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Kick Master - Magic User's Mode

Original game : Kick Master

Platform : NES

Author : StripyMonk

Release date : 16 June 2024

Category : Improvement

Patch version : 4.8a

Modifications : S, T, P

Downloads : 1128

ROM Information

Database match: KickMaster (USA)
Database: No-Intro: Nintendo Entertainment System (v. 20210216-231042)
File SHA-1: 8675BD893B287DD686642A3F609FA4F42C6D02BA
File CRC32: 7B978BAC
ROM SHA-1: 6EAFE44984FC52E27E55818534ECF84C8877C752
ROM CRC32: 5104833E

Hack description

"Magic User's Mode" gives you new version of an old well-known game, where Magic became more helpful and Kicks can be mastered like a true Martial Art... The life is one and precious - you have to play carefully and protect it with all the magic in your arsenal!
- Almost all kicks are now fully CONTROLLABLE - they can be stopped by releasing the B-button! Same goes for the Slide Kick (the first one to get), which became the proper "escape move" now (to prevent the displacement of the Sweep Kick, the left-right buttons have to be pressed first for executing the Slide Kick);
- Order of gaining new kicks changed (see it in the "Demo of Kicks" section of the menu);
- Knee Drop can now be used from the very beginning of game - but only on the descending part of jump's trajectory;
- Vertical Press Kick's rate is limited - to prevent the "spamming to death" of bosses, that approaching player from above;
- Blazing Flip is no longer depends on character's "level" - and activates under a certain magic effect);
- Flying kick now requires you to release the "jump" button before use (to keep the ability to perform normal Kick with horizontal movements while jumping) -- and it works only with flying magic equipped;
- HP-bar was made a little shorter at the beginning;
- Number of lives is always at "0" and cannot be raised - Hi-scores and "1UP" items give you 100 MP instead;
- Max amount of magic to store is no longer defined by the "skill level" of your character and is always at 700;
- Lowered MP cost of some magic spells (Bulb and Wave spirit, Magic Boots, Twin, Force Shield, flying magic) - this may prove very helpful, especially when playing on difficulty round 3 or 4;
- Force Shield not only protects from magic damage now, but also from being pushed away when attacked. Also the "incorrect shield disappearing" bug of the original was fixed;
- Level 1 healing magic became almost instant;
- The "Earthquake" was replaced with a NEW "Regeneration" spell! It gradually heals player in exchange for MP, but breaks when you move or take damage;
- The "Debug Room" was added to the "Options" menu - to choose higher difficulties whenever you want!
- Decreased HP of the last boss to the *normal* amount and changed background music of the final fight - to make the finding of new tactics more enjoyable;
- Fixed an original's issue with occasionally non-working kicks in mid-air.

Screenshots

Contributions

ContributorType of contributionDescription
StripyMonkHacking

Reviews

The hack that was neededKuda2023-05-28Version 3.2

The mechanics fixed with magic are excellent, but the inclusion of the advanced difficulties are the best, the original is so easy that it makes the game not appreciated as it should be, but the level 4 difficulty fixes that problem. My only complaint is that it wasn't necessary to remove a life bar, I think you'll need it heading to the end of the game. The same goes for life removal, on difficulty 4 it becomes very tedious to have to replay the whole level. Fortunately that can be solved if you use the other Auto Tool hack, which evens out the balance making this hack a delight.