Editing Kung-Fu Master (video game)

{{Short description|1984 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Kung-Fu Master
| image = KungFuMaster arcadeflyer.png
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer = [[Irem]]<br>[[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development|Nintendo R&D4]] (NES)
| publisher = {{collapsible list | title=Irem
  | '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|Irem|NA|[[Data East]]|EU|Irem<ref name="CVG"/>}}
  | '''NES''' {{vgrelease|WW|[[Nintendo]]}}
  | '''Apple II''' {{vgrelease|NA|Data East<ref name="CGW27"/>}}
  | '''C64''' {{vgrelease|NA|Data East<ref name="CGW27"/>|EU|[[U.S. Gold]]<ref name="PCW"/>}}
  | '''Game Boy''' {{vgrelease|JP|Irem|NA|Irem|EU|Nintendo}}
  | '''7800''' {{vgrelease|NA|[[Absolute Entertainment]]<ref name=man7800/>}}
}}
| director = {{ubl | [[Takashi Nishiyama]] (arcade) | [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] (NES)<ref name="Micom"/>}}
| designer = {{ubl | Takashi Nishiyama (arcade)<ref name="Ishizaki"/> | Shigeru Miyamoto (NES)<ref name="Micom"/>}}
| composer = {{ubl | Masato Ishizaki (arcade)<ref name="Ishizaki"/> | [[Koji Kondo]] (NES)<ref name="Iwata"/>}}
| platforms = {{cslist
  | [[Arcade video game|Arcade]]
  | [[NES]]
  | [[Amstrad CPC]]
  | [[Apple II]]
  | [[Commodore 64]]
  | [[Atari 2600]]
  | [[MSX]]
  | [[ZX Spectrum]]
  | [[Atari 7800]]
  | [[Game Boy]]
}}
| released = {{collapsible list | title=November 24, 1984
  | '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|November 24, 1984<ref name="Copyright"/>|NA|Late 1984<ref name="flyer"/>|EU|Early 1985<ref name="CVG"/>}}
  | '''NES''' {{vgrelease|JP|June 21, 1985<ref>{{cite magazine |title=スパルタンX |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2829&redirect=no |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref>|NA|October 18, 1985|EU|1987<ref name="CVG75"/>}}
  | '''Apple II''' {{vgrelease|NA|December 1985<ref name="CE1985">{{cite magazine |title=1985 Index |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |date=January 1986 |volume=4 |issue=10 |page=6 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jan86.pdf#page=6}}</ref>}}
  | '''Commodore 64''' {{vgrelease|NA|December 1985<ref name="CE1985"/>|EU|February 1986<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Kung Fu Master |magazine=[[Zzap!64]] |date=9 February 1986 |issue=11 (March 1986) |publisher=[[Newsfield]] |location=United Kingdom |page=31 |url=http://www.zzap64.co.uk/cgi-bin/displaypage.pl?issue=011&amp;page=031&amp;thumbstart=0&amp;magazine=zzap&amp;check=1}}</ref>}}
  | '''Atari 2600''' {{vgrelease|NA|May 12, 1987<ref name="VCS"/>}}
  | '''Atari 7800''' {{vgrelease|NA|1989<ref name=man7800/>}}
  | '''Game Boy''' {{vgrelease|JP/NA|1990|EU|1991}}
}}
| genre = [[Beat 'em up]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| producer = Scott Tsumura
}}

'''''Kung-Fu Master''''', known as {{nihongo foot|'''''Spartan X'''''|スパルタンX|Suparutan X|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in Japan, is a 1984 [[beat 'em up|beat 'em up game]] developed and published by [[Irem]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. It was distributed by [[Data East]] in North America. Designed by [[Takashi Nishiyama]], the game was based on [[Hong Kong martial arts films]]. It is a loose adaptation of the [[Jackie Chan]], [[Sammo Hung]] and [[Yuen Biao]] film ''[[Wheels on Meals]]'' (1984), called ''Spartan X'' in Japan, with the protagonist Thomas named after Jackie Chan's character in the film. The game is also heavily inspired by the [[Bruce Lee]] film ''[[Game of Death]]'' (1972), which was the basis for the game's concept. Nishiyama, who had previously designed the [[side-scrolling shooter]] ''[[Moon Patrol]]'' (1982), combined fighting elements with a [[shoot 'em up]] gameplay rhythm. Irem and Data East exported the game to the West without the ''Spartan X'' license.

The player controls Thomas, a [[kung fu]] master, as he fights his way through the five levels of the Devil's Temple to rescue his girlfriend Sylvia from the crime boss Mr. X. As he ascends the tower, he has to fight many enemies along the way and five end-of-level [[boss battles]], a concept inspired by ''Game of Death''. Thomas and each boss have a [[health meter]], and the game temporarily becomes a one-on-one [[fighting game]] during boss battles.

The game was a major commercial success, topping the Japanese arcade charts and becoming America's second highest-grossing arcade game of 1985, while receiving critical acclaim for its fast-paced, side-scrolling gameplay and detailed, colorful graphics. A port for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (known as the Famicom in Japan) was developed by [[Nintendo]] under the direction of [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], released as ''Spartan X'' in Japan and '''''Kung Fu''''' in the West, selling 3.5 million copies worldwide. It was also one of the top five best-selling [[Commodore 64]] games of 1986. It spawned the sequel ''[[Spartan X 2]]'' (1991) and the spiritual successors ''[[Trojan (video game)|Trojan]]'' (1986) and ''[[Vigilante (video game)|Vigilante]]'' (1988).

''Kung-Fu Master'' was a highly influential game. It is regarded as the first beat 'em up video game, and an early example of the side-scrolling character [[action game]] genre, which became popular during the mid-to-late 1980s. Miyamoto's work on the NES port inspired his development of the side-scrolling [[platform game]] ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985), while Nishiyama was hired by [[Capcom]] where he used the game's boss battles as the basis for the fighting game ''[[Street Fighter (video game)|Street Fighter]]'' (1987), before working for [[SNK]] on fighting games such as ''[[Fatal Fury: King of Fighters|Fatal Fury]]'' and ''[[The King of Fighters]]''. ''Kung-Fu Master'' also influenced other media, such as the [[Red Ribbon Army]] saga (1985–1986) of the [[manga]] and [[anime]] series ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', as well as the French film ''[[Kung Fu Master (film)|Kung Fu Master]]'' (1988).

