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New Zealand Story, The (Japan)

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Getting to Know New Zealand Story, The

The New Zealand Story is a Sega Genesis port of Taito's 1988 arcade classic, released exclusively in Japan. This side-scrolling platformer casts you as a kiwi bird, a flightless creature that looks nothing like the real animal. The Genesis version stays true to the original's colorful visuals and quirky tone, offering a faithful arcade experience on home hardware. You guide the kiwi through horizontally scrolling stages, shooting arrows at enemies while dodging traps and obstacles. The core objective is to rescue caged friends scattered across each level. Movement is standard for the genre, with jumping and shooting mapped to the Genesis pad. Power‑ups grant temporary advantages, such as faster firing or protective bubbles. Today, The New Zealand Story stands as a charming relic of the late‑80s arcade boom. Its offbeat premise and bright art style still hold appeal, especially for collectors of Japanese Mega Drive imports. While it lacks the polish of bigger‑budget Genesis platformers, its quirkiness makes it a fun curiosity worth sampling.

GAME INFO

Platform: SEGA Genesis
Genre: Platformer
Region: Japan

How to play New Zealand Story, The online

Getting Started

Jump right into the action by pressing Start at the title screen. The menu is in Japanese, but the core commands are straightforward. Use the D‑Pad to move, press X to jump, and press S to fire arrows. Your goal is to reach the end of each level while collecting keys to free imprisoned kiwi friends.

Watch out for enemy patterns and environmental hazards. Many foes can be defeated with a well‑placed arrow, but some require multiple hits. Power‑ups like speed boosts and extra lives appear when you free friends or shoot certain objects. The game scrolls automatically, so keep moving to avoid getting crushed.

If you get stuck, remember that you can sometimes defeat larger enemies by jumping on them. Lives are limited, but extra ones can be earned through high scores. Patience and observation of enemy routines will carry you through the early stages.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: A button
S: B button
Z: C button
A: X button (6-button pad)
Q: Y button (6-button pad)
E: Z button (6-button pad)
Enter: Start / Mode

New Zealand Story, The FAQ

Who developed New Zealand Story, The?

Taito developed the original arcade version and also handled the Sega Genesis port for the Japanese market.

What makes New Zealand Story, The stand out among SEGA Genesis titles of its era?

Its unusual protagonist - a kiwi bird - and the bright, pastel‑colored stages set it apart from more conventional Genesis platformers. The game is a close conversion of Taito's arcade hit, preserving the quirky atmosphere and tight arcade gameplay.

Does New Zealand Story, The have a multiplayer or co-op mode?

The Sega Genesis version is a single‑player experience only. The arcade original offered alternating two‑player play, but that feature was not included in this port.