Kick Master

Kick Master is a side-scrolling action game developed by KID and published by Taito for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992. Released exclusively in North America, it combines platform combat with a progression system more commonly associated with role-playing games. The player controls Thonolan, a young martial artist whose extensive selection of kicks distinguishes the game from weapon-based adventures such as Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden.

The story begins after the sorcerer Belzed attacks the kingdom of Lowrel, murders its king and queen and abducts Princess Silphee. Thonolan and his elder brother Macren set out to rescue her, but Macren is mortally wounded during their first encounter with Belzed’s monsters. Before dying, he declares that conventional weapons are ineffective against the creatures and entrusts the mission to Thonolan, whose martial-arts skills offer the kingdom its remaining hope.

Thonolan initially knows only a few attacks, but earns experience by collecting symbols released by defeated enemies. Reaching higher levels increases his maximum health and magic points while unlocking additional techniques, eventually providing a varied repertoire of standing, crouching, jumping and directional kicks. Different commands produce moves suited to particular situations, including low sweeps, aerial attacks and powerful advancing kicks. A demonstration option explains how to perform the available techniques, helping accommodate their unusually large number.

Defeated enemies scatter several moving items across the screen, forcing the player to collect useful bonuses before they fall out of reach. These can provide experience, restore health or replenish magic, although harmful skull symbols must be avoided. Thonolan can also acquire twelve spells, ranging from offensive elemental attacks to healing, protection, temporary flight and the ability to immobilize enemies. The limited supply of magic points encourages players to conserve the most valuable spells for difficult sections and boss encounters.

The journey consists of eight stages leading through forests, caverns, fortresses, swamps, a hostile ship and Belzed’s tower. Detailed backgrounds, large enemies and an energetic soundtrack give the game a polished presentation, while the mixture of martial arts, magic and character development adds depth to its otherwise conventional linear structure. Some attacks can be activated accidentally during demanding platform sections, and chasing the numerous falling bonuses can interrupt the pace, but unlimited continues and passwords reduce the need to repeat the entire adventure. Contemporary reception included a positive review from GamePro, and completing the quest unlocks a harder version; only after overcoming all three difficulty levels are the full credits displayed.