Current version:Arcade
Willow

Willow

Willow is a 街机 action game released in 1989 developed by CAPCOM CO., LTD.. It centers on platform movement and landing judgment, aiming, shooting, and weapon use, and character or equipment growth, with controls and information arranged around the cabinet joystick and buttons.

AI score · out of 10
7.8 / 10
View review
My list

Reading your list from this browser…

About this game

Willow is a 街机 action game centered on platform movement and landing judgment, aiming, shooting, and weapon use, and character or equipment growth. Stages build pressure through routes, enemy patterns, and changing objectives, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on length, sales, or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Animation, hits, camera behavior, and readable hazards determine whether feedback remains dependable, while period CRT or cabinet displays, horizontal or vertical orientation, pixel and sprite proportions, audio, and cabinet viewing distance need to preserve action, state, and text readability together. The genre-specific limitation is that camera behavior, collision rules, input mapping, and repeated ground after failure can raise the entry barrier. Platform conditions also include coin and continue rules, operator difficulty settings, control-panel condition, screen orientation, board and regional revisions, linked cabinets, and hardware maintenance affect the present-day experience. This description covers only this platform release and does not import features or conveniences from remasters, emulators, or other console editions.

Recommended games

Related game recommendations on this platform

Arcade

AI review

AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:

7.8 / 10Arcade

Distinct magic and sword action enrich a striking film adaptation

Arcade Willow turns its film adventure into compact side-scrolling action. Willow releases different spells at colored charge thresholds, while Madmartigan's charged sword changes reach and power. Shop upgrades convert collected gold into choices for the next stretch rather than mere scoring. Jumping and grabbing high ledges also make traversal versatile. Six stages recreate recognizable chases, castles and battles through detailed settings, although free character switching appears only in the final two stages. Earlier sections must follow the assigned role. Catchy music is more pop-styled than fantastical, and ordinary effects do not equal the visual impact. Two-button controls, continuation points and retained upgrades make learning manageable. It suits players who enjoy charged attacks and routes; film familiarity adds flavor without being essential.

Strengths

  • Color-threshold spells and charged sword reach create distinct character styles
  • Detailed film scenes, ledge traversal and shop growth support the adventure

Weaknesses

  • Free character switching arrives only in the final two stages
  • Pop-styled music partly clashes with the fantasy, alongside ordinary effects

Who it is for: Side-scrolling action players interested in charge timing, shop upgrades and recognizable film-inspired environments.

Play notes: This covers the 1989 CPS1 arcade version, not the NES RPG. Attacks charge and directional jumps can grab ledges. Earlier stages assign your character; continuation points and retained upgrades help learn each section.

View scoring basis
DimensionReview stateScoreWeight
Dimension

Six film-based stages vary progression and goals, but free switching arrives only in the last two, restricting experimentation with both styles.

Reviewed7.2 / 10Not provided
Dimension

Color-selected charged magic, sword reach and ledge-grabbing jumps interact well, giving the two characters distinct, versatile action roles.

Reviewed8.1 / 10Not provided
Dimension

Detailed settings and recognizable film events are evocative, and voice samples help, but catchy pop-styled music only partly fits the fantasy atmosphere.

Reviewed7.8 / 10Not provided
Dimension

An eight-way stick and two buttons organize movement, attacks and jumping clearly; multiple continuation points and retained upgrades reduce recovery cost.

Reviewed7.8 / 10Not provided

Review sources

Not provided

Core information

Developer
CAPCOM
Publisher
CAPCOM
Release date
1989
Platforms
Arcade
Content kind
Game
Release state
Released
Region
Worldwide
Official website
Not provided
Offline minimum players
Not provided
Offline maximum players
Not provided
Online minimum players
Not provided
Online maximum players
Not provided
Tags
Side-scrollingSolo-friendlyBoss-heavyLevel ProgressionPlatformingFantasy2D GraphicsShooting
Supported game languages
Not provided
Requires base game
Not provided
Standalone
Not provided
Age ratings
Not provided
Play modes
MultiplayerSingle player
Perspectives
Side view

Release editions

Sources

Not provided