Before Konami launched its most ambitious adventure experiment on the MSX, it all started with anything but pondering over puzzles — it started with gunfire. Knightmare is a vertically scrolling shooter set in a fantasy world where, instead of a spaceship, you pilot the brave knight Popolon facing hordes of monsters in the name of rescuing his beloved.
In terms of gameplay it is brisk action in which you climb up the screen, dodge enemy formations and collect upgrades that change and strengthen your weapon. This combination of fantasy scenery and classic shooter mechanics was refreshing for its time — where most shmups bet on sci-fi, Knightmare offered swords, dragons and a medieval atmosphere without losing the drive of arcade action.
The significance of this game, however, exceeds its own boundaries. Knightmare kick-started an entire series of the same name whose later installments aimed at a completely different genre: the second installment, The Maze of Galious, turned into an exploratory action-adventure with puzzles, making the brand one of the most interesting in the MSX library. The first Knightmare thus stands at the beginning of this remarkable family line as its action cornerstone.
The MSX was, especially in Japan, a showcase for Konami, and titles like Knightmare show why this platform won such a strong position among collectors and retro enthusiasts. The studio poured ideas, colourful worlds and soundtracks into it that managed to wring more out of a home computer than one would expect, building a reputation that accompanies it to this day.
For today's player, Knightmare is an interesting intersection — a relatively accessible, cleanly playable shooter that also serves as a gateway into a broader universe. If you enjoy discovering the roots of famous series and tasting what fantasy action looked like in the mid-eighties, it is a title worth getting to know.
Why play it: A fantasy-set vertical shooter that stands at the beginning of the famous Knightmare series and shows Konami's action face on the MSX.
Game 9 of 29 for MSX / MSX2
