Kung-Fu Master: Difference between revisions

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The original game's plot is [[Excuse Plot|quite simple]]: the mysterious Mr. X kidnaps Thomas' girl, Sylvia, and leaves a letter challenging him to rescue her by going through a 5-floor pagoda known as ''Devil's Temple'', fighting against his hordes of grabby [[Mooks]] and the ''5 Sons of the Devil'' (the [[Carry a Big Stick|Stick Fighter]], [[Precision-Guided Boomerang|Boomerang Fighter]], [[The Brute|Strongman]], [[Evil Sorcerer|Magician]] and [[Big Bad|Mr. X]] himself).
The original game's plot is [[Excuse Plot|quite simple]]: the mysterious Mr. X kidnaps Thomas' girl, Sylvia, and leaves a letter challenging him to rescue her by going through a 5-floor pagoda known as ''Devil's Temple'', fighting against his hordes of grabby [[Mooks]] and the ''5 Sons of the Devil'' (the [[Carry a Big Stick|Stick Fighter]], [[Precision-Guided Boomerang|Boomerang Fighter]], [[The Brute|Strongman]], [[Evil Sorcerer|Magician]] and [[Big Bad|Mr. X]] himself).


There were two sequels made for the console market. A Game Boy version of ''Kung Fu Master''/''Spartan X'' released in 1990, dealing with Thomas, now a secret intelligence agent, as he investigates the disappearance of scientist and engineers known in the field of weapon development, and the apparent involvement of mysterious millionaire and martial artists Zapp Morgan. Now Thomas has to face Morgan's contracted killers ([[Chainsaw Good|Chainsaw Man]], [[Playing With Fire|Napalm Bomber]], twin [[Ninja|Ninjas]] and the return of Strongman) plus hordes of still very grabby [[Mooks]]. The game plays identical to the original, albeit Thomas has a new flying/cartwheel kick attack and stages now have moving platforms and traps.
There were two sequels made for the console market. A Game Boy version of ''Kung Fu Master''/''Spartan X'' released in 1990, dealing with Thomas, now a secret intelligence agent, as he investigates the disappearance of scientist and engineers known in the field of weapon development, and the apparent involvement of mysterious millionaire and martial artists Zapp Morgan. Now Thomas has to face Morgan's contracted killers ([[Chainsaw Good|Chainsaw Man]], [[Playing with Fire|Napalm Bomber]], twin [[Ninja|Ninjas]] and the return of Strongman) plus hordes of still very grabby [[Mooks]]. The game plays identical to the original, albeit Thomas has a new flying/cartwheel kick attack and stages now have moving platforms and traps.


And then there's ''Spartan X 2'', released in Japan in 1991 for the Family Computer, and [[No Export for You|advertised but not released]] for the NES as ''Kung Fu II''. Now going by the name Johnny Spartan ([[All There in the Manual|the manual]] revealing his original full name as Johnny Thomas), he's a police officer who lost his family in an incident with a new type of drug, which his father was subjected to. Quitting the corrupt police force, he becomes a secret service agent in order to track the drug route and find the mastermind, which turns out to be man named Caeson Hawk. Johnny confronts many drug smugglers and dealers ([[Breath Weapon|Flames Joe]], [[Yellow Peril|Chin Gensai]], [[Scary Black Man|Billy Beiry]], Mr. Benjamin and [[Bodyguard Babes|Murder Lin]]), and [[Running Gag|once again]] very grabby [[Mooks]] on his crusade against Caeson. Sylvia shines by her absence, with Johnny instead getting assistance from Tracey, his HQ contact, as well as his heavily-stressed chief, Steve. Just as before, two new moves are given to Johnny in the form of a [[Shoryuken]]-esque rising uppercut and an overhead throw.
And then there's ''Spartan X 2'', released in Japan in 1991 for the Family Computer, and [[No Export for You|advertised but not released]] for the NES as ''Kung Fu II''. Now going by the name Johnny Spartan ([[All There in the Manual|the manual]] revealing his original full name as Johnny Thomas), he's a police officer who lost his family in an incident with a new type of drug, which his father was subjected to. Quitting the corrupt police force, he becomes a secret service agent in order to track the drug route and find the mastermind, which turns out to be man named Caeson Hawk. Johnny confronts many drug smugglers and dealers ([[Breath Weapon|Flames Joe]], [[Yellow Peril|Chin Gensai]], [[Scary Black Man|Billy Beiry]], Mr. Benjamin and [[Bodyguard Babes|Murder Lin]]), and [[Running Gag|once again]] very grabby [[Mooks]] on his crusade against Caeson. Sylvia shines by her absence, with Johnny instead getting assistance from Tracey, his HQ contact, as well as his heavily-stressed chief, Steve. Just as before, two new moves are given to Johnny in the form of a [[Shoryuken]]-esque rising uppercut and an overhead throw.


