Samurai Kid (サムライ キッド )

Biox was a developer that never made waves with their output, but Samurai Kid, their final release in 2001, is proof they had potential. Released exclusively on the Game Boy Color in Japan, it’s a puzzle platformer with a focus on manipulating enemies and environments in order to solve puzzles, much like Klonoa or Wario Land. It’s also a visual showpiece, containing some of the smoothest animation on the platform with delightfully large and colorful sprites to accompany them. Interestingly enough, this game is extremely similar to Biox’s previous effort, Daiku no Gen-san: Kachikachi no Tonkachi ga Kachi, to the point that it could easily be considered a spiritual sequel.

The country of Hinamoto is besieged by the Demon King and his army, throwing the once peaceful land into chaos. As Homuramaru, the prince of Hinamoto, your goal is to defeat the Demon King and save the country of Hinamoto. Homuramaru is also accompanied by a monkey named Hide and a raccoon named Yasu, who provide hints in each level. The adventure is bigger than you’d expect for a platformer on the GBC, spanning ten massive levels that contain plenty of puzzles. You’re also encouraged to revisit levels, since you unlock new abilities that can be used to collect health upgrades and coins you couldn’t get previously. In order to earn 100% completion, you’ll also have to complete levels fast enough to satisfy the game’s harsh ranking system, adding further replay value to an already comprehensive package.