The Magic of Scheherazade (1987-)

• Developer: Culture Brain

• Publisher: Culture Brain

• Genre: Action-Adventure

The Magic of Scheherazade for the NES was developed by Culture Brain and released in 1987 in Japan, with a North American release following in 1989, published by the same company. It was exclusive to the NES and did not see ports to other platforms, establishing itself as a unique entry in the console’s library. The game combined elements of action, role-playing, and time travel in a way that was unusual for its time, blending top-down exploration with side-scrolling combat sequences. Its ambition to mix genres set it apart from the standard adventure or RPG titles commonly found on the system.

The story follows a young hero who is tasked with saving the kingdom and ultimately the world by recovering a mystical book while navigating a series of temporal paradoxes. The game drew heavy inspiration from Arabian Nights folklore, borrowing themes and imagery such as genies, magic carpets, and enchanted palaces, while layering in time travel elements to broaden its narrative scope. This combination of cultural motifs and science fiction concepts gave the game a distinctive identity, creating a world that felt both exotic and expansive for NES standards.

Gameplay alternates between top-down exploration, where players interact with NPCs, gather items, and navigate dungeons, and side-scrolling combat, which occurs when the player encounters enemies in the overworld. Magic spells, swords, and other abilities are used to defeat monsters, and the game features a real-time combat system during encounters, which was innovative at the time for an RPG-focused title. The soundtrack, composed for the NES, includes energetic and adventurous tracks that enhance both the sense of exploration and the intensity of battle sequences, helping to maintain a consistent sense of engagement throughout the game.

The Magic of Scheherazade did not have a prequel, nor did it receive a direct sequel on the NES, though Culture Brain later developed other fantasy-themed action RPGs that carried some of its stylistic and mechanical DNA. Promotion focused on its blend of action and RPG elements, exotic setting, and unique combination of top-down and side-scrolling gameplay. Reception at release was generally positive, with praise for its inventive gameplay and ambitious design, although some players found its time travel mechanics and difficulty challenging to navigate. Over the years, it has retained a reputation as a cult classic, notable for its unusual approach to genre-mixing and imaginative world-building on the NES.

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