[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cactus_mccoy.jpg]]

''Cactus [=McCoy=] and the Curse of Thorns'' is a 2D [[UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash Flash]] Platforming/Beat-em-up series developed by Creator/FliplineStudios.

The first game is that on a routine treasure hunt, due to missing warning symbols, [=McCoy=] takes the cursed [[PlotDevice Thorned Emerald]] and thus, is transformed into a walking cactus by the ancient Curse of Thorns. His mission is simple -- to return the emerald to its true home by following the map pieces. If he fails this quest, the curse will eventually turn him into a lifeless stone cactus -- just like the last foolish person. Complicating his quest are the army of [[{{Mooks}} Enemigos]] employed by the four-armed Hex Hatfield, who wishes to have the emerald for his own greedy purposes.

Brawl, gun, and platform your way through the swarms of Enemigos and the terrain's natural traps. All across journey, you will find and master a multitude of weaponry ranging from machetes to bombs to even squirt guns. As you complete levels, you will gain the missing map pieces that will guide you to the emerald's true resting place (and the rest of the levels). As you beat Enemigos, you gain money and/or their weapons (temporarily). Of course, the money you can gain can be increased drastically by juggling enemies repeatedly. You can then use that money to upgrade all the different stats available -- such as punching strength, sword strength, etc. Master all these techniques, gain the five hidden treasures in each level, and complete all the achievements to make a path towards victory and dispelling the curse!

Eventually, an epic showdown between [=McCoy=] and Hatfield takes place, and with Hatfield defeated, the former finally restored the Emerald to its rightful place... Or not.

The second game titled ''Cactus [=McCoy=] 2: The Ruins of Calavera'' follows up our story as after the events of the first game, [=McCoy=] is now a seasoned treasure hunter (but is still half-cactus, because [[StatusQuoIsGod why not?]]). He encounters a mysterious winged woman who reveals herself to be Ella Windstorm, the LastOfHerKind. Together they plan on taking back Ella's ancestral treasures, but not before being interrupted by DarkActionGirl Malana Mire, who along with her Enemigos and the EvilDuo of [[BrainsAndBrawn Alpaca Jack and Dumbbell]], also plot to steal Ella's treasure by kidnapping her. Cactus [=McCoy=] must again punch his way of trouble to rescue Ella as Malana Mire also seeks a weapon which can prove deadly under her control...

Needs wiki magic love.
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!!''Cactus [=McCoy=]'' provides examples of:

