Hudson's platformer with Higgins and his legendary skateboard. Generous in levels, demanding in precision, devilishly addictive. A NES classic that has aged gracefully despite its decades.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Founding action platformer featuring Master Higgins battling dinosaurs on tropical islands. Published by Hudson Soft, released in Japan in 1986. Master Higgins in side-scrolling view jumping on platforms with hatchets and skateboards and dinosaur bosses. First founding Adventure Island on Famicom.
Takahashi Meijin no Bouken-jima review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,04 MB📅12/09/1986
Published by Hudson Soft
Takahashi Meijin no Bouken-jima (NES) price, value & rarity
The Japanese Famicom version of Adventure Island, Japan-exclusive under this name and tied to the Hudson mascot 'Takahashi Meijin', who embodied Hudson's famous live game demonstrator in Japan. The cart is more accessible boxed than the US NES version but keeps a strong identity aura in Japan due to its direct link with the public figure Takahashi Meijin and his legendary 16 shots per second.
Is Takahashi Meijin no Bouken-jima still worth playing in 2026?
Hudson's first Adventure Island on NES, this platformer has Master Higgins run across tropical islands strewn with traps, collecting fruit to keep his vitality gauge from draining. The near constant run, the millimetre precise jumps and the tough challenge inherited from Wonder Boy forge a snappy, fearsomely demanding action. The direct handling has aged well. For a retro punishing platforming fan, someone curious about Hudson classics or a collector, the title keeps a direct arcade pleasure and an authentic challenge.
