{"product_id":"the-bards-tale-nes","title":"The Bard's Tale - for NES","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Bard's Tale is a role playing game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Atelier Double and published by FCI in 1990, built from the computer role playing game that made the name famous. The story opens in Skara Brae, a small and harmonious country town that the wizard Mangar the Dark has claimed. Evil creatures oozed in and joined his shadow domain, a spell of Eternal Winter froze the surrounding lands and cut the town off from any help, and then one night every militiaman vanished. What is left to resist him is a handful of unproven young warriors, junior magic users, a couple of bards barely old enough to drink and some rogues who are out of work. You lead them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlay means building and managing that party, then taking it into the streets of Skara Brae and the dangers beneath them. You recruit from the available classes, outfit them as funds allow, pick the fights you can survive and learn when to retreat. Magic users gain spells as they grow, warriors hold the front, rogues handle what needs handling quietly, and the bard is there to sing your glories if you live long enough to earn the song. Progress is slow and earned, with careful spending and constant attention to how much punishment the group can still take. The Bard's Tale is a single player campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bard's Tale still draws players who want a dungeon crawl with teeth, where the party you assemble and the care you take with it decide everything. On the NES it is one of the sterner role playing games on the system and a rare chance to meet a cornerstone of computer role playing on a console. Collectors value The Bard's Tale as an FCI release and as the kind of game that asks you to keep notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dungeon Crawler RPG\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 Atelier Double\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":53163343347994,"sku":"SJ-THE-BARDS-TALE-NES-NTSC-T","price":34.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0973\/4615\/8874\/files\/495e684f-f6f7-4ac0-9712-924e022684b7.png?v=1792703524","url":"https:\/\/sillyjoystick.com\/products\/the-bards-tale-nes","provider":"SillyJoystick Gaming","version":"1.0","type":"link"}