1980s
Rastan
1987 · Beat 'em up · Arcade
Overview
Rastan is a classic 1980s beat 'em up game developed by Taito for Arcade.
Deep Dive
Rastan is a classic 1980s beat 'em up game developed by Taito for Arcade.
Developer Story
Rastan was developed by Taito in 1987. Players controlled a barbarian warrior in a fantasy world, using a sword to fight enemies across six stages. The game was designed with a weighty, physical feel — attacks had swing time, enemies knocked the player back significantly, and stamina decreased during play. The barbarian aesthetic, explicitly inspired by Conan, was popular in mid-1980s entertainment.
Did You Know?
- Rastan was explicitly inspired by the Conan the Barbarian film and character — the muscular barbarian warrior with a broadsword was Taito's direct homage.
- Stamina decreased over time and had to be replenished by collecting potions — a survival mechanic unusual in 1987 action games.
- Enemies had significant knockback — being hit threw the player across the screen, making wall positioning critical.
- The six stages each ended with a large boss encounter that required specific attack patterns to defeat efficiently.
