{{Short description|1992 video game}} {{good article}} {{Use American English|date=July 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox video game | title = Little Samson | image = Nintendo Entertainment System Little Samson cover art.jpg | caption = Western cover art by Greg Winters | developer = Takeru | publisher = Taito | director = Shinichi Yoshimoto | producer = Shinichi Yoshimoto | artist = Kiyoshi Utata | writer = Shinichi Yoshimoto | platforms = Nintendo Entertainment System | released = {{vgrelease|JP|June 26, 1992|NA|November 1992|EU|March 13, 1993}} | genre = Action, platform | modes = Single-player }}
'''''Little Samson'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Seirei Densetsu Lickle'''''|聖鈴伝説リックル|''Seirei Densetsu Rikkuru''|{{lit|''Holy Bell Legend Lickle''}}|lead=yes}}.}} is a 1992 action–platform video game developed by Takeru and published by Taito for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game stars four heroes summoned to stop the demon king Ta-Keed from wreaking havoc on the kingdom of Forgy. Each hero has different abilities and the player can switch between the four at any time.
''Little Samson'' was directed by Shinichi Yoshimoto, who had worked as a designer on Capcom titles such as ''Ghouls 'n Ghosts'' and ''Strider''. Kiyoshi Utata, who also worked on ''Cocoron'' and ''Nostalgia 1907'', made the game's artwork. The game received favorable reviews. Critics praised the audiovisual side and noted that swapping between characters added an element of strategy to the action. The game is considered one of the best NES games in retrospect, and the North American release has become an expensive collector's item.
== Gameplay == [[File:NES Little Samson (Seirei Densetsu Lickle).png|thumb|left|Little Samson in a palace attacking a knight boss who summons lightning against him]]
''Little Samson'' is a side-scrolling action–platform game reminiscent of the ''Mega Man'' franchise.<ref name="AllgameLS" /><ref name="SJls" /><ref name="DestructLS" /> It takes place in a world once terrorized by the demon king Ta-Keed until he was sealed away by gods, whose power was dispersed in the form of four bells. When the kingdom of Forgy was threatened by Ta-Keed, emperor Hans VI and his aides sealed him deep within a mountain. One day, a lightning released Ta-Keed, and emperor Hans XIV led his army into battle, but they were powerless against the demon king's subordinates. Hans XIV summoned four warriors who possess the bells with the task of defeating Ta-Keed.<ref name="Fam179">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0179/page/44/mode/2up|title=Coming Soon: Seirei Densetsu Rikkuru|script-title=ja:Coming Soon: 聖鈴伝説リックル|language=ja|trans-title=Coming Soon: Seirei Densetsu Lickle|magazine=Famitsu|issue=179|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=May 22, 1992|pages=44–45}}</ref><ref name="SDLimJP">{{cite book|title=Seirei Densetsu Rikkuru|script-title=ja:聖鈴伝説リックル|language=ja|trans-title=Seirei Densetsu Lickle|date=June 1992|publisher=Taito|edition=Japanese|type=取扱説明書 [Instruction Manual]}}</ref><ref name="LSimNA">{{cite book|url=https://www.digitpress.com/library/manuals/nes/Little%20Samson.pdf|url-status=live|title=Little Samson|date=1992|publisher=Taito|edition=North American|type=Instruction Manual|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507142449/https://www.digitpress.com/library/manuals/nes/Little%20Samson.pdf|archive-date=May 7, 2013|access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref>
The player chooses between one of four characters—the climber Little Samson, the dragon Kikira, the golem Gamm, and the mouse K.O—each with advantages and disadvantages.<ref name="SJls" /><ref name="LSimNA" /><ref name="LShg101" /> Samson attacks enemies by throwing bells and can climb walls and ceilings.<ref name="AllgameLS" /><ref name="Fam179" /><ref name="NPls" /> Kikira can fly for brief periods and breathe fire that can be charged up, while her claws allow her traction on icy surfaces.<ref name="Fam179" /><ref name="NPls" /><ref name="CN11" /> Gamm is slow but strong, can walk on spikes and attack with short but powerful blows in any direction.<ref name="AllgameLS" /><ref name="SJls" /><ref name="NPls" /> K.O. has the least health but is fast, can fit through narrow passages, can climb walls and ceilings, and attacks by dropping bombs.<ref name="DestructLS" /><ref name="Fam179" /><ref name="CN11" />
