New Zealand Story, The (Japan)
Getting to Know New Zealand Story, The (Japan)
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.
How to Play New Zealand Story, The (Japan) 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.
New Zealand Story, The (Japan) Keyboard 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
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