

There’s something delightfully absurd about Toki. Originally released by TAD Corporation in 1989, Toki is a side-scrolling platformer that answers the question: what if a noble warrior was turned into a fireball-spitting ape and had to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend from a demonic sorcerer? The result is a game that’s as bizarre as it is brilliant... if not painfully challenging at times.
You control Toki, a once-human hero now transformed into a shaggy simian, battling through surreal levels filled with mutated beasts, lava pits, and underwater caverns. The gameplay is tight, with satisfying jump mechanics and a unique projectile attack- Toki spits fireballs from his mouth, which somehow never stops being funny. Power-ups like football helmets and sneakers add to the chaos, giving you temporary boosts and a chuckle.
What really sells Toki is its hand-drawn charm. The animations are expressive, the enemy designs are wild, and the whole game feels like a fever dream wrapped in arcade polish. It even got a cult-following remake decades later (and a rather poor remake we won't talk about).
If you’re into offbeat platformers with heart and humor, Toki is a must-play. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s waiting for you.
MSW's Best Score:
308,150
21st Aug 2024


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