Game guide
Why Is Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Called Mustapha? The Arcade Classic Explained
Key takeaways
- Mustapha is a nickname: the game's only official title is Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (Capcom, 1993).
- Players named the cabinet after Mustapha Cairo, the fast hero in the yellow cap; in Turkey it became "the Mustafa game".
- The game is based on Mark Schultz's comic Xenozoic Tales and never got an official home console version.
- Four heroes: Jack (balanced), Hannah (skill), Mustapha (speed) and Mess (power).
“Mustapha” is the nickname many players gave to Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Capcom’s 1993 arcade beat ’em up, after Mustapha Cairo, the hero in the yellow cap. In arcade halls in Turkey and many other countries the cabinet was simply “the Mustafa game”, and that is still how a lot of people search for it today. This guide explains where the name comes from, who the four heroes are and how to get through the game, and you can play the original arcade machine on our Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Arcade page.
Why is it called Mustapha?
Officially the game has only ever been called Cadillacs and Dinosaurs. Mustapha Cairo is one of its four playable characters, and in many arcades he was the one everyone wanted to play: quick, with long kicks and an easy-to-recognise yellow cap and green shirt. Players in a hurry named the machine after their favourite hero, and in Turkey, where Mustafa is one of the most common names, “Mustafa” stuck so well that many people learned the game’s real title only years later.
The same happened to other arcade games of the era: cabinets were often known by a character or a catchphrase instead of the name on the marquee, and those nicknames passed from player to player rather than from any official source.
The four heroes
| Hero | Type | Plays like |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Tenrec | Balanced | A mechanic and the Cadillac’s driver. Good at everything, the safest first pick. |
| Hannah Dundee | Skill | Quick combos and kicks, rewards precise play. |
| Mustapha Cairo | Speed | The fastest mover with long-reaching kicks. The hero behind the nickname. |
| Mess O’Bradovich | Power | Slow but hits the hardest and throws enemies far. |
Where the game comes from
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs is based on Xenozoic Tales, a comic series by Mark Schultz that began in 1986. It is set in a future where dinosaurs have returned to Earth and people drive restored classic cars, which is where the Cadillacs come from. The comic also became an animated series that aired on CBS in 1993, the same year Capcom released the arcade game. In the game, the heroes fight gangs of poachers who are hunting dinosaurs, across jungles, swamps and ruined cities.
Unlike most Capcom arcade hits of its time, the beat ’em up never got an official home console version, which is a big reason why so many people remember it only from arcade halls.
How to play the arcade game
- Open the arcade page, press Play and wait for the machine to start.
- Press V to insert a coin (the Coin button on a phone) and Enter to start.
- Pick your hero before the timer runs out.
- Walk with the arrow keys, attack with Z, jump with X. Pressing both together makes a special attack that clears everyone around you but costs a little health.
- Out of health? Insert another coin and press Start to continue from the same spot.
Tips that get you further
- Grab the guns. Enemies drop rifles, shotguns and Uzis. The ammo is limited, but a full magazine clears a crowded screen in seconds.
- Throw into crowds. Walk into an enemy to grab him, then attack to throw. Anyone in the way gets knocked down too.
- Save the special attack. It is your escape when surrounded, but every use costs health.
- Leave the food for later. Health pickups stay on the ground for a while, so eat them when you need them, not as soon as you see them.
- Watch out for the dinosaurs. Some of them attack anyone nearby, so lure enemies toward them instead of fighting next to them.
- Use save states. The original cabinet never let you save. On our page you can save before a boss and load the state if the fight goes wrong.
Two Mustapha games on Yes This Game
Because so many people search for “Mustapha” or “Mustafa game”, there are two different games with that name around the web, and we have both:
- Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Arcade is the original 1993 Capcom machine with all four heroes, the full story and the original graphics and sound.
- Mustapha: Cadillacs and Dinosaurs 2024 is a newer, separate browser fighting game with 3D characters, made in the same street-brawler spirit.
If you grew up with the arcade cabinet, the first one is the game you remember.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cadillacs and Dinosaurs called Mustapha?
Mustapha Cairo is one of the four playable heroes. Many players named the arcade cabinet after him, and in Turkey and other countries the game became known as Mustapha or Mustafa.
Who made Cadillacs and Dinosaurs?
Capcom released it in arcades in 1993. It is based on Mark Schultz’s comic series Xenozoic Tales.
Can I play Cadillacs and Dinosaurs online?
Yes. The original arcade game runs in your browser on our Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Arcade page, free and with unlimited coins.
Who is the best character in Cadillacs and Dinosaurs?
Jack is the easiest to start with because he is balanced. Mustapha is the fastest, Mess hits hardest and Hannah has the quickest combos.
Was Cadillacs and Dinosaurs released on a console?
The Capcom beat ’em up never got an official home console version, which is why most players remember it from arcade halls.