Shanghai Kid

Overview

Shanghai Kid, also known as The Shanghai Kid and known in Japan as Hokuha Syourin: Hiryū no Ken ("North Faction Shaolin: Fist of the Flying Dragon"), is a 2D fighting game developed by Nihon Game and released for arcades in Japan by Taito (on June 1985) and in North America by Data East (on November 1985).

One of the earliest pre-Street Fighter II fighting games has players participating in a martial arts tournament in the United States as a practitioner of shaolin kung fu, fighting opponents from different fighting forms (including a muay thai kickboxer, a karateka, a lucha libre wrestler, a traditional boxer, and a professional wrestler). The Japanese version starts with training matches against fellow practitioners in a Shaolin Temple, while the English version starts in a rooftop arena.

Rather then freely allowing players to attack their opponent and defend against attacks, the game uses a targeting system (known in its sequels as "Shingan" or "Mind's Eye") to show where to attack and where to defend, with improper attacks leading to a counter-hit. Proper techniques build up a "K.O." meter that, when filled, allow players to perform a powerful "Flying Dragon" kick (a precursor to "super special moves" in traditional fighting games). In addition, players can enter a "RUSH" mode that allows them to quickly string a series of attacks (a precursor to "combos" in traditional fighting games).

It later received multiple console-only sequels throughout the 80's and 90's as part of the Hiryū no Ken / Flying Dragon series, blending the original's one-on-one fights with side-scrolling beat-'em-up and/or platforming action while expanding on its lore.

Gameplay

The game uses a joystick and two buttons (one for Punch attacks and one for Kick attacks). Pressing different joystick and button combinations lead to different techniques.

Opponents

Shaolin Temple (Japanese Ver.)

1. Kung Fu (Beginner)
2. Kung Fu (Advanced)

Rooftop (English Ver.)

1. Kung Fu (red)
2. Boxer
3. Kung Fu (green)

New York Arena

1. Song Lam (Muay Thai)
2. Gou Hayato (Karate)
3. Lion Kid (Lucha Libre)
4. Bruiser (Boxer)
5. Monster Man (Professional Wrestler)

After defeating Monster Man, they repeat the Practice sequence before being challenged by a much tougher Karate opponent.