Darkwing Duck (“Black Cloak”) on NES and Dendy: complete passage of all levels and bosses

Darkwing Duck - Capcom platformer based on the animated series "Black Cloak".In North America, the game was released on the NES on June 5, 1992, in Europe on December 9, 1993, and in Russia and the CIS countries it is known by its Dendy console.The levels are short but full of traps, and each boss requires a different technique.An experienced player completes everything in half an hour to forty minutes, an evening is enough for a beginner.

Spoilers: Below are all seven levels and all bosses, including the final one.The first six levels can be completed in any order, so read the sections in the order you chose in the game.

The plot and structure of the game

There's a crime spree in St. Canard, and the F.O.W.L. is behind it.The organization recruited six Darkwing enemies: Quackerjack, Liquidator, Megavolt and Bushroot from the Fearsome Five, as well as Professor Moliarty and Wolfduck, a character created specifically for the game.After defeating all six, Darkwing travels to the flying fortress F.O.W.L.for the final showdown with Steelbeak.

The structure is familiar from Mega Man: first there are three levels to choose from, after which three more open, and Fortress appears only after six defeated bosses.The choice takes place on the city map: Launchpad asks where to fly, you select one of the HELP marks and confirm with the A button.

Gas, hearts and cloak

The main weapon is a gas pistol with infinite regular gas.The levels contain three types of special gas:

• Thunder Gas (in TG meter) — two lightning bolts diagonally, consumes 1 unit of gas.
• Heavy Gas (HG) — a cloud that, when hit, spreads left and right, consumes 2 units.
• Arrow Gas (AG) - arrow for 3 units.It is more powerful than the others, and also sticks into the wall and serves as a step for climbing.

You can only hold one special gas at a time: a new selection replaces the previous one, and the Select button switches between special and regular gas.The gas type and residue are shown on the left below the heart (eg HG 83).

The cloak is called up with the up arrow: it deflects some projectiles, such as daggers and basketballs.It is better to pass cannonballs and other projectiles that the cloak does not take over you while crouching.

Among the items worth remembering: a small cylinder gives +1 unit of gas, a large one +10, a heart bottle restores one heart, a first aid kit gives you the entire life scale, and a Darkwing doll gives you an extra life.Diamonds bring $100, gold bars bring $500.

Bonus rooms

Almost every level has two entrances to bonus rooms hidden.The entrance opens with a shot in the right place.In one room, thieves drop loot from capsules that need to be shot, in another, capsules are opened by a cloak.The flying treasures are caught by Launchpad and Gosalyn.TIME is counting down in bonus rooms, so don't hesitate.

Rules that make the game easier

• Take care of Arrow Gas. It is needed for both secrets and bosses: according to the guides, most bosses fall after six arrows.
• Use a raincoat. He returns the daggers and balls, and gives you a second to shoot.
• Squat. Cannonballs and other projectiles that the cloak does not reflect fly overhead.
• Clear the platforms before jumping. Enemies on the platform where you jump are often standing at the very edge.
• Farm your loot. Enemies return if you move away and return, and diamonds and ingots appear with them.There is no time at regular levels, so you can score points without haste.

Bridge - bridge and Quackerjack

The first level teaches the basics.You'll have to jump on hooks, pull levers that make beams fall over chasms, and ride on pulleys.Thunder Gas lies almost at the very start, above the box;a little further you can take Heavy Gas, but it is better to go to the boss with Thunder.One of the Darkwing dolls lies on the platform behind a chain of hooks, and a shot to the right from there opens the first bonus room.

Enemies include Eggman, Rocket Turtle, Bat, Dagger Duck and Slug.Rocket Turtle is invulnerable in its shell: shoot when it pops out.Dagger Duck shields itself from shots and lowers its shield only to throw a dagger: deflect it with your cloak and immediately shoot.Slug is removed by crouching and shooting.Bats sleep on hooks, and it is convenient to wake them with Thunder Gas.

Boss: Quackerjack

The arena has three floors, and Mr. sits at the top.Banana Brain and sheds banana peels.Here they hurt, unlike the peels in City.Quackerjack himself runs around the floor and jumps to another when you are at the same height as him.So shoot from top to bottom.According to advice from the guides, Heavy Gas works well for about 8 shots (about 16 units of gas) or Thunder Gas from the top floor.

City - city and Wolfduck

The city is built vertically: roofs, vans, ventilation and lamps to climb.The tires rolling over the spikes serve as bridges: stand on the tire and don't jump off until it passes.Banana peels here are only slippery and do not hurt.The most useful find of the level is the Arrow Gas on the platform to the left after the first tire.

There are many enemies: Firebug jumps out of the ground and shoots fire, Duck Bomber throws bombs, and Turtle throws a shell that returns like a boomerang.They jump over the shell, shoot, and on the way back they jump again.Padded Eggman is protected from all sides, so you need to aim for the head.

Note the balloon pump: stand on it until the balloon is inflated and grab the balloon to fly over the lamps and turtles.There are also hidden prizes: on the clock on the wall of the building there is a first aid kit (you need an arrow to get there), and two Darkwing dolls hanging above.

Boss: Wolfduck

The battle takes place on the roof of a skyscraper under the moon.While the moon is open, Wolfduck is invulnerable and throws boxes at you: just jump over them.When the cloud covers the moon, he becomes a normal duckling again and runs around the screen.It is at this moment that you shoot arrows;Basically six hits are enough.

