History VideoGame / Hydlide

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was an UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced a RegeneratingHealth mechanic. These were fairly revolutionary concepts, and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (compared to other RPG titles at the time); it was quite simply the first game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG/adventure franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

The game received several sequels, including ''Hydlide II'' for the PC-8801 and {{UsefulNotes/MSX}} in 1985, ''Super Hydlide'' (''Hydlide 3'' in Japan) for the MSX and PC-8801 computers in 1987 and Sega Mega Drive[=/=]UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis console in 1989. It was also remade as ''VideoGame/VirtualHydlide'' for the UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn in 1995. While ''Hydlide II'' and ''Super Hydlide'', with innovations such as a MoralityMeter and [[InUniverseGameClock Day Night Cycle]], were considered good games in Japan, they became very outdated by the time ''Super Hydlide'' released in North America in 1990.

While the original microcomputer versions sold well in Japan, the NES port later gained notoriety in North America for being [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny terribly outdated]] in comparison to later, more refined, superior action RPG titles like ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}''... some of which ''beat'' the '89 release to Anglophone shores. Compared to those later games, the graphics in ''Hydlide'' looked "messy and hard to interpret" in comparison. Unaware of when ''Hydlide'' first came out, some North Americans even wrongly accused ''Hydlide'' of being "a badly designed ripoff" of either ''The Legend of Zelda'' or ''Ys'', when in reality, it was actually the other way around: both ''The Legend of Zelda'' or ''Ys'' were heavily influenced by ''Hydlide'' in the first place. This makes ''Hydlide'' a classic example of the SeinfeldIsUnfunny trope, with later generations failing to realize just how revolutionary it was for its time.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was an UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced a RegeneratingHealth mechanic. These were fairly revolutionary concepts, and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (one could draw up a reasonable contrast between it and 1985's ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'', for example); it was quite simply the first game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG/adventure franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was the UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. These were fairly revolutionary concepts, and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (one could draw up a reasonable contrast between it and 1985's ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'', for example); it was quite simply the first game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG/adventure franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was the UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. Even across the entire ''world'', these were fairly revolutionary concepts and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (one could draw up a reasonable contrast between it and 1985's ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'', for example); in Japan, it was quite simply the first commercially available game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG/adventure franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was the UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. Even across the entire ''world'', these were fairly revolutionary concepts and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (one could draw up a reasonable contrast between it and 1985's ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'', for example); in Japan, it was quite simply the first commercially-available game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG/adventure franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was the UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. Even across the entire ''world'', these were fairly revolutionary concepts and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (one could draw up a reasonable contrast between it and ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'', for example); in Japan, it was quite simply the first commercially-available, Japanese-native game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG/adventure franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

* JokeItem: The Sega Pack in Super Hydlide. It even says "It's a joke." when you try to use it.

* AWinnerIsYou: When you beat the game, you get a text "Congratulations!" While the player and the princess (you saved) just stand there doing their Idle animations, it then goes to the title screen.

* GuideDangIt: There is absolutely ''no'' clue at any point what you're supposed to do.

* MoneySpider: Played straight in ''Super''.

* RainbowSpeak: The intros for the first two games.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was the UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. Even across the entire ''world'', these were fairly revolutionary concepts and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (one could draw up a reasonable contrast between it and ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'', for example); in Japan, it was quite simply the first commercially-available, Japanese-native game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was the UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. Even across the entire ''world'', these were fairly revolutionary concepts and for 1984, the implementation wasn't bad at all (one could draw up a reasonable contrast between it and ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'', for example); in Japan, it was quite simply the first commercially-available, Japanese-native game to do what it did, ''period''. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''Franchise/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

While the original microcomputer versions sold well in Japan, the NES port later gained notoriety in North America for being [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny terribly outdated]] in comparison to later, more refined, superior action RPG titles like ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''Franchise/{{Ys}}''... some of which ''beat'' the '89 release to Anglophone shores. Compared to those later games, the graphics in ''Hydlide'' looked "messy and hard to interpret" in comparison. Unaware of when ''Hydlide'' first came out, some North Americans even wrongly accused ''Hydlide'' of being "a badly designed ripoff" of either ''The Legend of Zelda'' or ''Ys'', when in reality, it was actually the other way around: both ''The Legend of Zelda'' or ''Ys'' were heavily influenced by ''Hydlide'' in the first place. This makes ''Hydlide'' a classic example of the SeinfeldIsUnfunny trope, with later generations failing to realize just how revolutionary it was for its time.

