The Way of the Exploding Fist similar games & best alternatives

The Way of the Exploding Fist - the-way-of-the-exploding-fist_1.avif
The Way of the Exploding Fist - the-way-of-the-exploding-fist_2.avif
The Way of the Exploding Fist - the-way-of-the-exploding-fist_3.avif
The Way of the Exploding Fist - the-way-of-the-exploding-fist_4.avif
The Way of the Exploding Fist - the-way-of-the-exploding-fist_5.avif
The Way of the Exploding Fist - the-way-of-the-exploding-fist_6.avif

The Way of the Exploding Fist

BBC Microcomputer System, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum, Acorn Electron, Commodore 16, Amstrad CPC • 1985

Should you play it?

Discover Kung-Fu: The Way of the Exploding Fist (also known as Way of the Exploding Fist, The Way of the Exploding Fist), an excellent game of 1985 runnable on Amstrad CPC system. With side view, fixed / flip-screen perspective, the publisher Melbourne House had wonderful ideas around fighting, martial arts.

What works

  • Highly responsive and intuitive controls
  • Wide variety of moves and tactical depth
  • Engaging single-player progression system
  • Addictive two-player competitive mode
  • Outstanding animation and atmospheric music

Things to keep in mind

  • Some moves feel unrealistic or awkward
  • Limited variety of opponents and backgrounds
  • No proper final ending after reaching highest rank
  • Slower pace compared to later fighting games
  • Minimal narrative and customization options

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

Less dominating

Games that feels like The Way of the Exploding Fist but with less domination over others

More fellowship-oriented

Games that feels like The Way of the Exploding Fist but with a stronger sense of community

Less competitive

Games that feels like The Way of the Exploding Fist but with less competition against others

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with The Way of the Exploding Fist. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with The Way of the Exploding Fist. These titles are not in What to play next.

The Way of the Exploding Fist: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Fellowship, Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship, Leadership.

Last update: 02/09/2026