KUNG-FU MASTER
KUNG-FU MASTER is Irem's 1984 arcade classic that established the beat 'em up genre. Players control martial artist Thomas to rescue his girlfriend Sylvia from the evil Mr. X by fighting through five floors of enemies in a pagoda.
Platform
arcade
Year
1984
Genre
Beat 'em up
Developer
Irem
Controls
About This Game
Considered the first true beat 'em up game, introducing side-scrolling combat against multiple enemies with punch, kick, and jump attacks.
Featured innovative multi-plane movement allowing players to dodge attacks by moving into the foreground/background.
Inspired by Jackie Chan's film 'Wheels on Meals' and introduced many genre conventions later used in Double Dragon and Final Fight.
Used a unique control scheme with two joysticks - one for movement and another for high/low attacks, though most cabinets simplified this to a single joystick with attack buttons.
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