Sewers - sewer and Liquidator

Some of the sewer rooms are dark: only the outlines and eyes of enemies are visible.Switches help you navigate: jump and grab it to turn on the light.There are Dagger Duck, Parachute Egg, Hammer Eggman, Alligator, Flying Worm and Kangaroo, which throws bombs.Arrow Gas lies on the platform to the left almost immediately after the start: do not change it to Heavy Gas, which will come further.

Next are movable platforms with spikes on top and bottom.The secret to passing: hang on the bottom edge of the platform while the spikes above it pass by, and then quickly jump up to the top.The entrance to the bonus room is opened by shooting above where the Kangaroo was standing.

Boss: Liquidator

Liquidator turns into a puddle and slides around the room, remaining invulnerable.He is vulnerable only when he gets up and blows the horn: then fish or drops fly out of the water.Dodge them, watch him and shoot arrows at the moment of the horn;basically you need six hits.

Woods - forest and Bushroot

The forest consists of vines, logs, waterfalls and lamps.Enemies: Plant, head shooter (jump over and shoot), Bulldog, Bird, Armored Mouse and Fat Chicken.Armored Mouse first gets his helmet knocked off with a shot to the head and then gets shot in the face;The Fat Chicken must be blown away and immediately shot again before it flies away.

The level has many secrets: there is a hidden wall behind the waterfall that you can walk through, lamps over the chasm lead to a Darkwing doll, and bonus entrances are opened by shooting from a hanging position.Jump only on the ground that is visible so as not to fall off.

Boss: Bushroot

Bushroot jumps around the arena from vine to vine.Once hit, he climbs onto the top vine, and a hand grows out of the tree and throws apples.Stay down and shoot Bushroot when he lands, and move your hand to the corner where it can't reach.According to the guides, you need six hits with arrows.

Wharf - warehouses and Megavolt

The brick warehouses along the pier are full of hooks, pulleys and lamps.Genie crawls out of the lamp and spits fire, and is only vulnerable outside the lamp: crouch when he appears and shoot.Shoe Rat runs fast and jump kicks, so shoot first.Carpet-flying enemies dive and shoot fire: stand at the edge of the platform and they'll miss.

Along the way, you need to ride on pulleys over spikes, climb lamps and take a leap of faith that sometimes has to be repeated.One of the pulleys leads to a bonus room: ride to the end, jump and shoot upward.

Boss: Megavolt

Megavolt room - two platforms on each side, two lamps in the middle and a spark running across the floor.Megavolt jumps on platforms and shoots sparks;if it shoots upward, the spark will fall from above.Jump between platforms using the lamps and shoot arrows when he's on your level.According to the guides, you need six hits.

Tower - tower and Moliarty

The most vertical level: the screen only scrolls up, so the bottom edge becomes an abyss.You climb on trusses, rings on chains that lower levers, and moving platforms.Closer to the beginning you will be offered a choice: Thunder Gas on the left and Arrow Gas on the right, take the arrow.

Enemies: Basketball Kangaroo (shoot before throwing; cloak reflects the ball), Robot Dog (rushes forward, stops and returns, shoot when stopped), Padded Eggman and Turtle.Bonus entrances are opened by shooting from a hanging position, and next to the last platforms there is a first aid kit and a Darkwing doll in a niche that can be easily reached with an arrow.

Boss: Moliarty

In the Moliarty room, there is a beam with two machines on top, and another machine on the floor.Two shots at the flashing lamp are enough to break the car, and Moliarty runs to repair it.While the machines are running, they shoot fire, and if you are level with Moliarty, he will throw a wrench.At the beginning, only the bottom car is broken: jump down and manage to get a few arrow shots, then jump over his dash, go up and add the remaining hits.You need six in total.

Fortress - F.O.W.L. fortressand Steelbeak

The last level is the flying fortress F.O.W.L.in the form of a ship.New enemies appear here: Cannon Dog at the cannon (shoot and crouch when he shoots), Jouster on the horse (protected from the front, shoot in the back), Barrel Dog, which throws a barrel, and Terminator, which turns into a cyborg after a few hits.Terminator is the most dangerous: either shoot at it without stopping, or jump over it.The level contains Thunder, Arrow and Heavy Gas, so you can select the gas you need in advance.

Boss: Steelbeak

Steelbeak sits behind the guard in the top right corner with two flying eggs shooting at you.Take the top left hook and shoot regular gas at Steelbeak, making sure to shoot down the eggs.Then he goes down to the floor, runs around the arena and from time to time takes out a safe, which he throws at you.Jump on the hooks to avoid the safe and shoot the arrows;six hits will end the battle.

All bosses briefly

• Quackerjack (Bridge). Shoot from top to bottom;Heavy Gas or Thunder Gas works well.
• Wolfduck (City). Vulnerable only when a cloud covers the moon;jump over the boxes.
• Liquidator (Sewers). Hit him when he gets up and blows the horn.
• Bushroot (Woods). Shoot him when he lands and freehand him into the corner.
• Megavolt (Wharf). Shoot when he's at your level and watch for the sparks from above.
• Moliarty (Tower). First the cars, then himself;only six arrows.
• Steelbeak (Fortress). Knock down the eggs, then finish them off on the floor with arrows.

Interesting facts

The game was made by Capcom, produced by Tokuro Fujiwara, and composed by Yasuaki Fujita.The layout for level selection and bosses comes from Mega Man, and Wolfduck only appeared in that game.The NES version is included in The Disney Afternoon Collection: the collection was released on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in 2017, and in 2026 on Switch and Switch 2. We discussed why “Black Cloak” still works on Dendy in a separate article: “Black Cloak” on Dendy: why Darkwing Duck is still working.