Hokuto no Ken (arcade)

Hokuto no Ken
Cover of the PS2 version.
Developer(s)	Arc System Works
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platform(s)	Arcade, Playstation 2
Release date(s)	2005 (Arcade) March 29, 2007 (Playstation 2)
Genre(s)	2D Versus Fighting
Mode(s)	Up to 2 players simultaneously
Rating(s)	CERO: B
Input methods	8-way Joystick, 5 Buttons
Cabinet	Upright
Arcade system	Atomiswave

Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳, Hokuto no Ken) is a 2005 2D head-to-head fighting game developed by Arc System Works, based on the manga and anime series of the same name. A PlayStation 2 port, retitled Hokuto no Ken: Shinpan no Sōsōsei Kengō Retsuden (北斗の拳 審判の双蒼星 拳豪列伝, roughly translated as "Fist of the North Star: The Twin Blue Stars of Judgment - History of the Fist Masters"), was released in Japan in March 2007. This version features a bonus DVD including an exclusive training mode ("Starter's Guide") and a documentary covering previous Hokuto no Ken console games. The arcade version was officially distributed by Sega in North America, while the PS2 port was released only in Japan.

Gameplay

While in both terms of gameplay and visual style, the game is similar to the Guilty Gear series (which was also made by Arc System Works), some aspects of the mechanics are slightly different.

Seven Stars of the Hokuto

Below each character's lifebar is a gauge with seven "stars" in the shape of the Big Dipper. Special moves, supers, and some command normals can remove varying amounts of stars. Once empty, a final "Death Star" or "shichousei" will light up and the other player can perform a special "Fatal KO" attack that can instantly defeat them, regardless of their lifebar (similar to the Instant Kill attacks in Guilty Gear.). The biggest difference is these moves may be easily comboed into, making them far more practical than their Guilty Gear counterparts. Players regain two stars at the start of each round, and one star any time an opponent unsuccessfully attempts to Fatal KO. After being Fatal KO'd, if the match is not over, that player starts the following round with all seven stars replenished.

Boost

Boost is one of the many meters in the game, displayed above the Aura meter in the game's HUD. The bar is divided into three sections or stocks. Using a boost (with the Boost/Special button) allows a player to cancel a move after it hits (similar to Roman Cancels in Guilty Gear), and also shoots the character forward. The player can also Boost when not doing a move, in order to jet across the screen quickly. Boosts are frequently used to perform combos that otherwise would not be possible.

Aura

Used to perform super moves and Guard Cancels (similar to alpha counters.) The gauge can hold two stocks. The first stock fills the gauge up with blue; the second stock fills the gauge up with gold. When at least one stock is ready, text reading "GOD FIST BLOW" appears next to the gauge. If the player's opponent has lost all his stars, it will read "DEADLY FIST BLOW."

Characters

There are three types of special techniques in the game:

• Special Move (必殺技, Hissatsuwaza, "Sure-Killing Techniques") - Standard techniques that can performed through specific command-based/button inputs.
• God Fist Blow (究極奥義, Kyūkyoku Ōgi, "Ultimate Secrets") - Techniques that can be performed when at least one stock of the Aura Gauge has been filled.
• Deadly Fist Blow (一撃必殺拳, Ichigeki Hissatsu Ken, "One Strike Deadly Fist") - Techniques that defeat the opponent in an instant. Can be perform when the Death Omen Star appears on the opponent's Seven Star Gauge.

• Command legend
  • P = Any Punch
  • WP = Weak Punch
  • SP = Strong Punch
  • K = Any Kick
  • WK = Weak Kick
  • SK = Strong Kick
  • QCF = Down, Down-Forward, Forward
  • QCB = Down, Down-Back, Back
  • DPF = Forward, Down, Down-Forward (Dragon Punch command)
  • DPB = Back, Down, Down-Back
  • HCF = Back, Down-Back, Down, Down-Forward, Forward
  • HCB = Forward, Down-Forward, Down, Down-Back, Back
  • QCFx2 = Down, Down-Forward, Forward, Down, Down-Forward, Forward
  • QCBx2 = Down, Down-Back, Back, Down, Down-Back, Back

Kenshiro

• Style: Hokuto Shin Ken
• Voice: Kunihiro Kawamoto

The 64th successor of Hokuto Shin Ken. His lover Yuria was taken away by Shin of the Nanto Sei Ken, who also engraved the seven scars on his chest. He has met numerous rivals in battle while pursuing his destiny as successor of Hokuto Shin Ken, leading to a showdown with his greatest adversary, Raoh.