If you were looking for [[Karate Kid|Mr. Miyagi]] and co., see [[Mentors]]. Also not to be confused with [[Kung Fu (TV)|the film and TV series starring David Carradine]].
If you were looking for [[Karate Kid|Mr. Miyagi]] and co., see [[Mentors]]. Also not to be confused with [[Kung Fu|the film and TV series starring David Carradine]].
{{tropelist}}
{{tropelist}}
* [[Airborne Mooks]]: Jetpack-strapped thugs in ''X 2''.
* [[Airborne Mooks]]: Jetpack-strapped thugs in ''X 2''.
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* [[Bound and Gagged]]: Sylvia.
* [[Bound and Gagged]]: Sylvia.
* [[Breath Weapon]]: The dragons in the original and Flames Joe's signature attack.
* [[Breath Weapon]]: The dragons in the original and Flames Joe's signature attack.
* [[Chainsaw Good]]: [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|Chainsaw Man]].
* [[Chainsaw Good]]: [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Chainsaw Man]].
* [[Circus of Fear]]: The Gypsy Air Circus in ''X 2'', which are actually a band of smugglers.
* [[Circus of Fear]]: The Gypsy Air Circus in ''X 2'', which are actually a band of smugglers.
* [[Completely Different Title]]/[[Market-Based Title]]: Quite a problem for the first game as it's known by ''four'' different names depending on region/console.
* [[Completely Different Title]]/[[Market-Based Title]]: Quite a problem for the first game as it's known by ''four'' different names depending on region/console.
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* [[Dead Little Sister]]: For Johnny in ''X 2'', his entire family.
* [[Dead Little Sister]]: For Johnny in ''X 2'', his entire family.
* {{spoiler|[[Death Faked for You]]: Johnny asks Tracey a favour: to claim he's death}} at the end of ''X 2''.
* {{spoiler|[[Death Faked for You]]: Johnny asks Tracey a favour: to claim he's death}} at the end of ''X 2''.
* [[Divorced Installment]]: The original Japanese version was a licensed game of [[Jackie Chan]]'s ''[[Wheels On Meals]]'' (''Spartan X'' being the film's [[Market-Based Title|Japanese title]]), whereas the overseas version is a stand alone game. The game was quite literally [[In Name Only]] to the point where all they had to do to divorce the game from the license was to change the title.
* [[Divorced Installment]]: The original Japanese version was a licensed game of [[Jackie Chan]]'s ''[[Wheels on Meals]]'' (''Spartan X'' being the film's [[Market-Based Title|Japanese title]]), whereas the overseas version is a stand alone game. The game was quite literally [[In Name Only]] to the point where all they had to do to divorce the game from the license was to change the title.
* [[Dragon Lady]]: Murder Lin.
* [[Dragon Lady]]: Murder Lin.
* [[Dumb Muscle]]: Strongman and Billy Beiry.
* [[Dumb Muscle]]: Strongman and Billy Beiry.
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* [[Eternal Engine]]: Stage 04 and 05 in the [[Game Boy]] game, Morgan's weapon factory.
* [[Eternal Engine]]: Stage 04 and 05 in the [[Game Boy]] game, Morgan's weapon factory.
* [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"]]: All bosses but the [[Final Boss|final ones]] are just given generic descriptive names of their weapon/tactic. Averted in ''X 2'', though.
* [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"]]: All bosses but the [[Final Boss|final ones]] are just given generic descriptive names of their weapon/tactic. Averted in ''X 2'', though.
* [[Everything's Better With Monkeys]]: The gorilla [[Mini Boss]] in ''X 2''.
* [[Everything's Better with Monkeys]]: The gorilla [[Mini Boss]] in ''X 2''.
* [[Evil Counterpart]]: Mr. X to Thomas.
* [[Evil Counterpart]]: Mr. X to Thomas.
* [[Evil Laugh]]: Mr. X is ''fondly'' remembered for his mocking laughter in the intermission "cutscenes". All bosses mockingly laugh at Thomas after he loses too, with Strongman having a lower pitch and Magician a higher.
* [[Evil Laugh]]: Mr. X is ''fondly'' remembered for his mocking laughter in the intermission "cutscenes". All bosses mockingly laugh at Thomas after he loses too, with Strongman having a lower pitch and Magician a higher.
