Play Dragon Heart Online

Dragon Heart came out for the Game Boy in 1990, developed by Infogrames. It was one of those early action-adventure titles that tried to capture the feel of bigger console games on the small screen, with all the limitations that implied. You don't hear much about it now, but at the time it offered a decent chunk of exploration and combat for handheld players.

You control a knight on a quest to defeat a dragon, moving screen by screen through forests, caves, and castles. The main goal is to gather pieces of a magical amulet hidden in various dungeons before facing the final boss. Combat relies on timing your sword swings carefully, as attacks are slow and leave you open. You also use a bow for hitting distant enemies or switches. The game is quite difficult, with limited continues and enemies that respawn when you leave a screen. It feels deliberate and a little stiff, but beating a tough section brings a real sense of accomplishment.