Play Kid Kool and the Quest for the Seven Wonder Herbs Online

Kid Kool and the Quest for the Seven Wonder Herbs came out on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988, developed by Vic Tokai. It was one of those many platformers that filled the library back then, not a headline title but something you might rent for a weekend. The game has a simple, bright look that fits right in with the era, and it doesn't try to be more than it is.

You control Kid Kool, a little guy in a red cap, and your goal is to run through side scrolling levels to collect seven magical herbs. The movement is the main thing you notice; he builds up speed gradually and slides to a stop, so controlling jumps requires careful timing and a good run up. You can also find animal companions that follow you and offer some protection or a special attack. The levels are broken into distinct screens you move between, and the difficulty comes from navigating tricky platforms and enemies with that slippery momentum. It feels like you're always fighting the controls just a little to make precise landings.