Dr. Slump: Arale-chan

About

You play as Arale-chan, a character from the Dr. Slump series, tasked with thwarting alien villains trying to build a UFO from stolen car parts. The objective is to stop them before they reach the launch pad by shouting to knock them down and reclaim the parts. Arale-chan has limited energy, so you must grab a teapot for refills that pop up intermittently. The game splits into two modes: one with slower movement and another that cranks up the pace. You start with three lives, and each successful UFO launch costs one. Bonus points come from hitting enemies with your "N'cha Cannon" shout to crash their ship mid-flight. The game leans into its offbeat charm with simple but frantic action. The teapot refills add a rhythm-based element, forcing you to balance aggression with survival. While the 1983 release dates it technically, the score-chasing loop and escalating difficulty keep it feeling like a straightforward arcade challenge. Its niche appeal lies in the quirky premise and the need to master timing in both modes.

Storyline

The player controls protagonist Arale-chan, as she attempts to prevent the alien King Nikochan and his servant from building a UFO out of car parts. By yelling at the two aliens, she can knock the aliens down and retrieve the stolen car parts. Arale-chan frequently runs out of Robovita-A fuel, however, and must recharge with a teapot that appears periodically. Once the aliens have successfully carried five car parts to the launching pad at the top of the screen, they will finish building their UFO and will attempt to fly away. If Arale-chan can hit them with her "N'cha Cannon" yell, they will crash, and the player will receive many bonus points. The game features two modes. In Level 1, the characters move slowly, while Level 2 features a faster speed. The player has three lives and must try to score as many points as possible. If the UFO successfully flies away, the player loses a life.