A divisive work if there is one, Hokuto No Ken landed in France in the 80s with the Club Dorothée. In France in any case, the work of designer Tetsuo Hara and screenwriter Buronson has become known as much for its unbridled violence as for a very particular adaptation, precisely trying to sweeten it with a lot of accents. ridiculous and winded puns. Kenshiro and his acolytes (Yuria, Raoh, Shin and many others) have already had the honor of many video game adaptations with us, some having undergone the same treatment as the anime: those who have played Blackbelt on Sega Master System may be unaware that this game is based on the license Hokuto No Kenbecause he lost all references to the latter when he arrived with us.
We can imagine quite well what will happen next. © Imagineer
Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star did not undergo this kind of treatment. Sheaves of blood, explosion of organs and post-apocalyptic punk are all in the game, but instead of a slightly gory action game, Nintendo prefers to publish the spin-off of a fitness game based on the shadow boxing and which gives part of its name to the title: Fitness Boxing SO. In fact, it’s about taking a Joycon in each hand and miming a boxing fight in front of your TV. It should be noted that monitoring of daily sporting activity is offered and that, if we rely on what is capable of Fitness Boxingplayers should even have an estimate of calories burned.
You will also have to defend yourself. © Imagineer
Of course, the license Hokuto No Ken brings a bit more concrete dressing to the whole and fans will be able to work on their cardio by following the training sessions led by Kenshiro and the other icons of the series. In addition, a “combat” mode will put them face to face with hordes of enemies to decimate with great punches, to give in rhythm to finally be able to trigger a “Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken” felt good. A boss mode which, as the name suggests, will feature anime’s most charismatic chefs, is planned. And since we are in the middle fan service uninhibited, many original music will serve to motivate sports geeks. Finally, the developers have deployed treasures of imagination to offer many costumes to put on the different avatars. On the other hand, we don’t know (even if we hope so!) that the original Japanese voices will be kept on the European version of Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star.
Kenshiro gives safety tips… © Imagineer
For the moment, Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star is only available on Nintendo’s eShop at the high price of €49.99. It is due out on March 2.
