Last Battle

Screenshots

Summary

Last Battle: Legend of the Final Hero is a side-scrolling action title much like its earlier counterpart, Black Belt. The player assumes the role of Aarzak (known as Kenshiro in the original Japanese version), who battles foes using a variety of punches and kicks. Aarzak can strike while standing, jumping, or crouching, offering six fundamental attack options. Alongside his health bar, Aarzak also has a power-up meter that fills as he defeats enemies. Once the meter reaches a specific threshold (which varies by level), Aarzak transforms into a super-powered form, enabling him to unleash rapid punches and kicks for the remainder of the stage. The game's levels (excluding boss fights and maze sections) include a time limit displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen. However, unlike typical time limits that kill the character instantly upon reaching zero, this one slowly depletes the player's health until the level is completed. The game consists of four chapters or stages, each containing multiple levels. After finishing a level, the player is shown a map that shows their current position and the available routes to take. Most levels are straightforward side-scrolling segments where the player must move from left to right while battling all enemies in their path. Other levels are maze-like dungeons, requiring the player to navigate through complex paths and avoid deadly traps. Throughout the game, the player will meet various allies who can enhance Aarzak's attack or defense capabilities or restore his health. The game also includes several one-on-one boss fights. In some cases, the player must complete levels in a specific sequence to progress through a chapter. 'Last Battle' is also well-known in the gaming community for its punishing difficulty. The original Japanese version is based on the Fist of the North Star manga and anime series. During the localization process, all references to Fist of the North Star were removed—just like in its predecessor, Black Belt.