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Kung fu master mame.png|left|thumb|256px|Thomas (wearing white) in the first level of the arcade original]]

The player controls Thomas with an eight-way joystick and two attack buttons to punch and kick. Unlike more conventional side-scrolling games, the joystick is used not only to crouch, but also to jump. Punches and kicks can be performed from a standing, crouching or jumping position. Punches award more points than kicks and do more damage, but their range is shorter. Thomas has a [[health meter]] indicating how much damage he can take.<ref name="Lendino">{{cite book |last1=Lendino |first1=Jamie |title=Attract Mode: The Rise and Fall of Coin-Op Arcade Games |date=27 September 2020 |publisher=Steel Gear Press |pages=289–90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d6wCEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA289}}</ref><ref name="Williams">{{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Andrew |title=History of Digital Games: Developments in Art, Design and Interaction |date=16 March 2017 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |isbn=978-1-317-50381-1 |pages=143–6}}</ref> He can absorb a significant amount of damage, but loses a [[Life (video games)|life]] if he takes too many hits.<ref name="CVG"/>

Underlings encountered by the player include Grippers, who can grab Thomas and drain his energy until shaken off; Knife Throwers, who can throw at two different heights and must be hit twice; and Tom Toms, short fighters who can either grab Thomas or somersault to strike his head when he is crouching. On even-numbered floors, the player must also deal with falling balls and pots, snakes, poisonous moths, fire-breathing dragons, and exploding confetti balls.

The Devil's Temple has five floors, each ending with a different [[boss (video games)|boss]] (described as "sons of the devil" at the start of the game). Each boss has a health meter like Thomas, which leads to the game temporarily becoming a one-on-one [[fighting game]] during a boss battle.<ref name="Lendino"/><ref name="Williams"/> In order to complete a floor, Thomas must connect enough strikes to completely drain the boss's energy meter; he can then climb the stairs to the next floor. Thomas has a fixed time limit to complete each floor; if time runs out or his meter is completely drained, the player loses one life and must replay the entire floor. Upon completing a floor, the player receives bonus points for remaining time and energy.

The bosses of the first four levels are Stick Fighter, Boomerang Fighter, Giant, and Black Magician.<ref name="RG"/> The boss of the fifth floor is Mr. X, the leader of the gang that kidnapped Sylvia. Once he is defeated, Thomas rescues Sylvia and the game restarts at a higher difficulty level.

An extra life is given at 50,000 points; thereafter, the rest of the game is on "survival of the fittest" mode. Play continues until the last Thomas is dead, which ends the game.

==Development==
The game was designed for Irem by [[Takashi Nishiyama]].<ref name="Ishizaki">{{cite magazine |title=R-Type Sound Developer Interview – Masato Ishizaki |magazine=Shooting Gameside |date=March 25, 2014 |volume=9 |url=http://shmuplations.com/rtypesound/}}</ref><ref name="Lendino"/><ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Kalata |first1=Kurt |title=Trojan |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/trojan/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref> ''Kung-Fu Master'' is based on [[Hong Kong martial arts films]]. It is a loose adaptation of the [[Jackie Chan]], [[Sammo Hung]], and [[Yuen Biao]] film ''[[Wheels on Meals]]'' (1984), called ''Spartan X'' in Japan, specifically the final part of the film which involves Thomas (Jackie Chan) climbing a Spanish [[castle]] to rescue Sylvia ([[Lola Forner]]), with the help of Moby (Sammo Hung) and his cousin David (Yuen Biao).<ref name="thegamesmachine">{{cite web |last1=Dellafrana |first1=Danilo |title=Le origini di Street Fighter |url=https://www.thegamesmachine.it/speciali/90208/street-fighter/ |website=[[The Games Machine]] |access-date=20 March 2021 |language=it-IT |date=29 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="RG">{{cite magazine |last1=Mason |first1=Graeme |title=Kung-Fu Master |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |date=March 2015 |issue=140 |pages=70–5 |url=https://issuu.com/michelfranca/docs/retro_gamer____140/70}}</ref> The game also borrows heavily from [[Bruce Lee]]'s 1972 film ''[[Game of Death]]'', with the five-level Devil's Temple reflecting the movie's setting of a five-level [[pagoda]] with a martial arts master in each level; in contrast, ''Wheels on Meals'' takes place in Spain as opposed to the game's [[East Asian]] setting.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Spanner |title=The Tao of Beat-'em-ups |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-tao-of-beat-em-ups-article?page=2 |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |date=6 February 2008 |page=2}}</ref> The final part of ''Wheels on Meals'' had itself borrowed its concept of climbing an enemy base by fighting enemies along the way from ''Game of Death''.<ref name="thegamesmachine"/> The game was also influenced by the Bruce Lee film ''[[Enter the Dragon]]'' (1973).<ref name="RG"/>

Nishiyama had earlier created Irem's 1982 arcade [[side-scrolling shooter]] game ''[[Moon Patrol]]''.<ref name="Ishizaki"/><ref name="1up">{{cite web|last=Leone |first=Matt |title=The Man Who Created Street Fighter |url=http://www.1up.com/features/the-man-who-created-street-fighter.html |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718180754/http://www.1up.com/features/the-man-who-created-street-fighter |archive-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> Nishiyama designed ''Kung-Fu Master'' by combining a [[shoot 'em up]] gameplay rhythm with [[Fighting game|fighting]] elements.<ref name="Okamoto">{{cite news |last1=Okamoto |first1=Yoshiki |author1-link=Yoshiki Okamoto |last2=Nishiyama |first2=Takashi |author2-link=Takashi Nishiyama |title=[ENG SUB] A Talk Between the Creators of Street Fighter and Fatal Fury: KOF (Takashi Nishiyama) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqRFod7nuHo |access-date=17 July 2021 |work=世界の岡本吉起Ch |publisher=[[YouTube]] |language=ja |time=1:40}}</ref>

The music and sound for the arcade game were composed by Masato Ishizaki. Nishiyama initially believed the game did not need any music, as it was a [[martial arts]] game and he thought it would sound more impressive to just have the sound effects. Ishizaki had a melody in mind for the game, leading him to suggest that two versions be made, with and without the music, and asked to see which sounded better. After hearing both versions, Nishiyama agreed that the music version sounded better and included Ishizaki's melody in the game.<ref name="Ishizaki"/>

