Toki 1989

Is it still worth playing?

Akira Sakuma designed this run and gun platformer, released in arcades in 1989, with tongue in cheek humor mixed into the action. The player is an enchanted ape who battles hordes of jungle monsters with energy balls spat from his mouth. The goal is to destroy the evil wizard who cast a spell on him and to rescue the kidnapped princess. Several levels end with a miniboss. Toki is slow as an ape and almost any attack can kill him, but his spit helps him against enemies and obstacles. Each stage has a timer. Items include power-ups for his spit, lucky rabbit feet for bursts of agility and jumping, clocks for extra time and fruit for bonus points. Keys open bonus areas, and a helmet protects him from attacks from above. A spitting ape with a helmet has a charm that is still worth a look.