Kurikinton

Did You Know?

• Kurikinton was released in 2006 as part of the Taito Legends 2 compilation for Windows, PlayStation 2, and Xbox, and on the Taito Legends Power Up compilation for PlayStation Portable.
• Hamster Corporation released the game as part of their Arcade Archives series for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in August 2021.

Gameplay

Players control a Chinese policeman who must infiltrate an underground base to rescue a high-ranking police officer and his daughter from a gang. Combat includes kicks, punches, sweeps, and flying kicks. The game starts in an underground corridor with armored soldiers and shuriken-throwing fighters. An on-screen arrow guides the player deeper into the caves, where more deadly enemies appear. A martial arts expert boss guards each level exit and can quickly defeat the player if not fought carefully. The player has one life represented by a health bar; when it depletes, a plump golden cherub rises from the player-character's body. Continuing causes the cherub to dive back in, and the character jumps up with a shocked expression.

Reception

Kurikinton received mixed responses from reviewers. A 2010 Retrogames feature described the levels as bland and criticized the bosses for being essentially the same character in different colored clothes, but noted the game was difficult to put down. ACE's Andy Smith in 1988 called it dull with unremarkable graphics and an outdated style. Computer and Video Games' 1989 review was more positive, praising large sprites and well-drawn graphics, and stating it was far more playable than The Last Apostle. Eurogamer's Kristan Reed, writing about the Taito Legends 2 compilation, described it as fairly standard side-scrolling brawler fodder.