Prior to the game's development, Nishiyama was invited to join [[Capcom]] by its founder [[Kenzo Tsujimoto]] in 1983, after he had left Irem. Nishiyama decided to remain in Irem up until the development of ''Spartan X''. He eventually decided to leave Irem and join Capcom before the game was complete.<ref name="Okamoto"/> Ishizaki later went on to compose the music and sound for ''[[R-Type]]'' (1987).<ref name="Ishizaki"/>

==Release==
The arcade game was originally released as ''Spartan X'' in Japan, on November 24, 1984.<ref name="Copyright">{{cite web |title=Spartan X (Registration Number PA0000234444) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref> It was then released internationally as ''Kung-Fu Master'', in North America during late 1984<ref name="flyer">{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Kung-Fu Master, Data East (DECO) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=576&image=1 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> and in Europe by early 1985.<ref name="CVG"/>

==Ports==
In June 1985, the game was released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], known as the Famicom in Japan.<ref name="Iwata">{{cite web |title=Original Super Mario Developers: The New Guys, Too! |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/mario25th/4/1 |website=[[Iwata Asks]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> It was released as ''Spartan X'' in Japan, before releasing internationally as ''Kung Fu'' in North America and [[PAL regions]]. The game was converted and published by [[Nintendo]], with the port designed and directed by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]].<ref name="Micom">{{cite journal |last1=Yamashita |first1=Akira |title=Shigeru Miyamoto Interview: Profile of Shigeru Miyamoto |journal=[[:ja:マイコンBASICマガジン|Micom BASIC]] |date=8 January 1989 |issue=1989–02 |language=ja |quote=Famicom (as director & game designer) - ''Hogan's Alley'', ''Excitebike'', ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Wild Gunman'', ''Duck Hunt'', ''Devil World'', ''Spartan X''}}</ref> He led the Nintendo development team responsible for porting the Famicom port. He was interested in porting ''Kung-Fu Master'' due to its side-scrolling action gameplay, which was something he had in mind for the platformer genre, so he wanted to gain experience developing side-scrolling games with ''[[Excitebike]]'' (1984) and ''Kung Fu''.<ref name="Miyamoto">{{cite AV media |people=[[Shigeru Miyamoto]] |date=December 2010 |title=Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary - Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto #2 |language=Japanese |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNa0M1gymgA |publisher=[[Nintendo Channel]] |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> [[Koji Kondo]] also worked on the Famicom port, designing the sound effects.<ref name="Iwata"/> In the NES version, Thomas is closely modelled after [[Jackie Chan]], making it the first video game to feature a real-life person.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Bravo World Record! |magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |date=16 April 1993 |issue=226 |page=91 |lang=ja |url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-issue-226-apr-1993/page/91}}</ref>

The game was ported to the [[Atari 2600]] by programmer Dan Kitchen (brother of [[Garry Kitchen]]), shortly after he had ported ''[[Ghostbusters (1984 video game)|Ghostbusters]]'' (1984) to the Atari 2600. This port of ''Kung-Fu Master'' is considered a significant programming feat considering the technical limitations of the Atari 2600.<ref name="RG"/>

''Kung-Fu Master'' was also ported to the [[Atari 7800]],<ref name=man7800/> [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Apple II]], [[Commodore 64]], [[MSX]] (Irem/[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]] version as ''Seiken Achō''), [[PlayChoice-10]] (arcade, nearly the same as the NES version), and [[ZX Spectrum]].

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|ARC = true
|A2600 = true
|C64 = true
|NES = true
|ZX = true
|Allgame_ARC = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baize |first1=Anthony |title=Kung-Fu Master - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=421&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114101121/www.allgame.com/game.php?id=421&tab=review |website=[[AllGame]] |access-date=12 April 2021 |archive-date=14 November 2014}}</ref>
|Allgame_A2600 = 3.5/5<ref name="VCS">{{cite web |title=Kung-Fu Master |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8212 |website=[[AllGame]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114093659/www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8212 |archive-date=2014-11-14 |access-date=17 July 2021}}</ref>
|Allgame_C64 = 3/5<ref>{{cite web |title=Kung-Fu Master (Commodore) |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=3974 |website=[[AllGame]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114101122/www.allgame.com/game.php?id=3974 |archive-date=2014-11-14 |access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref>
|Allgame_NES = 2.5/5<ref>{{cite web |title=Kung Fu |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=13879 |website=[[AllGame]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114112248/www.allgame.com/game.php?id=13879 |archive-date=2014-11-14 |access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref>
|CVG_ARC = Positive<ref name="CVG"/>
|CVG_A2600 = 54%<ref>{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>
|CVG_NES = 9/10<ref name="CVG75"/>
|Gen4_NES = 80%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Kung Fu |magazine=[[:fr:Gen4|Génération 4]] |date=1987 |issue=1 |page=38 |url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero001/Generation4%20001%20-%20Page%20038%20(1987-Q4).jpg}}</ref>
|YSinclair_ZX = 30%<ref name="YS">{{cite magazine|date=12 April 1990|title=The YS Complete Guide To Beat-'em-ups|magazine=[[Your Spectrum]]|issue=53 (May 1990)|url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/completeguidetobeatemups.htm|access-date=2007-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083716/www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/completeguidetobeatemups.htm|archive-date=2007-09-29}}</ref>
|Z64_C64 = 79%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Kung Fu Master |magazine=[[Zzap!64]] |date=9 February 1986 |issue=11 (March 1986) |page=31 |url=http://www.zzap64.co.uk/cgi-bin/displaypage.pl?issue=011&amp;page=031&amp;thumbstart=0&amp;magazine=zzap}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Commodore User]]''
|rev1_C64 = 4/5<ref name="CU"/>
|rev2 = ''[[Computer Gamer]]''
|rev2_ARC = Positive<ref name="CG"/>
|rev3 = ''[[Play Meter]]''
|rev3_ARC = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lewin |first1=Gene |title=Gene's Gudgements |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=June 15, 1985 |volume=11 |issue=11 |pages=38–9 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c0/PlayMeter_US_Volume_11_No._11.pdf#page=34}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''The Video Games Guide''
|rev4_ARC = 5/5<ref name="Fox"/>
|rev5 = ''[[U.S. National Video Game Team|Top Score]]''
|rev5_NES = 3.5/4<ref name="Top-Score"/>
}}