Type	Japanese name	Romaji	Translation	Command
Special Move	闘気	Tōki	Aura	QCF + WP
Special Move	秘孔・醒鋭孔	Hikō: Seiei Kō	Hidden Point: Sobering Sharp Hole	QCF + SP
Special Move	北斗飛衛拳	Hokuto Hiei Ken	North Dipper Flying Defensive Fist	DPF + WK
Special Move	天破の構え	Tenha no Kamae	Heaven Breaking Stance	QCB + SP
Special Move	北斗有情猛翔破	Hokuto Ujō Mōshō Ha	North Dipper Merciful Shock Wave	DPF + P
Special Move	北斗龍撃虎	Hokuto Ryū Geki Ko	North Dipper Dragon Attacks Tiger	QCB + WP
Special Move	北斗蛇雷咬	Hokuto Jarai Kō	North Dipper Snake Lightning Bite	QCF + SK
Special Move	北斗七死騎兵斬	Hokuto Shichishi Kihei Zan	North Dipper Seven Death Cavalry Kill	(During midair) QCB + WP
God Fist Blow	天破活殺	Tenha Kassatsu	Heaven's Impalement	QCFx2 + WP
God Fist Blow	無想転生	Musō Tensei	Unconscious Transmigration	QCBx2 + WK
God Fist Blow	北斗残悔拳	Hokuto Zankai Ken	North Dipper Remorse Fist	QCBx2 + SP
Deadly Fist Blow	北斗百裂拳	Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken	North Dipper Hundred Crack Fist	QCF + SP + SK

Raoh

• Style: Hokuto Shin Ken
• Voice: Kenji Utsumi

He took the name of Ken-oh, the King of Fist, in order to become the Conqueror of Century's End. Seeking to acquire the Heavens for himself, he mastered a hard style that can cause even a tiger to fear its own death. A man who seeks to rule with power and terror during a century's end of chaos. In order to overcome his fear, he took Yuria's life in order to learn true sorrow and stand before Kenshiro as his mightiest adversary.

Type	Japanese name	Romaji	Translation	Command
Special Move	北斗剛掌波	Hokuto Gōshō Ha	North Dipper Iron Palm Wave	QCF + SP
Special Move	北斗羅裂拳	Hokuto Raretsu Ken	North Dipper Gauze Splitting Fist	DPF + SP
Special Move	北斗天将雷撃	Hokuto Tenshō Raigeki	North Dipper Commanding Lightning Strike	DPF + WP
Special Move	北斗呑龍呼法	Hokuto Tenryū Kohō	North Dipper Dragon Breathing Technique	QCB + WP
Special Move	無想陰殺	Musō Insatsu	Unconscious Shadow Kill	(While performing a standing standard or special move) HCF + SK
Special Move	釵	Sai	Sai	QCB + SK
God Fist Blow	天将奔烈	Tenshō Honretsu	Heaven's Command Charge	QCBx2 + SP
God Fist Blow	無想転生	Musō Tensei	Unconscious Transmigration	QCBx2 + WK
God Fist Blow	秘孔新血愁	Hikō Shinketsushū	Hidden Point: New Blood Sadness	QCBx2 + WP
Deadly Fist Blow	北斗滅天把	Hokuto Mettei Ha	North Dipper Destruction Heaven Wave	QCF + SP + SK

Toki

• Style: Hokuto Shin Ken
• Voice: Takaya Hashi

A man who possesses the most graceful skills in the 2,000 years-old history of Hokuto. However, he was exposed to radioactive fallout while protecting Kenshiro and Yuria and was removed from the candidacy of the succession. In contrast to Raoh's hard style, Toki is a master of the soft style. However , he willing to do everything to confront his natural brother Raoh, including stake his life to learn the Hard style.