The first four stages act as a tutorial for each character and can be played in any order.<ref name="DestructLS" /><ref name="CN11" /><ref name="Retro107" /> Upon completing their respective stages, the characters gather before Hans XIV, who appoints Samson as the leader of the team.<ref name="SJls" /><ref name="Fam179" /><ref name="LShg101" /> Kikira is opposed to this decision and instigates a fight against him for dominance, though concedes after her defeat.<ref name="SJls" /><ref name="Fam179" /><ref name="LShg101" /> The player can switch between characters at any time during the gameplay, and stage progression occurs in a linear sequence.<ref name="AllgameLS" /><ref name="DestructLS" /><ref name="Retro107" /> There are twenty stages in total, each divided into thirteen levels with branching paths and a boss encounter per stage.<ref name="DestructLS" /><ref name="CN11" /><ref name="LShg101" /> There are two difficulty levels: Easy and Normal. Playing on Normal difficulty summons the true final boss.<ref name="LShg101" />
Throughout each stage, the player fights enemies and avoids obstacles while collecting items and power-ups including extra lives, hearts that replenish health, crystal orbs that increase the capacity of a character's life bar and potions that fully restore health, though each character can keep only one at a time.<ref name="DestructLS" /><ref name="LShg101" /><ref name="HCls" /> Each character has a separate lifebar, but they all share a pool of lives. If Samson dies, the player is forced to start over, but if any other character dies, they will remain dead until the active stage is completed or if one of the deceased character has a potion to revive them.<ref name="DestructLS" /><ref name="LShg101" /><ref name="Retro107" /> The player can resume their progress via a password system provided after defeating the boss.<ref name="CN11" /><ref name="Retro107" />
== Development and release == ''Little Samson'' was created by Takeru, which had previously developed ''Cocoron'' for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).<ref name="DestructLS"/><ref name="LShg101"/> It was directed, produced, and written by Shinichi Yoshimoto, who had been a designer for Capcom on titles such as ''Ghouls 'n Ghosts'' and ''Strider''.<ref name="DestructLS" /><ref name="NLifeA1">{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Gavin|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/01/feature_the_most_expensive_retro_games_for_nintendo_systems|title=Feature: The Most Expensive Retro Games For Nintendo Systems|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=January 29, 2020|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130030411/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/01/feature_the_most_expensive_retro_games_for_nintendo_systems|archive-date=January 30, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Artwork for the game was done by Kiyoshi Utata, who had worked on ''Cocoron'' and ''Nostalgia 1907''.<ref name="UKAW">{{cite book|author=Zeku|title=Utata Kiyoshi Artdot.Works|date=May 29, 2011|publisher=Game Area 51|pages=1–258|language=ja|chapter=Dai 6-shō — Seirei Densetsu Rikkuru|script-chapter=ja:第6章 — 聖鈴伝説リックル|trans-chapter=Chapter 6 – Seirei Densetsu Lickle}}</ref><ref name="GSW">{{cite web|last=Cowan|first=Danny|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/06/osman_little_samson_feature_in.php|title=Osman, Little Samson Feature in Utata Kiyoshi Artdot Works|website=GameSetWatch|publisher=UBM plc|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=March 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121185607/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/06/osman_little_samson_feature_in.php|archive-date=November 21, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="UKAW:IS">{{cite book|author=Zeku|chapter=Dai 2-shō — Takeru: Kokoron/Nosutarujia 1907/Seirei Densetsu Rikkuru/Āmu (dōjin gēmu)|script-chapter=ja:第2章 — タケル: ココロン/ノスタルジア1907/聖鈴伝説リックル/アーム (同人ゲーム)|language=ja|trans-chapter=Chapter 2 — Takeru: Cocoron/Nostalgia 1907/Seirei Densetsu Lickle/Arm (doujin game)|title=Utata Kiyoshi Artdot.Works: Interview Side|publisher=Game Area 51|date=November 6, 2011|pages=1–254}}</ref> The Japanese and Western covers were illustrated by Mitsuru Todoriki and Greg Winters, respectively.