Released by Capcom in February 1993, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (known in Japan as Cadillacs: Kyouryuu Shin Seiki) is a quintessential side-scrolling beat ’em up for the CPS-1 arcade hardware. Based on Mark Schultz’s comic series Xenozoic Tales, it is widely regarded as one of the peak examples of the genre’s golden era. 

Plot & Setting

Set in the 26th century, the world has been reshaped by natural disasters, and dinosaurs—once extinct—now roam a post-apocalyptic Earth. 

• Conflict: An ensemble gang known as the Black Marketeers has begun hunting dinosaurs, causing them to turn violent and attack human settlements.
• The Villains: The heroes track the hunting network to the “City in the Sea,” eventually discovering that the true antagonist, Dr. Simon Fessenden, is conducting genetic experiments to create human-dinosaur hybrids. 

Playable Characters

The game features four distinct characters, each with unique stats: 

• Jack Tenrec: The balanced protagonist and mechanic.
• Hannah Dundee: A fast diplomat and explorer, skilled with knives.
• Mustapha Cairo: An engineer known for his incredible speed and flying kicks.
• Mess O’Bradovich: The high-power, slow-moving grappler. 

Gameplay Mechanics

• Combat: Players utilize a variety of punches, kicks, and “desperation” special moves that clear crowds at the cost of health.
• Dinosaurs as Hazards: Dinosaurs appear as neutral entities that only attack if provoked or riled up by enemies; they can be calmed down by leaving them alone.
• Weaponry: Unlike many brawlers of the time, the game heavily emphasizes firearms (rifles, shotguns, and Uzis) alongside traditional melee weapons like knives and clubs.
• The Cadillac: Stage 3 features a unique segment where players drive Jack’s 1953 Cadillac to ram through enemies and boss Hogg on his motorcycle