Developer: Tad Corporation Publisher: Taito Release: 12/91 Genre: Platformer
Anyone remember video game TV shows? Before the internet these were our only outlet to see footage of games outside of commercials and were appointment TV. The Gamepro show and Video Power were both awesome and very memorable. However it was Nick Arcade that I would spend the most time watching. I think it was the game show format that so appealing. It was here that I first saw the arcade version of Toki which looked pretty cool. Of course I could not afford an arcade machine so the NES port had to do, which it does admirably. Toki is a solid platformer and conversion that in some ways is better than its Genesis counterpart.
The evil witch doctor Vookimedlo has kidnapped island princess Miho and turned all of the island’s inhabitants into wild animals. This includes her suitor Toki who goes from a bulky Tarzan into a lowly ape. However the change also grants him the ability to breathe fire, meaning there is still hope.
Despite its low profile Toki did make the rounds on consoles, most prominently the Lynx, Amiga, Commodore 64 and NES. Sega would produce their own version of the game that is almost a sequel with its various changes. Seeing the Genesis version of Toki on Nick Arcade is the reason for my initial interest in the game. The NES adaptation is faithful to the arcade while also bringing a few improvements, making it a more even product.
It is a silly premise as are most platformers of the time. But honestly it is no more ridiculous than a plumber stomping turtles or a hedgehog in sneakers that runs fast. Though a monkey Toki still possesses a range of abilities. He has the platformer staple butt bounce but his most prominent offensive weapon is his fiery breath. Initially you can only spit out little fireballs. However there are a wide range of power-ups that temporary upgrade it in different ways, from a flamethrower to a charged up ball of death. These are in ample enough supply that you can play around and see which one you like best. More importantly you can shoot in nearly any direction, eliminating the frustration of bad enemy placement.
Toki is a slower paced platformer than the rest of its brethren with an emphasis on carefully timed leaps and observation of enemy patterns to avoid taking damage. The six island levels cover a lot of territory, from caves, volcanoes and jungles to the depths of the sea. The level design is strong with an equal emphasis on platforming and action. To be honest there isn’t one feature that makes Toki stand out. Instead it succeeds through well-paced action, extremely creative bosses and an even challenge.
This version is closer to the arcade than its Sega counterpart in terms of level design. Of course some surgery has taken place in parts to accommodate the NES. But on the whole the port is very good. Toki is an odd game in that it seems to take place in a vaguely prehistoric setting. Yet there are modern day items such as football helmets and sneakers. The game embraces its weirdness to its benefit. This could very easily have been another Amagon; instead we got Joe & Mac starring a monkey.
Toki falls on the easy side because it is so well balanced and also because of a few changes over its arcade counterpart. Rather than single hit deaths you begin with two hearts which eventually expands to four. It evens the odds but is not game breaking. The only way to refill life is by beating end level bosses and even then you only get one back. There is a pretty drastic spike in difficulty on the last level. It is not Ninja Gaiden level bad but notable enough that you might see the game over screen a few times. Still this is not the longest game in the world. But at least you will enjoy yourself while it lasts.
In Closing
Toki is a low key release that I did not expect much from. I am happy to say that it is a solid platformer that is better than you might expect. In the pantheon of NES platformers this is a second or third tier release. That is not a knock against the game but an acknowledgement that there are better games I would suggest first despite Toki’s quality.
