data/claims/kings-knight-history.yamlKing's Knight (history and reception)
Game: King's Knight.
Marukatsu Famicom's first issue, of 23 May 1986, listed King's Knight from Square for 17 July among the Famicom games due from June on. kings-knight-history/famicom-schedule-may
p. 115 (image 111), 新作特Q 書きこみ式発車時刻表 — read on the page image (image n110), the heading of the table's lower half6月以後の発売予定Our translationdue for release from June onMarukatsu Famicom no. 1, 23 May 1986 · p. 115 (image 111) — read on the page image (image n110); the OCR has the title and maker, garbled, in a line with the neighbouring rows, and not the date7月17日 キングスナイト (スクウェア)Our translation17 July, King's Knight (Square)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The earliest dated mention found. The date moved three times before release (famicom-preview-marukatsu, famimaga-preview, famicom-ad-beep).
Cited by: King's Knight
Marukatsu Famicom's 13 June 1986 issue previewed King's Knight for 29 August from Square, as a "formation role-playing" game: one character appears in each of stages 1 to 4, and the characters who clear their stages come together in stage 5 to face the last enemy, the dragon. kings-knight-history/famicom-preview-marukatsu
p. 108 (image 84), preview — read on the page image (image n83), in the box beside the title; the OCR has no text on this page8月29日 スクウェア発Our translation29 August, from SquareMarukatsu Famicom, 13 June 1986 · p. 108 (image 84) — read on the page image (image n83)ファミコンでパソコンなみのロールプレイング！Our translationrole-playing on the Famicom on a par with a personal computer!Marukatsu Famicom, 13 June 1986 · p. 108 (image 84) — read on the page image (image n83)このゲームの最大の魅力は「フォーメーションロールプレイング」が楽しめちゃう、ってことだ。Our translationthe game's greatest attraction is that you get to enjoy "formation role-playing".Marukatsu Famicom, 13 June 1986 · p. 108 (image 84) — read on the page image (image n83)ステージ1〜ステージ4に1人ずつキャラクターが現れ、各ステージをクリアすると、ステージ5にそのキャラクターがそろって現れ、最後の敵“ドラゴン”に挑むのだ。Our translationone character appears in each of stages 1 to 4, and when each stage is cleared those characters appear together in stage 5 and take on the final enemy, the "dragon".Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: King's Knight
The 13 June 1986 preview's stage chart set the wizard under Stage 1, the thief under Stage 2, the monster under Stage 3 and the knight under Stage 4, with arrows from all four into Stage 5. The Famicom manual gives the knight Stage 1 and the thief Stage 4 (famicom-stages). kings-knight-history/preview-stage-chart
p. 108 (image 84), stage chart — checked on the page image (image n83): the four stage headings run left to right, with WIZARD, THIEF, MONSTER and KNIGHT printed under the figures beneath them in that order; below them a STAGE5 panel, with an arrow from each of the four figures down into itSTAGE1 STAGE2 STAGE3 STAGE4Marukatsu Famicom, 13 June 1986 · p. 108 (image 84), stage chart — read on the page image (image n83)WIZARD THIEF MONSTER KNIGHTRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The arrows into Stage 5 were read on the page image (image n83).The chart is the preview's own drawing; whether it shows an earlier plan of the game or only the magazine's layout isn't said.