<ref name="ToDoLand">{{cite web|last=Todoriki|first=Mitsuru|year=2000|url=http://www.linkclub.or.jp/~todo-yyz/gall/young/index.html|title=Gallery — Young Lad|language=ja|website=ToDo's Land|pages=1–3|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612142144/http://www.linkclub.or.jp/~todo-yyz/gall/young/index.html|archive-date=June 12, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="VGDensetsu">{{cite web|last=Auffret|first=Dominique|url=https://vgdensetsu.net/2_GregWinters.html|title=Greg WINTERS|work=VGDensetsu|date=January 10, 2022|access-date=July 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608190853/https://vgdensetsu.net/2_GregWinters.html|archive-date=June 8, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Taito published it in Japan as ''Seirei Densetsu Lickle'' on June 26, 1992.<ref name="MBM121">{{cite magazine|last=Tezuka|first=Ichirō|url=https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1992-07/page/n249/mode/1up|title=Famikon mo, madamada suteta monode wanai!|script-title=ja:ファミコンも，まだまだ捨てたものではない！|language=ja|trans-title=The Famicom isn't a lost cause just yet!|magazine={{ill|Micom BASIC Magazine|lt=Micom BASIC Magazine|ja|マイコンBASICマガジン}}|issue=121|publisher={{ill|The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|lt=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|ja|電波新聞社}}|date=July 1992|page=226}}</ref><ref name="NGoF">{{cite book|chapter=12 年の歳月で発売された全 1052 本のゲームタイトル!ファミコンソフ卜完全目録|trans-chapter=A total of 1,052 game titles released over 12 years! Complete Catalog of Famicom Software|title=Natsukashi Famikon pāfekuto gaido|script-title=ja:懐かしファミコンパーフェクトガイド|language=ja|trans-title=The Perfect Guide to the Nostalgic Famicom|volume=1|series=Perfect Guide|publisher=Magazine Box|date=April 21, 2016|pages=122–127|isbn=978-4-906735-89-1}}</ref> The game was shown at the 1992 Summer Consumer Electronics Show and released in North America in November of that year.<ref name="CN9">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/ClubNintendoAo01N09Mxico/page/n42/mode/1up|title=CES -Verano 92-|language=es|trans-title=CES -Summer 92-|magazine=Club Nintendo|volume=1|issue=9|publisher=Productos y Equipos Internacionales S.A. de C.V., Editorial Samra|date=August 1992|pages=34–42}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf|title=NES Games|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040731024525/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf|archive-date=July 31, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> A European release followed on March 13, 1993.<ref name="NLifeA1"/><ref name="JXVls"/> Due to poor marketing leading to low sales in North America, ''Little Samson'' became one of the rarest and most expensive NES titles, commanding high prices on the secondary collecting market.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="GSpot">{{cite web|last=Van Allen|first=Fox|url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/these-21-rare-nintendo-games-are-worth-a-fortune/2900-870/|title=These 21 Rare Nintendo Games Are Worth A Fortune|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=September 13, 2016|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924161300/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/these-21-rare-nintendo-games-are-worth-a-fortune/2900-870/|archive-date=September 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DoGa1">{{cite web|last=Byrd|first=Matthew|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/rarest-most-valuable-nes-games-expensive-collectibles/|title=15 Rarest and Most Valuable NES Games|work=Den of Geek|publisher=DoG Tech LLC|date=July 13, 2021|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712095251/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/rarest-most-valuable-nes-games-expensive-collectibles/|archive-date=July 12, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TE:0">{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/04/one-of-the-rarest-nes-games-is-currently-up-for-auction-at-goodwill|title=One Of The Rarest NES Games Is Currently Up For Auction At Goodwill|work=Time Extension|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=April 11, 2024|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411120715/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/04/one-of-the-rarest-nes-games-is-currently-up-for-auction-at-goodwill|archive-date=April 11, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2022, Limited Run Games's CEO, Josh Fairhurst, stated that ''Little Samson'' was high on his list of titles he sought to bring back. After contacting Taito, which suggested that game's rights "might be with the owner", Limited Run Games tracked down the owner, who did not know who held the rights.