The Scheme

Developer: Onion Software

Aug 9, 1988

Visual

8-Bit
pixel
side scroll

Structure

ability gated
exploration
item gated
non linear

Combat

action

Features

leveling

Themes

fantasy
Sci-Fi

Sub-Genre

RPG
proto-Metroidvania

Summary

The Scheme is an action RPG released by Bothtec (later known as Quest) for the PC-88 in 1988. It features Metroidvania-style open-world exploration, side-scrolling run & gun shooter combat, and chiptune music by Yuzo Koshiro.

Last updated August 12, 2026

Where to play

Nintendo
- Switch
Retro / Etc.
- PC-88

Resources

Links

IGDB

Other

MyAbandonware

Faxanadu

Developer: Hudson Soft, Konami

Publisher: Hudson Soft, Konami, Nintendo

1987

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- Has Romhack
- interconnected map
- contact damage
- equipment
Cosmo Police Galivan

Developer: Nichibutsu

Publisher: Imagine Software, Nichibutsu

1985

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- leveling
- Sci-Fi
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- interconnected map
- boss gated
- equipment
- Semi-Linear
Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family

Developer / Publisher: Nihon Falcom

1987

85%

Very Positive

143 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- non linear
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- fantasy
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- equipment
- multiple characters
Ys: Wanderers from Ys

Developer / Publisher: Nihon Falcom

1989

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- interconnected map
- equipment
- medieval
- discrete levels
- Semi-Linear
Zeliard

Developer: Game Arts

Publisher: Game Arts, Sierra On-Line

1987

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- equipment
- discrete levels
- linear
Wonder Boy in Monster World

Developer: Escape, Westone

Publisher: Sega

1991

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- Has Romhack
- interconnected map
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- equipment
Hero of the Golden Talisman

Developer: Mr Chip Software

Publisher: Mastertronic

1985

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- non linear
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- fantasy
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- interconnected map
- equipment
Tritorn Final

Developer: Lee Way

Publisher: XAIN Soft

1989

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- pixel
- side scroll
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- interconnected map
- linear
Dota

Developer: SystemSoft

Publisher: Eaglesoft, SystemSoft

1986

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- item gated
- non linear
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- fantasy
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- interconnected map
- equipment
- medieval
- isometric
Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns

Developer: Activision

Publisher: Activision, Tandy

1984

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- interconnected map
- Semi-Linear
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

Developer / Publisher: Sega

1989

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- fantasy
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- Has Romhack
- interconnected map
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- equipment
- multiple characters
The Adventures of Captain Comic

Developer / Publisher: Michael Denio

1988

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- Sci-Fi
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- puzzle heavy

The Scheme

Summary

Where to play

Resources

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