Kung Fu (Spartan X in Japan) is a side-scrolling beat ’em up ported to the NES by Nintendo from Irem’s 1984 arcade original — often cited as one of the first beat ’em ups. Players control Thomas the Kung-Fu Master, punching and kicking through five floors of the Devil’s Temple and its bosses to rescue Sylvia from the crime boss Mr. X.
How To Play Kung Fu
Control
Action
D-Pad
Move left/right; press Up to jump; press Down to crouch
A Button
Kick
B Button
Punch
Start
Start game / pause
About Kung Fu
Release date
Arcade (JP): December 1984 · Famicom (JP, as Spartan X): June 21, 1985 · NES (NA): October 18, 1985 · NES (EU): 1987
Sheldon has spent over a decade immersed in retro gaming, from NES classics to arcade gems. He's deeply passionate about preserving gaming history and helping others rediscover these timeless titles. When he's not gaming, Shaun writes about the evolution of video games and their cultural impact.