Hokuto no Ken (Japan)

Hokuto no Ken on the NES is a classic side-scrolling beat 'em up that casts players as Kenshiro, the successor to the Hokuto Shinken martial art, on his journey through a violent, post-apocalyptic world. The primary goal is to defeat various enemies and bosses to save innocent people and restore order.

The gameplay of Hokuto no Ken focuses on close-quarters combat. Players can utilize basic attacks such as punches, kicks, and jumps. A unique aspect of the game is the ability to perform Kenshiro's signature Hokuto Shinken techniques. After defeating a certain number of enemies or collecting special items, Kenshiro can accumulate energy to unleash powerful moves like "Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken" (One Hundred Crack Fist). When activated, Kenshiro delivers a rapid flurry of punches, causing enemies to explode moments later, faithfully replicating the iconic scenes from the manga.

Each stage in Hokuto no Ken takes Kenshiro through different environments, from desolate streets to enemy strongholds. Players will encounter various types of common enemies with diverse behaviors and attack patterns. At the end of each stage, a challenging boss fight awaits, often featuring well-known antagonists from the original series such as Shin, Jagi, Souther, or Raoh. These boss battles require players to master timing for both offense and defense.

The game features a health bar for Kenshiro and a limited number of lives. The distinctive 8-bit NES graphics adequately render the characters and settings, accompanied by music and sound effects that evoke the atmosphere of the Hokuto no Ken series. This title is known for being quite difficult, requiring players to possess skill and patience to overcome its challenges.