Kung-Fu Master (Arcade)

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Description

Loosely based on a movie, Kung-Fu Master is a side scrolling action game for one or two players, who alternate turns.

Mr. X has captured the pickpocket Sylvia and it is up to Thomas, a kung-fu master who owns a restaurant, to get her back. She is located on the top floor of Mr. X's castle and Thomas will need to fight his way to the top. Of course, this won't be easy as each floor has many opponents to get past and a floor boss at the end of each level.

Thomas is able to move left and right, jump, duck, and punch and kick. Enemy projectiles such as knives can be kicked in the air to rebound them towards the enemy. On the top floor resides Mr. X himself.

Screenshots

Promo Images

Alternate Titles

• "Taekwon-Do" -- Spanish MSX title
• "Spartan X" -- Japanese Arcade / NES title
• "Seiken Achō" -- Japanese MSX title
• "Kung Fu Master" -- Alternate in-game spelling
• "Kung Fu" -- NES title
• "スパルタンＸ" -- Japanese spelling

Part of the Following Groups

• Inspiration: Movies
• Jackie Chan licensees
• Nintendo's Action series
• Setting: Chinese
• Spartan X series

User Reviews

Please, sir, can I have a hug?

Katakis | カタキス (42788)

Critic Reviews

All Game Guide	1998		90
Retro Archives	Jul 20, 2018	11.5 out of 20	58
Computer and Video Games (CVG)	Apr, 1985	Unscored	Unscored

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Trivia

1001 Video Games

The Arcade version of Kung-Fu Master appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Inspiration

The original coin-op of this game is based on the Jackie Chan movie Kwai tsan tseh. In Japan, the movie was shown under the name "Spartan X" and indeed the original Japanese name for this game is "Spartan X". In North America, the movie's name is "Wheels on Meals" and the game's name is "Kung-Fu Master" or simply "Kung-Fu".

Legacy

This game is often mentioned as one of the first beat 'em up's inspiring successful arcade brawlers like Renegade, Double Dragon, and Final Fight.

Windows release

The game was one of the eighteen arcade games included in the compilation Irem Arcade Hits.

Information also contributed by BurningStickMan

Related Web Sites

• IMDB - Kwai tsan tseh (IMDB Information on the movie this game was based off of)
• Video review of NES accessories (WARNING: Laguage) (The Angry Video Game Nerd, James Rolfe, reviews some NES accessories and some associated games, including the Roll & Rocker and the U-Force and Kung Fu Master on NES.)