* [[Evil Tower of Ominousness]]: Devil's Temple.
* [[Evil Tower of Ominousness]]: Devil's Temple.
* [[Expy]]: Chainsaw Man is one to [[Friday the 13th (Film)|Jason Vorhees]].
* [[Expy]]: Chainsaw Man is one to [[Friday the 13th (film)|Jason Vorhees]].
* [[Distressed Damsel]]: Sylvia.
* [[Distressed Damsel]]: Sylvia.
* [[Fan Remake]]: [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CBoQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onemorelevel.com%2Fgame%2Fkung_fu_remix&ei=cbZRTYXfFIrZgQfu47DlCA&usg=AFQjCNFX-qNU4RltxoAkYoNATsYxmDSB_g Kung-Fu Remix].
* [[Fan Remake]]: [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CBoQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onemorelevel.com%2Fgame%2Fkung_fu_remix&ei=cbZRTYXfFIrZgQfu47DlCA&usg=AFQjCNFX-qNU4RltxoAkYoNATsYxmDSB_g Kung-Fu Remix].
* [[Fan Translation]]: For ''Spartan X 2''.
* [[Fan Translation]]: For ''Spartan X 2''.
* [[Fan Sequel]]: [http://www.thegamespage.com/backroom/backroom.php?game=kungfu2final&s=1 Kung Fu II] and [http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/522160 Santa Fu].
* [[Fan Sequel]]: [http://www.thegamespage.com/backroom/backroom.php?game=kungfu2final&s=1 Kung Fu II] and [http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/522160 Santa Fu].
* [[Fan Vid]]: [[Cinemassacre]] associate Mike Matei made an excellent video tribute called "Kung Fu Bandito" that can be found [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2pDLJgdKBA&feature=related here] (Might be [[Not Safe for Work]]). {{spoiler|Featuring [[The Angry Video Game Nerd (Web Video)|The Angry Video Game Nerd]] in the very end, killing Kung Fu Bandito [[Why Don't Ya Just Shoot Him|with a clean headshot]].}}
* [[Fan Vid]]: [[Cinemassacre]] associate Mike Matei made an excellent video tribute called "Kung Fu Bandito" that can be found [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2pDLJgdKBA&feature=related here] (Might be [[Not Safe for Work]]). {{spoiler|Featuring [[The Angry Video Game Nerd]] in the very end, killing Kung Fu Bandito [[Why Don't Ya Just Shoot Him|with a clean headshot]].}}
** The epic Japanese-made ''Natraps X'' trilogy: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-OpqNvbjk0 Natraps X], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgoR8T8hTEs Sylvia ga Taosenai] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwdSlFMZoOg Natraps X FINAL].
** The epic Japanese-made ''Natraps X'' trilogy: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-OpqNvbjk0 Natraps X], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgoR8T8hTEs Sylvia ga Taosenai] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwdSlFMZoOg Natraps X FINAL].
* [[Gas Mask Mooks]]: The Napalm Bomber, as seen in the game's boxart.
* [[Gas Mask Mooks]]: The Napalm Bomber, as seen in the game's boxart.
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* [[High Altitude Battle]]: Stage 04 in ''X 2'' takes place atop a moving plane.
* [[High Altitude Battle]]: Stage 04 in ''X 2'' takes place atop a moving plane.
* [[I Have Your Wife|I Have Your Girlfriend]]
* [[I Have Your Wife|I Have Your Girlfriend]]
* [[In Name Only]]: The Japanese version, ''Spartan X'', took its name from the Japanese title of the [[Jackie Chan]] film ''[[Wheels On Meals]]'', since Irem bought the license to make a game based on the film. Despite the title, the game has nothing to do with the movie outside of the names of the two main characters (Thomas and Sylvia) and was more inspired by the unfinished [[Bruce Lee]] project ''[[Game of Death]]''.
* [[In Name Only]]: The Japanese version, ''Spartan X'', took its name from the Japanese title of the [[Jackie Chan]] film ''[[Wheels on Meals]]'', since Irem bought the license to make a game based on the film. Despite the title, the game has nothing to do with the movie outside of the names of the two main characters (Thomas and Sylvia) and was more inspired by the unfinished [[Bruce Lee]] project ''[[Game of Death]]''.
* [[Its Pronounced Tropay]]: According to the official [http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/myanzoujp/41306803.html brochure] of the game, the main villain in ''Spartan X2'' is named "Caeson", even though his name is pronounced almost like "Caesar" or "season".