<ref name="NLifeB2">{{cite web|last=Grassl|first=Zion|date=April 17, 2022|title=Feature: How Limited Run's New Engine Respects The Legacy Of Classic Games|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/how-limited-runs-new-engine-respects-the-legacy-of-classic-games|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417150023/https://www.nintendolife.com/features/how-limited-runs-new-engine-respects-the-legacy-of-classic-games|archive-date=April 17, 2022|access-date=June 8, 2024|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media}}</ref> In 2025, Limited Run Games announced that ''Little Samson'' would be re-released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam in 2026.<ref name="Gematsu:0">{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/little-samson-coming-to-ps5-switch-and-pc-in-2026|title=Little Samson coming to PS5, Switch, and PC in 2026|work=Gematsu|date=October 29, 2025|access-date=2025-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029215351/https://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/little-samson-coming-to-ps5-switch-and-pc-in-2026|archive-date=2025-10-29|url-status=live}}</ref> Fairhurst explained that they acquired the license from the Agency for Cultural Affairs through Alexander Aniel, head of business development in Japan for Limited Run Games, and Tatsujin, a Japanese video game developer and licensee founded in 2017 by Masahiro Yuge, a former Toaplan employee, who introduced him to a Japanese agent who worked with Limited Run Games on the re-release.<ref name="4Gnet:1">{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|script-title=ja:［JAEPO2019］TATSUJINやナツメアタリの参入が発表されたexA-Arcadia。出展コーナーの模様を紹介|language=ja|trans-title=[JAEPO2019] exA-Arcadia, which announced the participation of TATSUJIN and Natsume Atari. Introducing the exhibition corner|work=4Gamer.net|publisher=Aetas Inc.|date=January 26, 2019|access-date=2025-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035436/https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|archive-date=2019-01-27|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Automaton">{{cite web|last=Yamanaka|first=Taijiro|url=https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20220818-214997/|script-title=ja:Embracer Groupがさらに多数のスタジオを買収、株式会社TATSUJINが日本初の傘下スタジオに。東亜プラン作品のPC展開も予告|language=ja|trans-title=Embracer Group acquires more studios, TATSUJIN Co., Ltd. becomes its first Japanese studio. PC release of Toaplan titles also announced.|work=Automaton|publisher=Active Gaming Media|date=August 18, 2022|access-date=2025-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818064723/https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20220818-214997/|archive-date=2022-08-18|url-status=live}} ([https://automaton-media.com/en/news/20220818-15037/ Translation] by Nick Mosier. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818084049/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/20220818-15037/|date=2022-08-18}}).</ref><ref name="TE:1">{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/10/daunting-limited-run-explains-how-it-resurrected-one-of-the-most-expensive-nes-games-of-all-time|title="Daunting" - Limited Run Explains How It Resurrected One Of The Most Expensive NES Games Of All Time|work=Time Extension|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=October 30, 2025|access-date=2025-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030221448/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/10/daunting-limited-run-explains-how-it-resurrected-one-of-the-most-expensive-nes-games-of-all-time|archive-date=2025-10-30|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | Fam = 6/10, 5/10, 7/10, 5/10<ref name="FamSDL">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0185/page/38/mode/1up|title=Shinsaku gēmu kurosu rebiyū: Seirei Densetsu Rikkuru|script-title=ja:新作ゲームクロス レビ ュー: 聖鈴伝説リックル|language=ja|trans-title=New Games Cross Review: Seirei Densetsu