Cobra Triangle

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Cobra Triangle is a 1989 racing and vehicular combat game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Developed by Rare and published by Nintendo, you control a cannon-equipped speedboat across 25 levels. Each stage has different goals: win races, rescue swimmers, or defuse bombs; some levels end with boss fights. You can attack other boats, collect power-ups to improve weapons and speed, and use ramps to fly above the water. The game uses a 3D isometric view with auto-scrolling that follows your boat.

The game was designed by Tim and Chris Stamper along with Mark Betteridge, with music by David Wise. It was released in July 1989. Critics praised its graphics, smooth gameplay, and level variety, and noted its resemblance to Rare’s earlier game R.C. Pro-Am.

Cobra Triangle has been ranked among the top NES games by IGN and GamesRadar, with GamesRadar calling it emblematic of the NES era’s look and feel. It was later included in Rare Replay for Xbox One (2015) and re-released on Nintendo Classics in July 2024.

Gameplay specifics: In races you must avoid riverbanks and obstacles while beating the clock. You can attack rivals and use ramps to jump. Upstream races feature logs and whirlpools. Bomb-defusal levels require moving four bombs to a detonation site. Another mode tasks you with destroying rogue boats before they drag swimmers away; if a swimmer is dragged halfway, you must return them to the center. You lose a life if you fail.