Budokan: The Martial Spirit

Budokan: The Martial Spirit is a martial arts fighting game developed and published by Electronic Arts in 1989 for the Amiga and DOS. Since its release, it has been ported to many other platforms.

Starting out, you are merely an apprentice and must gain skills before entering the Budokan. Your character trains in four dojos that offer different martial arts: Bo, Karate, Kendo, and Nunchaku. Once ready, you may enter the Budokan and compete in matches to claim the title. Unlike most fighting games where you throw as many moves as possible (button mash, if you will), there needs to be a strategy for your actions as they will drain your ki. Blocking your opponent’s blows will restore some ki, so balance is critical. It would be best if you also kept an eye on your stamina bar, as this determines the strength and speed of your movements.

The game strives for a realistic experience, and moves are kept within the realm of possibility. It is much more intricate than a traditional fighting game and truly lives up to its name. Martial arts enthusiasts will love the realism of this game, and fighting fans will enjoy the break from their usual beat-’em-up.