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Available on: NES

Game music of the day: Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu

GR's ongoing tribute to the beloved world of videogame music

Words: on August 13, 2011
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Game: Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu

Song: Stage 1 Area 2

Composer: Sinkon Kiyoshi

       
Above: Stage 1 Area 2 from Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu

Long before he became a viable Hollywood star via Rush Hour and Rumble in the Bronx, Jackie Chan starred in a colorful side-scroller for the NES, appropriately (and quite literally) titled Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu. Even on a system with a billion 2D action games, Jackie's brawler stood out with big chunky sprites and, obviously, a memorable 8-bit soundtrack.

The embedded song plays early, and always struck me as remarkably sad; the graphics are so vibrant and Jackie's face so emotive that you'd assume the music would be similarly upbeat. Yet here's this track, so somber and meloncholy in tone. Despite its potentially tear-inducing feel, it's still a sharp piece of NES music, and thankfully other songs are suitably chipper.


Above: Much happier and downright Mega Man-y


Above: The embedded track as heard in the TG-16 version of the game

Unsurprisingly, Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu has not appeared on Wii's Virtual Console. Between Hudson's dissolution and the license to Mr Chan's likeness, I wouldn't expect this to ever pop up again. A shame, really, as it's a perfectly fun game and not at all some long-lost, unplayable relic a modern celebrity would want to bury. Maybe... some day?

 

Game music of the day: Wizards & Warriors III
Knight's Guild by David Wise

 

 

Game music of the day: Star Wars Republic Commando
Vode An by Jesse Harlin

 

 

Game music of the day: Zelda A Link to the Past
Hyrule Castle by Koji Kondo

Related

Games:

Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu

Platforms:

NES

Topics:

Game music , Old-school

21 comments

  • Yaro - August 14, 2011 7:46 p.m.

    I'm gonna miss you Brett. Good luck.

  • ProfessorLeighton - August 14, 2011 1:10 a.m.

    Thanks for all the games music of the day articles Brett, hopefully it won't be the last time we see it on this site.

  • AngryScotsman - August 13, 2011 9:32 p.m.

    Yessssssssssss Finally, Game Music has of the Day returned as Game Music of the Kinda, Semi-Biannual Period.

  • Japanaman - August 13, 2011 7:46 p.m.

    I just played this game maybe 2 days before this article posted and I thought to myself, "Wow! This is some good game music!"

  • lemonflip - August 13, 2011 7:36 p.m.

    Good chip tunes, wonder if I could get my hands on the game.

  • philipshaw - August 13, 2011 10:50 a.m.

    This is some great music from a game where you would expect the music not to be important at all. Hope GMOTD stays despite you leaving Brett

  • shyfonzie - August 13, 2011 10:44 a.m.

    I've made two detailed portraits of Jackie Chan for school.

  • Bobbety - August 13, 2011 9:33 a.m.

    Well, now if you've listened to TDar 172 it might seem even less likely that GMotD has returned... That is unless someone other than Brett picks it up. I don't mean to sound negative, I love this feature as much as the next.

  • CH3BURASHKA - August 13, 2011 7:51 a.m.

    You've hurt me once before, GMotD. I don't think I can love you again. At least, not yet. You're right Brett, it's a sad track - reminds me of your NES Godzilla story. I still have that track in my collection. As for the box art, what. the. hell. I really wonder, does Jackie Chan have an intimate involvement with the games he's featured in. The quality would indicate no, but the quantity would imply that he had at least some interest in vidja gams. @Bobbety: I'm really really hoping that was just a sarcastic joke taken at his own expense.

  • Bobbety - August 13, 2011 6:25 a.m.

    To the people saying "YES GMOTD'S BACK!". Brett did say it's become more Game Music of the Month, so don't set you hope too high.

  • Daruniah - August 13, 2011 4:14 a.m.

    Here's to hoping for more GMOTD.

  • FauxFurry - August 13, 2011 1:29 a.m.

    Had this not been posted, this feature easily could have been re-dubbed Game Music of the Quarter! To keep with the theme of games featuring martial artists, it might be nice to hear something from Strider of Ninja Gaiden on a future installment of GMotD.

  • TheCakeIsaPie - August 13, 2011 1:27 a.m.

    Thank you, Brett, for another GMotD!

  • richtaur - August 13, 2011 1:17 a.m.

    Huh I wasn't familiar with this. Stage 1 Area 2 has a Mega Man feel: catchy melody and great base line.

  • egregious - August 13, 2011 12:56 a.m.

    So, this was a good game? Who'd a thunk it!

  • rndmnss470 - August 13, 2011 12:36 a.m.

    Man, the music is super somber for such a bight and colorful game. Nice find. Man, I love this feature.

  • DaveGoose - August 13, 2011 12:33 a.m.

    Great GMOTD!

  • Forrest22x - August 13, 2011 12:26 a.m.

    IT'S BACK!

  • batmanboy11 - August 13, 2011 12:22 a.m.

    Great stuff.

  • ClusterShart - August 13, 2011 12:21 a.m.

    I require more Game Music of the Day.

Showing 1-20 of 21 comments

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