Cited by: King's Knight
Family Computer Magazine's 1 August 1986 issue opened a feature on King's Knight on p. 10 by giving it as due in mid-September from Square at 4,900 yen on cartridge, and called it "a new dimension, formation role-playing". kings-knight-history/famimaga-preview
p. 10 (image 10), feature opener — read on the page image (image n9); the OCR of the page is unusable9月中旬発売予定Our translationdue for release in mid-SeptemberFamily Computer Magazine, no. 17 (1 August 1986) · p. 10 (image 10) — read on the page image (image n9), beside a カセット (cassette) tagスクウェア 4900円Our translationSquare, 4,900 yenFamily Computer Magazine, no. 17 (1 August 1986) · p. 10 (image 10) — read on the page image (image n9)新次元、フォーメーションロールプレイング。勇者たちは、今旅立つOur translationa new dimension, formation role-playing. The heroes now set outRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Says the feature opens on p. 10, not that it runs six pages.Cited by: King's Knight
Square's advertisement on the back cover of Beep's October 1986 issue announced King's Knight for 17 September 1986, a "formation RPG" of four heroes, at a standard retail price of 4,900 yen on ROM cartridge. The same advertisement offered a gamebook of the same title at 680 yen, already on sale. kings-knight-history/famicom-ad-beep
back cover (image 182), Square advertisement — read on the page image (image n181); the back cover carries no folio'86 9月17日 遂に登場!!Our translation17 September '86, here at last!!Beep, October 1986 · back cover (image 182) — read on the page image (image n181)4勇士のくり広げるフォーメーションRPGOur translationa formation RPG played out by four heroesBeep, October 1986 · back cover (image 182) — read on the page image (image n181)標準小売価格4,900円(ロムカートリッジ)Our translationstandard retail price 4,900 yen (ROM cartridge)Beep, October 1986 · back cover (image 182) — read on the page image (image n181)同名タイトルゲームブック「キングス・ナイト」好評発売中 価格680円Our translationthe gamebook of the same title, King's Knight, on sale now, price 680 yenChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The advertiser's date. A retrospective catalog gives 18 September (famicom-release-catalog); no source read settles the day.
Cited by: King's Knight
A retrospective Famicom catalog, the Natsukashi Famicom Perfect Guide, dates King's Knight from Square to 18 September 1986. kings-knight-history/famicom-release-catalog
PDF p. 123, ファミコンソフト完全目録, 1986 column — the OCR drops the row number and the first digit of the year, and reads the title's brackets as F and j; checked on the page image (PDF p. 123, rendered at 1200 dpi): the row reads 141 1986/09/18 『キングスナイト』スクウェア986/09/18 FキングスナイトjスクウェアOur translation1986/09/18, King's Knight, SquareRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The catalog row was read on the page image.The catalog is an unsigned retrospective mook that names no source for its dates. Square's own advertisement gives 17 September (famicom-ad-beep).
Cited by: King's Knight
The Famicom manual (cartridge code SQF-KG) calls the cartridge a Square game cassette and names the publisher as 株式会社電友社スクウェア (Den-Yu-Sha Co., Square), with an address in Ginza, Tokyo. It credits no developer or staff. kings-knight-history/famicom-manual
image 1, coverSQF-KGKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · image 2, opening note — the OCR reads スクウェエア for スクウェア and キンゾス for キングススクウェエア・ゲームカセット「キンゾス・ナイト」をOur translation(thank you for buying) the Square game cassette "King's Knight"King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · image 16, back cover株式会社電友社スクウェアOur translationDen-Yu-Sha Co., Ltd., SquareKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · image 16, back cover東京都中央区銀座3丁目Our translationGinza 3-chome, Chūō-ku, TokyoChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The OCR of the full manual was read; no page names a developer, programmer or designer. The catalog's developer, Bits Laboratory, rests on no source read here (developer).
