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Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (video game)
Encyclopedia
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was a console game released in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System
and Game Boy
developed by Sculptured Software, Inc. and Bits Studios, respectively, and published by Virgin Games, Inc. It was based on the Kevin Costner
film of the same name
.
The game was featured as the cover game for the July 1991 issue of Nintendo Power
magazine, but unlike other covers that featured games based on films, the image did not depict any actual actors or items from the film itself. The issue is also notorious for the fact that the game was featured on the cover six months prior to the game's actual release in stores.
Around the same time, a Robin Hood game was also featured in an episode of Captain N: The Game Master
. The episode was almost certainly a reference to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves because it was the only Robin Hood game released for the NES in the relevant time frame, but none of the characters ever make a reference to the Prince of Thieves subtitle, possibly due to rights issues. Also, none of the Robin Hood characters in the episode resemble their counterparts from the film. As a result, the episode only vaguely alludes to the actual game.
The game also had a loose equipping system, where nearly any object could be held as a weapon. When Duncan first joins Robin's band, he comes brandishing a chicken leg for attack.
Upon arrival in England, Robin finds that his father has been murdered and that the Sheriff of Nottingham
is ruling England oppressively in the absence of King Richard
. Maid Marian
tells Robin that there are rumors that men are hiding out in Sherwood Forest
from the sheriff and tells him to go there, seek them out and join them.
Once Robin joins the camp in Sherwood, it becomes Robin Hood’s home base for the remainder of the game. He continually leaves camp to undertake various missions. Upon completing each mission, Robin must return to camp to find out what mission to undertake next. Eventually, Robin Hood takes his last mission to get rid of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Once Robin defeats the Sheriff, the game is won and concludes with a wedding of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, which is interrupted by King Richard, who has just returned to England. Richard gives Marian away and she and Robin are married.
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
and Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
developed by Sculptured Software, Inc. and Bits Studios, respectively, and published by Virgin Games, Inc. It was based on the Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
film of the same name
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a 1991 American adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. Kevin Costner heads the cast list as Robin Hood...
.
The game was featured as the cover game for the July 1991 issue of Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
magazine, but unlike other covers that featured games based on films, the image did not depict any actual actors or items from the film itself. The issue is also notorious for the fact that the game was featured on the cover six months prior to the game's actual release in stores.
Around the same time, a Robin Hood game was also featured in an episode of Captain N: The Game Master
Captain N: The Game Master
Captain N: The Game Master was an American animated television series that aired on television from 1989 to 1991 as part of the Saturday morning cartoon lineup on NBC. The show incorporated elements from many of the most popular Nintendo games of the time...
. The episode was almost certainly a reference to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves because it was the only Robin Hood game released for the NES in the relevant time frame, but none of the characters ever make a reference to the Prince of Thieves subtitle, possibly due to rights issues. Also, none of the Robin Hood characters in the episode resemble their counterparts from the film. As a result, the episode only vaguely alludes to the actual game.
Gameplay
The game was notable for featuring several modes of gameplay. The standard adventuring mode depicted the action from an overhead perspective as the player guided Robin through the environment, battling enemies. A second mode used for one-on-one duels depicted the action from the side and featured different controls that allowed the player-controlled character to jump as well as attack and guard. The third mode, a melee mode, featured action taking place from an extreme overhead perspective, allowing for the depiction of large-scale battles between large forces. This mode typically ensued when a large number of Robin's merry men and enemy soldiers clashed. During a horse racing sequence, there is yet another mode, a blend of the overhead and side perspectives, as the horse must be guided to jump over debris and ultimately beat the competitor.The game also had a loose equipping system, where nearly any object could be held as a weapon. When Duncan first joins Robin's band, he comes brandishing a chicken leg for attack.