===Arcade===
In Japan, the ''[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]'' arcade charts listed ''Spartan X'' as the top-grossing [[table arcade cabinet]] for two months in 1984, from January 15<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=252|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 January 1985|page=27|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19850115p.pdf#page=14|lang=ja}}</ref> through February 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=253|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 February 1985|page=25|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19850201p.pdf#page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=15 February 1985|title=Best Hit Games 25|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19850215p.pdf#page=12|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|issue=254|page=23|lang=ja}}</ref> It regained popularity in Japanese arcades following the release of the Famicom port later that year.<ref name="Game-Machine">{{cite magazine|date=15 January 1986|title=Overseas Readers Column: "Super Mario Bros." Boom Bringing Best Selling Book|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19860115p.pdf#page=12|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|issue=275|page=24}}</ref> In Europe, it was a major arcade hit in 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=45 (July 1985) |date=16 June 1985 |page=106 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/216/579}}</ref><ref name="CVG75"/>

In North America, it was a major hit in arcades,<ref name="Top-Score">{{cite news |title=Two Pick-Hits for the Nintendo Entertainment System |work=Top Score |date=Winter 1987 |publisher=[[U.S. National Video Game Team|Amusement Players Association]] |url=https://archive.org/details/1987WinterTopScore/page/n11}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Carter |first1=Jay |title=The Great Screen Test Of 1985 |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=1985-08-24 |pages=39, 41 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox49unse_9/page/39 |publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.}}</ref> reaching number-one on the US arcade earnings charts upon release,<ref name="flyer"/> and selling 5,000 arcade cabinets by April 1985.<ref name="GM259">{{cite magazine|title=Overseas Readers Column|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=259|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 May 1985|page=22|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19850501p.pdf#page=12}}</ref> It was later the second top-grossing upright [[arcade cabinet]] on the ''RePlay'' charts in November 1985 (just below Capcom's ''[[Commando (video game)|Commando]]'').<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=November 1985 |volume=11 |issue=2 |page=6 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-2-november-1985-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%202%20-%20November%201985%20%28Compressed%29/page/6}}</ref> It ended the year as America's second highest-grossing arcade game of 1985, below the Data East fighting game ''[[Karate Champ]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1985 Operator Survey: This Poll Says Go Gettum! |magazine=RePlay |date=November 1985 |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=91-102 (93-4) |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-2-november-1985-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%202%20-%20November%201985/page/93}}</ref> ''Kung-Fu Master'' was later also America's eleventh highest-grossing arcade game of 1986, according to the annual ''RePlay'' chart.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 20 of 1986 |work=Top Score |date=July–August 1987 |publisher=Amusement Players Association |page=3 |url=http://www.videoparadise-sanjose.com/ts-3.htm}}</ref>

Claire Edgley of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' gave the arcade game a positive review in March 1985. She was positively surprised by the "hard-hitting" action, the "very fast" and "breath-taking" pace, and large number of enemies. She also praised the controls, referring to Thomas as "a whirling, kicking, jumping, fighting machine" controlled by an eight-way joystick and two buttons, the "energy levels" which allow the player to "absorb a large number of hits" from enemies, the smooth "lifelike" picturesque graphics, and the catchy music jingles. She concluded that if "you thought that ''Karate Champ'' was good — wait 'til you try this one!"<ref name="CVG">{{cite magazine |last1=Edgeley |first1=Clare |title=Arcade Action: Can You Resist the Temptation? |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 March 1985 |issue=42 (April 1985) |publisher=[[EMAP]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=92–3 |url=https://archive.org/details/computer-video-games-magazine-042/page/n91/mode/2up}}</ref>

Mike Roberts also gave the arcade game a positive review in the May 1985 issue of ''[[Computer Gamer]]''. He noted it was part of the "current craze" for arcade martial arts games, but said it had "more of a story line and game play" than others, noting the progression through five floors, simplified controls, abilities such as ducking and jumping, and multiple "standard baddies" followed by "super baddies" who are tougher to beat; he refers to the final opponent as the [[Boss (video games)|boss]] of organization X.<ref name="CG">{{cite magazine |last1=Roberts |first1=Mike |title=Coin-Op Connection |magazine=[[Computer Gamer]] |date=May 1985 |issue=2 |pages=26–7 |publisher=[[Argus Press]] |location=United Kingdom |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_02_1985-05_Argus_Press_GB/page/n25/mode/2up}}</ref> Matt Fox later reviewed the arcade game in 2013, praising the gameplay, animation and innovation.<ref name="Fox">{{cite book |last1=Fox |first1=Matt |title=The Video Games Guide: 1,000+ Arcade, Console and Computer Games, 1962-2012 |edition=2nd |date=3 January 2013 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-0-7864-7257-4 |page=162 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xzMYYrsDaAEC&pg=PA162}}</ref>

===Ports===
In Japan, the Famicom version sold 1.42 million copies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan Platinum Chart Games |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |website=The Magic Box |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101043949/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=1 January 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref> In North America, the NES version titled ''Kung Fu'' was the top-selling video game in the United States during July 1986,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=U.S.A. TOP 10: 7月4日 |magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |date=18 July 1986 |issue=3 |page=7 |url=https://archive.org/details/bi-weekly-famicom-tsushin-famitsu-no.-3-july-18th-1986-600dpi/Bi-Weekly%20Famicom%20Ts%C5%ABshin%20%28Famitsu%29%20-%20No.%203%20July%2018th%201986%20%28Compressed%29/page/7 |lang=ja}}</ref> and again in September.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=U.S.A. TOP 10: 9月5日 |magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |issue=7 |date=19 September 1986 |page=7 |url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu7september1986/page/n7 |lang=ja}}</ref> The NES version went on to sell 3.5 million copies worldwide.<ref name="whitepaper">{{cite book |title=CESA Games White Papers |publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]}}</ref> In Europe, the Commodore 64 port topped the UK [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] software sales charts in February 1986,<ref name="PCW">{{cite journal |title=Charts: Top Twenty |journal=[[Popular Computing Weekly]] |date=20 February 1986 |page=43 |url=https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1986-02-20/page/n42/mode/1up}}</ref> and went on to become one of the top five best-selling Commodore 64 games of 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 50 Games of 1986 |magazine=[[Commodore User]] |date=26 March 1987 |issue=43 (April 1987) |page=12 |url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-43/page/n11}}</ref> The ZX Spectrum version also sold well.<ref name="RG"/>

