Play kicker
Fight Your Way Through Jaken Temple
Step into the role of Wanpyou, a dedicated apprentice of Chin-style Shaolin martial arts, in this intense side-scrolling beat 'em up. In North America, this character is known simply as Kicker. You are on a mission to defeat the Yamucha Gang and enact revenge for the assassination of your master, Raochuu, inside the dangerous Jaken Temple.
The game offers a fast-paced experience where you move through multiple levels, each divided into two distinct parts. Your primary goal is to clear each area of enemies before facing a powerful boss character at the end. These final fights are particularly challenging because the boss requires five solid hits to defeat, demanding precision and patience from the player.
Combat is straightforward but requires timing. You control Kicker using a four-position joystick and two buttons, allowing you to move left or right, jump between platforms, and deliver powerful kicking strikes. The core gameplay loop involves defeating a set number of enemies in each area. As you fight through the temple corridors, you will encounter various opponents who try to stop your advance.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the game is the power-up system. When you defeat specific green-clad enemies, they drop spheres that grant you temporary abilities. You might grab a meteor hammer that extends your reach, throw fireballs to damage groups of foes from a distance, or summon an orbiting ball that attacks automatically. Collecting these items can turn the tide of battle when you are surrounded.
Survival is key in kicker. Your character can take three hits before losing a life; the fourth hit costs you entirely. This means you must be careful about how you engage enemies. Bonus points are awarded based on how many hits you take and how well you restore your damage meter after clearing each step, encouraging aggressive but calculated play.
The atmosphere is tense and action-packed as you navigate the temple's layout. You will jump across platforms to reach higher areas or dodge attacks from below. The difficulty ramps up significantly in the boss fights, where you must avoid incoming attacks while waiting for an opening to land your five required hits.
Whether you know Kicker by his Japanese name, Shao-lin's Road, or his North American title, the gameplay remains a classic example of 1980s arcade action. It is a test of reflexes and strategy, perfect for players who enjoy martial arts themes and challenging combat. You can also try more Arcade games from the same system.