* RegeneratingHealth: The original ''Hydlide'' was an UrExample of this trope. It introduced a health regeneration mechanic where health and magic slowly regenerate when standing still. It inspired the regenerating health mechanic in the more popular ''Franchise/{{Ys}}'' series, decades before the mechanic eventually appeared in FirstPersonShooter games with ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was the UrExample of a fully-scaled WideOpenSandbox world, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in Japan. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''Franchise/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

While the original microcomputer versions sold well in Japan, the NES port later gained notoriety in North America for being [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny terribly outdated]] in comparison to later, more refined, superior action RPG titles like ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''Franchise/{{Ys}}''. Compared to those games, the graphics in ''Hydlide'' looked "messy and hard to interpret" in comparison. Unaware of when ''Hydlide'' first came out, some North Americans even wrongly accused ''Hydlide'' of being "a badly designed ripoff" of either ''The Legend of Zelda'' or ''Ys'', when in reality, it was actually the other way around: both ''The Legend of Zelda'' or ''Ys'' were heavily influenced by ''Hydlide'' in the first place. This makes ''Hydlide'' a classic example of the SeinfeldIsUnfunny trope, with later generations failing to realize just how revolutionary it was for its time.

The game received several sequels, including ''Hydlide II'' for the PC-8801 and {{UsefulNotes/MSX}} in 1985, ''Super Hydlide'' (''Hydlide 3'' in Japan) for the MSX and PC-8801 computers in 1987 and Sega Mega Drive[=/=]UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis console in 1989. It was also remade as ''VideoGame/VirtualHydlide'' for the UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn in 1995. While ''Hydlide II'' and ''Super Hydlide'', with innovations such as a MoralityMeter and DayNightCycle, were considered good games in Japan, they became very outdated by the time ''Super Hydlide'' released in North America in 1990.

* WideOpenSandbox: This was the UrExample of a fully-scaled open world. Unlike earlier role-playing games that used TheOverworld concept, the open world of ''Hydlide'' was entirely to scale, fully traversable on foot. This would later become a hallmark of ''TheLegendOfZelda''.

* WideOpenSandbox: This was the UrExample of a fully-scaled open world. Unlike earlier role-playing games that used TheOverworld concept, the open world of ''Hydlide'' was entirely to scale, fully traversal on foot. This would later become a hallmark of ''TheLegendOfZelda''.

* RegeneratingHealth: The original ''Hydlide'' was an UrExample of this trope. It introduced a health regeneration mechanic where health and magic slowly regenerate when standing still. It inspired the regenerating health mechanic in the more popular ''{{Ys}}'' series, decades before the mechanic eventually appeared in FirstPersonShooter games with ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''.

A princess is attacked by the dragon Varalys, who breaks her into three fairies and scatters them through the land. One of her kingdom's bravest knights, Jim, sets out to retrieve the fairies and the crystals that will restore her to her original form and allow him to slay Varalys.

For clarity purposes, the original (or the Famicom/NES version) will be just called ''Hydlide'', ''Hydlide II'' as ''Hydlide II'', and ''Super Hydlide'' as ''Super''.

* BigBad: Varalys, the final boss of the original. He's [[DemotedToDragon reduced to the Dragon]] in ''Super'', with Kaizack taking the role of Big Bad.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: ''Hydlide'' was a revolutionary game that had a big influence on ActionAdventure games like ''TheLegendOfZelda'' and {{Action RPG}} titles like ''Ys''. But by the time it released in North America, it was terribly outdated.

The game received several sequels, including ''Hydlide II'' for the PC-8801 and {{MSX}} in 1985, ''Super Hydlide'' (''Hydlide 3'' in Japan) for the MSX and PC-8801 computers in 1987 and Sega Mega Drive[=/=]UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis console in 1989. It was also remade as ''VideoGame/VirtualHydlide'' for the UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn in 1995. While ''Hydlide II'' and ''Super Hydlide'', with innovations such as a MoralityMeter and DayNightCycle, were considered good games in Japan, they became very outdated by the time ''Super Hydlide'' released in North America in 1990.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: ''Hydlide'' was a revolutionary game that had a big influence on ActionAdventure games like '''TheLegendOfZelda'' and {{Action RPG}} titles like ''Ys''. But by the time it released in North America, it was terribly outdated.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, was a pioneer of WideOpenSandbox gameplay, and even introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986, selling 2 million copies in {{Japan}}. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''Franchise/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

In 1984, the game ''Hydlide'' came out on the Japanese microcomputers PC-6001 and PC-8801. Upon its release in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, it was hailed as a revolutionary title. It was one of the first ever games in the emerging {{Action RPG}} genre, and it also introduced the RegeneratingHealth mechanic. The game's success led to ports across multiple other Japanese computer systems, and eventually the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]] console in 1986. Its revolutionary game design had a big influence on later action RPG franchises such as ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and ''Franchise/{{Ys}}.'' However, ''Hydlide'' was not released in North America until 1989, when North American gamers played the 1986 Famicom version for the first time on the NES. It is this version that the majority of UsefulNotes/{{North America}}n gamers know about.

* BigBad: Varalys, the final boss of the original. He's [[DemotedToDragon reduced to the Dragon]] in ''Super'', with Kaizack taking the role of big bad.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: ''Hydlide'' was a revolutionary 1984 game that had a big influence on ActionAdventure games like '''TheLegendOfZelda'' and {{Action RPG}} titles like ''Ys''. But by the time it released in North America, it was terribly outdated.