* HundredPercentCompletion: Good luck with that. There are multiple upgrades, 60 hidden treasures, 60 challenges to complete, and 80 badges to earn in total.
** In the sequel, there are only 60 badges, but that's mainly because the weapon mastery badges have been lumped together by type. There are now 75 weapons.
* AmbiguouslyHuman: Plenty. The titular character is a humanoid cactus, after enduring the "Curse of Thorns". We have to guess to what extent it affects his everyday life.
** [[BigBad Hex Hatfield]] has two pairs of arms. Downplayed, as they actually come from another [[{{CursedWithAwesome}} "curse"]] linked to his coat (see "Badass Longcoat" below).
** The Enemigos have [[{{FacelessGoons}} undistinctive pitch-black features beneath their clothes]], only revealing their eyes, but it's never clarified if it is their natural skin, [[{{BodyPaint}} body paint]], or [[{{FormFittingWardrobe}} full undersuits]] ([[{{WhatMeasureIsANonHuman}} unless they're deliberately depicted featureless so we won't mind to punch them)]].
** In the sequel, we learn about the [[{{MagicalNativeAmerican}} ancient people]] of [[{{WingedHumanoid}} Volados]] and Reptaras. While the Volados have feathered wings, seemingly allowing them to fly, the Reptaras have no extraordinary feature, beyond their dark gray skin, white hair and eyes without pupils.
* BadassCape: The titular character's cape.
* BadassLongcoat: As mentioned above, [[{{Big Bad}} Hex Hatfield]]'s [[{{Pun}} "Coat of arms"]], a crimson vest with four sleeves, which give him an additional pair of arms.
* BadWithTheBone: A bone can be used as a weapon in both games.
* BatterUp: Bats can be used in the first game.
* BoulderBludgeon: Large boulders appear in some levels, and can be thrown at enemies to hurt them.
* BreakableWeapons: Every weapon has a certain durability or number of uses left. Though, the number depends on the weapon and weapon type. Of course, depending on the weapon type, using it may or may not deplete the number of uses. Melee weapons degrade when they hit something. Projectiles, guns, and (in the sequel) thrusting weapons, like the chainsaw, degrade when fired or thrown.
* TheBrute: [[BrutishBulls Dumbell]], from the second game.
* CactusPerson: [=McCoy=] is transformed into a cactus man in the intro.
* CartoonBomb: The fuse bombs in the second game.
* ChainPain: A chain can be used as a whip in both games.
* ChainsawGood: A chainsaw can be used in the second game.
* CoolTrain: The train is the theme of many of the levels. Check Rustler Railroad, Midnight Express, Deadridge Railway and Southwind Express in the sequel.
* CrowbarCombatant: A crowbar can be used in both games.
* CursedWithAwesome:
** The protagonist. He is a walking, punching cactus man!
** The [[{{BigBad}} big bad]] from the first is mentioned to be "cursed" with an extra pair of arms. [[https://cactusmccoy.fandom.com/wiki/Coat_of_Arms Flipline's wiki]] explicitely mentions it's hardly a curse to be able to wield [[{{DualWielding}}two swords]] [[{{MultiArmedAndDangerous}} and]] [[{{GunsAkimbo}} two]] [[{{SwordAndGun}} pistols]] [[{{BowAndSwordInAccord}} at the same time]].
* EdibleBludgeon: [=McCoy=] can throw eggs at enemies in the second game. There's even a badge for killing ten enemies with them.
* EpicFlail: The meteor weapon.
* ExplosiveStupidity: The proximity mines in the second game make this possible.
* GrenadeLauncher: Appears in the second game, along with a tear gas variant.
* GrenadeSpam: Grenades appear in the first game, and [=McCoy=] can throw twenty-one of them before running out.
* GrievousBottleyHarm: Bottles are throwing weapons in the second game.
* HarpoonGun: Appears in both games.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: You can (and must if you want an area challenge) gun down Alpaca Jack with his own firearm.
* HooksAndCrooks: The tow chain and meat hooks.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: After getting 100% completion in Cactus [=McCoy=] 2, the Serpent Blade is added to your arsenal. It kills normal enemies in one hit, and can take out the first boss in about six. It's also incredibly durable. In Cactus [=McCoy=] 1, it is Hatfield's pistol, which becomes a bit more [[InfinityMinusOneSword common]] in Cactus [=McCoy=] 2.
* KnowsTheRopes: A rope can be used as a whip in both games. In the second game, it's only [[CommonPlaceRare available in the last level]] and is required to complete an area challenge.
* LethalJokeWeapon: The Squirt Gun has a crazy fast fire rate, is just as strong as the other pistols, and has tons of ammo. Of course, it's only available at the very end of one normal level and hidden in a maze that requires a good bit of platform puzzling to even enter in the final level.
* LockedIntoStrangeness: At the end of the first game, [=McCoy=] manages to return the emerald to its original place and undo the curse, but he remains stuck as a cactus person permanently.
* MacheteMayhem: Machetes appear in both games.
* PipePain: One of the first weapons encountered in both games.
* PlungerDetonator: Appears in the second game, most prominently in Calamity Cave.
* PowerfulPick: Pickaxes can be wielded as weapons, usually in mine levels.
* PrimitiveClubs: A club appears as a weapon in the first game, and there is a badge titled "Prehistoric" for killing fifteen enemies with one.
* ShoutOut: A few badge and challenge names are these:
** A badge for killing eleven enemies by throwing chickens at them is "[[UsefulNotes/KentuckyFriedChicken Eleven Herbs and Spices]]".
** A badge for killing thirty enemies with a bazooka is "[[UsefulNotes/UnitedStates Rockets' Red Glare]]".
** A badge for killing thirty enemies with an axe is "[[Film/TheShining Heeeere's McCoy]]".
** A badge for killing thirty enemies with a banjo is "[[Music/EricWeissberg Dueling Banjos]]".
** An area challenge in the second game for killing twelve enemies with a fly trap in Makopa Jungle is "[[Theatre/LittleShopOfHorrors Feed me, McCoy!]]".
* ShovelStrike: A common weapon in both games.
* SinisterScythe: They can be used in both games. The Serpent Blade is a double-ended version.
* ThisIsADrill: Power drills can be weaponized in the second game.
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