BEAT-'EM-UPS

The game that launched a thousand others. Known simply as Fist to its millions of fans, this laid the foundations for all that were to follow, and without doubt remains the most famous beat-'em-up of all time.

Classic moves brought to us in Fist for the first time were the unsporting but very rewarding punch-in-the-stomach, the boot-in-the-back-of-the-head and the useful kick-in-the-shins. This last move, unfortunately, proves to be the game's downfall (in one-player mode at least), as its repeated use leads to attainment of 10th Dan level within minutes.

Sonically Fist remains perfect. Music is restricted to a marvellously irritating tune at the start of each level, and the sound effects still bring tears to the eyes. The graphics, too, are exemplary.

Unfortunately, rather than bow out and watch all the others scrambling onto the bandwagon, Melbourne House decided to hang in there. Fist's follow-up was the forgettable Fighting Warrior, then the distinctly average Fist II. The final humiliation was Exploding Fist +, almost a direct copy of International Karate + (qv). Nonetheless, Melbourne House was there first, and can be held entirely responsible for the situation today.
 

While being a shameful copy of Fist in most ways, International Karate managed to introduce a few novel features. The main one was the 'International' bit, which means that the game is played against a series of backdrops representing various parts of the world. Then there was speech, which is about as successful as always on the Speccy. And finally the bonus screens. Hmm.

Other than that, International Karate is about as standard a beat-'em-up as you're likely to see. It doesn't quite have the slickness of Fist, and is definitely lacking when it comes to excruciating crunches and things, but it makes a reasonable attempt at animation which is something.

International Karate +, the sequel, startled us all with the introduction of a third character.
 

Bruce Lee comes from roughly the same era as Fist, but shows its age rather more severely. Apart from just beating people up. Bruce has to dash about collecting lamps and avoiding being killed by various hazards. The game takes place in a multi-screen fortress, the object being to destroy a wizard on the last screen.

Unfortunately the available moves are restricted to punching and kicking, so it's hardly a proper beat-'em-up at all. The graphics are rubbish, with minuscule characters and clumsy scenery. There's virtually no feeling of pain at all, which is surely essential in a beat-'em-up. And worst of all it's far to easy.

Despite these complaints, Bruce Lee is a bit on the historical side (what with being the first collect- and beat-'em-up combined), so one shouldn't be too hard on it.
 

It was inevitable that, given the piles of money everyone else was making out of them, the cheapie labels would have a crack at the beat-'em-ups too. And, of course, the results were quite horrendous. With the bare minimum of moves, appalling graphics, dreadful music and complete lack of any fresh ideas. Advanced Ninja Simulator is about as typical a budget game as you're likely to get.

And it doesn't matter that they only managed to sell three copies of it. It was also released as Kung Fu Simulator, BMX Ninja Hero, All-Terrain Dragon Ninja Combat Simulator and countless other things. They made piles out of it.

Up the revolution!
 

I'm probably wrong, but I'd say Kung Fu Master was the first scrolling beat-'em-up to arrive on the scene, and possibly even the first conversion of an arcade beat-'em-up. It's also absolutely terrible (and no question there).

Although the arcade version was very popular, despite its rather restricted gameplay, US Gold really fouled up with the conversion. The graphics are absolutely chronic, with colour-clash everywhere, and the whole thing plays as if it's underwater. There's also the diabolical music to worry about.

However, Kung Fu Master does contain a number of milestones. Apart from the scrolling it also introduced the idea of multiple opponents, some of whom are armed with nasty weapons, and the end-of-level guardians can still cause some hassle.
 

Now we're talking. Although there isn't a single kimono or droopy moustache in sight, and swords rather than hands are used for carving people up, Barbarian is easily the most agonisingly painful game ever released. There's blood literally everywhere, with continuous slaughter the order of the day.

Some of the most memorable moves in beat-'em-up history are featured in Barbarian. Not to be missed is the now-legendary spin-round-and-chop-his-head-off manoeuvre, but the head-butt shouldn't be overlooked, and nor should the stylish poke-in-the-eye.

There are plenty of gimmicks too. Like the little bloke who comes on after each game to remove corpses and severed body parts. And the little shrug your warrior gives you when you ignore him for too long.

Yes, Barbarian is one of my faves. All it lacks is that essential oriental atmosphere. You could always go for a take-away afterwards of course.
 

Like Barbarian, the Renegade series avoided the stereotypical martial arts confrontation, and instead went for a modern-day 'street' setting. It still comes out on top.

Target Renegade, like its predecessor Renegade and its successor Renegade III, was one of the new generation of flip-screen beat-'em-ups with add-on weapons and a wide array of opponents to take on. Some of the best are the motorbike riders and the whip-equipped 'ladies of the night'. The range of moves available is mind-boggling, for example the grab-him-by-the-shoulders-and-knee-him-in-the-groin, and even the toss-him-over-your-shoulder-and-hopefully-off-a-cliff-to.

The playability has been finely tuned, and everything runs at a perfect speed. The difficulty level is also spot on, easing you into it gently and then planting one right where it hurts most.
 

Like so many other great moves, the Roundhouse first came to light in Fist. That classic blend of balletic poetry and jaw-breaking power makes it a manoeuvre for all occasions.

This it the standard move for success in Kung Fu Master, and demonstrates what can be achieved just by waving your leg around in the direction of the foe.

This move is unique to the Renegade series, and can cause some alarm when you find your shoulders gripped by one baddie while another lays into you from the front. However, careful placement of elbows and feet can turn the tables in your favour.

The satisfying result of a cunningly-timed neck-chop during a game of Barbarian is the removal of the enemy's head, which can be greatly to your advantage.

Gremlin Graphics

Palace

Palace

Electric Dreams

US Gold

Melbourne House

Melbourne House

Imagine

Activision

Melbourne House

Alternative

Melbourne House

Melbourne House

Domark

US Gold

System 3

System 3

Firebird

Byte Back

Firebird

Titus

Melbourne House

Bug Byte

Top Ten Software

US Gold

Gremlin Graphics

System 3

Imagine

US Gold

MAD Games

CRL

Firebird

Imagine

Ocean

Durell

Durell

Mirrorsoft

Gremlin Graphics

Firebird

The Edge

Players

Virgin

Melbourne House

Ocean

Elite

Melbourne House

Gremlin Graphics

Martech

US Gold

Imagine