An arcade barbarian action game - essentially 8-bit Conan. Satisfying sword combat and well-built levels make it a solid action classic that has aged reasonably well.
Your verdict
Category
Action1 player12+
Description
Action game featuring barbarian Rastan battling monsters with his sword in fantastical medieval levels. Published by Sega, released in Europe in 1988. Rastan in side-scrolling view with sword and varied weapons and mythical monster bosses. Master System port of Taito's Rastan arcade.
Rastan review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
The barbarian takes up a large share of the screen's height, bare-chested and sword raised, a silhouette inherited from the imagery of heroic fantasy novel covers. The settings string together ancient ruins, lava caverns and fortresses, with creatures borrowed from Greek mythology rather than from the genre's usual medieval bestiary.
A heroic-fantasy action where the barbarian Rastan cuts down monsters with his sword through medieval levels, an adaptation of a Taito arcade classic, in its European edition. Its desirability rests on the fame of the Rastan license and a well-identified PAL pressing. Collectors seek this title for its barbarian mood emblematic of the 1980s and its place among the Master System's notable arcade conversions.
Is Rastan still worth playing in 2026?
A port of Taito's action game, Rastan stars a sword wielding barbarian crossing fantasy medieval levels full of monsters, in the heroic fantasy imaginary. The sword handling, the weapon collecting and the dark mood give a demanding, epic action for its time. The 8 bit conversion loses finesse against the cabinet but keeps its atmosphere and tough challenge. For a retro action adventure fan, someone curious about Taito classics or a collector, the title keeps a barbarian character and a substantial action pleasure.
