Cadash - Versions and Differences

Versions and Differences

In the early 1990s, Cadash was ported to the TurboGrafx-16 (in 1991) and the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive (1992).

The Turbo Grafx 16 (PC-Engine) version of Cadash, which was translated into English by Working Designs, implemented many changes to the original game. Many aspects of the game were changed, including agility, defense, spell costs, and damage, to better balance the characters. Formerly challenging characters such as the fighter and mage were greatly enhanced to rival and even surpass the priestess. To accommodate the differences in hardware power, the levels were divided into large rooms and halls connected by doors and corridors, whereas the arcade game used large, seamless levels. The PC-Engine version featured colorful, new designs and graphics that are a sharp contrast from the darker shades used in the arcade and Genesis versions. The PC-Engine version did not allow any continues in one-player mode, although dead allies could be revived at inns in two-player mode.

The Genesis port curiously excluded two of the four playable classes, keeping only the fighter and mage. The port was not entirely accurate although the graphics were similar, albeit with a much darker palette. The giant kelp boss was removed entirely from this version. The healing value of herbs, damage from enemies, enemy AI, and many more aspects of the game were altered. This is the only version of Cadash where the player can buy elixirs, which serve as extra lives, in item shops.

Both home console versions of Cadash eliminated the time limit that existed in the original arcade version.

The Japanese version of the original arcade game is more difficult than the overseas versions. The most noticeable changes are that the player can only carry half as many herbs and antidotes, which are also considerably more expensive to buy. The hidden Dragon Amulet only rewards about 15,000 gold, as opposed to the maximum amount of 65535 in the other versions. As for differences in character gameplay, the priestess's Protection spell absorbs considerably less damage and her Time spell adds only half as much time.