Strider

Few arcade action games from the late ’80s feel as stylish and ahead of their time as Strider. Released by Capcom in 1989, it wasn’t just another side-scrolling action platformer—it felt cinematic, fast, and ambitious in ways that many games of that era simply weren’t. Even today, Strider stands as one of Capcom’s most iconic arcade titles, largely because of how confidently it blended fluid movement, futuristic world-building, and relentless pacing.

You play as Hiryu, a high-tech ninja assassin sent on a mission to eliminate a mysterious dictator known as the Grandmaster. The premise is straightforward, but the presentation elevates it. From the opening moments, Strider throws you into a sprawling futuristic cityscape filled with enemies, machinery, and environmental hazards. There’s no slow buildup—it feels urgent immediately.

What makes Strider so memorable is its movement system. Hiryu doesn’t just run and jump. He slides, flips, clings to walls, climbs ceilings, and attacks with incredible agility. For a 1989 game, the animation is shockingly smooth. His plasma sword, called the Cypher, slices through enemies with satisfying speed. The responsiveness of his movements makes traversal feel almost acrobatic, and mastering the flow of movement becomes just as important as defeating enemies.

The level design is ambitious. Instead of small, repetitive screens, Strider features large, interconnected environments that feel expansive. There’s a sense of progression as you climb towering structures, infiltrate enemy bases, and battle mechanical monstrosities. Some stages even introduce gravity shifts or large-scale boss encounters that fill the screen, reinforcing the game’s cinematic feel.

Enemy variety keeps the action engaging. Soldiers, robotic units, wild animals, and giant mechanical bosses all stand in your way. Boss fights are particularly memorable—massive robotic creatures and multi-phase battles test both your reflexes and positioning. They’re not overly complex by modern standards, but for the time, they felt epic.

Visually, Strider was impressive for arcade hardware. The sprite work is detailed, and the animation quality stands out even decades later. Backgrounds feature a mix of futuristic industrial design and dystopian urban environments, giving the world a distinctive sci-fi identity. There’s a clear artistic direction that separates it from more generic action games of the period.

The soundtrack complements the atmosphere with energetic, sometimes dramatic themes. While not overly elaborate, the music supports the intensity of the action without distraction.

One thing worth noting is the difficulty. Like many arcade games of its era, Strider can be punishing. Enemies attack aggressively, and certain sections require precise timing. However, the tight controls prevent the difficulty from feeling unfair. When you fail, it usually feels like a mistake you can correct.

Strider’s influence is significant. Its emphasis on fluid movement and stylish combat would later inspire the “Metroidvania” subgenre and numerous action-platformers. Even modern reboots pay homage to its core design philosophy—fast movement, expansive levels, and acrobatic combat.

Overall, Strider remains a landmark Capcom action game. It’s fast, stylish, and mechanically satisfying. More than three decades later, it still feels surprisingly modern, proving how forward-thinking its design truly was.