Kung-Fu Heroes
System: NES
Release Date: March 1989
Developer: Culture Brain
Publisher: Culture Brain
Genre: Action
Culture Brain makes their NES debut with Kung-Fu Heroes. This was originally released in Japan in 1984 and would have been really good then, but in 1989, it leaves a lot to be desired. This is a two-player game where you take control of Jackie and Lee. You need to bash through 32 levels to save Princess Min-Min. You punch with the A Button and can expend your miracle kicks with the B Button.
Each level takes place on a single screen. Enemies come onto the screen up to four at a time and you must defeat twelve of them to open up the exit to the next level. On each stage, there are blocks that can be punched to reveal an item. Most of the time you will find money bags, when you have collected six, you can use them for a screen clearing attack. I was unable to get this attack, as you may get an X, which takes your money back to zero.
What you’re searching for in the levels are special treasures. There are ten of them that must be collected in order to beat the game. Most useful is the sword, which you can equip and defeat enemies who are otherwise unaffected by your punches and miracle kicks. You can also get a hold of the Gun Ball, which allows you to shoot fireballs as if your name was Mario. Also hidden on the level is a key, which opens up an underground passage that either takes you to a bonus level or a level warp. Collect all the Extra balls you can for an extra life.
Fighting enemies is kind of a pain in the butt. Punches don’t always land when it looks like you’re hitting them. Some enemies are immune to punches, but instead must be landed on with a miracle kick, or defeated with the sword. You have to avoid the enemies as best you can, because one shot and you’re dead.
Graphics: 1.0
Everything looks pretty bad for 1989. It would have been good as a launch title, but that’s over 200 games ago.
Sound: 1.0
Nothing good or memorable in the sound department. It sounds like stereotypical Chinese.
Gameplay: 1.0
The terrible hit detection ruins this title. It could have worked better had they polished the game before the US release.
Difficulty: 1.0
It’s easy to get about half way through the game, but after that, enemies are over powered and kill you too quickly.
Fun Factor: 1.0
I didn’t like it off the bat, but gave it another chance. It didn’t redeem itself at all.
Overall Grade: 1.0
Kung-Fu Heroes earns a D. It’s not a good game to be released in 1989. Culture Brain made a mistake bringing this one to America when it did.