How to Play Kiko’s Quest
Keyboard, touch, and gamepad controls, enemies, crates, powers, and the five worlds.
The goal
Guide Kiko, a little explorer in a red scarf, through 40 levels across 5 worlds to the finish portal at the end of each level. Along the way, collect blue gems and hunt for the 3 gold stars hidden in every level.
Controls
| Action | Keyboard | Touchscreen | Gamepad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move | ← → or A D | ◀ ▶ buttons bottom-left | Left stick / D-pad |
| Jump | Space, ↑, or W | Jump button bottom-right | Bottom button (A) |
| Run | Hold Shift or X | Hold a direction for about half a second | Left/right face buttons (X/B) |
| Pause | P or Esc | Pause button top-right | Start |
Hold jump longer to jump higher. You can still jump for a moment after running off a ledge, and a jump pressed just before landing still counts.
Hearts and checkpoints
Kiko has 3 hearts in every level. You lose one when an enemy hits you, when you touch spikes, fall into a pit, or land in lava. Once you touch a checkpoint flag, you restart from that flag. If you run out of hearts, you can replay the level from the start.
Enemies
- Purple beetle — walks back and forth. Stomp it.
- Spiky hedgehog — don’t stomp it. Jump over it, or hit the crate beneath it.
- Blue slime — hops toward you. Stomp it as it lands.
- Buzz-bird — flies up and down. Stomp it or steer clear.
Stomping several enemies in a row without touching the ground multiplies your score. Hold jump as you stomp to bounce higher.
Crates, bricks, and powers
- Star crates — hit them from below for gems or powers.
- Red bricks — smash them from below while Kiko is big.
- Nova Fruit — Kiko grows bigger and survives one extra hit. If Kiko is already big, it adds a heart.
- Wind Wings — appear from crates while Kiko is big. They give a mid-air double jump until Kiko gets hit.
- Star Bolt — invincible for 8 seconds, and enemies are defeated on touch.
Five worlds
- Green Meadows — learn the basics.
- Sunset Dunes — spikes, springs, and smarter enemies.
- Frost Peaks — slippery ice floors.
- Ember Caverns — lava pits and brick tunnels.
- Sky Fortress — moving platforms, lifts, and buzz-birds.
Progress
A level unlocks once you finish the one before it. Stars you’ve collected stay saved even if you grabbed them on different attempts. Progress is stored in this browser only and doesn’t sync between devices.
Practice in Green Meadows 1-1
Use the first level to compare a quick jump tap with holding the jump button. Before moving right, inspect the next foothold and the space above it. A longer jump suits an open gap; a short tap is easier to control beneath brick ceilings. Do not chase every gem on your first attempt. Reach the portal to learn the route, then replay for stars.
When a star seems out of reach
Look for an intermediate platform, a spring, or an enemy that can provide a bounce. Start from a safe foothold and use a held jump. Repeating from the same dangerous edge will not help unless you change your starting position. On ice, reduce horizontal movement earlier so you do not slide past your takeoff point.
Continue practicing in Kiko's Quest.