Willow (arcade game)

Willow is a side scrolling platform and run and gun game. The game follows the film's plot: Madmartigan is a melee character who can fight only at close quarters, while Willow has a projectile attack. The stages consist of Crossroad, Cherlindrea's Forest, Fin Raziel's Island, Sorsha's Camp, Tir Asleen Castle, and Nockmaar Castle. Each stage must be completed within a certain amount of time. Defeated enemies drop coins which the player can collect to purchase items at shops. Depending on whether the player is playing as Willow or Madmartigan, either magic blasts or sword swipes are the attacks. Madmartigan's attack has less range than Willow's, but can destroy enemy projectiles. Both can purchase attack upgrades at shops. Madmartigan's upgrades give him greater power and range, while Willow's upgrades are far more versatile. With each upgrade, his regular blasts become more powerful, the actual upgrades being utilized by holding down the attack button and releasing it when the meter at the bottom reaches a certain point. The following are his magical upgrades: 1. Moonlight - sends a crescent shaped blast forward, which splits into smaller beams on impact, damaging enemies in its path. 2. Tornado - sends a tornado shaped blast forward and at a slightly upward angle. 3. Gold - defeats most on-screen regular enemies. The dropped coins are worth twice their normal value. 4. Time - freezes all regular enemies and their projectiles for a few seconds, during which time Willow is invincible (he flashes blue). 5. Explosive - sends cascades of blasts to both forward and back of Willow. 6. Crystal - sends a circular barrier around Willow, damaging enemies in its path. This is the only upgrade of Willow's magic that can destroy projectiles. == Development and release ==

Willow for arcades is loosely based on the heroic fantasy movie of the same name by Ron Howard. Despite the film not doing well at the box office, the film generated several video games and tie-in merchandise. Capcom produced two video games based on the 1988 film, one being an arcade game and the other being an action role-playing game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was part of a broader strategy of Capcom at the time to appeal to a wider audience by using established characters from other media. Director Yoshiki Okamoto stated that their original characters could be too niche, citing titles based on Area 88 and Destiny of an Emperor as part of the plan. Willow was released by Capcom in Japan in June 1989 and North America in September of the same year as well as in Europe, using the CP System board. A version for the Capcom Power System Changer was planned and previewed, but never released. Video game journalists have noted that due to the licensing agreement, and the not thinking games would be played years after release, it would be unlikely Capcom would ever re-release the game. == Reception ==

In Japan, Game Machine listed it on their July 15, 1989, issue as being the second most-popular arcade game at the time. In North America, it was considered a successful title for the CPS board, with Capcom VP of Sales and Marketing Bill Cravens saying that "U.N. Squadron and Willow were major hits". Willow was well received by critics since its release in arcades, Multiple reviewers noted it plays similar to ''Ghosts n' Goblins'', also by Capcom. == Notes ==