The NewZealand Story NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer

The NewZealand Story

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1991 (originally 1988)
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperTaito
PublisherTaito
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991, The NewZealand Story is a platformer developed by Taito. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988.

It landed about 6 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1991 include Pac-Man, Battletoads and Yoshi.

Taito also made Arkanoid, Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble for the NES.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing The NewZealand Story is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

The NewZealand Story gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

The NewZealand Story walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The NewZealand Story.

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Playing NES games today

NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

The NewZealand Story FAQ

When did The NewZealand Story come out on the NES?

The NewZealand Story was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991; the original game dates back to 1988.

Who made The NewZealand Story?

It was developed by Taito.

Is The NewZealand Story multiplayer?

No. The NewZealand Story is a single-player game.

How long does The NewZealand Story take to play?

As a platformer, The NewZealand Story typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about The NewZealand Story on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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