Cited by: King's Knight
The Famicom manual calls King's Knight a vertically scrolling "formation role-playing game". Each of its four characters has his own way of attacking, and as an RPG they grow in jump, speed, attack power and defense. It has five stages, each with a warp zone (another world), 92 screens in all, and more than 50 kinds of characters; the four characters clear their own stages, then form a formation in the last stage to defeat the dragon. kings-knight-history/famicom-genre
p. 3 (image 5), 2. ゲームの特徴 — checked on the page image (image n4), which prints このゲームは、縦スクロールのフォーメーションロールプレイングゲームです; the OCR reads 続 for 縦 and garbles the restスクロールのフォーメーンョンロールプレィングOur translation(vertical) scrolling formation role-playing (game)King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 3 (image 5)それぞれの攻撃方法を持っていますOur translationeach has his own method of attackKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 3 (image 5) — the page image (image n4) continues や防御力(SHIELD)がアップしますRPGだから成長にともない、ジャンプ(JUMP)、スピード(SPEED)、攻撃力(WEAPON)Our translationbecause it's an RPG, as they grow, jump, speed, attack power (and defense, SHIELD, go up)King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 3 (image 5)ステージ数は5つですがOur translationthere are five stages, butKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 3 (image 5)にはワープゾーン(別世界)が存在しOur translation(each stage) has a warp zone (another world)King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 3 (image 5)にすると92画面分にもなりますOur translationcounted in screens, it comes to as many as 92King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 3 (image 5) — checked on the page image (image n4), which prints なんと50種類以上ものキャラクターが登場します; the OCR reads 粒 for 種以上ものキャラクターーが登場しますOur translation(more than 50 kinds) of characters appearKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 3 (image 5) — the page image (image n4) prints 4人のキャラクターがそれぞれのステージをクリアしていき、最終ステージでフォーメーションを組みドラゴンを倒すのですンを組みドラゴンを倒すのですOur translation(in the last stage they) form a formation and defeat the dragonChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: King's Knight
The Famicom manual's stages: Stage 1, Ray Jack the knight, in the Forest of Magic; Stage 2, Kaliva the wizard, in a town ravaged by the dragon; Stage 3, Barusa the monster, in the night forest; Stage 4, Toby the thief, by the sea and sands. In Stage 5 the four act as one group in formation, and any who died in stages 1 to 4 are missing from it, so it may be fought by three, two or one. kings-knight-history/famicom-stages
p. 8 (image 10), 5. 遊び方, ゲームの構成ステージ1レイジャック(ナイト)魔法の森Our translationStage 1, Ray Jack (Knight), Forest of MagicKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 8 (image 10) — the page image (image n9) gives the stage as ドラゴンに荒された街 (a town ravaged by the dragon); the OCR garbles itステージ2カリバ(ウィザード)Our translationStage 2, Kaliva (Wizard)King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 8 (image 10)ステージ3バルーサ(モンスター)夜の森Our translationStage 3, Barusa (Monster), night forestKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 8 (image 10) — the OCR garbles the Stage 4 row; the page image (image n9) prints ステージ4 トビー (スィーフ) 海と砂地 (Stage 4, Toby (Thief), sea and sands)の海と砂地Our translationsea and sandsKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 8 (image 10) — the OCR reads 集含体 for 集合体4人のキャラクターを集含体とみなし、フォーメーションをOur translation(in Stage 5) the four characters are treated as one group, and (fight in) formationKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 8 (image 10) — checked on the page image (image n9)が死んだ場合、3 (または2、1)人でステージ5Our translationif (a character) dies (in stages 1 to 4), Stage 5 (is fought) by three (or two, or one)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: King's Knight
In the Famicom manual a character's Level runs from 1 to 20 and is the sum of four values: JUMP 0 to 7, SPEED 0 to 7, WEAPON (attack power) 0 to 3 and SHIELD (defense) 0 to 3. Its key to the Stage 5 screen says that when HITPOINT reaches 0, all of the heroes die. kings-knight-history/famicom-levels
image 13, status screen — the OCR reads | for 1Levelは、|一20までですOur translationLevel runs from 1 to 20King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · image 13JUMP(ジャンプ)0一7、SPEED(スピード)0一7Our translationJUMP 0 to 7, SPEED 0 to 7King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · image 13WEAPON(攻撃力)0一3、SHIELD(防御力)0一3Our translationWEAPON (attack power) 0 to 3, SHIELD (defense) 0 to 3King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · image 13の合計値ですOur translation(Level) is the sumKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 7 (image 9), screen key, item ⑦ — checked on the page images (images n7 and n8): the key on p. 7 explains the two screens on p. 6, and item ⑦ points to the HITPOINT bar of the screen captioned STAGE5; items ① to ⑥ belong to the one captioned STAGE1⑦HITPOINT (HITPOINTが0になると全員死んでしまいます)Our translation⑦ HITPOINT (when HITPOINT reaches 0, everyone dies)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The HITPOINT key line is quoted whole; its pointer to the Stage 5 screen was read on the page images.The four maxima add up to 20, the top Level. The Stage 1 screen's key also has a HITPOINT (item ①), without the note on everyone dying.
