Little Samson

Little Samson is a tightly designed NES action-platformer released in 1992 by Takeru and published by Taito. Set in a fantasy kingdom threatened by monsters, the game follows four unlikely heroes brought together to confront the danger: Samson, a nimble young warrior; Kikira, a dragon who can fly; Gamm, a powerful golem; and K.O., a mouse with the ability to cling to walls.

Rather than controlling a single character throughout, you can switch between the four heroes whenever the situation calls for it. Each one handles differently. Samson is quick and can climb walls, Kikira moves through the air and attacks with fire, Gamm smashes through obstacles and withstands hazards, while K.O. is small, agile, and able to crawl across surfaces. Learning when to change characters is central to both exploration and combat, especially as stages introduce different layouts, enemies, and environmental challenges.

The game opens with separate character stages before expanding into a more traditional series of platforming areas, giving each hero a chance to demonstrate their strengths. Controls are responsive, movement feels precise, and the compact stages reward careful timing rather than reckless rushing. Enemies and bosses can be demanding, but the challenge generally comes from understanding patterns and using the right character effectively.

With colorful graphics, expressive character animation, and detailed fantasy settings, Little Samson is one of the NES library’s more polished action games. Its varied cast keeps the platforming fresh, while the concise level design makes repeated attempts feel productive. Whether you are revisiting a favorite cartridge or discovering it for the first time, you can play online on your browser through RetroCloud and experience a distinctive late-era NES adventure.