The Challenge
Somewhere deep in the jungles of Central America is the legendary Aztec Paradise. But no one has ever been there because the only way that leads to it is through a fearsome labyrinth inhabited by mysterious Aztec demons, monsters and spirits. Only the cool and clever explorer Niño is brave enough to venture into the labyrinth ... with any chance of survival!
Through one strange landscape after another, Niño presses on in search of Paradise. At every turn, enemies try to stop him. Some enemies can be bribed. Others he'll have to fight. And at the end of each passage, he'll have to encounter the boss Demon. Niño will have to defeat the Demon to open the gate to the next round, so he can continue on his quest.
What's it like in Paradise? There's only one way to find out.
Rounds
Niño's adventure is long and hazardous. He will have to get through ten rounds, each representing a different part of the labyrinth. Each section is guarded by its own Demon.
At the end of the labyrinth is the area known as the Shadows of the Phantoms ... a misty land where all the Demons are present together. It's a scary place, and it won't be easy for Niño to get through. But if he does, the gates of Paradise will finally open up for him.
| Round | Area |
|---|---|
| 1 | Forest |
| 2 | Underground waterway |
| 3 | Desert |
| 4 | Marshes |
| 5 | Ruins |
| 6 | Desert |
| 7 | Underground waterway |
| 8 | Ruins |
| 9 | Forest |
| 10 | Marshes |
| 11 | Phantoms' shadows |
The End of the Game
Niño starts the game with three lives. His life meter, in the upper center of the screen, will be all red when his life force is at full strength. When the meter becomes completely white, you lose one life.
The games ends when you reach Paradise, or lose your last life. The score and the number of rounds you've completed will be announced on the screen at the end of the game.
Take Control
Direction Button (D-Button)
Button 1
- to start the game
- to select an item from the item display
Button 2
- If you don't press Button 1 to select an item, press Button 2 to attack with your sword
- If you do press Button 1 to select an item, press Button 2 to throw that item in the direction Niño is facing
Make Your Move
When you push Button 1, you'll see a picture of Niño and several of his enemies.
These enemies can be turned into allies if you give them some money. Under the faces of each enemy, you'll see money bags representing how much money you'll have to give that enemy to turn him into your ally. Remember how much money each enemy needs, then press Button 1 to start the game.
Progress of the Game
At the beginning of every round you will see the number of the round and a picture of the boss Demon for that part of the labyrinth.
Then, a Goddess will appear to lead you into the labyrinth. At the end of each labyrinth section, you'll find a gigantic Demon. You'll have to conquer that Demon before the gate opens into the next section of the maze.
Enemies and Obstacles
There are many enemies waiting for you inside the labyrinth. When you are near an enemy, you can press Button 2 to defeat him with your sword.
You'll often find your path blocked by strange glowing plants ... "numbing trees," "popping flowers" and obstacles. These trees and flowers will lower your life meter if you get stung by them ... however, you can burn your way through if you've managed to pick up a fireball along the way.
The path is also full of dangerous guard spirits, animal spirits and other hazards. Any of these can lower your life meter if they get you. You may be able to destroy them with your sword or other weapons; or you may be able to dodge around them. Try to have the appropriate weapon selected and ready before you move into each passage.
How to Read the Screen
The Life Meter
The life meter is located in the upper left part of the screen. When it's all red, Niño is completely healthy. When it turns completely white, Niño will lose one life.
Decreasing: Your life force decreases when you run into an enemy, an obstacle, or any of the various weapons that may be hurled at you. Falling into a river will also decrease your life force.
Increasing: A Wishing Well will appear from the second round on. If you throw a money bag into the Wishing Well, your life meter will be replenished.
Weapon Items
Niño starts the game with only a sword as his weapon. When he is near an enemy, you can defeat him by pressing Button 2.
Several types of enemies and obstacles will appear in this game. You'll have to get hold of several types of weapons and learn how to use them, if you want to make it to Paradise.
- You can increase the number of items in your possession by attacking and conquering your enemies. When you defeat an enemy, an item appears. Pass over the item to claim it; it will then appear in the item display at the top of the screen. You'll occasionally find items just lying along the path. Pick these up by passing over them.
- Niño's items are indicated by a number that appears on the top right of the screen, to the right of a picture of the item. The maximum number of items Niño can hold is 8 in each category.
How to Use Weapon Items
On the item display at the top right of the screen, a white frame is used to select the weapon you want to use.
Press Button 1 and the white frame appears around the picture of an item. Press Button 1 again to move the frame to the right. (It will not stop next to an item if you don't have any of that item.) The item with the white frame around it is the one you'll use when you press Button 2. If no white frame appears, you'll use the sword when you press Button 2.
To select the sword, press Button 1 until the white frame moves off the right edge.
To throw an item in any direction, or to use your sword in that direction...
