Kung-Fu Master, or Spartan X as it’s known in Japan, is a classic beat 'em up game that hit the arcade scene in 1984, developed and published by Irem. In the West, it was distributed by Data East. Created by Takashi Nishiyama, who had previously brought us the side-scrolling Moon Patrol from 1982, the game draws heavily from the vibrant world of Hong Kong martial arts films. It’s a loose adaptation of the 1984 film Wheels on Meals, which also goes by Spartan X in Japan, featuring the protagonist Thomas, inspired by Jackie Chan’s character. The influence of Bruce Lee’s Game of Death from 1972 can also be felt throughout the game’s design. Nishiyama, drawing on his Moon Patrol experience, cleverly blended fighting mechanics with a dynamic shoot 'em up pace.

In this exhilarating game, players take on the role of Thomas, a skilled kung fu master on a mission to rescue his girlfriend Sylvia from the clutches of the ruthless crime boss, Mr. X. As Thomas makes his way up the treacherous five levels of the Devil's Temple, he faces off against numerous enemies and engages in five intense boss battles that draw inspiration from the classic Game of Death. Each character, including Thomas and the formidable bosses, has their own health meter, and during these climactic encounters, the game shifts to a thrilling one-on-one fighting format.

The game achieved remarkable success in the market, leading the arcade charts in Japan and ranking as the second highest-grossing arcade game in America for 1985. It garnered praise for its fast-paced, side-scrolling gameplay and vibrant, intricate graphics. A version was developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System, overseen by Shigeru Miyamoto.

Kung-Fu Master was a groundbreaking game that played a pivotal role in shaping the gaming landscape. It is often credited as the first beat 'em up video game and stands out as an early representation of the side-scrolling character action genre, which gained immense popularity in the mid-to-late 1980s. The work of Miyamoto on the NES port laid the foundation for his creation of the iconic side-scrolling platform game Super Mario Bros. in 1985. Meanwhile, Nishiyama moved on to join Capcom, where he leveraged the boss battles from Kung-Fu Master to influence the development of the legendary fighting game Street Fighter in 1987. He later collaborated with SNK on iconic titles like Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters. Beyond gaming, Kung-Fu Master left its mark on various forms of media, inspiring the Red Ribbon Army saga (1985–1986) in the beloved Dragon Ball manga and anime series, as well as the French film Kung Fu Master released in 1988.

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