Special Move	Command
Fighting Strength Summoning (闘勁呼法, Tōkei Kohō)
Heaven Soaring Hundred Crack Fist (天翔百裂拳, Tenshō Hyakuretsu Ken)
North Dipper Break Flowing Palm (北斗破流掌, Hokuto Haryū Shō)
North Dipper Drunken Dance Attack (北斗酔舞撃, Hokuto Suibu Geki)
North Dipper Soaring Wheel Kick (北斗翔輪脚, Hokuto Shōrin Kyaku)
North Dipper Flowing Arc Formation (北斗流弧陣, Hokuto Ryūko Jin)
North Dipper Unconscious Flowing Dance (Front) (北斗無想流舞, Hokuto Musō Ryūbu)
North Dipper Unconscious Flowing Dance (Behind)
North Dipper Unconscious Flowing Dance (Vertical/Descent)
Hidden Point: Temple Life Point (Himself) (秘孔・刹活孔（自分）, Hikō Sekkatsukō)
Hidden Point: Temple Life Point (Opponent)
North Dipper Humane Swift Judgment Fist (北斗有情断迅拳, Hokuto Ujō Danjin Ken)
North Dipper Breaking Supremacy Fist (北斗砕覇拳, Hokuto Saiha Ken)
North Dipper Humane Face-Breaking Fist (北斗砕覇拳, Hokuto Ujō Hagan Ken)

Jagi

• Style: Hokuto Shin Ken
• Voice: Kōji Totani

A pretender to the Hokuto Shin Ken succession who has engraved seven scars on his chest. He was the one who drove Shin's heart to madness, as well as the true culprit for the kidnapping of Rei's sister Aili. Having learned Nanto Sei Ken in addition to Hokuto Shin Ken, Jagi is man who will use anything, from shotguns to gasoline, to win. He harbors the belief that a younger brother can never be superior to his elder brother.

Special Move	Command
Shotgun (Front) (ショットガン, Shottogan)
Match (マッチ, Matchi)
Gasoline (ガソリン, Gasorin)
Drum Can (ドラム缶, Doramu Kan)
South Dipper Wicked Wolf Attack ((南斗邪狼撃, Nanto Jarō Geki)
North Dipper Thousand Hand Smash (北斗千手殺, Hokuto Senju Satsu)
"You fool! Winning at any cost is all that matters!" (バカめ！勝てばいいんだ！何を使おうが)
"Well done, little brother!" (良くできた弟～～～！！)
"St...Stop it! I beg you!" (や…やめてくれ！！た…たのむ！！)
"This is an era where the Devil smiles on us." (今は悪魔が微笑む時代なんだ)
"Say my name!" (俺の名を言ってみろ)
North Dipper Arhat Attack (北斗羅漢撃, Hokuto Rakan Geki)
"You're still too naive!" (まだまだ読みが甘いわ)
"Fufu...I've been waiting for this moment!" (フフ…この時を待っていたのだ)

Shin

• Style: Nanto Koshū Ken
• Voice: Toshio Furukawa

A man who bears the burden of Star of Sacrifice, one of the Nanto Rokusei Ken. A master of Nanto Koshū Ken. Driven to madness by Jagi, he took Kenshiro's beloved Yuria away from him by force. In order to win Yuria's love, he took on the name of "KING" and founded the nation of Southern Cross for her, until the supposedly defeated Kenshiro appeared before him.

Special Move	Command
South Dipper Hell Slaughter Fist (南斗獄屠拳, Nanto Gokuto Ken)
South Dipper Cruel Finger Burial (南斗虐指葬, Nanto Gyakushi Sō)
South Dipper Spinning Kick Burial (南斗旋脚葬, Nanto Senkyaku Sō)
South Dipper Thousand Hand Slash (南斗千手斬, Nanto Senju Zan)
South Dipper White Swallow Revolving Soar (南斗白燕転翔, Nanto Hakuen Tenshō)
South Dipper Force Breaking Slash (南斗迫破斬, Nanto Hakuha Zan)
South Dipper Flowing Feather Projectile (南斗流羽矢弾, Nanto Ryūhashi Dan)
South Dipper Thousand Dragon Head Attack (南斗千首龍撃, Nanto Senshuryū Geki)
South Dipper Thunder Tremor Palm (南斗雷震掌, Nanto Raishin Shō)
"I refuse to die by your technique!" (お前の拳では、死なん！)
South Dipper Soaring Eagle Slaughter Kick (南斗翔鷲屠脚, Nanto Shōshū Tokyaku)

Rei

• Style: Nanto Suichō Ken
• Voice: Isshin Chiba

One of the Nanto Rokusei Ken, the man who bears the burn of the Star of Justice. Successor of Nanto Suichō Ken, the most elegant among the Nanto Sei Ken arts. He began his journey when his sister Aili was kidnapped by a man with seven scars on his chest. After meeting Kenshiro and Mamiya, he was finally reunited with his sister and is now willing to give up his life to save his friends.

