Play Spartan X (Japan) on gb Online

Irem released Spartan X for the Game Boy in 1984, a time when handheld games were still finding their footing. It was a portable adaptation of the arcade game, which itself was inspired by the Jackie Chan film Wheels on Meals. On the Game Boy, it stood out as an early attempt to bring a fast paced beat 'em up to a system known more for puzzle games and simpler action titles.

You control a martial artist who must fight through five floors of a tower, defeating waves of enemies and avoiding environmental hazards. The main goal is to reach the top and rescue a kidnapped woman. Signature mechanics include screen by screen combat where you kick and punch opponents, careful platforming over bottomless pits, and tense boss encounters that demand pattern recognition. The pacing is relentless, and the difficulty is steep, especially with limited continues. It feels like a frantic scramble where every mistake costs you progress.