* [[Its Pronounced Tropay]]: According to the official [http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/myanzoujp/41306803.html brochure] of the game, the main villain in ''Spartan X2'' is named "Caeson", even though his name is pronounced almost like "Caesar" or "season".
* [[It's All Upstairs From Here]]: The entirety of the original game.
* [[It's All Upstairs From Here]]: The entirety of the original game.
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* [[Public Domain Soundtrack]]: Whenever you complete the temple, the game plays a snippet of Dvorák's "New World Symphony".
* [[Public Domain Soundtrack]]: Whenever you complete the temple, the game plays a snippet of Dvorák's "New World Symphony".
* [[Obviously Evil]]: The Devil's Temple.
* [[Obviously Evil]]: The Devil's Temple.
* [[Off With His Head]]: Kicking Magician has this effect: his head falls off and he teleports, unharmed.
* [[Off with His Head]]: Kicking Magician has this effect: his head falls off and he teleports, unharmed.
* [[Personal Space Invader]]: Most enemies attack by throwing themselves on you and attempting to weigh you down.
* [[Personal Space Invader]]: Most enemies attack by throwing themselves on you and attempting to weigh you down.
* [[Pyromaniac]]: The Napalm Bomber.
* [[Pyromaniac]]: The Napalm Bomber.
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* [[Spiritual Licensee]]: As noted above, the game's plot and structure are similar to [[Bruce Lee]]'s ill fated project, ''[[Game of Death]]''.
* [[Spiritual Licensee]]: As noted above, the game's plot and structure are similar to [[Bruce Lee]]'s ill fated project, ''[[Game of Death]]''.
* [[Spiritual Successor]]
* [[Spiritual Successor]]
** Irem's arcade game ''[[Vigilante (Video Game)|Vigilante]]''.
** Irem's arcade game ''[[Vigilante (video game)|Vigilante]]''.
** The arcade version's lead designer, Takashi Nishiyama, left IREM to work on Capcom. Although he is better known as the co-designer of the first ''[[Street Fighter (Video Game)|Street Fighter]]'', Nishiyama also worked on the Capcom arcade game ''Trojan'', which played a lot like ''Kung-Fu Master''.
** The arcade version's lead designer, Takashi Nishiyama, left IREM to work on Capcom. Although he is better known as the co-designer of the first ''[[Street Fighter (video game)|Street Fighter]]'', Nishiyama also worked on the Capcom arcade game ''Trojan'', which played a lot like ''Kung-Fu Master''.
* [[Super Not-Drowning Skills]]: The last section in the final stage of ''X 2'' has Johnny walking underwater without any ill effect. The [[Mooks]] falling into the water to hug him aren't affected either.
* [[Super Not-Drowning Skills]]: The last section in the final stage of ''X 2'' has Johnny walking underwater without any ill effect. The [[Mooks]] falling into the water to hug him aren't affected either.
* [[Teleport Spam]]: The annoying habit of Magician and Chin Gensai.
* [[Teleport Spam]]: The annoying habit of Magician and Chin Gensai.
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* [[Traintop Battle]]: Stage 02 in the [[Game Boy]] game and the first one in ''X 2''.
* [[Traintop Battle]]: Stage 02 in the [[Game Boy]] game and the first one in ''X 2''.
* [[Urban Legend of Zelda]]: Supposedly, beating the original game 24 times in a row (the number equivalent to "X") would turn Sylvia into a [[True Final Boss]]. This has been [[Jossed|confirmed to be a hoax]] thanks to the magic of save states and ROM hacking (Sylvia has no fighting animation).
* [[Urban Legend of Zelda]]: Supposedly, beating the original game 24 times in a row (the number equivalent to "X") would turn Sylvia into a [[True Final Boss]]. This has been [[Jossed|confirmed to be a hoax]] thanks to the magic of save states and ROM hacking (Sylvia has no fighting animation).
* [[Voice With an Internet Connection]]: Both Tracey and Steve communicate with Johnny through their group's HQ-Link as part of the game's cutscenes.
* [[Voice with an Internet Connection]]: Both Tracey and Steve communicate with Johnny through their group's HQ-Link as part of the game's cutscenes.
* [[Whip It Good]]: Mr. Benjamin.
* [[Whip It Good]]: Mr. Benjamin.
* [[Why Don't Ya Just Shoot Him]]: Invoked by Caeson, who claims that doing exactly that wouldn't be much fun, and instead challenges Johnny to a "special stage" made only for him.
* [[Why Don't Ya Just Shoot Him]]: Invoked by Caeson, who claims that doing exactly that wouldn't be much fun, and instead challenges Johnny to a "special stage" made only for him.
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Kung-Fu_Master"