The Way of the Exploding Fist
1985 · Fighting · Commodore 64 / Multiple
Overview
The Way of the Exploding Fist (1985) is Beam Software's karate game for the Commodore 64, scored with yin-yang points instead of energy bars — the UK's best-selling computer game of 1985.
Deep Dive
Two karateka fight one-on-one under the eye of a wise old master. Instead of an energy bar, bouts are scored with yin-yang symbols: a half symbol for a committed technique and a full one for a decisive blow, with two full points winning. The fighter has 18 moves on the joystick or keys. After several stages a bull charges in a bonus round and has to be knocked out with a single blow.
Developer Story
Gregg Barnett, Bruce Bayley, David Johnston and Neil Brennan designed the game at Beam Software, and Melbourne House released it in June 1985. It topped the UK charts in September and October and sold 500,000 copies across Europe.
Did You Know?
- It was one of the first games to borrow heavily from Data East's Karate Champ.
- The Commodore 64 version uses more than 600 sprite images.
- It won Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards.
Sources & further reading
- The Way of the Exploding Fist — Wikipedia
