Sentences written about this title, gathered by type from the Japanese and English Wikipedia articles (as of 2026-8-30).
In 2010, Retro Gamer called it "a unique experience for NES gamers in 1987" that was "technically well ahead of other games for the console at the time", but attributed its relatively low difficulty to allowing unlimited continues without penalty.
In 1989, it nominated the game for "Best Graphics & Sound" and Kuros for "Best Character" in its "Nintendo Power Awards '88", but it did not win in either category.
Power Play praised the graphics, sound, and extras, but criticized its "stale gameplay".
The review said that the platform game emphasizes hunting treasure and items, and that most gamers disliked the relatively easy difficulty level due to unlimited continues.
In another retrospective at Rare's 25th anniversary, GamePro called the game "unique at the time" due to unlimited continues.
He said that the game has an arcade feel, with unlimited continues, a high-score list, name entry for high scores, and good music.
IGN put Wizards & Warriors at #56 on its "Top 100 NES Games" list, and reviewer Sam Claiborn said that the game was inspired by Dungeons & Dragons style of RPGs, and added action platforming elements.
Seanbaby criticized the game for items that did not work as intended, including the "Cloak of Darkness" and the "Boots of Lava Walk".
Game magazinesIn the "Cross Review" of Famitsu it scored a total of 26 out of 40. In the "Game Report Card" reader poll run by Family Computer Magazine, it scored 16.19 out of 30, as shown below.
"Wizards & Warriors" was made into a series, and 4 titles in all were released.
In Japan, no titles from the No. 2 installment onward have been released.
It is Acclaim's first game as the domestic publisher, and Rare's second NES game, after Slalom (1987).
Wizards & Warriors was Acclaim's first game as the domestic publisher; Acclaim's previous releases were all localizations of games originally released by other companies.
In a retrospective of the entire Wizards & Warriors series, UK-based magazine Retro Gamer gave a positive review of the first game, saying that "Kuros's first adventure was a unique experience for NES gamers in 1987, and technically well ahead of other games for the console at the time.
It was praised for its graphics, sound, difficulty, and arcade-style gameplay.
Power Play praised the graphics, sound, and extras, but criticized its "stale gameplay".
Seanbaby criticized the game for items that did not work as intended, including the "Cloak of Darkness" and the "Boots of Lava Walk".
It was praised for its graphics, sound, difficulty, and arcade-style gameplay.
In 2010, Retro Gamer called it "a unique experience for NES gamers in 1987" that was "technically well ahead of other games for the console at the time", but attributed its relatively low difficulty to allowing unlimited continues without penalty.
The review said that the platform game emphasizes hunting treasure and items, and that most gamers disliked the relatively easy difficulty level due to unlimited continues.
In the months surrounding its North American and European releases, Wizards & Warriors was featured in several video game magazines, including Nintendo Fun Club News, Nintendo Power, and VideoGames & Computer Entertainment.
Wizards & Warriors was Acclaim's first game as the domestic publisher; Acclaim's previous releases were all localizations of games originally released by other companies.
Wizards & Warriors was Acclaim's first game as the domestic publisher; Acclaim's previous releases were all localizations of games originally released by other companies.
Seanbaby criticized the game for items that did not work as intended, including the "Cloak of Darkness" and the "Boots of Lava Walk".
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