Story
The game opens in an Arab prison in Jerusalem. Robin Hood is in prison along with Peter Dubois and Azeem. Robin must free both of them and then they must make their escape. Peter is mortally wounded in the escape process, but Robin and Azeem escape to England.Upon arrival in England, Robin finds that his father has been murdered and that the Sheriff of Nottingham
Sheriff of Nottingham
The Sheriff of Nottingham was historically the office responsible for enforcing law and order in Nottingham and bringing criminals to justice. For years the post has been directly appointed by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and in modern times, with the existence of the police force, the position is...
is ruling England oppressively in the absence of King Richard
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
. Maid Marian
Maid Marian
Maid Marian is the wife of the legendary English outlaw Robin Hood. Stemming from another, older tradition, she became associated with Robin Hood only in the 16th century.-History:The earliest medieval Robin Hood stories gave him no female companion...
tells Robin that there are rumors that men are hiding out in Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest is a Royal Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, that is famous through its historical association with the legend of Robin Hood. Continuously forested since the end of the Ice Age, Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve today encompasses 423 hectares surrounding the village of...
from the sheriff and tells him to go there, seek them out and join them.
Once Robin joins the camp in Sherwood, it becomes Robin Hood’s home base for the remainder of the game. He continually leaves camp to undertake various missions. Upon completing each mission, Robin must return to camp to find out what mission to undertake next. Eventually, Robin Hood takes his last mission to get rid of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Once Robin defeats the Sheriff, the game is won and concludes with a wedding of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, which is interrupted by King Richard, who has just returned to England. Richard gives Marian away and she and Robin are married.
Differences between the movie and video game
- In the movie, Robin’s father is killed directly by the Sheriff of Nottingham. In the video game, the death of Robin’s father is primarily the work of Guy of GisbourneGuy of GisbourneSir Guy of Gisbourne is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. In The Ballad of Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne , he hunts Robin for the Sheriff of Nottingham, but Robin kills him and cuts off his head...
, though the sheriff is involved.
- In the video game, Marian is against the sheriff and on Robin’s side from the beginning. In the movie, she perceives Robin as a thief until Robin reveals to her what the sheriff is up to.
- In the video game, Robin kills Guy of Gisborne in a duel when the latter is transporting gold through Sherwood Forest. In the movie, Guy is killed by the sheriff in reprisal for allowing Robin to steal the gold.
- In the video game, upon defeating Guy, Robin retrieves his father's sword, which had been stolen from him. In the movie, Robin does not get the sword until he defeats the sheriff.
- The video game features a key villain known simply as “The Baron” who is in league with the sheriff to take over England.
- The video game features various subplots that are not in the movie. These include Robin hunting down a giant boar that is ravaging the villages, seeking a weapons master to train his men, and searching for mystical healing waters to cure his sick men. This may have been to give the game some more length.
- The movie includes a subplot in which Will ScarletWill ScarletWill Scarlet was a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men. He was present in the earliest ballads along with Little John and Much the Miller's Son....
reveals to Robin that he is his half-brother. In the video game, Will is a peripheral character whom Robin consults with upon returning to camp to learn of the next mission.
- The character Azeem, who plays a major role in the film, loses prominence as the game progresses.
- In the video game, the sheriff's witch Mortiana has a skeleton bodyguard who can only be killed with one weapon; the Druid’s Dagger. Robin obtains the dagger when Marian secretly steals it from the sheriff and passes it on to Robin. In the movie, Marian gives Robin a similar dagger which Robin eventually uses to kill the sheriff.
- In the video game, the character portraits representing the characters are quite similar to the cast members of the movie, however the portraits regarding Guy of GisbourneGuy of GisbourneSir Guy of Gisbourne is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. In The Ballad of Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne , he hunts Robin for the Sheriff of Nottingham, but Robin kills him and cuts off his head...
, played by Michael WincottMichael WincottMichael Anthony Claudio Wincott is a Canadian actor.Wincott was born in Toronto, Ontario and is renown for playing villainous roles-Filmography:*Title Shot - Robber*Wild Horse Hank - Charlie Connors...
, and the Sheriff of NottinghamSheriff of NottinghamThe Sheriff of Nottingham was historically the office responsible for enforcing law and order in Nottingham and bringing criminals to justice. For years the post has been directly appointed by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and in modern times, with the existence of the police force, the position is...
portrayed by Alan RickmanAlan RickmanAlan Sidney Patrick Rickman is an English actor and theatre director. He is a renowned stage actor in modern and classical productions and a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company...
have been switched around.