Konami’s Classic ‘Roc ‘N Rope’ Swings Onto Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox Through Arcade Archives
Konami’s legacy in arcade gaming continues this week as the 1983 classic Roc ‘N Rope is reintroduced to modern platforms through Hamster’s renowned Arcade Archives series.
Set for release on Thursday, December 11th, Roc 'N Rope will be available digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S, allowing a new generation of players to experience one of early gaming’s most influential platformers. Developed by legendary game designer Tokuro Fujiwara, Roc 'N Rope stands out as an important chapter in video game history.
Fujiwara, celebrated for his work on iconic franchises such as Ghosts 'n Goblins, Bionic Commando, and as a co-creator of Resident Evil, designed Roc 'N Rope during his tenure at Konami.
At the time, Fujiwara also developed Pooyan (1982), another inventive arcade title.
Roc 'N Rope’s rope-climbing mechanics—where players must create pathways upward across four unique stages—became a predecessor to climbing and grappling systems seen in later hits like Bionic Commando and The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse. Distinct from the sidescrolling format often found in Fujiwara’s later projects, Roc 'N Rope is a fixed-platform arcade action game.
Players assume the role of a determined mountain climber tasked with collecting feathers, navigating past perilous dinosaurs and cavemen, and ascending to reach the ‘lucky bird’, the Roc, perched at the summit of each screen.
The gameplay emphasizes vertical movement: players use a diagonally-fired rope to scale cliffs, a beam from their headlamp to temporarily stun enemies, and can gather flashing orbs to gain invulnerability and offensive capabilities. The official press release from Hamster describes the experience: “ROC’N ROPE is an action game released by KONAMI in 1983.
In pursuit of the lucky bird, the Roc, you must climb higher and higher through various locations, including cliffs and ice caves.
Use the rope, which can be fired diagonally upwards, to create the optimal route for a safe ascent!” The upcoming Arcade Archives edition is tailored for both new and longtime fans.
On Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, the release includes Hi Score and Caravan Modes—tested features that challenge players’ skills and offer unique competitive elements.
Priced at $7.99, the Arcade Archives version delivers an authentic preservation of the arcade experience.
Additionally, the Arcade Archives 2 edition, featuring a Time Attack Mode, will be available at $9.99 for those seeking added challenges and replay value. Roc 'N Rope’s arrival across multiple platforms positions it as one of the few early Konami classics made easily accessible to contemporary audiences.
Its innovative gameplay, historical importance, and contributions by a renowned developer like Tokuro Fujiwara make it an essential pick-up for retro enthusiasts and modern players alike. Hamster’s continued commitment to the Arcade Archives line reaffirms the enduring appeal of vintage arcade games on current-generation hardware, reinforcing the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms as premier destinations for digital preservation and arcade nostalgia.
Set for release on Thursday, December 11th, Roc 'N Rope will be available digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S, allowing a new generation of players to experience one of early gaming’s most influential platformers. Developed by legendary game designer Tokuro Fujiwara, Roc 'N Rope stands out as an important chapter in video game history.
Fujiwara, celebrated for his work on iconic franchises such as Ghosts 'n Goblins, Bionic Commando, and as a co-creator of Resident Evil, designed Roc 'N Rope during his tenure at Konami.
At the time, Fujiwara also developed Pooyan (1982), another inventive arcade title.
Roc 'N Rope’s rope-climbing mechanics—where players must create pathways upward across four unique stages—became a predecessor to climbing and grappling systems seen in later hits like Bionic Commando and The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse. Distinct from the sidescrolling format often found in Fujiwara’s later projects, Roc 'N Rope is a fixed-platform arcade action game.
Players assume the role of a determined mountain climber tasked with collecting feathers, navigating past perilous dinosaurs and cavemen, and ascending to reach the ‘lucky bird’, the Roc, perched at the summit of each screen.
The gameplay emphasizes vertical movement: players use a diagonally-fired rope to scale cliffs, a beam from their headlamp to temporarily stun enemies, and can gather flashing orbs to gain invulnerability and offensive capabilities. The official press release from Hamster describes the experience: “ROC’N ROPE is an action game released by KONAMI in 1983.
In pursuit of the lucky bird, the Roc, you must climb higher and higher through various locations, including cliffs and ice caves.
Use the rope, which can be fired diagonally upwards, to create the optimal route for a safe ascent!” The upcoming Arcade Archives edition is tailored for both new and longtime fans.
On Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, the release includes Hi Score and Caravan Modes—tested features that challenge players’ skills and offer unique competitive elements.
Priced at $7.99, the Arcade Archives version delivers an authentic preservation of the arcade experience.
Additionally, the Arcade Archives 2 edition, featuring a Time Attack Mode, will be available at $9.99 for those seeking added challenges and replay value. Roc 'N Rope’s arrival across multiple platforms positions it as one of the few early Konami classics made easily accessible to contemporary audiences.
Its innovative gameplay, historical importance, and contributions by a renowned developer like Tokuro Fujiwara make it an essential pick-up for retro enthusiasts and modern players alike. Hamster’s continued commitment to the Arcade Archives line reaffirms the enduring appeal of vintage arcade games on current-generation hardware, reinforcing the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms as premier destinations for digital preservation and arcade nostalgia.
