Kenshiro
The protagonist and successor to Hokuto Shinken. He travels across the wasteland to defeat violent rivals and protect the innocent.
Documented for this version
D-pad | Move Kenshiro |
|---|---|
A | Jump |
B | Attack |
Start | Pause the game |
How it plays
The game uses a side-view perspective. Kenshiro moves through linear stages, defeats gangs and martial artists, avoids hazards, and reaches a boss encounter at the end of each area.
He can walk, jump, punch, kick, and use special attacks when the relevant power is available. Enemies appear from both sides and may require close positioning or carefully timed attacks. Progression comes from clearing stages and defeating named opponents rather than from a branching map or role-playing system.
Plan your run
Stay near the center of the screen so enemies approaching from either side remain visible. Use short, deliberate attack strings instead of holding position against large groups.
Jump over hazards and reposition before attacking bosses. Learn each boss's approach pattern, preserve health between encounters when possible, and avoid rushing into enemies that can counter at close range.
Meet the cast
The protagonist and successor to Hokuto Shinken. He travels across the wasteland to defeat violent rivals and protect the innocent.
A powerful martial artist and major antagonist associated with conquest and domination.
A master of Hokuto Shinken and one of Kenshiro's notable rivals and allies in the source story.
A skilled martial artist who uses Nanto Suichoken and appears as an important figure from the manga.
Before you begin
Watch both sides of Kenshiro; enemies can enter from behind.
Use jumping to avoid hazards and to reset your position during crowded encounters.
Boss patterns are easier to read when you attack only after creating distance.
Fist of the North Star is a side-scrolling action game developed by Shouei System and published by Taxan for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989. It follows Kenshiro, the successor to the deadly Hokuto Shinken martial art, as he travels through a ruined world and confronts rival fighters. The game combines platforming, close-range combat, jumping, and limited projectile attacks across linear stages. Its presentation draws on the manga and anime, including recognizable enemies and bosses. Reception was mixed: players often praised the license and intense combat, while criticism focused on stiff controls, repetitive encounters, and uneven difficulty.
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