Play Blade Master Online

Blade Master is a side-scrolling arcade game from 1991, developed by Irem. It came out during a time when beat 'em ups and fantasy action games were common sights in arcades, offering another option for players looking to hack their way through waves of enemies with a friend.

You choose between two characters, Roy or Arnold, each with their own weapon and attack style, and fight through seven stages of monsters to rescue Roy's sister. The game progresses screen by screen, locking you in until all enemies are defeated. You use a standard attack and a more powerful spinning special move that costs health, and you can find temporary weapon upgrades like a flail or a broadsword hidden in breakable objects. The pacing is fast, and the difficulty is typical for its era, demanding quick reflexes and careful use of your special attack to survive the crowded battles. It feels like a straightforward, sometimes punishing test of your ability to manage crowds and conserve your limited resources.