Taito released The NewZealand Story in 1988, delivering an exceptional arcade experience. With its charming characters and original level designs, the game remains a unique platformer that is still beloved today.
Story
For a late 80s arcade game, The NewZealand Story offers an unusually heartfelt storyline that immediately draws the player into the adventure. Tiki, the little kiwi, embarks on a rescue mission to save his friends, who have been kidnapped by an evil sea lion. This mission takes Tiki across the titular New Zealand, but along the way, he faces a variety of cute and abstract enemies determined to prevent him from reaching his goal and freeing his friends.
Gameplay
Tiki’s controls offer a good amount of variety. In addition to typical jumps, he can use special means of transportation such as balloons, UFOs, and a zeppelin. These allow him to glide through levels and creatively overcome obstacles. Furthermore, various power-ups, such as bombs or a laser beam, can be obtained from defeated enemies. Since these power-ups are randomly generated, each playthrough feels fresh, and the diverse movement mechanics ensure that the gameplay remains dynamic and challenging.
Vehicles
| Sprite | Name | Attributes |
|---|---|---|
 | Teddy Bear Head | Speed: Normal Durability: 1 hit Can ride on top only |
 | Duck | Speed: Fast Durability: 1 hit Can ride on top only |
 | Hot Air Balloon | Speed: Normal Durability: 1 hit Can ride inside only |
 | Power Balloon | Speed: Normal Durability: 5 hits Can ride on top or hang from below |
 | Metal Balloon | Speed: Slow Durability: only be destroyed by Lasers, Bombs, Fireballs and homing Missiles Can ride on top or hang from below |
 | String Balloon | Speed: Normal Durability: 1 hit Can ride on top or hang from below |
 | The Colonel | Speed: Slow Durability: only be destroyed by Lasers, Bombs, Fireballs and homing Missiles Can ride on top only |
 | Laser UFO | Speed: Very Fast Durability:only be destroyed by Lasers, Bombs, Fireballs and homing Missiles Can ride inside only |
 | Missile UFO | Speed: Very Fast Durability:only be destroyed by Lasers, Bombs, Fireballs and homing Missiles Can ride inside only |
 | Zeppelin | Speed: Normal Durability: 5 hits Can ride inside only |
Power-Ups
| Sprite | Name | Attributes |
|---|---|---|
 | Bomb | Throw explosive bombs in an arc |
 | Laser Gun | Fire laser beams that penetrate walls & enemies, can destroy all vehicles |
 | Fire Staff | Fire flame balls that bounce around and can destroy all vehicles |
 | Bow & Arrow | Gives you back your default weapon |
 | Spring | Makes vehicles lighter, letting you push them around more easily |
 | Clock | Stops all enemy movement for a few seconds |
 | Turbo | Speeds Tiki & vehicles up |
 | Book of Earthquakes | Destroys everything on screen, even your current vehicle! |
 | Joystick | The next vehicle you use will move with just the control stick |
 | EXTEND Letter | Collect all letters for an extra life |
Graphics and Sound
With its blend of cute and surreal elements, the art style of The NewZealand Story stands out as truly unique. Animations of Tiki, his enemies, and the various vehicles are, with only a few minor exceptions, crafted with remarkable attention to detail, creating a cohesive and harmonious visual experience. These graphics perfectly encapsulate the game’s playful charm, which helps explain their iconic status to this day.
Cheerful, catchy melodies accompany Tiki’s journey, drawing players in from the very first moment. During boss battles, the music shifts to a more intense and threatening tone, effectively heightening the sense of danger. All in all, the soundtrack blends seamlessly with the overall atmosphere, making the adventure feel even more immersive.
Difficulty
Despite its cute art style, The NewZealand Story presents a considerable level of difficulty. The level design demands patience and skill from the player, with certain sections requiring precise knowledge of the layout to be successfully navigated. Many situations call for perfect timing to avoid losing a life, making the challenge all the more thrilling. At the end of each section, a unique boss fight awaits, featuring distinct tactics, multiple phases, and varied movement patterns. These encounters add another layer of difficulty, requiring players to adapt and refine their strategies to progress.
Multiplayer
While a co-op feature would have been fun, The NewZealand Story remains focused on a solo experience. The arcade version does include a 2-player mode, but players take turns rather than playing simultaneously, each progressing through their own run. For fans of classic platformers, this isn’t necessarily a drawback, as the game still offers plenty of challenge and entertainment on its own. The engaging level design, tight controls, and varied gameplay ensure that even as a single-player adventure, The NewZealand Story remains a rewarding experience.
