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Explore the fun and accessible side-scrolling action of ChikiChiki Boys, a delightful Capcom arcade game with engaging co-op gameplay and colorful worlds.
Introduction to Capcom’s ChikiChiki Boys
When you think of Capcom’s arcade legacy, names like Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and Final Fight usually pop up. These franchises leaned heavily into fighting games during the 90s, but before that, Capcom explored several side-scrolling action platformers. Among such games were Ghosts ‘N Goblins, Strider, Black Tiger, Trojan, and Tiger Road.
Released in 1990, ChikiChiki Boys (known as Mega Twins outside Japan) arrived at the tail end of this wave, sharing the spotlight with Magic Sword. It stands out for its simplicity and friendliness compared to its more complex or darker-themed siblings. Rather than punishing one-hit kills or high-risk platforming, ChikiChiki Boys offers a lighthearted, charming adventure with cooperative play that’s easy to pick up but retains enough depth to keep players hooked.
The Story and Setting
The peaceful kingdom of Alurea is caught off guard when the clown Riepohtmahn unleashes a monstrous horde. The royal twin sons are whisked away to safety, growing up away from the chaos that consumes their homeland. After 15 years, they embark on a mission to reclaim Alurea by finding two legendary stones called the “Dragon Blue Eyes” to restore the kingdom.
While the plot is straightforward, the game surprises players with two different endings based on whether a hidden key is found—adding replay value and a bit of mystery to the adventure.
Gameplay Mechanics and Combat
ChikiChiki Boys shares similarities with Westone’s Wonder Boy in Monster Land but keeps things simpler. You control one or both twins, armed with a sword, shield, and several magic spells. Enemies drop coins upon defeat, encouraging exploration to find treasure chests scattered throughout each level that may contain valuable upgrades.
The Japanese version features hidden boots that unlock maximum jump height, but other versions grant this as a default. Sword attacks are swift and handle most regular enemies well, but bosses require magic spells like fiery columns, magic bombs, ricocheting balls, or a typhoon attack to bring down efficiently. Magic isn’t infinite, but when depleted, a power bar fills up to allow a strong attack, so you’re never completely defenseless.
Mastering Subtle Depths
Though it looks simple on the surface, the game offers nuanced mechanics for those who want to master it. The blue twin excels in sword strength, while the red twin has more magic casts—five compared to three. After enough sword swings, a powerful slash with extended range activates, allowing players to strike from safer distances.
Coin drops and multipliers are influenced by the player’s chosen name at the start, adding an interesting layer for speedrunners or high-score chasers who want to optimize their runs.
Levels and Exploration
The first three stages—forest and lava cave, aerial battle against a two-headed dragon, and an ocean journey with a sunken ship—can be tackled in any order. Difficulty stays consistent, but the order affects the magic spells you gain by rescuing deities, allowing strategic choices on which abilities to unlock first.
Level 4 unfolds across five stages with unique bosses. In the original, bikini-clad women are rescued for points and hints for the good ending. The English version removes this element, simplifying the final boss’s drop mechanics.
Visuals and Sound
While the levels maintain a straightforward design, there’s plenty of mechanical and visual variety: ropes to swing from, wall climbing, vertical auto-scrolling sections, and miniboss battles that test pattern recognition. You’ll encounter quirky enemies like walking edamame and underground-digging fuzzballs.
The twins’ facial expressions shine, showing determination or panic when hit, and the colorful levels are accompanied by a soundtrack that shifts between triumphant and ominous tones. The background art, like giant monster silhouettes and bone-filled arenas, adds atmosphere to the charming world of Alurea.
Ports and Versions
The arcade original didn’t see direct ports until Capcom Classics Collection Volume 2 on PlayStation 2, which included modern features like save states and unlockables. A PSP port followed with similar enhancements. Currently, ChikiChiki Boys is available in Capcom Arcade Stadium for multiple platforms, featuring region swapping, online leaderboards, and challenge modes.
The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version, developed by Thinking Rabbit, is the most recognized home port. It sacrifices co-op and some visual details but adds a shop system where coins buy upgrades and items, deepening the gameplay without losing the original’s pace.
The PC Engine CD port stays closer to the arcade, enhancing music but suffering from slower performance and frame drops. Amiga and Atari ST ports offer decent visuals but flawed gameplay and minimal sound, with odd box art showing sinister twins in overalls wielding knives.
Canceled ports for Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum exist in incomplete form, with some maintaining co-op plans. These unfinished versions are preserved and remain a part of gaming history.
Legacy and Appreciation
Despite its accessibility and charm, ChikiChiki Boys is one of Capcom’s lesser-known arcade titles. It never got sequels or character crossovers, missing out on future cameos. Interestingly, concept art for a Street Fighter stage once featured the blue twin but was cut before release.
Still, the game is a quick, enjoyable playthrough that offers smooth, pattern-based gameplay and cozy co-op fun. Its vibrant world and approachable mechanics make it a hidden gem in Capcom’s extensive catalog.
“It’s charming, approachable, and offers the tight, flashy, pattern recognition-heavy gameplay that Capcom has always been great at providing.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the co-op play work in ChikiChiki Boys?
You can play as either one or both twins simultaneously, cooperating to defeat enemies and explore levels together. - Are there differences between regional versions of the game?
Yes, for example, the English version removes bikini-clad women rescues and alters some ending mechanics compared to the Japanese release. - What makes the Genesis port unique?
It replaces co-op with a shop system using coins to buy upgrades and items, adding strategic depth beyond the arcade’s straightforward gameplay. - Does the game have multiple endings?
Yes, depending on whether you find a hidden key required for the second Dragon Blue Eye, you can unlock two different endings. - Is the PC Engine CD version better than the arcade?
While it has enhanced music and close visuals, it suffers from slower performance and frame drops, which can detract from the experience.
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