Lickle|magazine=Famitsu|issue=185|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=July 3, 1992|page=38}}</ref> | HC = 72/100<ref name="HCls">{{cite magazine|last=del Campo|first=Manuel|url=https://archive.org/details/HobbyConsolas019/page/n31/mode/2up|title=Lo Más Nuevo: Little Samson|language=es|trans-title=The Newest: Little Samson|magazine=HobbyConsolas|issue=19|publisher=Hobby Press|date=April 1993|pages=32–34}}</ref> | GP = 5/10<ref name="GPls">{{cite magazine|last=Moon|first=Billy|title=Review: Little Samson|magazine=Game Players Nintendo Guide|volume=5|issue=11|publisher=GP Publications|date=November 1992|page=81}}</ref> | VGS = 69%<ref name="VGSls">{{cite magazine|last=Neumayer|first=Manfred|url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-1992-12/page/104/mode/1up|title=Test: Little Samson|magazine={{ill|Video Games (magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games}}|issue=13|publisher=Markt & Technik|date=December 1992|page=104|language=de}}</ref> | rev2 = {{ill|Play Time (magazine)|lt=Play Time|de|Play Time|italics=yes}} | rev2Score = 71%<ref name="PTls">{{cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Tony|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:PlayTime_DE_1993-02.pdf&page=104|title=Marios Magic: Little Samson|magazine={{ill|Play Time (magazine)|lt=Play Time|de|Play Time}}|issue=20|publisher=Computec|date=February 1993|page=104|language=de|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708160823/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:PlayTime_DE_1993-02.pdf&page=104|archive-date=July 8, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
The Japanese publication ''{{ill|Micom BASIC Magazine|lt=Micom BASIC Magazine|ja|マイコンBASICマガジン}}'' ranked the game ninth in popularity in its September 1992 issue, and it received a 21.2/30 score in a readers' poll conducted by ''Family Computer Magazine''.<ref name="MBM123">{{cite magazine|last=Tezuka|first=Ichirō|url=https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1992-09/page/n230/mode/1up|title=Kongetsu no ninki sofuto rankingu|script-title=ja:今月の人気ソフト・ランキング|language=ja|trans-title=This Month's Popular Software Rankings|magazine={{ill|Micom BASIC Magazine|lt=Micom BASIC Magazine|ja|マイコンBASICマガジン}}|issue=123|publisher={{ill|The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|lt=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|ja|電波新聞社}}|date=September 1992|page=247}}</ref><ref name="PSMjpLS">{{cite book|chapter=Chōzetsu ōwaza-rin' 98-nen haru-ban|script-chapter=ja:超絶 大技林 '98年春版|language=ja|trans-chapter=Super Technique Book '98 Spring Edition|title={{ill|PlayStation Magazine (Japan)|lt=PlayStation Magazine|ja|PlayStation Magazine}}|volume=42|type=special|publisher=Tokuma Shoten Intermedia|date=April 15, 1998|page=69}}</ref> ''Famitsu''{{'}}s four reviewers found the game's audiovisual side to be good for the NES and that each character was unique but believed the action lacked intensity.<ref name="FamSDL"/> George Sinfield and Rob Noel of ''Nintendo Power'' noted that swapping between four characters with their special skills added a strategy element to the game's action.<ref name="NPls">{{cite magazine|last1=Sinfield|first1=George|last2=Noel|first2=Rob|title=NES: Little Samson; Now Playing: Little Samson|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=40|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=September 1992|pages=20–25, 100, 103}}</ref> ''Club Nintendo'' deemed ''Little Samson'' an entertaining game, highlighting the audiovisual presentation, character and enemy animation, and level of challenge.<ref name="CN11">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/ClubNintendoAo01N11Mxico/page/n33/mode/1up|title=Analizando a: Little Samson|language=es|trans-title=Analyzing: Little Samson|magazine=Club Nintendo|volume=1|issue=11|publisher=Productos y Equipos Internacionales S.A. de C.V., Editorial Samra|date=October 1992|pages=32}}</ref> Billy Moon of ''Game Players Nintendo Guide'' found the game to be average, feeling that the character switching kept it interesting, but that its graphics were unexciting and the unlimited continues almost rendered the password feature useless.<ref name="GPls"/>
