1980s
Blaster Master
1988 · Action / Platform · NES
Overview
Blaster Master is a classic 1980s action / platform game developed by Sunsoft for NES.
Deep Dive
Blaster Master is a classic 1980s action / platform game developed by Sunsoft for NES.
Developer Story
Blaster Master was developed by Sunsoft in 1988. Players controlled a tank (SOPHIA III) that could jump, cling to walls, and enter overhead-view dungeon sections where the protagonist fought on foot. The switching between side-scrolling tank combat and top-down dungeon exploration created a hybrid that felt like two games in one. The game was known for its excellent music, composed by Naoki Kodaka.
Did You Know?
- Blaster Master switched between side-scrolling tank sections and overhead-view dungeon exploration — two distinct gameplay modes in one game.
- SOPHIA III could cling to walls and ceilings, allowing platforming sequences unlike any other tank in gaming.
- The music, by Naoki Kodaka, is considered among the best on the NES — Area 1's theme in particular is frequently cited.
- The Western plot (a boy chases his pet frog into a radioactive hole) was a complete rewrite of the Japanese story (a future warrior battles against mutants).