Cited by: King's Knight
The Famicom manual's hero's magic (勇者の魔法): collecting four each of the A, B, C and D parts lets the heroes use it in Stage 5, with the B button. The magic is four spells, ネイザス, バルバス, セチューン and ザイネン, each of which only a particular hero can use. (Naizath, Balbath, Cetune and Zainen are the NES booklet's spellings, nes-spells.) kings-knight-history/famicom-spells
p. 13 (image 15), 勇者の魔法 — checked on the page image (image n14); the OCR garbles the C part ("0バパーツン") and reads て for でAパーツ、Bパーツ、Cパーツ、Dパーツをそれぞれ4つ集めると、ステージ5で、Our translationwhen you have collected four each of the A, B, C and D parts, in Stage 5,King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 13 (image 15)"勇者の魔法"を使うことが出来ます。(Bボタンを使用)Our translationyou can use the "hero's magic" (with the B button)King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 4 (image 6), B ボタン(ステージ5のみ使用)勇者の魔法Our translation(used only in Stage 5) the hero's magicKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 13 (image 15)ネイザス、バルバス、セチューン、ザイネンの4つの魔法を"勇者の魔法"と呼びます。Our translationthe four spells Naizath, Balbath, Cetune and Zainen are called the "hero's magic"King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 13 (image 15)この勇者の魔法は、特定の主人公しか使えません。Our translationthis hero's magic can be used only by particular heroesRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the parts and B-button lines; the romanized spell names are attributed to the NES booklet.The romanized spell names are the NES booklet's, not this manual's. Below the text a table headed 集めるパーツ 使える主人公 魔法の効果 (the parts to collect, the hero who can use it, the spell's effect) pairs each part letter with a hero and an effect; its rows are garbled in the OCR and haven't been read on the page image, so which hero casts which spell isn't claimed.
Cited by: King's Knight
The Famicom manual's continue mode, entered with SELECT on the title screen, lets the player choose any of stages 1 to 4 and any number of heroes to play; choosing none and pressing START starts at Stage 5. Each hero's latest data, his Level and the kinds and number of his parts, is kept until the power is turned off. kings-knight-history/famicom-continue
p. 10 (image 12), コンティニューモードの説明 — checked on the page image (image n11); the OCR reads | for 1 and 一 for the dashステージ1〜4のうち好きなステージを選ぶことができます。Our translationyou can choose the stage you like of stages 1 to 4King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 10 (image 12)主人公は何人選んでもかまいませんOur translationyou may choose any number of heroesKing's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 10 (image 12) — checked on the page image (image n11); the OCR reads | for 1主人公を1人も選択しないでSTARTボタンを押すと、ステージ5からプレイになります。Our translationif you press START without choosing a single hero, play starts from Stage 5King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 10 (image 12)各主人公の最新のデーター(Level、パーツの種類と個数)は電源を切るまで記憶されます。Our translationeach hero's latest data (Level, the kinds and number of parts) is remembered until the power is turned off.King's Knight (Famicom) instruction manual, Square · p. 10 (image 12) — checked on the page image (image n11); the OCR reads 田 for 出タイトル画面が出ている時しか、SELECTボタンは使用できません。Our translationthe SELECT button can be used only while the title screen is showingRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the full data-kept and title-screen lines; the page cites them to the Famicom manual alone.Cited by: King's Knight
Beep's October 1986 issue gave the Famicom game 3 stars overall, with 4 for characters, speed and graphics, 2 for sound and 3 for game design. Its reviewer, たけじゅん (Takejun), had expected an RPG from "the first formation role-playing game" and found an action game; it was "a big mistake" to take it as an RPG, and better played as a Twinbee-type shooting game for the thrill of shooting everything. kings-knight-history/beep-review
