Kung Fu (Japan, USA)

Kung Fu on the NES is one of the earliest and most influential side-scrolling action games, laying the groundwork for the beat 'em up genre. Players take on the role of Thomas, a skilled Kung Fu master, whose mission is to rescue his girlfriend Sylvia from the evil boss Mr. X and his gang. The adventure unfolds within a five-story tower filled with dangerous enemies.

Each floor of the tower represents a distinct level, where Thomas must fight horizontally, moving from left to right. The gameplay focuses on Thomas's hand-to-hand combat skills. Players can perform punches (high punch, low punch) and kicks (high kick, low kick) to defeat opponents. Attacks can be combined with jumping or crouching to dodge and attack more effectively. The variety of moves allows players to adapt their strategy depending on the type of enemy.

Enemies in Kung Fu are diverse and have characteristic attack patterns. You'll face "Grippers" who try to hold Thomas, "Knife Throwers" who attack from a distance, agile "Tom Toms" (midgets), and "Stick Fighters" with mid-range strikes. Each enemy type requires a different approach. For example, to defeat a knife thrower, you need to move quickly or crouch to avoid their attacks before closing in.

At the end of each floor, Thomas will confront a boss. These bosses possess unique strengths and attack styles, requiring players to identify their weaknesses. For instance, the first floor features the Black Magician, the second is Spirit, the third is Blade, the fourth is Giant, and the final boss is Mr. X. Defeating the final boss completes the mission and rescues Sylvia.

Players have a health bar indicating Thomas's well-being and a countdown timer. If the health bar depletes or time runs out, the game ends. Scores are calculated based on the number of enemies defeated and the time taken to complete the level. Although the gameplay is simple, Kung Fu demands quick reflexes, good reaction time, and the ability to memorize enemy attack patterns to overcome its challenges.

Another notable feature is Thomas's flexible movement, including the ability to jump to higher platforms or crouch to avoid blows. The game's graphics and sound, though simple by current standards, created an engaging entertainment experience at the time, immersing players in a dramatic adventure to become a true Kung Fu master.