Spartan X is a foundational 1984 beat ’em up arcade game developed by Irem, famously known as Kung-Fu Master in Western arcades. Based loosely on Jackie Chan’s film Wheels on Meals (known as Spartan X in Japan), it tasks players with fighting through five floors of the Devil’s Temple to rescue Sylvia from the mysterious Mr. X. As one of the earliest side-scrolling martial arts action games, it established the template for the entire beat ’em up genre.
How to Play
Progress horizontally across each floor of the temple, defeating waves of approaching enemies. You can punch and kick high or low, and perform jumping attacks. Be careful of enemies who grab you, draining your health until you shake them off, as well as knife-throwers, dragons, and the unique bosses waiting at the end of each stage.
- Insert Coin: Shift
- Start Game: Enter
- Move: Arrow Keys
- Punch / Kick: Z and X
Tips
- Kicking has better range than punching, but punches reward double points. Use kicks to keep crowds at bay, and punches when you need to maximize your score.
- If grabbed by Grippers, wiggle the controls left and right rapidly while pressing the attack buttons to escape and minimize health loss.
- When fighting the boss of the first floor (the stick fighter), close the distance quickly and crouch-punch him to avoid his high strikes.
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