Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Although directly licensed to John Palevich’s earliest interpretation of top-view dungeon-based slashing, Dandy’s features are closest to Gauntlet, the coin-op it inspired. From the moment you select Sheba or Thor, the game throws you into a fast-paced corridor of rooms teeming with enemies, treasure, and hidden traps. The top-down perspective remains tight and functional, giving you a clear view of your immediate surroundings and incoming threats.

You play as either Sheba or Thor in a simultaneous two-player mode, which remains one of Dandy’s most compelling aspects. Cooperative play encourages coordination: one player can herd foes into chokepoints while the other picks off stragglers, or one can fend off spawns at the control box while the other hunts treasure. Single-player fans aren’t left behind, as the AI fills in the second slot, albeit with predictable behavior that keeps the challenge manageable.

Each of the 15 dungeons tasks you with collecting every piece of treasure before you can earn a level code. Enemies pour out in swarms from a spawning control box. Only after clearing all foes can you destroy the box to prevent further respawns. This ebb and flow—between siege-style combat and short breathing room—gives each dungeon a satisfying loop of tension and relief.

Energy management adds strategic depth. Treasure grants points but can also be traded in for food, which replenishes your dwindling stamina. Spells scattered throughout the maze provide unpredictable effects—disorientation, paralysis, or outright elimination of foes—so cautious players might save spells for dire moments, while risk-takers will pepper spells into every encounter for chaotic fun. Balancing offense, defense, and resource gathering makes each playthrough feel dynamic.

Graphics

Dandy embraces a bright, arcade-style palette that stands out on period hardware. Walls, floors, and environmental details are rendered with chunky pixels that give each room personality, whether it’s a moss-covered crypt or a lava-lined chamber. The simple color contrasts help you identify key items like treasure chests, food icons, and spell orbs at a glance.

Character sprites for Sheba, Thor, and the various creatures are small but distinct. Your hero wields a sword slash animation that has just enough swing to be satisfying, while monsters—from scuttling spiders to floating specters—writhe with understated menace. In two-player mode, the characters are easily differentiated by color, avoiding any confusion as you dash through crowded hallways.

Although dungeon layouts repeat structural motifs, the varied color schemes and subtle floor patterns keep exploration fresh. Occasional animated elements—such as flickering torches and opening treasure doors—inject a sense of life into what could otherwise be static labyrinths. While not pushing the limits of 8-bit graphics, Dandy delivers clarity and charm in equal measure.

Story

Dandy’s narrative is minimal but serviceable: you’re delving into a sprawling dungeon in search of riches and arcane power. The game doesn’t interrupt the action with cutscenes or dialogue, instead letting the lore emerge through room designs and item descriptions. This approach keeps you focused on the immediate thrill of survival and treasure hunting.

Sheba and Thor are archetypal heroes—nimble, brave, and ready to face whatever horrors lurk below. Their only backstory clues come from the choice of character portraits and a short manual blurb, but the cooperative gameplay builds its own stories: triumphant last-second spell saves, near-miss escapes from giant swarms, and frantic races to the exit once the control box is down.

Without an elaborate plot, the game maintains a steady pace that’s ideal for quick sessions or extended marathons. The absence of a complex story may disappoint players seeking deep narrative engagement, but for those who relish pure arcade dungeon crawling, Dandy’s stripped-down premise is a feature, not a flaw.

Overall Experience

Dandy stands as a worthy early counterpart to Gauntlet, offering streamlined dungeon crawling and instantly gratifying co-op combat. Its blend of resource management, spell-driven chaos, and non-stop action keeps the adrenaline high from start to finish. Newcomers to classic arcade-style adventures will find its straightforward mechanics inviting, while veterans will appreciate the strategic nuance in energy balancing and spell usage.

Replayability is strong thanks to the 15 distinct levels, the lure of uncovering hidden exits, and the satisfaction of assembling all level codes. Whether you’re tackling the game solo or teaming up with a friend, each run brings new surprises—especially when enemy spawns swarm unpredictably or spells backfire in spectacular fashion.

For collectors and retro-enthusiasts, Dandy offers a charming slice of gaming history with enough modern-style design sensibilities to hold up today. If you enjoy dungeon-based hack-and-slash titles, cooperative play, and light strategic elements, Dandy should be high on your list. Its combination of accessibility and depth ensures it remains a memorable—and highly recommended—title in any classic gaming library.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10