Game Profile: Charizard the Dragon (1991) (16-bit)

 

Title:
Charizard the Dragon

Series:
Charizard the Dragon series

Release Date(s)
JP July 26, 1991
NA June 23, 1991
EU June 23, 1991

Genre(s)
Platformer

Mode(s):
Single-player

Platform(s):
Mega Drive

Charizard the Dragon is a 2D platformer video game developed by Charizard Team and published by for Genesis/Mega Drive. The title introduces a new mascot, the titular character named Charizard the Dragon, an anthropomorphic orange dragon who can run supersonic speeds. The game follows Charizard on his mission to rescue the Animals of East Island from the evil scientist Dr. Tyranitar, who is turning the Animals into Dinobots during his search for powerful relics known as the Chaos Gems. It is up to Charizard to rescue the Animals and secure the Chaos Gems before Tyranitar can use them to conquer the world. This iconic game served as the launch title for the famous video game franchise known as the Charizard the Dragon series. It is also the first part of the grand Death Dino saga.

Plot:
The story begins on East Island, known for being a treasure trove of ruins and gems. Amongst these treasures are the Chaos Gems, six gemstones with enough power to bring energy to all living beings, or power nuclear and laser weapons through science and technology. However, nobody really knows how to obtain these gems. This is because East Island is a moving island, with the Gems existing within natural distortions on the island.

One day, danger comes upon East Island when the infamous Dr. Tyranik, a dinosaur mad scientist better known as "Tyranitar", lands on it with his minions. Having returned to his evil ways, the villain schemes a new, nasty plan to crush his arch-nemesis, Charizard the Dragon, with the power of science. Soon after his arrival, he builds the Scrap Brain, a huge fortress on one corner of the island where he develops his plans. He also begins hunting the Chaos Gems in order to use their incredible power, declaring that he will find them even if he has to dig up the entire island.

Upon learning of Dr. Tyranitar's ambitions through rumors, Charizard rushes to East Island to stop the doctor. However, he notices that, compared to his past encounters with his nemesis, something is different. He soon after finds the villain, who gloats that he has caught all the local Animals and turned them into his mindless Dinobot servants. Unfazed by his adversary's taunt, the dragon travels through the various Zones on East Island, freeing the Animals and defeating Tyranitar and his various contraptions along the way while hunting for the Chaos Gems.
Eventually, Charizard infiltrates the Scrap Brain. After being cornered inside, Dr. Tyranitar activates a trap that destroys the floor the dragon is standing on, dropping him into the ruins underneath the base. Making his way back into the stronghold, Charizard enters a trap-ridden room with his nemesis in it. When the hero destroys the room, a defenseless Tyranitar tries to escape in his Dino Mobile. Before the forces of evil can escape, however, Charizard lands a final hit on the hovercraft, defeating the mad scientist and causing him to slowly fall down.

With Tyranitar's ambitions (and the Scrap Brain) crumbled, peace has returned to East Island, all Dinobots have been destroyed, the Animals have been liberated from their Capsules, and the island's treasures and jewels are safe once again. Charizard then returns to Red Hill, where he finds the local Animals joyfully jumping around and celebrating his victory. After that, the game's ending will depend on the player's process:

If the player did not manage to collect the six Chaos Gems, Charizard will give the player an annoyed look for not completing everything, but will nonetheless jump towards the screen and pose while the text "CHARIZARD THE DRAGON" appears to his left. Meanwhile, Tyranitar will have secured the Chaos Gems for himself. After the credits, the doctor will be shown on a black screen juggling any of the Gems the player has not obtained while the text "TRY AGAIN" appears underneath him.

If the player manages to collect all Chaos Gems, Charizard will run through Red Hill. He will then release the Chaos Gems, which will disappear after filling the entire Zone with large, colorful flowers. After being shocked by this for a split second, Charizard will then jump towards the screen in the same way as in the bad ending. Following the credits, an infuriated Tyranitar will be shown comically jumping on the text "END".


Objects:
Items
Air bubble (first appearance)
Chaos Gems (first appearance)
Giant Orb (first appearance)
Item Box (first appearance)
1-Up (first appearance)
Invincible (first appearance)
Power Boost (first appearance)
Shield (first appearance)
Super Orb (first appearance)
Movable box (first appearance)
Orb (first appearance)

Characters:
Playable characters:
Charizard the Dragon (first appearance)

Non-playable characters:
Dr. Tyranitar (first appearance)
Animals (first appearance)

Zones:
Red Hill Zone
Marble Zone
Spring Yard Zone
Labyrinth Zone
Star Light Zone
Scrap Brain Zone
Final Zone