p. 54 (image 56), 最新ファミコンゲームお買い得情報 — read on the page image (image n55); the OCR is not usable on this pageキングスナイト スクウェア(4900円)Our translationKing's Knight, Square (4,900 yen)Beep, October 1986 · p. 54 (image 56), rating box — checked on the page image (image n55), as are the other five rows: キャラクター ★★★★, スピード ★★★★, グラフィック ★★★★, サウンド ★★, ゲームデザイン ★★★; the box prints filled stars only, with no empty stars or key, so the top of the scale isn't shown, and no row on the page has more than four総合評価 ★★★Our translationoverall rating, three starsBeep, October 1986 · p. 54 (image 56), review text — read on the page image (image n55)初のフォーメーションロールプレイングゲームというから、どんなRPGかと思ったら、これがアクションゲームだった。Our translationsince it was billed as the first formation role-playing game, I wondered what kind of RPG it was, and it turned out to be an action game.Beep, October 1986 · p. 54 (image 56), review text — read on the page image (image n55)たしかにアイテムをとればレベルは上がるし、5面などはフォーメーションを組んで進まないとクリアできない。Our translationit's true that taking items raises your level, and stage 5 and such can't be cleared without advancing in formation.Beep, October 1986 · p. 54 (image 56), review text — read on the page image (image n55)でも、このゲームをRPGととらえるのは大きなまちがいのような気がする。ツインビータイプのシューティングゲームとして徹底的に撃ちまくる爽快感を追求したほうがいい。(評●たけじゅん)Our translationbut I feel it's a big mistake to see this game as an RPG. Better to go after the thrill of shooting everything to pieces, as a Twinbee-type shooting game. (Review: Takejun)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "Of 5 stars" dropped; the box prints three stars and no scale."First" is the reviewer's word for Square's billing, quoted, not a claim of ours. The stars are printed as symbols; the counts were read on the page image. The scale's maximum isn't printed, so no "of 5" is claimed.
Cited by: King's Knight
King's Knight placed in Famicom Tsushin's TOP30, a chart the magazine compiled with the help of named department and toy stores: 6th on the chart dated 31 October 1986 (6th the time before), 7th on 14 November, and 11th on 28 November. kings-knight-history/famitsu-chart
p. 5 (image 7), ファミ通TOP30, 10月31日付 — checked on the page image (image n6): rank 6, previous 6, the time before blank; スクウェア, 4,900円 (カートリッジ), action6 キングスナイトOur translation(rank) 6, King's KnightFamicom Tsushin, no. 11 (14 November 1986) · p. 4 (image 6), ファミ通TOP30 — read on the page image (image n5); the retailers named are Isetan (Shinjuku), Seibu (Ikebukuro), Hakuhinkan Toy Park (Ginza), Kiddy Land (Umeda) and Kintetsu (Abeno)このTOP30は、以下の販売店のご協力により、ファミ通編集部が独自に作成したものですOur translationthis TOP30 was compiled independently by Famitsu's editors with the cooperation of the following retailersFamicom Tsushin, no. 12 (28 November 1986) · p. 5 (image 7), ファミ通TOP30, 11月14日付 — checked on the page image (image n6): rank 7, previous 6, the time before 67 キングスナイトOur translation(rank) 7, King's KnightFamicom Tsushin, no. 13 (12 December 1986) · p. 5 (image 7), ファミ通TOP30, 11月28日付 — the OCR splits the rank 11 over two lines; checked on the page image (image n6): rank 11, previous 7, the time before 61 キングスナイトOur translation(rank 1)1, King's Knight, the rank's second digitChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The chart's title and its retailer note were read in issue 11 (image 6); issues 12 and 13 have the same table on p. 5, whose facing page hasn't been opened. The chart gives ranks, not sales figures.
Cited by: King's Knight
Nintendo of America's list of licensed NES games gives September 1989 for King's Knight, published by Square Soft. kings-knight-history/release-nes
PDF p. 7 — the row gives title, licensee, and month, not a dayKing's Knight Square Soft September 1989Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Computer Entertainer's November 1989 availability list puts it under November, marked shipped (nes-ce-shipped).