Manfred Neumayer of ''{{ill|Video Games (magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games}}'' commended the game's graphics for their variety and attention to detail, likable characters, and the difficulty level of the stages.<ref name="VGSls"/> Tony Jones of ''{{ill|Play Time (magazine)|lt=Play Time|de|Play Time}}'' regarded it as a fun and complex the game, while ''HobbyConsolas''{{'}} Manuel del Campo liked the character switching ability and visuals while criticizing the dull sound.<ref name="HCls"/><ref name="PTls"/> ''Nintendomagasinet''{{'}}s Tobias Bjarneby considered it a fun platform game due to its good controls and four different characters.<ref name="NMls">{{cite magazine|last=Bjarneby|first=Tobias|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-magasinet-1993-nr-03/page/n25/mode/2up|title=Nintendo Entertainment System: Little Samson|magazine=Nintendomagasinet|type=supplement|series=Power Play|language=sv|volume=4|issue=27|publisher={{ill|Atlantic Förlag|lt=Atlantic Förlag|sv|Atlantic förlag}}|date=March 1993|pages=8–9}}</ref> Merche Garcia of ''{{ill|Superjuegos|lt=Superjuegos|es|Superjuegos}}'' underscored the animation of the characters, particularly that of the mouse.<ref name="SJls">{{cite magazine|last=Garcia|first=Merche|url=https://archive.org/details/Superjuegos_013/page/n49/mode/2up|title=Consolas: Little Samson|language=es|trans-title=Consoles: Little Samson|magazine={{ill|Superjuegos|lt=Superjuegos|es|Superjuegos}}|issue=13|publisher=Grupo Zeta|date=May 1993|pages=50–51}}</ref> ''Ação Games'' regarded ''Little Samson'' as one of the best games for the NES.<ref name="ActionGamesLS">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/acaogames147janeiro2000poster/A%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Games%20%23042%20%28Setembro%201993%29/page/n31/mode/2up|title=Nintendo: Little Samson|language=pt|magazine=Ação Games|issue=42|publisher=Editora Azul|date=September 1993|pages=32–33}}</ref>
=== Retrospective coverage === {{Video game reviews | title = Retrospective ratings | Allgame = 4.5/5<ref name="AllgameLS">{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Skyler|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=349&tab=review|title=Little Samson – Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116022457/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=349&tab=review|archive-date=November 16, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> | JXV = 16/20<ref name="JXVls">{{cite web|author=Greatkev|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015185-little-samson-test.htm|title=Test de Little Samson sur Nes par jeuxvideo.com|language=fr|trans-title=Little Samson review on the NES by jeuxvideo.com|work=Jeuxvideo.com|publisher=Webedia|date=June 16, 2011|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628012926/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015185-little-samson-test.htm|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> }} In retrospectives, ''Little Samson'' has been listed among the best NES games by ''IGN'', ''USgamer'', and ''Paste''.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|last=Claiborn|first=Samuel|url=http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/93.html|title=Top 100 NES Games – 93. Little Samson|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment|year=2009|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016065416/http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/93.html|archive-date=October 16, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="USG">{{cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-greatest-games-for-nes-1988-89|title=Nintendo's All-Time Greats: Our Comprehensive Guide to the Best NES Games|work=USgamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=April 3, 2015|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406060433/http://www.usgamer.net:80/articles/the-greatest-games-for-nes-1988-89|archive-date=April 6, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Paste">{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Garrett|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/nes/the-100-best-nes-games|title=The 100 Best NES Games|work=Paste|publisher=Paste Media Group|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815023217/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/nes/the-100-best-nes-games|archive-date=August 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> ''AllGame''{{'}}s Skyler Miller wrote that "''Little Samson'' is a tour de force of excellent game design, attractive graphics and pure entertainment value."