Hokuto No Ken on NES is basically the video game version of those over-the-top martial arts scenes where dudes explode after getting poked in pressure points. You play as Kenshiro, the ultimate badass with a tragic backstory, wandering a post-apocalyptic wasteland where thugs on motorcycles think they run things.

First thing that happens? You get captured by some village goons, which feels embarrassing until you realize it’s just an excuse to introduce Lin, the kid who patches you up. Then bikers roll in, chaos kicks off, and suddenly you’re punching people so hard their heads pop like watermelons. Classic.

The game’s got that classic NES difficulty—enemies swarm you, the platforming’s janky, and sometimes you’ll swear Kenshiro moves like he’s wading through molasses. But landing a perfect Hokuto Shinken combo and watching some punk burst into flames? Still weirdly satisfying. Just don’t expect Shin to go down easy when you finally reach him.

It’s rough around the edges, but if you ever wanted to live out that 80s anime fantasy of being an indestructible martial artist in a leather jacket, this is your chance.