Platform: Sega Master System
Region: NTSC-J
Country: Japan
Developer(s): Sega R&D2
Publishers(s): Sega
ReleaseDate: 1986-07-20
Players: 2
Co-op: No
Hokuto no Ken
Also know as: 北斗の拳 | Fist of the North Star | Black Belt
Hokuto no Ken (also known as Black Belt) is a 1986 Mark III side-scrolling beat 'em up video game developed by Sega R&D2 and released by Sega in Japan on July 20, 1986. Hokuto no Ken follows the events depicted in the first television series from Kenshiro's battle against Shin and his gang to his final showdown with Raoh. The game consists of side-scrolling levels where the player must reach the goal while defeating numerous enemy grunts and sub-bosses along the way, each leading to a one-on-one battle with the stage's boss. Despite featuring similar gameplay, this game is unrelated to Toei's video game version of Hokuto no Ken for the Family Computer released a few months later. The game's lead programmer was Yuji Naka, who would later be known for his work on the Sonic the Hedgehog game franchise. Despite appearing on the cover artwork, Rei does not actually appear in this game. The original Mark III version game is included along with an enhanced remake in Sega Ages 2500 Hokuto no Ken for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. The game was later re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on February 26, 2008. An overseas version of the game was produced for the western Master System titled Black Belt, which lacked the Hokuto no Ken license of the Japanese version and featured altered graphics as a result.
Trailer: YouTube
ESRB Rating: E - Everyone
Genre(s): Action | Fighting
