Play Blade Master (World) Online

Blade Master, released in 1991 by Irem, is a side-scrolling arcade game you can play today through MAME. It came out during a time when beat 'em ups and action platformers dominated arcades, offering a fantasy twist on familiar run-and-slash gameplay. The game doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but it presents a solid, straightforward challenge with a distinct visual style.

You control a lone warrior armed with a broadsword, moving screen by screen to clear out enemies like armored knights and giant beasts. Your main goal is to survive each stage, defeating everything in your path. The combat relies on a few key moves: a standard sword swing, a jump attack, and a powerful spinning slash that drains your health with each use. This creates a constant risk-reward tension, especially in crowded fights. The pacing is aggressive, with enemies swarming from all sides, and the difficulty is unrelenting, demanding precise timing and careful health management. It feels like a desperate, quarter-munching struggle where every victory is earned through attrition.