Play Pocket Zaurus - Juu Ouken no Nazo (Japan) Online

Tiny dino with a sword hacks through beetles and robots—controls are tight, jumps are tense, and every power-up actually changes how you feel. Quirky, compact, and full of "wait, is that a gun-toting frog?" moments.

Developer: Bandai

Genre: Platformer

Released: 1987

File size: 256 bytes

Game Overview

Ever played a game where you're a tiny dinosaur with a sword? That's Pocket Zaurus—one of those weird, wonderful NES games Japan kept to itself. You hop around colorful levels slashing at everything from giant beetles to robots, picking up power-ups that actually make you feel stronger (instead of just giving you +1 to some stat). The controls are surprisingly smooth for an 8-bit game, though some jumps will still make you grit your teeth.

It's got that Zelda II vibe with maze-like stages and hidden paths, but way more compact—perfect if you want something quirky but not overwhelming. The music sticks in your head too, all bouncy and bright. Honestly, half the fun is just seeing what ridiculous enemy they throw at you next. A frog with a gun? Sure, why not.

If you're into offbeat retro games, this one's a blast. Just don't blame me when you start humming the theme song hours later.