Play Exploding Fist (USA) (Proto) (Earlier) Online Free

The Way of the Exploding Fist is a 1985 fighting game developed by Australia’s Beam Software and published by Melbourne House. First launched on the Commodore 64, it was ported to platforms like the Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, and Commodore 16. Players compete in a series of one-on-one karate matches, with backdrops changing across levels—including dojos, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, Buddha statues, and pagodas. Each match is overseen by an experienced referee, and players must defeat their opponent to advance to more challenging stages. The game uses a scoring system distinct from modern fighting games: players need two full yin-yang icons to win a match. Every successful hit ends the current round; a perfectly executed move earns a full yin-yang icon, while a move with slight timing or precision flaws earns half an icon. Using a joystick or directional pad plus a "fire" button, players can perform up to 18 different moves, including jump kicks, spinning kicks, and various high/low punches and kicks. It also features a bonus stage where players must take down a charging bull in one hit, inspired by karate master Masutatsu Oyama’s reputed feat of fell bulls with a single strike. Praised in its era for realistic animation and varied moves, The Way of the Exploding Fist is regarded as a classic of early fighting games.