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Classic Games

Little Nemo: The Dream Master

Animal transformation dreams

Little Nemo: The Dream Master let players feed candy to animals and ride them, gaining unique abilities to explore dreamworlds in this charming Capcom platformer.

NESarcade platformercapcomlicensed 1990

Overview

Feed candy to a gorilla, become strong. Little Nemo drew from Winsor McCay’s classic comic strip, sending the young dreamer through Slumberland while befriending animals with candy. Each creature offered different abilities—frogs jumped high, moles dug, bees flew. Collecting keys unlocked the path forward in this inventive, challenging platformer.

Fast facts

  • Developer: Capcom.
  • Source: Winsor McCay comic (1905).
  • Mechanic: Animal transformation.
  • Tie-in: Film adaptation same year.

Animal helpers

AnimalAbility
FrogHigh jump
MoleDig through ground
GorillaStrength, punching
BeeFlying
LizardWall climbing
Hermit crabSwimming

Candy mechanic

StepProcess
Find candyCollect in levels
Throw to animalGet their attention
Ride/becomeGain abilities
DismountReturn to Nemo

Key collection

ObjectiveRequirement
Collect keysHidden throughout
Open doorNeed all keys
ProgressMandatory completion
ExplorationThorough searching required

Dreamworld stages

LevelTheme
1Mushroom Forest
2Flower Garden
3House of Toys
4Night Sea
5-8Various dream realms

Difficulty

ChallengeCause
Key huntingThorough exploration needed
Enemy damageFrequent hazards
Limited candyResource management
Later levelsSignificant difficulty

Comic strip origins

ElementAdaptation
Source1905 newspaper comic
StyleDreamlike adventures
CharacterLittle Nemo in Slumberland
Film1989 animated movie

See also