Dynamite Headdy[a] is a platform video game developed by Treasure and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis in 1994. The game follows a puppet named Headdy in his efforts to stop an evil puppet king from taking over his world. Headdy can throw his head at enemies to defeat them and use it to pull himself to various areas and move objects. The player can find a wide variety of “heads” which act as power-ups that provide different effects and alter gameplay.
Critical reception to Dynamite Headdy was positive. Critics highlighted the game’s originality and creativity in distinguishing it among other games in the platform genre. They also commended Treasure for demonstrating their technical expertise with impressive graphical effects and building on the success of their earlier game Gunstar Heroes (1993).
In reviews from the time and in retrospect, Dynamite Headdy is cited as one of the best games on the Genesis, and has since been included in multiple compilations of classic Genesis games. An 8-bit port was released for Game Gear, which itself served as the basis for a Master System port released in Brazil.
Gameplay – Dynamite Headdy
Dynamite Headdy is a platform game in which the player controls Headdy, a puppet with a detachable head.[1] The story follows Headdy in his adventures to save his world from the evil puppet King Dark Demon, who is transforming all the puppets of the world into his evil minions. To succeed, Headdy must overcome the King’s army, which features the likes of Trouble Bruin[b] and the key masters which serve as stage bosses.[2]
Headdy can jump and throw his head in any direction to attack enemies. His head can also be used to grab hooks and pull himself up to other platforms.[3]: 6 Headdy’s health is represented by a spotlight in the corner of the screen which changes colors. If the player does not pick up restorative items to heal themselves after suffering damage from enemies, they will lose a life.[3]: 7
During his adventure, Headdy will find power-ups which change the design and function of his head. These 17 power-ups range from increasing damage, such as spinning fireballs around his head, to providing invincibility, restoring health, increasing speed, etc.[4] Some of these power-ups last for only a short time.
Other than heads, the player can also find health restoratives, extra points, and extra lives throughout the levels. By finding the Liberty Head, players can enter a Bonus Stage in which the player must shoot basketballs into the correct hoops.[3]: 10–13 Unlike other platform games where falling into a bottomless pit results instant death, if Headdy falls off, he will bounce back up which allows the player to put him back on a platform, though Headdy will still sustain some damage.
Ballad for You
Crosswalk of Love
Headdy the Hero
You’re Izayoi
Funny Angry
