Bad Street Brawler

Bad Street Brawler is one of those NES games that feels like it came from a completely different corner of the console's library. Released by Mattel in 1989 and developed by Beam Software, it puts you in control of Duke Davis, a former punk rocker turned martial arts vigilante. His mission is simple: clean up the streets by taking on whatever strange characters happen to stand in his way.

The basic gameplay is a side-scrolling beat 'em up, but Bad Street Brawler has an unusual trick. Duke knows fifteen different "Force Moves," ranging from ordinary punches and kicks to more ridiculous attacks such as pile drivers, head-butts, roundhouse kicks, and even an aeroplane spin. You do not have access to all of them at once, though. At the beginning of each stage, three moves are selected for you, and a short practice section lets you try them out before entering the actual fight.

That system gives the game a little more variety than its simple presentation might suggest. Each stage can require a slightly different approach, especially when you start encountering the game's stranger enemies. Boxers, bikers, skateboarders, gorillas, baseball players, basketball players, and other bizarre opponents all appear as Duke makes his way through locations such as city streets, docks, parks, and railroad yards.

Defeated enemies can also leave weapons behind, including bats, basketballs, daggers, bananas, and guns. Duke can collect these items for bonus points, while certain flying items can restore some of his vitality if grabbed at the right moment.

Bad Street Brawler is certainly not the most polished beat 'em up on the NES, but that is part of its charm. Its bizarre enemies, unusual move system, and Power Glove support make it an unmistakably quirky piece of late-1980s NES history.