not quite as sterling as the backgrounds. The enemy is depicted in solid shades of blue and red, with very few surface details. Both Blade and Striker, your on-screen heroes, appear faithful to their coin-op cousins, but the animation and movement of these characters is slightly choppy.

Despite this minor shortcoming, Bad Dudes remains a solid entry into the kick-and-punch-your-way-out-of-anything brand of gaming. The entire package delivers a constant stream of challenges and options that remains extremely close to the arcade title on which it's based. The background graphics and sound effects are top-notch for the NES and help support the entire game even more.

If you're a fan of side-scrolling punch-outs, then Bad Dudes won't disappoint. It captures the same elements found in the arcade and wraps them up into a fine looking and well-executed NES game.

Battle On Bad Dudes - Always grab up the cola drinks that are left behind by certain Red Ninjas. This power-up item will replenish lost stamina and allow you to continue your mission in a much healthier condition!

POWER-UP!

Immediately attack whenever a Red Ninja appears! These martial arts masters will release one of four different power-up items when dispatched, Including a Clock, Dagger, and Nunchucks! Get them whenever you can!

  • Clock - Extends time! When you get the clock extra time is added to the counter.
  • Dagger - Provides the Bad Dudes with a deadly form of attack at close range.
  • Nunchucks - The most valuable power-ups - especially useful on Bosses.

Level review:

  1. Level 1 The first Boss is Karnov, the fire-breathing Russian! Karnov will jump over you and blow long streams of fire when he lands. When he lands on the lower level, jump to the higher area, and use foot sweeps to wear him down and keep him from getting to your position.
  2. Level 2 A Ninja warrior attacks with razor-sharp claws at the end of the second level. Use the nunchucks aggressively, and only back up when the Boss starts closing in with his long claws. Use jump kicks if you don't have the nunchucks.
  3. Level 3 The level four Boss uses "Ninja Magic" After a few moments, the ninja will split into several "shadows". Position your self so that when they split, none of the shadows will be on top of you. Kill the shadows, and run in close for three quick hits on the Boss and then retreat.
  4. Level 4 The third Boss will lean on one arm and then use a powerful side-kick. Use the nunchucks repeatedly until he gets ready to jump and then retreat. If you don't have nunchucks, jump on the higher hill and the tough guy will jump off the screen. Turn and kick him!
  5. Level 5 The fifth Boss is similar to the third, but is bigger and has a chain in addition to the claw. Use the same method of getting in close with the nunchucks and hitting the Boss repeatedly, or use a jump-kick. This Boss is very aggressive, so watch out!
  6. Level 6 Your next Boss encounter will be against a pole-wielding tough guy. Since the pole gives this Boss an extra distance advantage, go to the top level and stay there to avoid his attacks. To defeat the Boss, use punches and kicks whenever he closes in.

Take to the streets for gut-punching excitement in this arcade conversion.

The challenge you face is to rescue the kidnapped President Ronnie. Armed with knives, shurikens, and numchucks, the Bad Dudes must take to the streets and fight their way through ninjas, dogs, flame spitting strongmen, and even more heinous enemies to rescue the President. Only you can save the day!

Bad Dudes is a 1988 arcade game by Data East. It is also known as Bad Dudes Vs DragonNinja.

The game acquired cult status based on its tongue-in-cheek scenario, including an introduction by the Secret Service agent: "President Ronnie has been kidnapped by the ninjas. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue Ronnie?"

Snapshots and Media

NES/Famicom/Dendy Screenshots

See Also

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Two Crude Dudes
The once-grand city of New York, leveled twenty years earlier by a nuclear strike, is once again under siege - this time by a twisted scientist and his mass of mutations. Only Two Crude Dudes can stop the invasion!