In a world before Twitter warriors and social media activism, there was 'Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja'—an old-school 1988 arcade game that truly defined what it meant to stand up for justice, freedom, and all that is good. Developed by Data East and launched in the amp and adrenaline-filled late 80s, this game is a perfect depiction of raw action and unfiltered heroism, devoid of today’s coddling safe spaces.
'Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja' is a potent reminder of the days when heroes were celebrated for their grit—and not criticized for stepping on sensitive toes. The story is set in a chaotic America where President Ronnie, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Ronald Reagan, has been kidnapped by a ruthless gang known as the DragonNinja. Enter the Bad Dudes, Blade and Striker, who waste no time asking for contract terms or a speech on diplomacy. They simply brawl their way through hordes of ninjas to save the leader of the free world, just as neon lights illuminate the gritty urban landscape.
As a political conservative, I find it amusing—and mildly infuriating—how nostalgic trips like these are quietly ignored by the mainstream crowd. They get hushed under the carpet, just like any content that promotes the notion of good versus evil, without attaching a legion of social and political nuances. The simplicity of good guys versus bad guys is not a concept that sits well with many today. They'd rather blur the lines into shades of gray because apparently fighting bad guys head-on doesn’t fit today’s more 'nuanced' methods of dialogue.
The graphics were rudimentary by today’s standards, with its 8-bit charm and its recycled sound effects. But back in the day, they were top-notch—grabbing quarters from millions of youth eager to prove they have what it takes to save the President. Blade and Striker take on an eight-level journey that takes them through urban jungles, freight trains, and even ninja-infested sewers. The villains were underscored by tribally-inspired music that sent your adrenaline ticking vertically through the roof.
Unlike today's so-called virtual 'heroes', Blade and Striker marched on without ever questioning the importance of their goal or doubting themselves. You could say they were models of self-assured conservatives who didn't need a college degree to discern right from wrong. It was clear: You punched, you kicked, and you liberated your leader from the clutches of evil. The world needed saving, and the Bad Dudes got to work.
It’s quite ironic, considering how our current political landscape shuns such audacity. The game's bold concept of a hero duo, reflecting unyielding traditional values of fighting for one's country, has been clouded today by virtue signaling and moral superiority contests often managed from the comfort of a keyboard.
The game was simple, but its repercussions, at least metaphorically, are profound. It’s a beacon of how action and urgency speak louder than endless debates that achieve nothing. The aesthetics unapologetically celebrated Western bravado. The Bad Dudes made it cool to be patriotic. They didn't toss out apologies after landing a knockout blow.
When I think about the reaction of certain segments of today's culture to such a game, I can’t help but laugh. 'Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja' dares to celebrate brawn over endless jabbering—the kind now found in so many circles claiming to hold the monopoly over every truth and falsehood.
But what was most ingenious, whether intentionally or not, was that the game foreshadowed a message: Leaders worth saving ought to be protected at all costs. Perhaps, through the pixelated lens of heroism, it suggested that no obstacle should deter one from safeguarding the values and structures that champion liberty.
Maybe if we embraced these classic situations more, as exemplified in 'Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja', the tantrums ahead would be less and we'd remember that some lines in the sand actually need drawing. The spirit of unbridled action, like that of Blade and Striker, would ensure that liberty-preserving actions aren't sidelined.
Whether you played 'Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja' or not, there’s an undeniable thrill in watching or embodying Blade and Striker. Here’s to celebrating simpler times, when deeds weren’t measured by hashtags, but by direct, unadorned action. Because sometimes, you don’t need a discourse; just a pair of fists, and a truckload of courage.