Cited by: King's Knight
Computer Entertainer's June 1989 issue, in its report from the Consumer Electronics Show, said Square Soft, "another new licensee", showed King's Knight, an action-adventure in which four heroes make their separate ways through the early stages and then band together to save the princess. kings-knight-history/nes-ces-1989
p. 12, CES report, Square SoftAnother new licensee, Square Soft showed the action-adventure, KING'S KNIGHT.Computer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 3 (June 1989) · p. 12, CES report, Square SoftThe game features four heroes who make their separate ways through the early stages of the game and then band together to save the princess.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The issue's cover story is the Summer CES of 1989 ("Glory Days for Gamers at CES", p. 1). The earliest US mention found.
Cited by: King's Knight
Nintendo Power's July/August 1989 issue covered the NES game in Video Shorts. It named the knight Rayjack, Kaliva the magician, Balusa the monster and Toby the kid thief, who fight through strange lands, pick up items and uncover underground passages, and, advanced far enough, travel together and rotate positions. Its Power Meter, bars on a scale marked 1 to 5, stood at about 3.5 for graphics and sound and for play control, and about 3 for challenge and for theme and fun. kings-knight-history/nes-np-preview
p. 79 (image 120), Video ShortsGuide the mighty knight, Rayjack, Kaliva the magician, Balusa the monster, and Toby, the kid thief, through strange and un-Nintendo Power, issue 7 (July-August 1989) · p. 79 (image 120), Video Shortsspecial items and uncover secret underground passages.Nintendo Power, issue 7 (July-August 1989) · p. 79 (image 120), Video ShortsAdvance the adventurers far enough and they will be able toNintendo Power, issue 7 (July-August 1989) · p. 79 (image 120), Video Shorts — read on the page image (image n119); the OCR garbles "rotate their posi-"travel together. Then rotate their positions to make them most effective.Nintendo Power, issue 7 (July-August 1989) · p. 79 (image 120), Power Meter — checked on the page image (image n119): the heading and the four bars' labels, which the OCR misses; the bars are drawn against a scale marked 1 to 5, not numbered: Graphics & Sound and Play Control reach about 3.5, Challenge and Theme, Fun about 3, read estimatesPOWER METER Graphics & Sound Play Control Challenge Theme, FunRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Power Meter labels; the bar values are given as estimates read on the page image.The Video Shorts section is listed on the contents page (p. 4, image 6) at p. 77. The spellings Rayjack and Balusa are the magazine's; the booklet prints Ray Jack and Barusa.
Cited by: King's Knight
The same issue's Pak Watch listed King's Knight among the NES games slated for the future. kings-knight-history/nes-np-pakwatch
p. 88 (image 129), Pak Watch, NES Planner — checked on the page image (image n128): the title is in the NES Planner's list labeled GAMES SLATED FOR THE FUTURE, below the JULY and AUGUST lists, between Jordan vs. Bird: One-On-One and NFL FootballKing's KnightNintendo Power, issue 7 (July-August 1989) · p. 88 (image 129), NES Planner — checked on the page image (image n128); the OCR splits the label over several linesGAMES SLATED FOR THE FUTURERevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Games Slated for the Future heading.Cited by: King's Knight
Game Player's January 1990 issue reported that Square Soft was "bringing out" King's Knight, in which the player rescues Princess Claire from a dragon, playing each stage as one of four adventurers: Ray Jack the knight, Kaliva the wizard, Barusa the monster or Toby the thief. kings-knight-history/nes-gp-preview
p. 109 (image 119), News & PreviewsSoft is bringing out King's Knight,Game Player's, vol. 2, no. 1 (issue 7, January 1990) · p. 109 (image 119)in which you must rescue the lovely Princess Claire from a dragon. You play each stage as one of four adventurers: Ray JackGame Player's, vol. 2, no. 1 (issue 7, January 1990) · p. 109 (image 119) — the OCR runs a picture caption into the middle of this sentencethe knight, Kaliva the wizard, Barusa the monster, or Toby the irrepressible thief.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The folio isn't in the OCR of image 119; images 117 and 118 read 107 and 108, so image 119 is taken as p. 109, where the contents index puts News & Previews.
