Play P.O.W Online

I first played P.O.W. on the NES back in 1988, a port of an arcade game by SNK. It was a straightforward side-scrolling beat 'em up in an era filled with them, but it had a certain gritty charm. You control a prisoner of war, which was a bit different from the usual martial artist or fantasy hero, and the military setting stood out among the platformers and RPGs of the time.

You play as a captured soldier who breaks free and must fight through enemy bases. The main goal is to reach the end of each stage, defeating soldiers, commandos, and eventually a helicopter boss. You start with basic punches and kicks, but can pick up weapons like knives and guns dropped by enemies; the controls for switching and using them can feel a bit stiff. The pacing is relentless, with enemies swarming from both sides, and the difficulty is unforgiving, especially in later levels. It feels tense and scrappy, like you're barely surviving each encounter.