''Top Score'' reviewed the NES version in early 1987, calling it "a fantastic reproduction of its arcade counterpart" and an action-packed winner.<ref name="Top-Score"/> Tony Takoushi of ''Computer and Video Games'' called it "a near perfect conversion with all the gameplay and levels" intact from the arcade original, praising the gameplay as well as the "solid" graphics and sound.<ref name="CVG75">{{cite magazine |last=Takoushi |first=Tony |title=Reviews: Kung Fu |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 December 1987 |issue=75 (January 1988) |publisher=[[EMAP]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=134–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-075/page/n133/mode/2up}}</ref> In 2017, [[IGN]] ranked the NES port at number 62 on its list of top 100 NES games. They said that, despite being a "dumbed-down port" compared to the arcade original, it was a fun game with rewarding gameplay, challenging boss battles and replay value.<ref name="IGN">{{cite news |title=Top 100 NES Games |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-nes-games/62 |access-date=12 April 2021 |work=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629050611/https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-nes-games/62 |archive-date=2017-06-29}}</ref>

''[[Commodore User]]'' gave the Commodore 64 version a positive review in February 1986.<ref name="CU">{{cite magazine |title=Screen Scene |magazine=[[Commodore User]] |date=26 February 1986 |issue=30 (March 1986) |pages=10–4 |url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-30/page/n9/mode/2up}}</ref> Rick Teverbaugh reviewed the Commodore and Apple versions for ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in 1986. He called it "a karate game with adventure elements thrown in" and said that it looked better on the Commodore than on the Apple.<ref name="CGW27">{{cite magazine |last=Teverbaugh |first=Rick |title=Sports Scorecard |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |date=April 1986 |issue=27 |location=United States |page=41 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_27.pdf#page=41}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Cannon street mosaic.jpg|thumb|180px|Mosaic of "Thomas" by [[Invader (artist)|Invader]] in Hong Kong (2014)]]

The arcade version was later included along with the arcade versions of ''[[10-Yard Fight]]'' and ''[[MotoRace USA|Zippy Race]]'' in IAC/Irem Arcade Classics for the [[PlayStation]] and [[Sega Saturn]], released in Japan only in 1996 by Irem and I'Max. The arcade version was released to cell phones.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

The Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum versions of the game were included on the 1986 compilation ''They Sold a Million 3'',<ref name="spectrumcomputing">{{cite web|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=11373|title=They Sold a Million 3|publisher=Spectrum Computing|access-date=2023-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/they-sold-a-million-3|title=They Sold a Million 3 for Amstrad CPC (1986) - MobyGames|website=MobyGames}}</ref> along with ''Fighter Pilot'', ''[[Ghostbusters (Activision video game)|Ghostbusters]]'', and ''[[Rambo (1985 video game)|Rambo]].

===Sequels and successors===
''[[List_of_SG-1000_games#List_of_SG-1000/SC-3000_series_games|Dragon Wang]]'' is an action game made by [[Sega]] for the [[SG-1000]] released in 1985 and was inspired by ''Kung-Fu Master''. The protagonist is Wang (inspired by Jackie Chan and/or his character Thomas) whose name means "King" in Chinese.

''[[My_Hero_(video_game)|My Hero]]'' was released by Sega for arcades in 1985 and for the [[Master System]] on January 1, 1986. The gameplay format is similar to Irem's ''Kung-Fu Master''.

''[[List_of_Taito_games#Video_games|Lady Master]]'' (レディーマスター, Redī Masutā) shortened from ''Lady Master of Kung Fu'' and known as ''Nunchackun'' in the US, is 2D side-scrolling fighting game developed by [[Taito]] and published by Magic Electronics in 1985 for arcades.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/218437-lady-master-of-kung-fu|title=Lady Master of Kung Fu|website=GameFaqs|access-date=July 15, 2024}}</ref> Players control a character simply known as Lady (レディ), a female martial artist skilled in kung-fu using kicks and leg sweeps and wields [[nunchaku]] as a primary weapon. Gameplay can be best described as a combination between its inspiration ''Kung-Fu Master'' and Taito's earlier title ''[[Elevator Action]]''. Lady fights a multitude of many different enemies inside a large mansion featuring several floors that she uses elevators to travel in between. Some rooms on some floors are open allowing her to enter them with each possibly containing items, letters that can be collected for a stage end bonus, or more difficult enemies. These enemies may provide powerups when defeated. A room on the top floor of the mansion contains a stage boss. The game also features an alternating two-player mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/63567/lady-master-of-kung-fu/|website=Moby Games|title=Lady Master of Kung Fu|date=February 16, 2014|access-date=July 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/lady-master-of-kung-fu|title=Lady Master of Kung Fu|access-date=July 15, 2024|website=The International Arcade Museum}}</ref> This game is one of the earlier titles to feature a playable female protagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/lady-master-of-kung-fu/3030-32576/|website=Giant Bomb|title=Lady Master of Kung Fu|access-date=July 15, 2024}}</ref>

After designing ''Kung-Fu Master'', Takashi Nishiyama was later hired by [[Capcom]].<ref name="1up"/> He designed an arcade successor for Capcom, ''[[Trojan (video game)|Trojan]]'' (1986), which evolved the basic gameplay concepts of ''Kung-Fu Master''. The NES port included a one-on-one fighting mode, a precursor to Nishiyama's work on ''Street Fighter''.<ref name="HG101"/>

''[[Kung Fu Kid]]'', known in Japan as ''Makai Retsuden'' (魔界列伝), is a Master System video game released in 1987. It is the follow-up to the Sega SG-1000 title ''Dragon Wang'' with both titles playing very closely to ''Spartan X''.

