Clovis
A playable pirate warrior who fights with a sword and ranged weapons.
How it plays
The game uses a side-view perspective. Players move through linear stages, jump across platforms, fight enemies, collect treasure, and search for power-ups before confronting larger threats.
Clovis and Scrotus can use swords and thrown weapons. Hazards include pits, projectiles, traps, and hostile creatures. The DOS version follows the arcade-style progression through successive areas and supports one-player or cooperative play where available.
Plan your run
Stay near the center of the play area so incoming enemies can be seen before they surround you. Use thrown weapons against dangerous foes and airborne targets, then conserve close-range attacks for enemies that approach.
Search platforms and side areas for treasure and power-ups, but do not rush across unfamiliar gaps. In cooperative play, divide attention between opposite sides rather than attacking the same enemy.
Meet the cast
A playable pirate warrior who fights with a sword and ranged weapons.
The second playable pirate warrior, used for cooperative play and distinguished by his appearance.
The evil pirate antagonist and the principal enemy of the adventure.
Before you begin
Learn the timing of jumps before attempting long gaps.
Use ranged weapons on enemies that are difficult to approach safely.
Skull & Crossbones is a side-scrolling action game developed by Atari Games and released for DOS in 1991. It follows the pirate warriors Clovis and Scrotus as they fight through dangerous islands, ships, and supernatural locations to recover treasure and defeat the evil pirate Blacktongue. The game combines platforming with close-range combat, allowing players to slash enemies, throw weapons, and collect useful items. Its arcade origin is clear in the short stages, direct controls, and score-focused design. Reception was mixed: its colorful presentation and cooperative play were appreciated, while repetitive combat and uneven difficulty limited its appeal.
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