- use Button 1 to select the item you want
- point Niño in the desired direction
- Press Button 2
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| Money: Sometimes you can turn an enemy into an ally by giving him some money. And if you throw money into the Wishing Well, you can replenish your life meter. |
| Iron Ball: Flies in a straight line. You can defeat some enemies by throwing the iron ball at them. |
| Spear: Flies in a straight line. It will pierce through your enemy and bring him down. |
| 4-Directional Iron Balls: They fly in four directions, vertically and horizontally. Will conquer some enemies that a regular iron ball won't hurt. |
| Special: This item will be different in every round. |
Types of Special Items
 | Fireball: This item will burn up numbing trees, popping flowers and Monster Flowers. |
 | Boots: You can walk on water for a limited period of time when you have these boots. |
 | Tornado: It whirls around and defeats certain enemies that nothing else can hurt. |
 | Lightning: You'll be invincible for a limited period of time. |
 | Dynamite: Use it to blow up a moving wall. |
| Wishing Well: Throw one money bag into it and it will replenish your life meter. |
Hidden Items
Some items are hidden in the walls and on the ground. If you strike at the right spot with your sword, the item will appear.
| Round | Hidden Item | What to Use | Place | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | spear | sword | wall | 2 |
| 4 | spear | sword | ground | 1 |
| 4 | 4-directional iron balls | sword | ground | 1 |
| 5 | spear | sword | wall | 1 |
| 5 | 4-directional iron balls | sword | wall | 1 |
| 5 | Wishing Well | dynamite | wall | 1 |
| 7 | spear | sword | wall | 2 |
| 7 | 4-directional iron balls | sword | wall | 1 |
| 8 | Wishing Well | dynamite | wall | 1 |
| 9 | spear | sword | wall | 1 |
| 9 | 4-directional iron balls | sword | wall | 1 |
HINT: To help find the exact location of the hidden Wishing Well in Round 5, throw items other than money towards it. You may be able to stir up the angry Goddess who lives in the well, and trick her into revealing its location.
Characters and Score
Enemies, spirits, demons and beasts that you'll meet along the way, and the points and items you'll get if you conquer them:
| Name | Score | Item | Special Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Papi | 100 | money | one money bag turns him into an ally |
 | Pupe | 200 | iron ball | 2 money bags turn him into an ally |
 | Poh | 300 | spear | 4 money bags turn him into an ally |
 | Kanego | 100 | money | none |
 | Kanabun | 20 | spear (sometimes) | none |
 | Chabun | 200 | spear (sometimes) | none |
 | Biggs | 500 | special | you can defeat him only with sword or lightning |
 | Fukurotokage | 200 | iron ball | none |
 | Chankai | 200 | iron ball (sometimes 4-directional) | spear will not bring him down |
 | Cheemu | 300 | spear | none |
 | Horned Turtle | 300 | spear | you can defeat it only with a sword |
 | Gao Gao | 500 | 4-directional iron balls | none |
 | Snake | 200 | iron ball | none |
 | Yunga | 500 | special | iron ball will not defeat it |
Boss Demons
Each level of the labyrinth is inhabited by a different set of monsters, and each level is ruled by a boss Demon. You'll have to defeat the Demon before you can move on to the next round.
| Boss Demon | Score | How to Destroy | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Monster Flower (forest scene) | 1,000 | sword or fireball |
 | Bat (underground waterway scene) | 1,000 | sword or spear |
 | Masked Rabbit (desert scene) | 1,000 | sword or tornado |
 | Waterman (marsh scene) | 1,000 | sword or spear |
 | Rock Lion | 1,000 | sword or dynamite |
Each round is also full of obstacles that block your way and threaten your life. You can destroy these obstacles or try to go around them.
| Obstacles | Score | How to Destroy/Special Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ranbaike (round 3,5,7,10) | 1,000 | Sword or spear. If you defeat Ranbaike, Niño gains one life. Ranbaike's soldiers can be conquered by any weapon except money. |
 | Popping Flower | 0 | Fireball. If it stings you, your life meter decreases. You can pass it when the flower is closed. |
 | Numbing Tree | 0 | Fireball. If it touches you, your life meter decreases. |
 | Ant hill (desert) | 500 | Small tornado |
 | Lady (various scenes) | 200 | Tries to kidnap Pupe when he's your ally, or tries to freeze Poh. Weapons can't defeat her; try offering money. |
Bonus points for clearing each round: 5,000 points.
A Brief Guide to the Labyrinth
Forest
Full of numbing trees and popping flowers which block your path. A fireball will blow them away so you can pass. Don't touch them, or your life meter decreases! Demon: Monster Flower.
Underground Waterway
If you fall in, your life meter decreases. Use a raft to cross. If you pick up a pair of boots along the way, you can walk on water for a while. Demon: The Bat.
Desert
Full of flying cactus thorns. It also has the deadly ant hill. Pick up a whirling tornado along the way to defeat your enemies. Demon: The Masked Rabbit.
Marsh
You'll be walking on what looks like an island ... a small patch of muddy ground surrounded by water. If the waves get to you, your life meter decreases. Pick up lightning and it'll make you invincible to your enemies. Demon: The Waterman.
Ruins
Watch out for moving, fire-spitting walls. Pick up the dynamite and use it to destroy the moving walls. Demon: Rock Lion.
Phantom Shadows
A dark and misty land, with many dangers. Beware! The shadows are full of Demons: The Monster Flower, The Bat, the Masked Rabbit, The Rock Lion, Ranbaike and the Bird Spirit of Nazca. If you make it through, the gates of Paradise will open before you.
See the original manual scans at Aztec Adventure - US - Manual
See the main page for Aztec Adventure (-The Golden Road to Paradise-) / Nazca '88 (ナスカ’８８ -The Golden Road to Paradise-)