Kick Master

NES Player (4 out of 5)

Taito’s Kick Master is a great action/platformer game. Unfortunately, as it was released in the late life of the NES, it went pretty much unnoticed. In case you are a NES collector like moi, you should take a look at this one. In its genre, it is one of the best titles of the system.

Classic-games.net (8 out of 10)

Kick Master is a fantastic game and an absolute gem in the NES library. As much as I like to bring attention to lesser known titles like this it is also bittersweet. Excellent games like this deserve a higher profile.

RetroGame Man (8 out of 10)

Overall, this is a uniquely fun and challenging NES game which brings together the action platforming genre with RPG elements. I have played this game numerous times over the month and always had a blast playing it. My only really complaint is that the designers could have spent more time making magic feel more important so I felt obliged to use them.

Retro Game Age (8 out of 10)

While its always enjoyable to shed light on an under-appreciated gem it does hurt to see games of this quality not find an audience. Kick Master resides in the company of NES greats like Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden and should be played by any fan of old school action games.

Gameluster (7.6 out of 10)

Kick Master is a fun and competent action game without the polish of larger, more well-known titles. Playing requires skill and persistence, making it a great little game for people who enjoy a challenge. A fine array of features such as learned skills and magic spells speak to Kick Master’s depth, while a password system keeps it from becoming too frustrating. Though a few technicalities keep the game from reaching greatness, it is a true hidden gem of the NES library.

Questicle.net (B)

You can summon lightning spirits to help you fight your battles (believe it or not, sometimes a simple boot to the jaw doesn’t always work), refill your health, give you a shield, and even fly. These simple additions add replay value to an otherwise solid, if not slightly generic platformer. In fact, I’m surprised KickMaster hasn’t gotten more cult love over the years. It’s definitely worthy of mindless fan adoration. Kick on, you crazy master!

Ultimate Nintendo: Guide to the NES Library ( )

Graphically, the game is very pleasing, with varied, detailed backgrounds for the stages, and some nice kicking animations for Thonolan. Polish and shine are here, along with engaging boss battles, nice music, and good controls. However, the design could have been ironed a tad to increase the fun factor and lessen the frustration.

HonestGamers (Staff reviews only) (7 out of 10)

Kick Master falls just short of meriting a mention in the same breath as Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden. It’s a little-known game that features some wonderful ideas and great character progression, but spotty hit detection, cheap hits, and a middling soundtrack hold it back. It also features a very short campaign, and I can’t see a person going back to it unless he really wants to explore every level and nab all of the spells. If you track down a copy, keep in mind that there is a lot of fun to be had. Just know that it will all be over far too quickly.

Nintendo Power Magazine (3.4 out of 5)

There's no need for weapons when you're a master of the martial arts. Jump into the action feet first and pulverize the forces of evil with lethal limbs as the Kick Master.