Special Move	Command
South Dipper Tiger Destroys Dragon (南斗虎破龍, Nanto Ko Ha Ryu)
South Dipper Wild Crane Soaring Dance (南斗狂鶴翔舞, Nanto Kyōkaku Shōbu)
South Dipper Swift Attack Beak Slash (南斗迅襲嘴斬, Nanto Jinshū Shi Zan)
South Dipper Wing Crane Rapid Slash (南斗鶴翼迅斬, Nanto Kakuyoku Jin Zan)
Flowing Dance of the Flying Swallow (飛燕流舞, Hien Ryūbu)
South Dipper Striking Star Frightening Dance (南斗撃星嚇舞, Nanto Gekisei Kakubu)
Self-Sacrifice Offset Fist (断己相殺拳, Danko Sōsai Ken)
South Dipper Miserable Energy Netting Wave (南斗凄気網波, Nanto Seiki Mōha)
Departing Slash of the Sky Dancing Swallow (空舞燕離斬, Kūbuen Ri Zan)
Soaring White Loveliness (飛翔白麗, Hishō Hakurei)

Juda

• Style: Nanto Kōkaku Ken
• Voice: Bin Shimada

One of the Nanto Rokusei Ken, the man who bears the burden of the Star of Enchantment. The successor of Nanto Kōkaku Ken, a very dreadful martial art that pierces its enemies from behind with shock waves. A man who considers himself the most beautiful in the world and will tolerate the existence of anyone more beautiful than himself. His actions has led to the downfall of the Nanto Sei Ken.

Special Move	Command
Legendary Thrust Split Wave (伝衝裂波, Denshō Reppa)
The UD Stamp (スタンプ・ザ・UD)
Komaku Tactic (コマクの知略)
"Too easy." (イチコロ)
"I'll show you this once." (一度思い知らせてあげよう)
Dagar Tactic (ダガールの知略)
"You used me!?" (俺を利用したのか～！！)
Era of Ingenuity (知略の時代)
Dam Burst (ダム決壊)
South Dipper Hawk Talon Ruin Slash (南斗鷹爪破斬, Nanto Yōsō Hazan)
Blood Cosmetic Beak (血粧嘴, Kesshō Shi)

Thouther

• Style: Nanto Hōō Ken
• Voice: Banjō Ginga

One of the Nanto Rokusei Ken, the man who bears the burden of the Star of Leadership. The successor of Nanto Hōō Ken, the mightiest among the 108 sects of Nanto Sei Ken. He once had a lover deeper than anyone else until he renounced it and took on the name of the Holy Emperor, building himself the Holy Emperor Cross Mausoleum. A man whose body possesses a secret that makes him invulnerable to the use of Hokuto Shin Ken that not even Ken-oh himself dares to challenge him.

Mr. Heart

• Style: N/A
• Voice: Shōzō Iizuka

An underling of Shin, the one who calls himself "KING". His body may seemed like an excessive amount of fat, but also has the capability of absorbing the impacts of most attacks, earning it the nickname the "destroyer of martial artists". He is usually mild-mannered until he sees the sight of his own blood, in which he turns into a homicidal maniac who will not calm down until he kills someone.

Mamiya

• Style: N/A
• Voice: Toshiko Fujita

She was kidnapped by Juda on the day , who also killed her parents. After escaping, she renounced her womanhood and became the leader of her village, where she met Kenshiro and Rei.

Cameos

• Yuria (During the game's opening. Also visible in the background of the Southern Cross stage and in Shin's victory animation.)
• Lin (cv. Miwa Kōzuki) and Bat (cv. Ayumi Tsunematsu) (Whenever Kenshiro wins.)
• Zeed (Can be seen in background in Lin's Village.)
• Shū (In the background of Thouther's stage, carrying the cap stone to the top of Thouther's Holy Pyramid)
• Ōgai (Thouther's sensei. Appears during his victory pose after a Fatal KO at the Pyramid stage.)
• Diamond (cv. Naotsugu Yoneda), Spade (cv. Koji Totani) and Club (cv. Riichi Nishimoto) (As part of Mr. Heart's Fatal KO.)
• Dagar (cv. Yūsaku Yara) and Komaku (cv. Shigeru Chiba) (Juda's underlings. Appear during his special moves.)

External links

• PS2 @ GameFAQs, Arcade Version
• Hokuto no Ken PlayStation 2 version's website - The game's website
• Hokuto no Ken Arcade version's website - The game's website
• Sega Amusement USA page of the game - Contains downloadable flyer.
• Arc System Works official website - Arc System Works official website
• Hokuto no Ken PS2 bonus disc info