Kung-Fu Master

Kung Fu Master is somewhat of a scarce game to come by these days, but the copies are out there and would make a smashing addition to anyone’s collection. Any game that you can beat up 'bad-guys' with your hands and feet gives some satisfaction to a frustrating day at work or school. You’re not really hurting anyone so play Kung Fu Master today!

O objetivo é vencer todos os adversários para tornar-se um mestre do Kung Fu. Seja rápido nos controles: mais de um lutador o atacará de cada vez.

As far as classics go, Kung Fu is one high up there in terms of leaving an indelible impression. Even if you've never played the game itself, you've doubtlessly played a game inspired by its elementary concept - punch and kick through armies of martial arts foes, and fight a boss with a life bar at the end. "Hurt bad guys" is like the rice or wheat of the gaming industry, and this game first presented the idea of Hong Kong kung fu action flicks in videogame form.

All things considered, if you spend time with this one, you could adjust to the archaic control scheme. But, when the NES has an almost flawless port, why would you even bother? Credit is given for trying to keep the spirit of the original alive on such limited hardware, but you can find a better experience elsewhere (and maybe figure out why all of these guys are protecting Mr. X in the first place... What do they get out of the kidnapping?).

With other, more advanced beat-em-ups on the console (including Capcom's superb late release "Mighty Final Fight" and of course "Double Dragon"), Kung Fu only serves as a reminder to the rather archaic initial batch of games for the console. It's not a terrible game by any means, but unless you can place yourself back in that bygone era and relive some childhood memories, it's doubtful you will find enjoyment out of this title.

Kung Fu may have set the world on fire in 1985, but those days are well done. Controlling a black belt warrior (who appears to be wearing high heels), you must dispatch an endless parade of enemies in a Japanese temple. You're limited to the standard punch, kick, and jump-kick moves. In the first stage, most foes are idiots easily dispatched with simple high kicks. The occasional weapon-trained ninja will require some strategy to defeat, but not much. The second stage incorporates a traps and tiny dragons, and the cheap hits come early and often. Kung Fu is not particularly fun to play. Its clean graphics and surprisingly good sound effects (including some voice clips) make it bearable, but its gameplay is dated and silly.