Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft in 1990, Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu is a colorful action-platformer that combines martial arts combat with traditional NES platforming. Large expressive sprites, responsive controls, varied stages, and a surprisingly entertaining combat system make it one of the better licensed games on the console, although its low difficulty and short length limit its lasting challenge. Rating: 8/10.
The story is simple and appropriately cartoonish. Jackie Chan’s sister Josephine is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer, sending Jackie on a journey across China to rescue her. Over five main stages, he fights martial artists, animals, monsters, statues, and other supernatural enemies while crossing forests, caves, mountains, waterfalls, and temples.
Despite the title, this is more platformer than traditional beat ’em up. Jackie moves quickly, jumps with good precision, and can attack enemies with punches, kicks, sweeps, and aerial strikes. Holding the attack button also charges a projectile, giving him a useful ranged option against enemies that are awkward or dangerous to approach directly.
Additional special attacks can be collected from frogs encountered throughout the stages. These limited-use techniques include powerful spinning kicks, aerial attacks, and other exaggerated martial arts moves capable of clearing groups of enemies or dealing heavy damage to bosses. They are not essential for most encounters, but they add welcome variety to what would otherwise be a very simple combat system.
The stages are short but consistently creative. Combat sections are mixed with moving platforms, environmental hazards, vertical climbs, water sequences, and other obstacles that keep the game from becoming repetitive. Golden bells can also lead to bonus rounds, where Jackie completes small challenges for additional rewards. These diversions fit the cheerful tone perfectly and help break up the main action.
Boss battles follow the same accessible design philosophy. Most have clear patterns and can be understood after only a few attempts. They are visually memorable and provide entertaining conclusions to each area, even if experienced players are unlikely to struggle with them for very long.
Presentation is one of the game’s greatest strengths. Jackie is represented by an unusually large, cartoon-like sprite with oversized facial expressions and smooth animation. He bounces in his fighting stance, reacts dramatically when hit, and celebrates victories with plenty of personality. Enemies receive similar attention, giving the entire game the feel of an animated martial arts comedy.
Backgrounds are colorful and varied, and the game uses animation effectively to make environments feel lively. The soundtrack is equally upbeat, with catchy melodies that complement the fast pace without becoming distracting. Altogether, it feels considerably more polished than many licensed NES games from the same period.
The biggest weakness is difficulty. Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu is unusually forgiving by NES standards, and competent players may reach the ending surprisingly quickly. There are only five main stages, and once the enemy patterns and platform layouts are understood, there is relatively little standing between the player and completion. Replay value therefore comes mainly from enjoying the mechanics rather than overcoming a demanding challenge.
A later TurboGrafx-16 version offers improved graphics, sound, and altered stage designs, but the NES version remains highly enjoyable in its own right. Its simpler presentation is offset by excellent pacing and tightly constructed levels.
Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu succeeds because every element works together so well. The controls are sharp, the combat is satisfying, the visuals are full of personality, and the adventure rarely slows down. It may be short and easy, but it is also charming, polished, and consistently fun, making it one of the more memorable action-platformers in the NES library.
Developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft in 1990, Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu is a colorful action-platformer that combines martial arts combat with traditional NES platforming. Large expressive sprites, responsive controls, varied stages, and a surprisingly entertaining combat system make it one of the better licensed games on the console, although its low difficulty and short length limit its lasting challenge. Rating: 8/10.
The story is simple and appropriately cartoonish. Jackie Chan’s sister Josephine is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer, sending Jackie on a journey across China to rescue her. Over five main stages, he fights martial artists, animals, monsters, statues, and other supernatural enemies while crossing forests, caves, mountains, waterfalls, and temples.
Despite the title, this is more platformer than traditional beat ’em up. Jackie moves quickly, jumps with good precision, and can attack enemies with punches, kicks, sweeps, and aerial strikes. Holding the attack button also charges a projectile, giving him a useful ranged option against enemies that are awkward or dangerous to approach directly.
Additional special attacks can be collected from frogs encountered throughout the stages. These limited-use techniques include powerful spinning kicks, aerial attacks, and other exaggerated martial arts moves capable of clearing groups of enemies or dealing heavy damage to bosses. They are not essential for most encounters, but they add welcome variety to what would otherwise be a very simple combat system.
The stages are short but consistently creative. Combat sections are mixed with moving platforms, environmental hazards, vertical climbs, water sequences, and other obstacles that keep the game from becoming repetitive. Golden bells can also lead to bonus rounds, where Jackie completes small challenges for additional rewards. These diversions fit the cheerful tone perfectly and help break up the main action.
Boss battles follow the same accessible design philosophy. Most have clear patterns and can be understood after only a few attempts. They are visually memorable and provide entertaining conclusions to each area, even if experienced players are unlikely to struggle with them for very long.
Presentation is one of the game’s greatest strengths. Jackie is represented by an unusually large, cartoon-like sprite with oversized facial expressions and smooth animation. He bounces in his fighting stance, reacts dramatically when hit, and celebrates victories with plenty of personality. Enemies receive similar attention, giving the entire game the feel of an animated martial arts comedy.
Backgrounds are colorful and varied, and the game uses animation effectively to make environments feel lively. The soundtrack is equally upbeat, with catchy melodies that complement the fast pace without becoming distracting. Altogether, it feels considerably more polished than many licensed NES games from the same period.
The biggest weakness is difficulty. Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu is unusually forgiving by NES standards, and competent players may reach the ending surprisingly quickly. There are only five main stages, and once the enemy patterns and platform layouts are understood, there is relatively little standing between the player and completion. Replay value therefore comes mainly from enjoying the mechanics rather than overcoming a demanding challenge.
A later TurboGrafx-16 version offers improved graphics, sound, and altered stage designs, but the NES version remains highly enjoyable in its own right. Its simpler presentation is offset by excellent pacing and tightly constructed levels.
Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu succeeds because every element works together so well. The controls are sharp, the combat is satisfying, the visuals are full of personality, and the adventure rarely slows down. It may be short and easy, but it is also charming, polished, and consistently fun, making it one of the more memorable action-platformers in the NES library.
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