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LATEST in a long, long line of Japanese martial arts arcade conversions is Imagine s Bad Dudes vs Dragonninja, from the very popular Data East coin-op. One of the Bad Dudes of the title sets off in search of the fabled Dragonninja, a poor unfortunate beast with the body of a man and a dragon's head (a Soviet female shotputter, by any chance?) This evil creature is holding President Ronnie' hostage in his underground complex, and in a misguided fit of goodwill, the Bad Dude sets off to liberate the most powerful actor in the western hemisphere. The rescue mission takes Bad Dude across eight levels of scenery, battling through a town, across the top of a moving truck, along sewers. through a forest, on top of a speeding train, into an underground cave system and finally into the two levels of Dragonninja's complex. Here, the final duel takes place against the beast himself on the skids of his helicopter. There are four types of ninja assassins who are constantly after Bad's blood, depleting his energy each time they land a blow. At the end of each level there lies - surprise, surprise - an end-of level-guardian, each of which has a different method of attack and must be defeated before attempting the next scene. Bad Dude defends himself with punches and kicks, and can also rely on jump-kicks and a power-punch to despatch assailants an masse. 
Level 1: Blue ninjas and Green Beret-style dogs provide the hate interest.
As his black pyjama-clad enemies bite the dust, they occasionally drop weapons which the Dude collects. In this way his bare knuckle armoury can be supplemented by a dagger and nunchukas. He also obtains extra energy and time, left by the ninjas, to replenish waning life-source and diminishing time allowance. Dragonninja is a very competent rendition of the original, and is fun to play in the same fashion as Green Beret. Renegade et al. It can be pretty tough, but the constant progress provides a strong urge to go back for more. Dragonninja may not be the best combat game ever to hit the streets, but it's well implemented and extremely addictive. Steve Jarratt, ACE
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