Archon

Archon is one of those NES games that is difficult to describe as simply a strategy game. At first glance, it looks like a strange fantasy version of chess, with two armies facing each other across a 9×9 board. But the moment two opposing pieces meet, Archon changes completely. Instead of automatically removing the captured piece, the game sends both characters into a real-time combat arena where the winner decides who controls the square.

The two sides are known as Light and Dark, and each has a collection of very different creatures. Knights, Archers, Valkyries, Golems, Unicorns, Phoenixes, and Wizards fight for Light, while the Dark side commands creatures such as Goblins, Banshees, Trolls, Basilisks, Dragons, and Sorceresses. Each character has its own movement and fighting style, so choosing which piece to move is only half of the strategy.

The board itself also plays an important role. Five special Power Points are scattered across it, and controlling all of them can win the game. Alternatively, you can eliminate the opposing army. Some spaces change between Light and Dark alignment as the battle progresses, meaning that the same character can become stronger or weaker depending on where a fight takes place.

This combination of careful planning and direct combat is what makes Archon stand out. A brilliant move on the board can still fail if you cannot win the battle that follows, while a skilled fighter can sometimes overcome an unfavorable matchup. It works particularly well with two players, where every move can turn into a tense duel. For NES fans looking for something more unusual than traditional strategy or action games, Archon remains a genuinely inventive experience.