Saturday afternoon in 1989. Two friends hang out, ready to dive into the next big adventure in gaming.

RetroGamer84 Hey GamerFan, ready for another game session?

GamerFan Absolutely, RetroGamer84. I’ve been eyeing Cobra Triangle. It’s a fascinating mix of racing and action, wouldn’t you say?

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RetroGamer84 Definitely. It blends mechanics from different genres. I remember reading about Rare, the developers, in the most recent issue of GamePro. Pretty impressive stuff—they’re the brains behind R.C. Pro-Am and Battletoads.

GamerFan Nice! Rare’s portfolio is impressive. Let’s dive in and see what Cobra Triangle’s got to offer.

Begins collecting pods, preparing to use a power-up.

RetroGamer84 The power-up system in this game is brilliant. Turbo, Fire, Speed, Missile, and Force. They’re essentials for navigating the waterways and blasting those enemy boats.

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GamerFan Indeed. The TURBO power-up is my favorite. It makes cruising through those tough levels easier.

RetroGamer84 It’s practically a necessity for some of the more hectic levels. This game doesn’t just race; it transforms each level into a unique mission.

GamerFan The variety in level objectives keeps everything fresh. Race to the finish, collect the pods, dispose of mines, guard the people. Each one requires different strategies. Did you notice how Stage 3 challenges you to collect and tow mines while avoiding enemy interference? Quite clever.

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RetroGamer84 Oh, definitely. It’s a nice change of pace from straightforward racing. That invincible enemy boat complicates things, though. It feels like tackling boss levels in shooters.

GamerFan Speaking of bosses, ‘Fry the Monster’ stages are thrilling. Fighting giant sea serpents, crabs, and sharks adds a unique twist.

RetroGamer84 I had a blast with that. The health meters add a tactical layer too. You can’t just go in guns blazing.

GamerFan True. And the level where you guard the people is so tense! It feels like juggling race and rescue missions. Other boats try to kidnap those helpless swimmers while you fend them off. It has a surprising amount of depth.

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Spoilers Ahead!

RetroGamer84 Okay. That final level? Jumping ramp to ramp over the waterfall pits? My heart was racing.

GamerFan Oh, yes! And wasn’t it satisfying reaching the last boss? Battling that gigantic sea monster—it took everything we learned across 25 stages.

RetroGamer84 Yeah, and the detail that it wasn’t just about speed but also precision. That boss demanded all our power-ups to be used smartly.

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GamerFan And the reward—a complete finish felt highly satisfying. Good challenge progression.

RetroGamer84 Agreed. Rare knows how to design an exhilarating ending. By the way, if anyone’s struggling with the final stretch, here’s a tip: stockpile FORCE power-ups for invincibility. It makes a huge difference.

GamerFan What’s our final verdict on Cobra Triangle?

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RetroGamer84 I would say it’s a standout game for ’89. It’s got action, racing, strategy—all packed into one cartridge. Plus, the level variety and power-ups keep it engaging.

GamerFan Definitely. It’s a must-play if you love action-racing hybrid games. Kudos to Rare for the seamless gameplay and creative levels

RetroGamer84 Couldn’t have summed it up better. In a year filled with great games, Cobra Triangle truly holds its own.

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As the afternoon sun sets, our two gaming enthusiasts rack up high scores and celebrate another triumph in their extensive NES library. With Cobra Triangle steering them through another thrilling journey in gaming, they eagerly await what the world of technology and video games will offer next.

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You can also read our Villain View of Cobra Triangle here!