Originally in 1985, Irem began work on the prototype ''[[List_of_Irem_games#Prototypes|Super Kung-Fu Master]]'' which later expanded the work into an arcade sequel called ''Beyond Kung-Fu: Return of the Master'' under development and underwent location testing in 1987, but was shelved after it underperformed. ''Beyond Kung-Fu'' was then revamped into ''[[Vigilante (video game)|Vigilante]]'', after Irem decided to give the game a more Americanized setting, which was released in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |title=Long Lost Kung-Fu Master Sequel Found |url=https://www.retrogamer.net/blog_post/long-lost-kung-fu-master-sequel-found/ |access-date=12 April 2021 |work=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |date=29 April 2015}}</ref>

In 1990, the arcade game received a Game Boy sequel of the same name(s) as the 1984 original, which has similar gameplay to the arcade game, but with a completely different plot and setting with a new protagonist named "Bruce Leap" in the releases outside of Japan.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hawken |first1=Kieren |title=The A-Z of Nintendo Game Boy Games: Volume 1 |date=31 August 2018 |publisher=Andrews UK Limited |isbn=978-1-78538-779-1 |page=81 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m8NBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT81}}</ref>

In 1991, a sequel was released in Japan for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], titled ''[[Spartan X 2]]''. It was originally planned to release in North America as ''Kung Fu II'' in the fall of 1991, but ended up not releasing there.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilds |first1=Stephen |title=8 NES Games That Were Never Officially Released |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |date=12 October 2016 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/nes/8-nes-games-that-were-never-released/ |access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref> ''Spartan X 2'' did not receive a North American release until 2016, when it was included as a built-in title for the Retro-Bit Generations retro video game console under the name ''Kung-Fu Master 2''.

''Kung-Fu Master'''s popularity has extended to the gaming indies. Indie publisher and developer Toushiryoku Laboratory (闘志力研究所) released [[doujin game|doujin games]] ''Tifa Tan X'' (TifaTan X, ティファタンX) in 2004 and its sequel ''Tifa Tan X2'' (TifaTan X 2, ティファタンX2) in 2005 as light-hearted homages and [[ecchi]] style parodies of ''Spartan X'' for PC and stars [[Tifa Lockhart]] from ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' as a playable character. Inspired heavily from ''Kung-Fu Master'', gameplay is similar across both titles with the second seeing improvement to overall gameplay, graphics, and sound. The second game also features other characters making cameos from other games as boss fights those being [[List_of_Darkstalkers_characters#Lilith|Lilith]] from ''[[Darkstalkers]]'', [[Mai Shiranui]] from ''[[Fatal Fury]]'', [[Athena_(video_game)#Plot|Princess Athena]] from her own game, [[Double_Dragon#Enemy_characters|Abobo]] from ''[[Double Dragon]]'', and a male [[Recurring_elements_in_the_Final_Fantasy_series#Classes|Red Mage]] from the original ''[[Final_Fantasy_(video_game)|Final Fantasy]]'' who is the main antagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.squakenet.com/software-house/toushiryoku-laboratory/|title=List of games developed or published by "toushiryoku laboratory"|website=squakenet.com|access-date= 5 July 2023}}</ref>

On December 26, 2019, developer PiXEL<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/games/company/252309-pixel|title=Game Companies - PiXEL|website=Gamefaqs}}</ref> released their doujin game ''Xiaomei and the Flame Dragon's Fist'' (焔龍聖拳シャオメイ, Fire Dragon Master Fist Xiaomei) for PC through DLsite<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dlsite.com/home/work/=/product_id/RJ273610.html|title=FireDragonMasterFistXIAOMEI|website=DLsite|access-date= 5 July 2023}}</ref> and was later ported to the [[Nintendo Switch]] by publisher Leoful<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/games/company/218512-leoful|title=Game Companies - Leoful|website=Gamefaqs}}</ref> on March 31, 2023 as a digital only release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/xiaomei-and-the-flame-dragons-fist-switch/|title=''Xiaomei and the Flame Dragon's Fist'' - Nintendo eShop|website=Nintendo eShop|date= 31 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/switch/400557-xiaomei-and-the-flame-dragons-fist|title=
''Xiaomei and the Flame Dragon's Fist'' - Nintendo Switch|website=Gamefaqs|access-date=5 July 2023}}</ref> The game pays homage mainly to the original ''Kung-Fu Master'' in terms of its hud, level layout, and overall game structure although the title includes other elements from other games of its type during the '80s and '90s. The plot features heroine Xiaomei, who embarks on a journey to save her older sister, Xiaoyin, from the evil influence of the Dark Dragon. The Switch version also comes with a new story from Xiaoyin's perspective in Xiaoyin Mode (after completing the main story), with new characters, and unlockables such as wallpapers and character illustrations. Players fight enemies on a single plane from left to right to reach and fight a boss at the end of each stage with a variety of moves including simple and kicks to jumping attacks along with more advanced moves such as a powerful downward strike and short ranged attacks among others. Moves can also be strung together into combos for extra damage and points. While fighting, item pickups can be available to restore health and augment the player's attacks. Enemies include the classic Gripper types that swarm and immobilize the player and begins draining their health until the player dies along with flying birds and dragons attacking them from above among other enemy types. Former [[Namco]] [[composer]] Norio Nakagata was brought onboard along with one-time Sega [[sound designer]] Hirofumi Murasaki to do the game's music and sound effects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/03/xiaomei-and-the-flame-dragons-fist-is-a-16-bit-kung-fu-throwback-that-packs-a-punch|title=''Xiaomei And The Flame Dragon's Fist'' Is A 16-Bit Kung Fu Throwback That Packs A Punch|website=nintendolife|date=21 March 2023 |access-date=5 July 2023}}</ref> The game's illustrations and graphics are by Studio Vigor and character voices by Suika.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leoful.com/xiaomei-and-the-flame-dragons-fist-en/|title=''Xiaomei and the Flame Dragon's Fist'' - leoful.com}}</ref>