<ref name="AllgameLS"/> ''Club Nintendo'' described it as "a work worthy of admiration" and highlighted the large bosses, particularly the dragon enemy.<ref name="CN200">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/club-nintendo-ano-17-n-07-mexico/page/44/mode/1up|title=Los Años Maravillosos: NES|language=es|trans-title=The Wonder Years: NES|magazine=Club Nintendo|volume=17|issue=7|publisher={{ill|Editorial Televisa|lt=Editorial Televisa|es|Editorial Televisa}}|date=July 2008|pages=39–47}}</ref> Greatkev of ''Jeuxvideo.com'' praised the game's colorful graphics, gameplay, and soundtrack, but found the simple plot and lack of dialogue to be its weak points.<ref name="JXVls"/> ''Retro Gamer'' called it one of the most technically impressive NES games, citing its intricate sprites, enemy designs, and impressive levels.<ref name="Retro107">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/retro-gamer-raspberry-pi-buenos-aires/Retro%20Gamer%20107/page/48/mode/2up|title=Minority Report: Little Samson|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=107|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=September 13, 2012|pages=48–49}}</ref>
''Hardcore Gaming 101''{{'}}s Michael Plasket lauded the game's visual appeal, music, gameplay mechanics, difficulty curve, and overall duration.<ref name="LShg101">{{cite web|last=Plasket|first=Michael|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/little-samson/|title=Little Samson|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=September 24, 2011|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009221656/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/little-samson/|archive-date=October 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GamesRadar+'' listed it as one of the thirty games they wish had been included on the NES Classic Edition.<ref name="GRadarB2">{{cite web|last=Agnello|first=Anthony John|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/30-games-we-wish-were-on-the-nes-mini/|title=30 games we wish were on the NES Mini|work=GamesRadar+|publisher=Future plc|date=July 14, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715142133/https://www.gamesradar.com/30-games-we-wish-were-on-the-nes-mini/|archive-date=July 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Den of Geek'' regarded ''Little Samson'' as one of the most underrated NES titles, while ''Destructoid''{{'}}s Zoey Handley gave positive remarks on the game's visuals and character animation fluidity but questioned some of its design choices.<ref name="DestructLS">{{cite web|last=Handley|first=Zoey|url=https://www.destructoid.com/little-samson-on-nes-asks-how-much-youll-pay-for-a-gem/|title=Little Samson on NES asks how much you'll pay for a gem|work=Destructoid|publisher=Gamurs Group|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223220014/https://www.destructoid.com/little-samson-on-nes-asks-how-much-youll-pay-for-a-gem/|archive-date=February 23, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DoGb2">{{cite web|last=Freiberg|first=Chris|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/underrated-nes-games/|title=25 Underrated NES Games|work=Den of Geek|publisher=DoG Tech LLC|date=January 21, 2019|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827222800/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/underrated-nes-games/|archive-date=August 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Portal|1990s|Japan|Video games}}
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/nes/587419-little-samson ''Little Samson''] at GameFAQs * [https://www.giantbomb.com/little-samson/3030-14592/ ''Little Samson''] at Giant Bomb * {{MobyGames|id=/30308/little-samson/|name=''Little Samson''}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Little Samson}} Category:1992 video games Category:Action games Category:Fantasy video games Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games Category:Platformers Category:Side-scrolling platformers Category:Side-scrolling video games Category:Single-player video games Category:Taito games Category:Takeru (company) games Category:Video games about dragons Category:Video games about mice and rats Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games about golems