{"product_id":"sword-master-nes","title":"Sword Master - for NES","description":"\u003cp\u003eSword Master is a sword and sorcery action platformer for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Athena and published by Activision in 1990. It landed in an era of fast running, fast jumping heroes and went the other way. Sword Master asks you to stand your ground, read the enemy in front of you and pick the right moment to swing. You play the Sword Master himself, the supreme warrior, called on to save a kingdom overrun by monsters. What made it stand out then still stands out now: razor sharp graphics, explosive special effects and huge enemies that fill the screen, the sort only a Sword Master could love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCombat is deliberate rather than frantic. You can strike high or low, raise your guard to turn away an incoming blow, and unleash magic for the moments when a sword will not cut it. Movement has a flourish of its own in the multiple jump ability, which lets you get airborne and stay there long enough to clear a gap or come down on something nasty from above. A slew of deadly levels stands between you and the end of the quest, each one closing with a confrontation that checks whether you have learned the timing. This is a one player adventure from beginning to end, so the pace is entirely yours to set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayers keep coming back to Sword Master for that measured, weighty fighting, the kind that rewards patience over speed, and for the look of the thing: the sprite work and the effects were ambitious for the hardware and still catch the eye. It is a fair challenge rather than a cruel one, which makes it a good evening instead of a grind. On a shelf it sits comfortably beside the other fantasy action titles of the period, and Sword Master remains a satisfying pick for anyone building a Nintendo Entertainment System collection with more than just the household names on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Action Platformer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlayers:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e NTSC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1990\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeveloper:\u003c\/strong\u003e Athena\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCartridge Only: No Box or Manual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPlease note that this listing is for the \u003cstrong\u003egame cartridge only\u003c\/strong\u003e. The original box, instruction manual, and any other accessories are not included with this purchase unless explicitly stated in the listing. What you receive is exactly what you need to play: the cartridge itself, tested and confirmed working.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition \u0026amp; Authenticity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis game has been tested and is fully functional. We do not authenticate or certify originality, and listings are intended for players and everyday collectors rather than professional grading or authentication purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImages \u0026amp; Regional Differences\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nProduct images are for reference only. Label artwork, cartridge color, and regional markings (PAL or NTSC) may vary from the item you receive.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"NES","offers":[{"title":"NTSC","offer_id":53163331289370,"sku":"SJ-SWORD-MASTER-NES-NTSC-T","price":34.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0973\/4615\/8874\/files\/5a2c9c6f-4baa-4782-9dfd-38af79dbc46c.png?v=1792703459","url":"https:\/\/sillyjoystick.com\/products\/sword-master-nes","provider":"SillyJoystick Gaming","version":"1.0","type":"link"}