Fist of the North Star (Sega video game)

Fist of the North Star
Developer	Sega R&D 2
Publisher	Sega, Sega Enterprises, Tec Toy
Distributor	Sega Sega Enterprises Aaronix (Taiwan) Ariolasoft (Germany) Tec Toy (Brazil)
Platforms	Mark III, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4, Wii
Released	Fist of the North Star Mark III (Japan): July 20, 1986 Mark III (Taiwan): 198X PS2 (Sega Ages 2500, Japan): March 25, 2004 Wii Virtual Console (Japan): February 26, 2008 PS4 (Lost Paradise, Japan): March 8, 2018 PS4 (Lost Paradise, WW): October 2, 2018 Black Belt NA (Master System): November 1986 EU, UK (Master System): August 1987 BR, KR, TW (Master System): 198x
Added to Museum	PS4 (Lost Paradise): October 26, 2018

Fist of the North Star, known in Japan as Hokuto ga Gotoku (北斗の拳, "Fist of the Plough" or "Fist of the Big Dipper"), is a story centered around characters from the Fist of the North Star series.

Story of Fist of the North Star

In a post-apocalyptic world, Kenshiro is the master of a deadly martial art form known as Hokuto Shinken.

He is on a quest to rescue his girlfriend Yuria. She was originally captured by Shin but escaped. Ken fights through several fighters until he reaches Shin, kills him, and moves on.

His wins eventually take him to one of the three men, who were also trained by Kenshiro's master, Toki, Kenshiro kills Toki and moves on to face Souther.

His last challenge, Raoh, is the eldest of the men who trained with Kenshiro's master. He is also the man who kidnapped Yuria. After Raoh is killed, Kenshiro finally reunites with Yuria.

International version

When exported to markets outside of Japan and Taiwan, as Sega did obtain have the rights to Fist of the North Star in these regions, it was reworked into a game simply titled Black Belt. The levels remain the same, except the art and music were changed to remove Fist of the North Star content.

Story of Black Belt

In a hostile world, Riki is a black belt in a dangerous martial art form.

He is on a quest to rescue his girlfriend Kyoko. Riki fights through several fighters until he reaches his first challenger Ryu, defeats him, and moves on.

His victories eventually take him to a powerful man named Toki, who is defeated by Riki. Afterward, Kenshiro moves on to face Rita.

Wang is the most powerful of the fighters, as well as the man who kidnapped Kyoko. After Wang is defeated, Riki finally reunites with Kyoko.

Versions of the game

Fist of the North Star was published by Sega for Mark III in Japan on July 20, 1986. It was distributed after the Japanese release by Aaronix in Taiwan.

The Black Belt version was published by Sega on Master System in North America in November 1986, in the United Kingdom and much of Europe in August 1987, and in Taiwan at some point afterward.

Black Belt was distributed after its original release on Master System in Brazil by Tec Toy and by Ariolasoft in Germany.

Sega published Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 11: Hokuto no Ken, which included both the Mark III original as well as a unique remake, on PlayStation 2 in Japan on March 25, 2004.

The Mark III version was released for the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on February 26, 2008.

The Mark III version was also included in Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise for PlayStation 4, which was published by Sega in Japan on March 8, 2018 and worldwide on October 2, 2018.