Ai Senshi Nicol
A 1987 Konami action-adventure game for the Famicom Disk System.
Ai Senshi Nicol (愛戦士ニコル, Ai Senshi Nikoru; "Love Warrior Nicol") is a 1987 action-adventure game from Konami for the Family Computer Disk System. It came out only in Japan.
The story follows Nicol, a 14-year-old prodigy inventor, and his girlfriend Stella. They build a device that can transport objects through dimensional space. Their work catches the eye of Gyumao (the Cow Demon), a brutal dictator of a military empire who wants to conquer space. Gyumao tries to buy the device from the couple to use for his evil schemes. Nicol refuses, wanting to keep his world safe. Enraged, the Demon sends soldiers to kidnap Stella and steal the device while Nicol and Stella are on a date. The soldiers overpower Nicol and take Stella away.
Nicol returns to his lab and finds the device gone. However, the transporter was unfinished—a crucial part is still with Nicol. Gyumao plans to trade Stella for that part. Instead, Nicol defies him and travels to Gyumao's Dairasu star system to rescue his girlfriend. Gyumao, displeased, smashes the device into pieces and scatters the fragments across seven locations. Nicol must journey through Dairasu, collect all the fragments, rebuild the transporter, and free Stella.
Although the game was made in Japan, English text appears throughout.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Ai Senshi Nicol
- Developer
- Konami
- Released
- JP · April 24, 1987
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Family Computer Disk System / Mobile phone
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game follows Nicol, a 14-year-old genius inventor, and his girlfriend Stella, who invent a dimensional space transporting device. Their research attracts the attention of Gyumao (Cow Demon), a ruthless dictator of a military empire with plans for space conquest. Gyumao offers to buy the device, but Nicol refuses to preserve peace, prompting Gyumao to dispatch soldiers who kidnap Stella and steal the device during a date. Nicol returns to his laboratory to find the device gone, but the transporter lacks a vital part still in Nicol's possession. Gyumao hopes to exchange Stella for that part, but Nicol instead travels to Gyumao's Dairasu star system to free his lover. Gyumao shatters the device into pieces and scatters the fragments across seven locations. Nicol must collect the fragments, repair the transporter, and liberate his girlfriend.
Reader's Guide
Ai Senshi Nicol is a relatively obscure title in Konami's catalog, notable for its English-language text despite being developed and released only in Japan. The game's plot, involving a young inventor rescuing his girlfriend from a demonic dictator across a star system, is typical of late-1980s action-adventure games. Its significance lies in its rarity and the curiosity of an English-language game never released outside Japan. The game is referenced in Kurt Kalata's 2017 book 'Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: Contra and Other Konami Classics,' which helps preserve its legacy among retro gaming enthusiasts. As a Disk System exclusive, it represents a niche part of Konami's history and the Famicom's library.
Did You Know?
- The game uses English throughout, despite being developed and released only in Japan.
- The protagonist Nicol is a 14-year-old genius inventor.
- The antagonist is named Gyumao, which translates to 'Cow Demon.'
- The game was released in 1987 for the Family Computer Disk System.
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