Cited by: King's Knight
Computer Entertainer's November 1989 availability update listed King's Knight from Square Soft under November among the NES titles and marked it as shipped. kings-knight-history/nes-ce-shipped
p. 14 (image 14), Availability Update — the list marks with "x" the programs that have shipped; the OCR runs the columns together, and the page image (image n13) shows the row under NOVEMBER in the column of NES titles (Duck Tales, Fester's Quest, Godzilla, Tetris)x-King's Knight (SQ)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: King's Knight
Game Player's Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games covered King's Knight in its February-March 1990 issue, calling it "a quest game with a difference": the player is four champions who fight separately for most of the game and unite only at the end. With four characters to control, it "puts a premium on strategic and logistic thought". kings-knight-history/nes-gpsg
p. 120 (image 122), Hot Hits — the OCR runs "you are" togethera difference. Instead of playing just one hero, youare four different cham- pionsGame Player's Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games, vol. 3, no. 1 (February-March 1990) · p. 120 (image 122)these characters fight sepa- ratelyGame Player's Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games, vol. 3, no. 1 (February-March 1990) · p. 120 (image 122)Only at the end of the game do the warriors unite.Game Player's Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games, vol. 3, no. 1 (February-March 1990) · p. 120 (image 122)puts a premium on strategic and lo- gistic thought.Game Player's Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games, vol. 3, no. 1 (February-March 1990) · p. 120 (image 122)King's Knightisa quest game withOur translationKing's Knight is a quest game with (a difference)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The article runs pp. 120-121 (contents, image 5). It gives no rating.
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The NES booklet (NES-KG-USA) is Square Soft, Inc.'s, of Redmond, Washington, and was printed in Japan. It credits no developer or staff. kings-knight-history/nes-booklet
image 1, coverNES-KG-USAKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 15, warrantywarrants to the original consumer purchaser that the King's Knight Game Pak shall be free from defectsKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 16, back coverWestpark G-1, 8347 154th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052 SQUARE SOFT, Inc.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 16, back coverPrinted in JapanChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: King's Knight
In the NES booklet a dragon has kidnapped Princess Claire of the Kingdom of Izander, and four fighters set out to save her: Ray Jack the knight, the most experienced, goes first; Kaliva the wizard, with magic and good jumping; Barusa the monster, scaly, with strong defenses; and Toby the thief, the youngest and quickest. Each first builds his abilities alone, and then they come together. kings-knight-history/nes-premise
p. 4 (image 4), The StoryIn the Kingdom of Izander, the fair Princess Claire has been kidnapped by a foul and insidious DragonKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 4 (image 4)Knight, Ray Jack, will go first. He is the most experiencedKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 4 (image 4)The Wizard, Kaliva is next. He has magic and good jumping abilities.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 4 (image 4)The Monster, Barusa, follows. This scaly creature has strong defenses and can take many hits.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 4 (image 4)The Thief, Toby, is the youngest and quickest member of the team.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 4 (image 4)They must first set out solo and build their individual fighting abilities.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 4 (image 4)Once they each have advanced skills, these courageous warriors will come together to seek out and save the princess.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the wizard and come-together lines.Cited by: King's Knight
The NES booklet's controls: the control pad moves the character, A fires his weapon, B casts the lead character's magic spell in Stage Five, and Start begins and pauses the game. kings-knight-history/nes-controls
p. 5 (image 5), How to Use the ControllerA Button —Fire your weapon.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 5 (image 5) — the OCR interleaves the controller diagram's labels; the text goes on "lead character in Stage Five by pressing this button."B Button— Execute the Magic Spells of theKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 5 (image 5)lead character in Stage Five byKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 5 (image 5)Start Button Press Start to begin the game or pause during play.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 5 (image 5) — the OCR gives the two on consecutive lines, the Control Pad's label and its textControl Pad Move the CharacterRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the full A, B, Start and pad lines.Cited by: King's Knight
