Kicker

Konami’s Kicker, released in 1985, offers a unique blend of platforming and fighting action for two players simultaneously. Players control martial arts characters who advance through levels by kicking an object – often a ball or sometimes another character – to propel themselves across gaps and defeat opponents. Success requires precise timing and skillful use of the joystick to direct kicks with accuracy and power. The game presents a series of increasingly challenging stages, demanding both strategic positioning and well-aimed strikes to overcome obstacles and adversaries. Kicker utilizes a Motorola M6809 processor for its gameplay and incorporates two SN76496 sound chips to produce its audio. While originally released in the United States in August 1985, it later saw a console port as part of the Konami Arcade Classics collection on Nintendo DS in Europe. This cooperative or competitive experience utilizes simple controls: a four-way joystick and two buttons for basic actions. The game's structure bears resemblance to Konami’s earlier title, Shao-Lin's Road, sharing core mechanics, though presented with distinct gameplay elements and a focus on the kicking mechanic.