Getting Good: Kiki Kaikai

Kiki Kaikai is a classic arcade-style shoot ’em up game developed by Taito Corporation. Originally released in 1986, the game has gained a cult following among modern retro gaming enthusiasts. Kiki Kaikai was later ported to various home consoles such as the Famicom (NES) and Super Famicom (SNES), making it accessible to a wider audience,but it was a rarity to encounter in arcades.

In Kiki Kaikai, players control a shrine maiden named Sayo who is on a mission to save the world from evil spirits and demons. The game is known for its colorful graphics, unique power-ups, and challenging gameplay. Players must navigate through various levels, taking out enemies and collecting power-ups to increase their score and progress to the next stage.

Gameplay mechanics in Kiki Kaikai include dodging enemy attacks, using power-ups strategically, and collecting rice balls to increase your score. The game also features boss battles, which can be particularly challenging and require careful planning and skillful execution to defeat.

In this guide, we’ll provide some tips and tricks to help you improve your gameplay and set high scores in Kiki Kaikai. We’ll cover everything from basic movement and shooting techniques to more advanced strategies for taking on tough enemies and bosses. So, whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, read on to learn how to get good at Kiki Kaikai!

Kiki Kaikai Basic Controls and Items

Like with many arcade games of the time, Kiki Kaikai has a very simple control scheme that’s easy to understand yet hard to master. The controls are the following:

• Joystick: Used for moving the player character in any of the eight main directions.
• Button I: When pressed, the player will swing their wand at enemies, which will get batted away if the attack connects.
• Button II: Used for throwing talismans in the direction the character is facing.
• Buttons I + II: If the player is holding any crystal balls, they can use them by pressing both buttons at the same time.

Sayo-chan is the protagonist of Kiki Kaikai and is a Miko or a shrine maiden. Her destiny is to encounter the Shichifukujin, the seven gods of fortune, before they are captured by demons. Sayo embarks on a journey across feudal Japan to save each of the gods from the seven different bosses, who are ancient demons from Japanese mythology.

As a Miko, Sayo has two weapons at her disposal: her Gohei, a purification wand that can ward off most small demons, and her Ofuda talismans, which she throws at her enemies. The power of her Ofuda can be increased by collecting various items scattered throughout the game. In addition, she can collect two types of crystal balls that can be used in times of crisis.

Sayo loses a life when she is touched by an enemy or hit by their projectiles. If she runs out of lives, the game is over. However, Sayo can earn extra lives by reaching certain scores, typically 70,000 and 150,000 points by default.

To aid in her quest, Sayo can pick up a variety of items during her travels, which can be used to achieve different effects:

• Blue Ofuda: Collecting this item will increase the distance that Sayo-chan’s Ofuda travels when thrown. Be careful not to collect too many, as it can increase the boss’s strength.
• Red Ofuda: This item will allow Sayo-chan’s Ofuda to pass through enemies instead of stopping on contact.
• Yellow Ofuda: This item will increase the size of Sayo-chan’s Ofuda, making it easier to hit enemies.
• Double Ofuda: A rare item that doubles the speed at which Sayo-chan throws her Ofuda.
• Blue Crystal Ball: Using this item will freeze time for a short period, allowing Sayo-chan to avoid enemy attacks. However, it doesn’t work on bosses.
• Yellow Crystal Ball: This item instantly destroys all regular enemies on screen and a short distance beyond.
• Onigiri: Collecting this item will give you 2,000 bonus points.
• Gohei: A rare item that appears under certain conditions and grants an extra life when collected.
• Kagi: A key that must be collected to access the boss. If you reach the boss before collecting the key, you will have to backtrack to find it.
• Scrolls: Only available in the final stage, these items must be found to complete the game by sweeping the structures with Sayo-chan’s purification wand.

Kiki Kaikai Tips and Tricks

As a game that features simple mechanics, the difficulty in Kiki Kaikai comes from actually mastering the controls and learning what to expect from every stage. Here are a handful of tips and tricks that could help you in this endeavor:

1. Focus on Dodging: The most important aspect of Kiki Kaikai is dodging enemy attacks. As such, it’s essential to develop good movement skills and learn how to avoid enemy fire. When playing, always try to stay on the move, use the dodge roll to evade attacks, and take advantage of the shrine maiden’s invincibility frames during the roll animation.

2. Use Your Yellow Crystal Balls Wisely: Yellow Crystal Balls are a powerful tool in Kiki Kaikai and can be used to clear the screen of enemies and projectiles. However, they are also limited in number, so it’s crucial to use them strategically. Save these bombs for tough spots, such as when facing a screen full of enemies.

3. Experiment with Different Power-Ups: There are several power-ups available in Kiki Kaikai, and it’s worth experimenting with them to find the ones that work best for your playstyle. For example, the large ofuda upgrade can be very helpful in dealing with fast-moving enemies, while the power-up that increases your shot speed can be useful for taking out large groups of enemies.

4. Learn Enemy Patterns: Enemies in Kiki Kaikai follow specific patterns, and learning these patterns can make it easier to dodge their attacks and take them out. Spend some time studying enemy behavior, and try to anticipate their movements to stay one step ahead.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Score: Kiki Kaikai is all about getting high scores, so it’s important to keep an eye on your score at all times. Collecting Onigiri and power-ups, taking out enemies quickly, and avoiding damage are all ways to increase your score.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any game, the more you play Kiki Kaikai, the better you’ll get. Spend some time practicing each level, mastering enemy patterns, and experimenting with different power-ups to improve your skills and set higher scores.

Congratulations on completing this Kiki Kaikai tips and tricks guide! With these strategies and techniques, you should now have a better understanding of how to play the game effectively and achieve high scores. Remember, practice is key, so keep playing and experimenting with different strategies to see what works best for you.

Kiki Kaikai is a challenging game, but with dedication and patience, you can become a skilled player and master all its levels and bosses. Use the knowledge and skills you’ve gained from this guide to improve your gameplay and aim for the highest scores possible.

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