Play Ys (Japan) Online

I first played Ys on the NES back in 1987, a version developed by Falcom that took the PC series in a different direction. It arrived during a time when side-scrolling action games were common, but this one had its own distinct, somewhat experimental feel compared to other titles on the system.

You control Adol, a young swordsman, as you explore a large world screen by screen, fighting monsters and delving into dungeons to collect the six Books of Ys. Combat is simple; you attack by bumping into enemies at an angle, which feels unusual at first but becomes intuitive. The pacing is deliberate, with a moderate difficulty that requires careful exploration and backtracking. It feels like a thoughtful, if occasionally awkward, adventure from that era.