Who remembers Kung Fury? In 2015, this little indie film took the world by storm, with its ridiculous special effects, its even more ridiculous story and, of course, an absurd amount of Nazis biting the dust. If you haven’t caught it, go check it out below.

Now that we’re all on the same page (I think?), you can kick back and enjoy Kung Fury: Street Rage – Ultimate Edition, which follows up on the events of the film with a whole bunch of butt kicker. Along with the original game (which came out for mobile and consoles some time ago), there’s other spin-offs as well, including one where you get to take control of the Hoff himself, David Hasselhoff. (He sings “True Survivor” in the film, just in case you missed it. Go watch it and return.)
So how does the game fare? Well, if you loved the movie, this is definitely going to be your speed.

Streets of Rage, Not
First off, if you’re expecting a brawler along the lines of Streets of Rage 4, well, this ain’t it. However, what remains is still a fun time if you want to wipe out armies of enemies.
The game has you attacking on the left and right, depending on where enemies are coming from. The gameplay requires you to time your hits, so you can build a high combo and even unleash super attacks with some characters (like the Valkyrie with a chaingun – yes, a chaingun!). Miss an attack and you start over, and also leave yourself susceptible to damage.

Three hits and it’s game over. Think One Finger Death Punch 2 and you’ve got the right idea. While a bit limited on gameplay, Kung Fury presents some great opportunities, particularly with its extra modes. There’s other characters to try out, a neat little story mode (which is just as nuts as the film), and, of course, the chance to play as the Hoff.
It’s not super laden with stuff, and you’ll likely just come back to the game in bursts. But Kung Fury wears its retro pride on its sleeve, and benefits as a result. It’s definitely good if you’re trying for a good high-scoring run, or just want to watch Hackerman mow down enemies like grass. (That said, Hasselhoff may be a bit overpowered for his own good – but I assume he requested that?)

A Presentation For a True Survivor
Kung Fury has basic presentation principles, going with an 8-bit style approach (complete with CRT curvature) and using small sprites here and there. It won’t overwhelm you like Streets’ hand-drawn animation style, but it is pretty neat. Plus, some of the death animations are hilarious, and, of course, there’s all sorts of carnage to soak in. I also enjoyed some of the settings in the other modes, such as the Hasselhoff-specific A Day At the Beach. It’s not amazing, but it works.

As for the music, it’s terrific. It plays like a classic soundtrack straight from the film, complete with the right 80s tempo throughout. I would’ve liked to have heard Hasselhoff sing a few moretunes, but I digress. The voicework is great as well, even if Hasselhoff is sorely missing. Can’t win them all, though I do like how others fit the bill.

Get Your Kung Fury On
$20 is a lot to ask for a brawler these days, but Kung Fury: Street Rage – Ultimate Edition will more than suit fans of the genre. The retro presentation is on the money, with the right kind of vibe; and the gameplay, though limited compared to other brawlers, give players the chance to get the most from their attacks. Plus, again, the Hoff. I mean, come on. Kung Fury is an acquired taste, but those who soak it in are sure to love the flavor.

The Bottom Line:
Though not as jam-packed or deep as other brawlers on the market, Kung Fury is a must for fans of the short film, or anyone that just wants to kick a thousand or so Nazis to the curb.