Kick Master (1992-)

• Developer: KID

• Publisher: Taito

• Genre: Action

• Composer: Nobuyuki Shioda, Yusuke Takahama

Kick Master for the NES was developed by KID and published by Taito in 1992. Released late in the NES’s lifecycle, the game stood out as one of the more inventive action-platformers for the system. Unlike many titles of its time, it remained exclusive to the NES and was never ported to other consoles or computers, making it something of a hidden gem. The game’s premise leaned heavily into fantasy storytelling, with a narrative built around knights, magic, and dark sorcery. Its distinct focus on martial arts-inspired combat set against a fantasy backdrop gave it an identity separate from more traditional sword-and-shield action titles.

The story follows Thonolan, a martial artist on a quest to rescue a kidnapped princess and defeat the evil sorceress Belzed. This narrative placed the game firmly within the tradition of fantasy rescue stories popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but it distinguished itself by focusing on martial arts rather than weapons-based combat. The game was inspired by both medieval fantasy tropes and the rising popularity of martial arts in Western media, which was often tied to themes of discipline and power. The combination of a dark fantasy setting and a hand-to-hand combat protagonist gave the game a unique thematic mix for the NES era.

Gameplay in Kick Master combines side-scrolling platform action with RPG elements. Thonolan uses a wide variety of kicking techniques to fight enemies, with moves ranging from simple front kicks to powerful spinning and flying kicks. Players can level up over the course of the game, gaining new abilities and enhancing their health and magic. The addition of magic spells, such as healing or offensive projectiles, added further depth. Levels are filled with challenging enemies, environmental hazards, and boss battles that required mastery of both combat and movement. This blend of action, progression, and variety made the game stand out in the NES library, though its difficulty could be punishing.

The soundtrack for Kick Master was composed to match the dark fantasy atmosphere, with dramatic and intense themes accompanying its varied stages. The music underscored the game’s serious tone and heightened the sense of urgency during battles. Kick Master did not have a prequel or a sequel, and its lack of follow-up has contributed to its reputation as a one-off cult classic. Promotion emphasized its fast-paced martial arts combat and fantasy adventure themes, though it did not receive the same marketing push as higher-profile NES releases at the time. Reception was generally favorable among those who played it, with praise for its originality, strong graphics, and engaging combat system, though its steep challenge limited its broader popularity. Today, it is remembered as a late-era NES standout with a devoted fan following.

Images from MobyGames