==Impact==
===Beat 'em up and fighting games===
''Kung-Fu Master'' is regarded as the first [[beat 'em up]] video game (also referred to as brawlers) in the world.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdMnDwAAQBAJ&q=beat+em+up+kung+fu+master&pg=PT51|title=The A-Z of Atari 2600 Games: Volume 1|first=Kieren|last=Hawken|date=16 February 2017|publisher=Andrews UK Limited|isbn=9781785386428|access-date=2 March 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtEnDwAAQBAJ&q=beat+em+up+kung+fu+master&pg=PT29|title=The A-Z of Atari ST Games: Volume 1|first=Kieren|last=Hawken|date=6 June 2017|publisher=Andrews UK Limited|isbn=9781785387005|access-date=2 March 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Mott">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=olpPoAswgHoC&q=beat+em+up+kung+fu+master+1984&pg=PT152|title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die: You Must Play Before You Die|first=Tony|last=Mott|date=5 December 2011|publisher=Octopus|isbn=9781844037155|access-date=2 March 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-side-scrolling-beat-em-up|title=First side-scrolling beat-em-up|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/beatem-ups-101-all-you-need-to-know-about-brawlers|title=Beat'em-Ups 101: All You Need to Know About Brawlers - RetroGaming with Racketboy|date=10 August 2010|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xzMYYrsDaAEC&q=beat+em+up+kung+fu+master+1984&pg=PA162|title=The Video Games Guide: 1,000+ Arcade, Console and Computer Games, 1962-2012, 2d ed.|first=Matt|last=Fox|date=3 January 2013|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786472574|access-date=2 March 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref> According to ''[[Retro Gamer]]'', ''Kung-Fu Master'' invented the genre.<ref name="RG"/> It distinguished itself from ''Karate Champ'' by simplifying the combat system and featuring multiple opponents along a side-scrolling playfield.<ref name="CGW">Kunkel, Bill; Worley, Joyce; Katz, Arnie, [http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_52.pdf#page=48 "The Furious Fists of Sega!"], ''Computer Gaming World'', Oct 1988, pp. 48-49</ref> It established the "walk forward and beat up dudes" trend that influenced many games after it.<ref name="HG101"/> It also established the end-of-level [[boss battle]] structure used in the beat 'em up genre, with the player character progressing through levels and fighting a boss character at the end of each level; in turn, this end-of-level boss battle structure was adapted from the Bruce Lee film ''Game of Death'', where Lee's character fights a different boss character on each floor as he ascends a pagoda.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |title=Bruce Lee, UFC and why the martial arts star is a video game hero |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/09/bruce-lee-ea-sports- |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=9 April 2014}}</ref>

According to Matt Fox, it "one hundred percent defined" the beat 'em up genre, with variations of its plot structure used in virtually every scrolling beat 'em up since.<ref name="Fox"/> There were numerous imitators, such as ''[[Black Belt (1986 video game)|Black Belt]]'' (1986) and ''[[Kung Fu Kid]]'' (1987) on the [[Master System]].<ref name="CGW"/> Other beat 'em ups that followed its single-plane side-scrolling format include arcade games such as [[Sega]]'s ''[[My Hero (video game)|My Hero]]'' and ''[[Flashgal]]'' (1985), [[Taito]]'s ''[[The Ninja Warriors]]'' (1987), Data East's ''[[Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja]]'' (1988) and [[Namco]]'s ''[[Splatterhouse]]'' (1988).<ref name="Hero">{{cite web |last1=Plasket |first1=Michael |title=My Hero |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/my-hero/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |date=May 4, 2017 |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Unconverted |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/retro-gamer/20200123/281676846862054 |access-date=29 July 2021 |work=[[Retro Gamer]] |via=[[PressReader]] |date=23 January 2020}}</ref> Other titles such as [[Technōs Japan]]'s ''[[Renegade (video game)|Renegade]]'' (1986) and ''[[Double Dragon (video game)|Double Dragon]]'' (1987), [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Final Fight (video game)|Final Fight]]'' (1989) and Sega's ''[[Streets of Rage]]'' (1991) evolved the beat 'em up formula established by ''Kung-Fu Master'' with a belt-scrolling format.<ref name="Hero"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Spanner |title=The Tao of Beat-'em-ups - Part 2: A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Fighting from '85 to '93. |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/a_taoofbeatemups_pt2_retro |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=14 April 2021 |date=12 February 2008}}</ref><ref name="Mott"/>

The boss battles had [[health meter]]s for the player character and each boss, which led to the game temporarily becoming a one-on-one [[fighting game]] during boss battles.<ref name="Lendino"/><ref name="Williams"/> The ''Kung-Fu Master'' boss battles became the basis for the 1987 fighting game ''[[Street Fighter (video game)|Street Fighter]]'', which was directed by ''Kung-Fu Master'' designer Takashi Nishiyama after leaving Irem for Capcom.<ref name="polygon">{{cite web |last1=Leone |first1=Matt |title=Street Fighter 1: An oral history |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/7/21270906/street-fighter-1-oral-history-takashi-nishiyama |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |access-date=July 16, 2020 |date=July 7, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Williams"/> Following the release of ''Kung-Fu Master'', Capcom was interested in hiring Nishiyama, who then led the development of ''Street Fighter''. Nishiyama later left Capcom to run [[SNK]]'s video game development division, creating the [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo]] [[arcade system board]] and fighting games including ''[[Fatal Fury]]'', ''[[Art of Fighting]]'', ''[[Samurai Shodown]]'' and ''[[The King of Fighters]]''.<ref name="1up"/>

===Side-scrolling character action games===
''Kung-Fu Master'' was an early example of a [[side-scrolling]] character [[action game]], a genre of games that featured large [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]] characters in colorful, side-scrolling environments, with the core gameplay consisting of fighting large groups of weaker enemies using attacks (or weapons) such as punches, kicks, guns, swords, [[ninjutsu]] or magic. More arcade side-scrollers followed during the mid-to-late 1980s, including [[ninja]] games such as [[Taito]]'s ''[[The Legend of Kage]]'' (1985), Sega's ''[[Shinobi (1987 video game)|Shinobi]]'' (1987), and [[Tecmo]]'s ''[[Ninja Gaiden (arcade game)|Ninja Gaiden]]'' (1988) as well as [[run and gun video game]]s such as Konami's Rush'n Attack and [[Namco]]'s ''[[Rolling Thunder (video game)|Rolling Thunder]]'' (1986).<ref name="Williams"/> ''Kung-Fu Master'' was the first side-scrolling [[martial arts]] action game,<ref name="Gregersen">{{cite book |last=Gregersen |first=Andreas |chapter=Hit It: Core Cognitive Structures and the Fighting Game |editor-last1=Perron |editor-first1=Bernard |editor-last2=Schröter |editor-first2=Felix |title=Video Games and the Mind: Essays on Cognition, Affect and Emotion |date=19 July 2016 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-1-4766-2627-7 |pages=61–3 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZPXBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA62}}</ref> serving as the prototype for most martial arts games during the late 1980s,<ref name="CGW"/> and also established the [[health meter]] mechanic as a standard feature in fighting games and side-scrolling action games such as beat 'em ups.<ref name="Williams"/> Jamie Lendino also notes that, unlike "most arcade games" which had emphasized [[high score]]s and [[Life (video games)|lives]], ''Kung-Fu Master'' "had a genuine narrative arc" with a beginning, middle and end.<ref name="Lendino"/>

