Similar in theme to Konami's earlier arcade game Yie Ar Kung-Fu, Shao-Lin's Road has players maneuvering their martial artist around the screen and using their kung fu to beat their opponent into submission. Unlike Yie Ar Kung-Fu, which uses an early form of fighting game mechanics in a one-on-one scenario, Shao-Lin's Road features a multi-tiered open arena with freedom of movement (making it a progenitor to the platformer-fighting game genre) and has players fighting both boss characters and their numerous henchmen.In Shao-Lin's Road, players control of Wanpyou (known in some versions as either "Kicker" or "Lee"), an apprentice of a secret form of Shaolin kung-fu (known as "Chin's Shao-Lin"), as he is ambushed by the evil Yamucha Gang in their temple. Wanpyou must venture through five stages (each with their own unique three-tier layout) in order to escape the temple and defeat each member of the Yamucha Gang. Along with a variety of kick-based attacks, he has access to multiple special abilities as power-ups.The game later received computer ports by The Edge in Europe to the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum in 1986, followed by the Amstrad CPC in 1987. The original version was later included in the 1999 PlayStation compilation Konami Arcade Classics, the 2007 Nintendo DS compilation Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits., It was later digitally released as part of Microsoft's Game Room hub on the Xbox 360 and PC.GameplayPower-UpsAlong with normal henchmen (wearing purple pants), there are special henchmen (wearing green pants) that throw special "Crystal Balls" (in an upwards arc) when they are defeated (as long as Wanpyou does not currently possess a special ability). Depending on the color of the Ball, Wanpyou temporarily gains one of three special abilities:Purple Crystal Ball - Gives him a spiked ball, which can be kicked through opponents and can be maneuvered left and right using the joystick. However, he cannot kick while the ball is being maneuvered, leaving him open to attacks. He can "catch" the spiked ball for another kick and can perform a jumping "slam" instead of a jump kick while holding onto the ball.Yellow Crystal Ball - Instead of kicking, he fires two fireballs (one to the left and one to the right). While useful in ranged combat, he cannot perform quick close-range attacks (and is an easier target for enemies above and below).Green Crystal Ball - A glowing ball surrounds him, acting as a barrier. However, he is not completely invincible, and can still get hit by enemies if the player is reckless.The game cycles between Purple, Yellow, and Green for each Ball dropped by an enemy. Once the power-up time expires, a Ball of the same power-up is discarded from Wanpyou (or the spiked ball, if it is in mid-air). With careful play, players can manage to catch the new Ball to regain the same ability.ReviewsMagazineIssuePageSystemRating%ReviewerLanguageSinclair User01/198723ZX Spectrum4 out of 580 Graham TaylorEnglishYour Sinclair02/198778ZX Spectrum8 out of 1080 PhilEnglishComputer + Video Games02/198734, 35ZX Spectrum8 out of 1080 TimEnglishSvenska Hemdatornytt02/198729C64, ZX Spectrum75 out of 10075 -SwedishComputer + Video Games06/198739Amstrad CPC7.5 out of 1075 PaulEnglishYour Sinclair09/199076ZX Spectrum69 out of 10069 Jon BoyEnglishCrash02/198734ZX Spectrum67 out of 10067 Ben, Mike, PaulEnglishDatormagazin04/198712 C643.3 out of 566 Tomas HybnerSwedishComputer + Video Games07/198730Amstrad CPC6.5 out of 1065 DavidEnglishPopular Computing Weekly11/27/198618ZX Spectrum3 out of 560 Peter WorlockEnglishMicro Hobby05/198717ZX Spectrum5.7 out of 10 57-SpanishCommodore Force08/199320C6453 out of 100 53-EnglishZzap05/198720C6447 out of 10047 Steve Jarratt, Julian RignallEnglishASM (Aktueller Software Markt)04/198735Amstrad CPC, C64, ZX Spectrum3.8 out of 1232Michael SuckGermanCommodore User04/198756C643 out of 1030 Chris CainEnglishPopular Computing Weekly10/30/198632ZX Spectrum-- -English
