Cutthroat Island

About

You play as a pirate hunting for a shattered map leading to buried treasure in this 1996 action-platformer. Choose between a rapier-wielding woman or a sword-carrying buccaneer as you slash through 10 stages packed with redcoats, rival pirates, and environmental hazards. Switch between precise sword fighting and chaotic brawls to take down enemies. Early levels task you with escaping prison on a rolling quarry cart while later stages have you dodging fire as you sprint across a runaway carriage. Collectibles like bombs, pistols, and bottles add tactical options to each encounter. Single-player or team up with a friend for shared chaos. The game stands out for its fast dual-jump mechanics and unpredictable set-pieces like cannon-laden ship battles. While critics at the time praised its energetic combat and co-op mode, some noted level design repetition. With roots in a 90s movie adaptation, it leans into over-the-top pirate antics without slowing for subtlety. Originally released on SNES and Genesis, it remains a niche pick for fans of arcade-style brawler-platform hybrids.

Storyline

In 1619, a pirate cutter, the Sea Devil, captured a Spanish cargo ship called Santa Susanna. Before reaching its destination the Sea Devil was caught in a storm and wrecked on the uncharted Cutthroat Island. Only one member of the crew managed to get off of the island alive, Fingers Adams. Before dying he made a map and tore it into three pieces which he gave to his legitimate heirs. In year 1688, as the pirate Morgan Adams who currently has one piece of the map, the player has begun a quest for the other pieces of the map in hopes of eventually finding the treasure. Already a wanted woman, Morgan will need to fight the law as well as those who hold the pieces of the map.