Play Hokuto No Ken - Hokuto Shinken Denshousha No Michi (J) Online

Hokuto No Ken: Hokuto Shinken Denshousha No Michi is a 2008 Nintendo DS game developed by Arc System Works. It came out during a time when the DS was full of experimental titles, and this one definitely leans into the hardware's strengths, especially the touch screen. It's an adaptation of the Fist of the North Star manga, so you know exactly what kind of world you're stepping into.

You control Kenshiro, wandering a post apocalyptic landscape from a side scrolling perspective. The main goal is to progress through stages, defeating waves of thugs and rival martial artists. The combat relies heavily on using the touch screen to input specific gestures for special attacks and his signature pressure point techniques. These finishers have a delayed effect; you land the blow and then watch enemies dramatically explode moments later. The pacing is deliberate, almost methodical, as you time your strikes and manage your spirit gauge. It feels like you are directly performing the over the top violence from the source material.