Retro Games Zone

Knights of the Round (911127 etc)

What is Knights of the Round?

I still remember feeding quarters into the cabinet for this one back in '92. Knights of the Round is Capcom's 1991 arcade take on Arthurian legend—a side-scrolling beat 'em up where you hack through legions of goons as Arthur, Lancelot, or Percival. The quest for the Holy Grail plays out over forests, castles, and snowy mountains, each stage punctuated with those classic, screen-filling boss fights.

  • Satisfying Arcade Brawler Foundation
    It's got that quintessential Capcom feel: chunky hit detection, weighty swings with your sword or lance, and a smart combo system where knocking enemies into each other deals bonus damage. Mastering the crowd control feels just as good today.
  • A Mythical Road Trip Through Britain
    You're not just fighting in alleyways. The journey from Perilous Forest to the final showdown at Dragon's Tower is a tour of medieval fantasy, complete with raiders, dark knights, and sorcerers like the fireball-hurling wizard Blaze. The horseback jousting segments, like the one in Sherwood Forest, are a brilliant change of pace.
  • Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
    This game truly sings with two or three players. Coordinating who grabs the roast chicken for health or who takes the silver armor upgrade adds a layer of strategy. Failing to save a villager in time because you were both going for the same treasure chest is a uniquely shared frustration.
Knights of the Round (911127 etc)

Why choose Knights of the Round?

While it might not have the name recognition of Final Fight, this game represents a high point in the genre's polish. Its particular flavor of knightly adventure, combined with some genuinely innovative mechanics for its time, gives it personality that pure urban brawlers lack.

  • You Can See Your Knight Grow Stronger
    A real hook for replayability. As you collect gems from fallen enemies, your knight levels up, and you actually see the change. Arthur goes from chainmail to glorious full plate armor. Very few games from this era made progression visually rewarding in such a clear way.
  • It's a Showcase for Capcom's Sprite Artistry
    The character sprites are large, fluid, and full of personality—you can almost hear the clang of metal. The opening jousting cutscene blew us away in the arcades, blending story and spectacle perfectly. Backgrounds like the castle ramparts and snowy passes are dense with detail that still holds up.
  • Strategic Depth Beneath the Hack-and-Slash
    It's easy to button-mash, but survival on one credit demands using everything: the block (hold X and down), the parry (a perfectly timed attack to counter), and charged swings (hold Z for a slower, sweeping blow). Each knight has different speed, reach, and even unique block-escape attacks, so your gameplay style genuinely differs based on your choice.

How to play Knights of the Round?

Success here isn't about knowing combos as such, it's about mastering spacing, timing, and control of your immediate space. The best approach is methodical and precise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Digging into Camelot's classic arcade quest, based on questions I've fielded for years.