The game's side-scrolling action gameplay played a key role in the development of Nintendo's influential side-scrolling [[platform game]] ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Beyond Donkey Kong: A History of Nintendo Arcade Games |date=30 July 2020 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-1-4766-4176-8 |page=149 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UXD0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA149}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dingman |first1=Shane |title=Thirty things to love about Mario as Nintendo's star turns 30 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/tech-news/30-things-to-love-about-mario-as-nintendos-star-turns-30/article26329371/ |access-date=13 December 2021 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=11 September 2015 |language=en-CA |url-access=registration}}</ref> developed by the same Nintendo team behind the NES port ''Kung Fu''. Shigeru Miyamoto cited his development of the Famicom port as one of the key factors behind his creation of ''Super Mario Bros.'' According to Miyamoto, the concept of ''Super Mario Bros.'' came about as a result of the "technical know-how" built up from ''[[Excitebike]]'' and ''Kung Fu'',<ref name="Miyamoto Reveals All">{{cite web |last=Gifford |first=Kevin |title=Super Mario Bros.' 25th: Miyamoto Reveals All |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/super-mario-bros-25th-miyamoto-reveals-all.html |website=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=October 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105015455/http://www.ugo.com/games/super-mario-bros-25th-miyamoto-reveals-all.html |archive-date=January 5, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> his work on which inspired him to come up with a game that would have the player "strategize while scrolling sideways" over long distances, have aboveground and underground levels, and have colorful backgrounds rather than black backgrounds, resulting in the creation of ''Super Mario Bros.''<ref name="Miyamoto"/>

''Kung Fu'' was one of the first NES titles that originated from a third-party developer, giving it a "special place" in the [[history of the Nintendo Entertainment System]] according to IGN.<ref name="IGN"/> ''Kung-Fu Master'' also influenced the combat system of ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'' (1987).<ref>{{cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=Zelda 2 was Nintendo at its best: unpredictable |url=https://www.polygon.com/zelda/23600112/zelda-2-adventure-of-link-nes-tears-of-the-kingdom |website=Polygon |access-date=24 June 2024 |date=16 February 2023}}</ref>

===Popular culture===
[[Akira Toriyama]] cited the Famicom version of ''Spartan X'' as an inspiration for a major saga in the [[manga]] and [[anime]] series ''[[Dragon Ball]]'': the [[Red Ribbon Army]] saga (1985-1986), specifically the Muscle Tower arc, which involves [[Goku]] ascending an enemy base and fighting enemies on each floor. This arc was a turning point for ''Dragon Ball'', a departure from the [[tournament]] format of the previous saga.<ref>{{cite book |script-title=ja:DRAGON BALL 大全集 2: STORY GUIDE|year=1995|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|pages=261–265|language=ja|isbn=4-08-782752-6}}
* {{cite web |title=Translations Archive: Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 2: Story Guide: Akira Toriyama Super Interview: 2nd Round — The Unpredictable Story |url=https://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/daizenshuu-2-akira-toriyama-super-interview/ |website=Kanzenshuu}}</ref> [[Tooru Fujisawa]], creator of manga and anime series ''[[Great Teacher Onizuka]]'' (''GTO''), is also a fan of ''Spartan X''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Okamoto |first1=Yoshiki |author1-link=Yoshiki Okamoto |last2=Nishiyama |first2=Takashi |author2-link=Takashi Nishiyama |title=[ENG SUB] A Talk Between the Creators of Street Fighter and Fatal Fury: KOF (Takashi Nishiyama) |date=9 July 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqRFod7nuHo |access-date=17 July 2021 |script-work=ja:世界の岡本吉起Ch |via=[[YouTube]] |language=ja |time=1:20}}</ref>

The game also influenced a French film called ''[[Kung Fu Master (film)|Kung Fu Master]]'' (1988) directed by [[Agnès Varda]]. Despite the title, it is not an adaptation of the game, nor is it a [[martial arts film]], but it is rather a [[drama film]] concerning a divorced mother falling in love with a 14 year-old video game player. The film showcases various arcade games, with the character's interest in the ''Kung-Fu Master'' arcade game being a central [[plot device]].<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |author1-link=Roger Ebert |title=Kung-fu master! |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kung-fu-master-1989 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]] |date=November 17, 1989 |access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="man7800">{{cite web |title=Kung Fu Master Atari 7800 Manual |url=https://archive.org/details/Kung-Fu_Master_1989_Absolute_Entertainment |website=archive.org |year=1989 |publisher=Absolute Entertainment}}</ref>
}}
* [http://www.ggdb.com/GGDB/Details.asp?VID=1484 'Kung Fu Master (Coin-Op) by Data East', ''Great Game Database.com''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050415004003/http://www.ggdb.com/GGDB/Details.asp?VID=1484 |date=2005-04-15}} Retrieved April 15, 2005
* [http://www.gamespot.com/wsc/sports/sidepocketforwonderswan/news_6071057.html 'Data East goes bankrupt', ''GameSpot''] (July 7, 2003) Retrieved April 15, 2005
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/index.php?page=detail&id=1331 Bousiges, Alexis. 'Kung Fu Master', ''Arcade History''], (March 2, 2005) Retrieved April 15, 2005.

==External links==
{{Portal|1980s|Japan|Martial arts|Video games}}
* {{KLOV game|8361}}
* ''[http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=kung-fu-master&page=detail&id=1331 Kung-Fu Master]'' at arcade-history
* {{WoS game|id=0002780}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100623021312/http://www.nindb.net/game/kung-fu.html ''Kung Fu'' (NES)] at [http://www.nindb.net NinDB]
* {{IAg|Kung-Fu_Master_1989_Absolute_Entertainment_NTSC|platform=Atari 7800}}

{{Irem|state=expanded}}
{{Shigeru Miyamoto}}
{{Jackie Chan}}
{{Bruce Lee}}

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