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Back in the mid-eighties, I was still a young lad. Playing my Atari 2600 was one of my favorite time killers. My parents refused to buy me the new NES and the only time I had a chance to play it was in the local K-Mart electronics section. I would spend my time playing Kung-Fu while Mom would hunt for blue light specials. The good old days.

Kung-Fu was an awesome game ahead of it's time. It was really the first "beat em' up" type game. It paved the way for titles such as Double Dragon and Bad Dudes.  Originally a coin-op title, Nintendo ported it in 1985 and it became an instant classic. Set in a five-floor temple, the object was to fight, as Thomas, through thugs and bosses all the way to Mr. X.  As far as bosses and level design went, it paralleled many late 70's/early 80's martial arts films.  The premise was simple; beat the bad guys, save the girl. (Sofia)

Highhhhhh-yahhhhh!!!! 

As you defeated foes and advanced floors, generic goons became increasingly difficult and well armed. Throwing knives became boomerangs and fire-spitting dragons impeded progress. Dwarf-like warriors would surprise you by jumping on your head and draining your life bar. I hated those little punks. Bosses also became increasingly powerful. As if fighting a stick carrying bad-ass wasn't enough, you had to defeat a giant (an obvious Kareem Abdul-Jabbar clone), a boomerang throwing maniac, and a dark sorcerer. If you manage to defeat all these guys, you earn the right to fight your arch nemesis...Mr. X!!!! Mr. X was basically "you" dressed in black. Although these bosses were difficult to master at first, eventually most players figured out they could all be defeated with a barrage of low crouch kicks. Oh well.....

Ahhhh, the old dependable crouch kick 

Graphically, the game doesn't hold up well. Most 8-bits games don't. The audio from this game was memorable. I can still hear it playing in my head. (1000 or so hours of playing a game will do that)

For all the young gamers out there, this is a title that you must play at least once. It's a legend of a game. As someone who knows a thing or two about karate, this game does not disapoint.  The Fate Dweller gives it an A+.

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