A J-RPG inspired by One Thousand and One Nights with original mechanics. The animal transformation system is well used. Little known but full of good surprises for genre fans.
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Category
RPG1 player7+
Description
Fantasy RPG in which Scheherazade travels through One Thousand and One Nights to defeat a sorcerer. Published by Data East, released in Japan in 1987. Exploration of fantastical Middle Eastern towns, turn-based combat, companions to recruit and One Thousand and One Nights tales. An original Data East RPG inspired by Arabian tales on Famicom.
Arabian Dream Scheherazade review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
The imagery of oriental tales is deployed with care: domed palaces, covered markets, deserts, flying carpets, genies rising from lamps. The game alternates overhead exploration and side-view battles, each with its own treatment, and the dialogue portraits adopt a round, colourful line.
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Blending action and role-playing in an Arabian Nights setting, this adventure alternates real-time combat and enchanted exploration with a fluidity rare for its time. The fun springs from this freedom of movement and the magic soaking every backdrop. Colourful and transporting, an overlooked treasure that charms from the first steps.
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾0,14 MB📅18/09/1987
Published by Culture Brain
Arabian Dream Scheherazade (NES) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Is Arabian Dream Scheherazade still worth playing in 2026?
A fantasy RPG from Culture Brain, Arabian Dream Scheherazade takes its heroine through the world of the Thousand and One Nights to defeat a sorcerer, blending exploration, turn based combat and original action phases. The exotic Oriental setting, the hybrid structure and a few inventive ideas give a real personality to an RPG that stayed in Japan. The handling and the language barrier take patience. For a fan of offbeat retro RPGs, someone curious about Culture Brain productions or a collector, the title keeps an exotic charm and a definite singularity.
