Tricky Kick (USA)
Tricky Kick (USA) Overview
Tricky Kick is a puzzle game released for the NEC TurboGrafx-16 in 1991. It was developed by Alfa System and published by Information Global Service, hitting shelves in North America as a US-exclusive release. The game fits into the puzzle genre that was popular on the platform, offering a different take from the shooters and platformers that dominated the TurboGrafx library.
Players are presented with a series of puzzle stages where the objective involves manipulating objects on a grid. The core gameplay revolves around clearing blocks or tiles by using a kicking action, which is controlled with the D-pad and buttons. Each stage requires solving a pattern within a set number of moves or time limit, challenging your spatial reasoning and planning. The difficulty scales as you progress, introducing new obstacles and tighter constraints.
Today, Tricky Kick is a niche title that appeals to collectors of TurboGrafx puzzle games and fans of early 90s arcade-style brain teasers. It is not a landmark release, but its clean design and satisfying kick mechanic make it a pleasant diversion. If you enjoy games like Puzznic or Sokoban, this one is worth a try for its unique hook.
How to Play Tricky Kick (USA) Online
Getting Started
When the game loads, you'll see the title screen. Press Enter (Start) to advance to the menu, then select a game mode if available. The main goal is to clear each puzzle by kicking blocks or objects into matching groups or off the screen. Use the Arrow Keys to move your character or cursor, and press the X or S buttons to perform a kick. Timing and positioning matter - kicking at the wrong angle can waste moves.
Each level has a limited number of kicks or a time limit, so plan your moves carefully. The game will indicate when you have cleared the stage, then automatically load the next one. If you fail, you can restart the level from the pause menu (press Enter to pause). There's no save feature, so you'll need to finish in one sitting or note your password if the game offers one.
For new players, start with the first few stages to learn the physics - objects slide and bounce based on where you kick them. Pay attention to how blocks stack and interact; sometimes you need to kick a block into another to cause a chain reaction. The difficulty ramps up steadily, so don't be discouraged if you get stuck. Take a break and come back with fresh eyes.
Tricky Kick (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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