Hokuto no Ken

Overview

Hokuto no Ken (北斗の拳) is one of the most faithful anime-to-game adaptations on the Sega Master System (Sega Mark III), a side-scrolling beat ’em up set in the post-apocalyptic world of Fist of the North Star which follows Kenshiro’s journey as he battles through waves of enemies to rescue his beloved Yuria.

This game is also known as the original and western/world localization of also SMS classic Black Belt. Due to licensing restrictions, an altered version titled Black Belt was released internationally, featuring new character designs and modified difficulty. They are quite similar, but not the exact same game, then each version provides unique elements, and you should try them both.

Officially released exclusively in Japan on July 20, 1986, by Sega, Hokuto no Ken closely follows the events of the first television series. The game takes players through Kenshiro’s legendary war against Shin and his gang, culminating in an intense final showdown with Raoh. Featuring fast-paced combat, memorable enemies, and iconic Hokuto Shinken moves, this game remains a classic for both Fist of the North Star and Master System fans.

So, if you’re a fan of retro gaming and classic anime adaptations, you’re in for a treat, since we got this version of the game that can be played online, directly in your browser through HTML5, with no downloads or installations required. Relive this legendary title and test your skills against the wasteland warriors that stand in Kenshiro’s way. Are you ready to prove that you’re the true successor of Hokuto Shinken?

Controls

• ← and → – Move left and right
• ↑ – Jump
• ↓ – Crouch
• ↓, ↑ – High jump
• Button 1 – Z (Kick)
• Button 2 – X (Punch)
• Attention – These controls are default for Player 1. Hover your mouse into the lower part of the screen and a control bar will show up. Click on the gamepad icon and set the Player 2 controls if you want to play Black Belt with a friend or just want to change the default key configurations.

Synopsis

Kenshiro’s Hokuto Shinken, the special blow, explodes as he defeats the King’s Army and Shin and heads towards a fatal confrontation with his arch-enemy Raoh. Now, will Yuria be rescued?

Features

• Classic Side-Scrolling Action – Navigate through enemy-infested stages, fighting hordes of grunts and sub-bosses before facing the stage’s main boss.
• Faithful Anime Adaptation – Despite hardware limitations, the game impressively represents the anime’s characters and story within a 1-megabit Master System cartridge.
• Developed by Yuji Naka – The lead programmer of this game later became famous for his work on Sonic the Hedgehog.
• Multiple Releases & Remakes – The game was later included in Sega Ages 2500 Hokuto no Ken for the PlayStation 2 in 2004 and re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in 2008.
• Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise – The original game can also be unlocked in the 2018 PlayStation 4 title Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, whose Western release retains the original Japanese version of Hokuto no Ken rather than its Black Belt counterpart.

Have you played Hokuto no Ken before? Do you prefer the original version or Black Belt? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

More info and classic beat ’em ups

• Hokuto no Ken [Master System] @ Gaming Room – Source, with more info and media. In Portuguese.
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• D. D. Crew
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• Kung Fu Remix
• Double Dragon [Master System]
• Golden Axe
• Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker [Master System]
• Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja
• Kung Fu

Hokuto no Ken walkthroughs and cheats

• Hokuto no Ken [Master System] cheats and tips

More Hokuto no Ken gameplays or walkthroughs

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