Play Kid Niki - Radical Ninja (Rev A) Online

Kid Niki: Radical Ninja came out for the NES in 1987, developed by Irem. It was one of those side-scrolling action games that felt pretty standard for the time, not especially polished but full of personality. You played as a little ninja with a big attitude, and the game had this rough, almost handmade feel that set it apart from slicker titles.

You control Kid Niki, a young ninja on a mission to rescue a princess from a demon king. The game progresses screen by screen; you clear each area of enemies before moving to the next. Your main weapon is a spinning sword attack that covers good range but leaves you open if you mistime it. You also collect power-ups like invincibility stars and extra lives, though they're not handed out easily. The pacing is fast, and the difficulty can spike unexpectedly, especially with tricky jumps and aggressive enemy patterns. Playing it feels scrappy and a little unfair at times, but there's a goofy energy that keeps you coming back.