In the NES booklet the screen scrolls down as the character moves up, and he is crushed if objects push him to the bottom of the screen. Obstacles such as trees and plots of land can be destroyed to reveal hidden items. Items raise speed, jumping, and weapon and shield strength, one item lowers life, and hidden caves hold more. kings-knight-history/nes-play
p. 10 (image 10), Game Play Screenas your character moves upward.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 10 (image 10)or your character will be crushed at the bottom of the screen.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 10 (image 10)Obstacles, such as trees and plots of land, can be destroyed to reveal hidden items.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 6 (image 6), How to PlaySome items increase the Speed of the character, and some expand the strength of the Weapons and Shields.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 14 (image 14), ItemsLIFE UP LIFE DOWN JUMP SPEED WEAPON SHIELDKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 14 (image 14), Items, LIFE DOWN — checked on the page image (image 14, the scan "King's Knight - Manual 14.jpg"): this is the LIFE DOWN column's text; the OCR interleaves the columnsAvoid this item or lose Life.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 14 (image 14), Items, JUMP — checked on the page image (image 14), the JUMP column's textAdd spring to your step.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 10 (image 10)3. HIDDEN CAVE...Find valuableRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the life-down and jump items, read on the page image.Cited by: King's Knight
In the NES booklet each character has his own magic spell, used only in the final stage. One element of each spell is hidden in each of the first four stages, and all of a spell's elements must be collected before it can be used in Stage Five; it can be used only once. There the leader fires his weapon and can cast his spell, and arrows in Stage Five change the team's formation. The page of spells names Naizath, Balbath, Cetune and Zainen; which character has which hasn't been read. kings-knight-history/nes-spells
p. 7 (image 7)The Magic Spells of these brave warriors are used only in the final stage. Each character has his own spell with its own unique power.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 6 (image 6), How to PlayOne element from each Magic Spell lies hidden in every one of the first four stages and all of the elements of a particular spell must be collected before that magic can be used in Stage Five.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 7 (image 7)The spells must be used wisely as they can be used only once.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 7 (image 7) — the OCR gives the four names on consecutive lines after the four characters' names (Kaliva, Toby, Barusa, Ray Jack), and the four effects (Defeat enemies in the water, Destroy Monoliths, Change into a Dragon, Change into a Winged Horse) at the end; the page image hasn't been read for which name, effect and character go togetherNaizath Balbath Cetune ZainenKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 10 (image 10)In the last stage, the leader has the ability to fire his weapon and use, just once, his Magic Spell.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 11 (image 11)9. ARROW ... Change the Team Formation.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the own-spell line and all four names; which hero has which spell is left unread.Cited by: King's Knight
The NES booklet's Continue Mode: after the first four stages, pressing Reset and then Select on the title screen lets the player pick a character and replay his stage, as many times as he likes until the characters are ready for Stage Five. kings-knight-history/nes-continue
p. 12 (image 12), Continue ModeWith the Continue Mode you can replay any stage.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 12 (image 12)After completing the first four stages, press the Reset Button on the Control DeckKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 12 (image 12)Repeat this process as many times as you like until your characters are ready for Stage Five.King's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 12 (image 12)so that the Title Screen appears and press the Select Button on the Controller. When the Character Select Screen is shownKing's Knight instruction booklet (NES, North America) · p. 12 (image 12) — the OCR hyphenates "appro-priate" across the lineWhen the cursor points to the appropriate character, press the A Button and press Start. You will then return to that character's stage.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Select and character-select lines.Cited by: King's Knight
No source read names King's Knight's developer. Both manuals credit only Square, and none of the magazines read credits a programmer or studio. kings-knight-history/developer
An MSX version from Square was sold by early 1987 on a one-megabit ROM, by Square's advertising in the Japanese computer press; no copy of that advertising has been pinned. kings-knight-history/msx-version
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