Kung-Fu Master: The Revolution of Fighting Games

In this new retro trip that I'm going to do, I want to remember an arcade that made us spend a lot of coins. Kung-Fu Master, an arcade game from 1984 that, after its success, also came with versions for consoles. While Thomas and his beloved Sivia were walking through the park, they were approached by a street gang.

Thomas, a kung-fu master who must rescue his girlfriend, Sylvia, who has been kidnapped by a villain named Mr. X. Sylvia is trapped on the fifth floor of a temple, and Thomas must make his way through the lower floors filled with enemies and traps to save her.

Cultural Impact

Pioneer of its genre: It inspired the evolution of beat 'em up games and was a precursor to mechanics seen in later titles such as Double Dragon and Final Fight.
Portability: Kung-Fu Master was ported to several platforms, including the NES, Atari, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.
Cinematic influence: It is loosely based on the 1984 Jackie Chan film Meals on Wheels (titled "Spartan X" in Japan).

My opinion

Kung-Fu Master is a revolutionary game for its time, which laid the groundwork for the beat 'em up genre with simple yet addictive gameplay. Its focus on melee combat and progressive level design made it a standout in the arcades, offering a constant challenge that rewarded skill and memorization. Although its narrative is basic and some aspects may feel repetitive today, the cultural impact and nostalgia it generates make it an iconic title. It is a shining example of how technical limitations can inspire creativity and leave a lasting legacy.