Classic platformer Arabian is this week’s Arcade Archives release

‘Neath Arabian Mooooooooons

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Hamster has released the newest entry to its incredible range of Arcade Archive releases, which now boasts hundreds of old-school coin-op classics. And they don’t get much more old-school than this, Sun Electronics’ Arabian.

Originally launched in 1983, Arabian is a single-screen platformer as was typical of the day. Players control a brave prince on a quest to rescue his fair princess, held prisoner within her own palace. Our young hero sails the seven seas, ventures through dense jungle, and scales the outside of the palace, before finally saving the girl and taking flight on the obligatory magic carpet. The player must gather a selection of vases, spelling out “ARABIAN,” while dodging various enemies and hazards strewn throughout the environment.

You can check out the action below, in this video from YouTuber Old Classic Retro Gaming.

While Arabian’s gameplay is undeniably simplistic, Sun Electronics’ formative platform title is very creative. It has a fun “storybook” presentation, four very distinct stage settings, cute sprites, and a fun, if bafflingly anachronistic soundtrack which includes “The Can Can” and The William Tell Overture. Arabian certainly has its fair share of fun ideas.

Arabian is available to download now on Nintendo Switch, priced at $8.

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Chris Moyse
Senior Editor - Chris has been playing video games since the 1980s and writing about them since the 1880s. Graduated from Galaxy High with honors. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse
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