Is the water warm enough? Yes, Lisa.
PLAYERS: 1
PUBLISHER: HAL Labs
DEVELOPER: Human Entertainment
GENRE: Action
RELEASE DATE: January 1991
Kabuki Quantum Fighter may be one of the most over-the-top Japanese games I’ve heretofore had the good graces to review, and that is a compliment of the highest order. To transform a strait-laced colonel into a full-on Kabuki Warrior in order to save the world from rampant computer programming is truly inspired madness. As so often happens with these ludicrous premises, KQF happens to be quite the fantastic romp. Get your action platformer on through six-levels of dark, surprisingly gruesome computer nightmares. No robotic shark or roly-poly bug is safe from the attack of your flaming red hair, the likes of which Willow Smith would be jealous of. The graphics are sinister and fantastic, and the animation of Kabuki is more fluid and graceful than I’d expect from the NES. While the energetic music keeps the blood pumping, the controls are what elevate this above the typical platformer tripe. Kabuki’s movements are precise and spot-on, which is even more impressive considering some of the jumps you’re forced to make in the game. I’m not sure if I would change anything about this game. While not quite a masterpiece, Kabuki Quantum Fighter presents a unique spin on a genre that was, even in 1990, already becoming tiresome. Plus it’s called Kabuki Quantum Fighter.
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11 replies on “#330 – Kabuki Quantum Fighter”
I fuckin’ loved this game when I was a kid.
For some odd reason I’ve never played this game. I probably should.
I thought this game was awesome when it came out. Tough, but enjoyable.
This game had a real Capcom/Konami feel to it. An underrated gem, to be sure.
My favorite NES game. Can play this game over and over…..
The Music in this game is one of the best of all NES titles I happen to know. Love this game.
Japanese version is “Jigoku Gokuraku Maru” which means “Hell Paradise Maru”. I guess Maru is the name of the protagonist. I can see not directly translating the title, but why “Kabuki”? Just “Quantum Fighter” would have been fine. I guess throwing in some random Japanese word is supposed to drive Westerners into a buying frenzy (Japanese word = a really fun game).
Kabuki Quantum Fighter sounds like a lost Prince song, which makes me love the game even more.
I suppose they called it “kabuki” because the guy is actually wearing a kabuki outfit? Not exactly random, chief. 😉
Computer Blue, lol. I had a friend who insisted to me that Codename: Viper and this were the same game.
I haven’t played this game yet, but I have started it up in my NES emulator a couple times and pressed B repeatedly just to watch the dude headbang. METAL!
-Bobolicious