Everyone remembers where they were on that fateful day in 1988. TV news shows interrupted regularly scheduled programming to announce that President Ronald Reagan had been kidnapped. At first, everyone suspected that the Soviet Union was to blame. However, it soon became apparent that an enemy far more dangerous and cunning than mere commies was behind this heinous act. It was none other than ninjas.

Criminal ninjas ran rampant in the 80's. People were afraid to walk the streets at night for fear of ninja attacks. Emergency rooms were constantly packed with nunchuck and shuriken victims. Rebellious children ran away from their families to practice the dark ninja arts in shady back-alley dojos.

Despite all that, this assault on the seat of federal power was unprecedented, even for ninjas. Why would ninjas be after the President of the US? Was it the administration's shady dealings with Konami in the Iran-Contra affair? Was it the fact that the US government funneled arms and money to the Pirates during their war with the ninjas? Were the ninjas just bored?

The mastermind behind this act was the diabolical Dragon Ninja. The Dragon Ninja was an up-and-coming hotshot in the ninja world and this brazen act of terror was his way of making a name for himself.

Back in the 80's, the evil ninja business was a very lucrative environment. A booming criminal market meant that every two-bit ninja wanna-be was trying to get a piece of the action. Evil ninja start-ups popped up everywhere, flush with investor cash and ambitious leadership. Students fresh out of evil ninja school were being offered high paying villian gigs with huge benefits and stock options. In the middle off all this was the Dragon Ninja. Dragon Ninja was inspired by all the money being made and decided to pursue a career in evil ninjitsu. Dragon Ninja's dream was to form a moderately successful criminal organization and then get aquired by one of the top ninja groups like the Foot Clan or Ninja Burger. The Dragon Ninja knew that he had to pull off a major crime to get noticed by the big boys, so he decided to do something memorable, he kidnapped the President of the United States.

The government knew that they had to take drastic steps to get our president back. But who do you call when the leader of the free world has been kidnapped? The Marines? Navy SEALS? Sam Fisher? Sam and Max? Absolutely not! If your President is missing, forget the military, you find two local street toughs and goad them into doing the job by questioning their manhood.

These powerful words echo through history like other great calls to duty such as "These are the times that try men's souls", and "Launch every Zig, for great justice". But who were the brave men who would save the President and bring peace to the land? They were the Bad Dudes!

Blade and Striker were raised on the mean streets of Dudeville. The Dudes spend their days working as bar bouncers and part time professional wrestlers. They had a strong sense of justice and were role models for kids. They knew that with President Reagan gone, there would be nobody to teach kids that Winners Don't Use Drugs. So when the secret service came knocking at their door, they answered the call.

The Dudes were dropped into New York City, which had already been infested with the Dragon Ninja Clan. Unfortunately, President Reagan had spent the entire defense budget on jellybeans and Star Wars missile defense shields so The Dudes would have to fight unarmed. Luckily, The Dudes were no stranger to fisticuffs and they fought through wave after wave of ninjas with their vast arsenal of punches, kicks, jump kicks, jumping punches, running kicks, and the devastating charge punch.

The Dudes chased the Dragon Ninja through the city, the sewers, the forest, until they caught up with him in his Evil Ninja Factory (all 80's villians were required by law to have some sort of factory or industrial warehouse where a final confrontation would take place). With the President watching helplessly from a helicopter, the Dudes took on Dragon Ninja, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

If the 80's taught us anything, it was that no matter how much armor you wear or how much you have trained in the deadly arts, you are still no match for an angry guy in a muscle shirt. This time would be no exception as the Bad Dudes defeated the Dragon Ninja and saved The Gipper. The nation celebrated as President Reagan and The Dudes returned to Washington for victory burgers.

After the battle was over, The Dudes returned to Dudeville where they started their own karate school. President Reagan signed a landmark anti-ninja law that outlawed ninjas from coming withing 100 miles of Washington DC. The Dragon Ninja served his time in prison and later changed his ways, becoming a motivational speaker.

The story of the Bad Dudes vs. the Dragon Ninja was in danger of being forgotten when video game publisher Data East paid tribute to The Dudes by releasing a video game for the NES called Bad Dudes. Thanks to Data East, you can now relive the adventures of the Bad Dudes from the comfort of your own home! If you haven't already played this awesome game, be sure to head down to your local Pink game store and get yourself a copy.