Skip to content

Credits

Inside The Way of the Exploding Fist: How the Computer Fights You

The film's page has its chapters, every source, the code and the full transcript: Inside The Way of the Exploding Fist: How the Computer Fights You.

Sources and credits for the film. Every fact in the narration is tied to a quotation from a captured source; every image, clip and piece of music is listed with its licence and where it came from. Archive images and footage are used for commentary, criticism and historical analysis. Maps, charts and diagrams were made for this film from the cited sources.

Images and footage (79)

  • Our animation of the game's stored fighter frames: the high kick, forward sweep, jab and flying kick each played through its frames at the game's timing (slowed twice), the one frame that can score marked IMPACT FRAME as it arrives
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our two experiments side by side, a still player against the 5th Dan (left) and the 7th Dan (right), the same seven seconds at real speed with game sound: the 7th Dan walks straight in and sweeps; the 5th Dan stands off
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • CRASH 21 (October 1985), page 12: the first half of CRASH's review of The Way of the Exploding Fist, with its credits box
    CRASH, Newsfield, 1985. unknown. Source
  • CRASH 21 (October 1985), page 13: the back half of CRASH's review of The Way of the Exploding Fist, three critics' verdicts (the sound "not quite the screams of the CBM64 original but politer squeals of pain") beside the magazine's own COMMENTS/rating panel: Use of computer 87%, Graphics 92%, Playability 87%, Getting started 80%, Addictive qualities 96%, Value for money 85%, Overall 92%
    CRASH, Newsfield, 1985. unknown. Source
  • The game's own demo, computer against computer, at full speed: the Spectrum's whole 4:3 picture with its border and sound
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment in two-player mode: the second fighter kicks one frame later, and the first scores 100, a half point
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment in two-player mode: both fighters mid-kick on the same frame, both kicks land, and neither scores
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the same high-kicking player against the novice opponent (level 0), which hesitates before it answers
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a scripted player throws high kicks at a level 9 opponent, which raises its high block while the kick is still in its first pose (in the clip, the knee lifts at 7.48 s, the block is up by 7.58 s, the kick lands into it at 7.66 s); the screen reads 9TH DAN
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a player who stands still against a 4th Dan (level 4) opponent, which walks in and flying-kicks from range (8.6 s and 9.8 s) and scores a full point
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a player who stands still against the 5th Dan (level 5), which walks in, stands at a distance and sweeps out of range; neither scores (the screen reads 5TH DAN)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the same still player against the 7th Dan (level 7), which walks straight in and sweeps (8.22 s), scoring a full point at once (the screen reads 7TH DAN)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the robot that only ever does the short jab kick against the 4th Dan (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, 4TH DAN). Its first two jabs go into the computer's low block (1.04-1.12 and 1.52-1.60 s); the robot dips into a crouch for a moment (1.84-1.92 s), then the computer crouches with its hands raised and the robot's next jab lands at its knees (2.12-2.38 s); the computer is knocked upright (2.40 s) and falls on its back, the robot jabs at it on the floor, and a full yin-yang and the score 200 appear at the top left (4.08 s) before the bow
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the short-jab robot against the 7th Dan again (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, 7TH DAN), set to wait until the computer is a little nearer than in exp-onekick-l7. It raises its knee as the computer walks in (0.96 s); the computer takes one more step (1.04 s) and crouches to take off for its flying kick just as the robot's jab goes out, the robot's foot between the computer's knees (1.10-1.36 s); the computer is knocked upright before it leaves the ground (1.40 s) and falls on its back, the robot jabs at it on the floor, and a full yin-yang and the score 200 appear at the top left (3.12 s) before the bow
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the same opponent (2ND DAN on screen) and the same start as exp-midkick12-punished, but this robot only ever does the short jab kick, low. Its first jab reaches the knees of the crouching computer and nothing happens (1.30-1.42 s); the computer sweeps, and as the robot jabs again, its foot at the computer's knee, the sweeping leg stretches along the floor to the robot's standing foot and the robot stays up (1.80-2.06 s); the computer is knocked upright (2.08 s) and falls on its back, the robot jabs at it on the floor, and a full yin-yang and the score 200 appear at the top left (3.92 s) before the fighters go back to their marks and bow
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the same opponent (3RD DAN on screen) and the same start as exp-midkick12-jabbed, but this robot only ever does the short jab kick. It jabs low at the computer's raised knee (1.06-1.12 s); the computer answers with the same short jab kick at the same moment, and for an instant both low kicks are out, the two legs crossing between the fighters (1.14-1.18 s); nobody falls. The computer then blocks a jab low (1.60-1.66 s), crouches and takes off for a flying kick that passes high and misses (1.92-2.46 s), and as it lands the robot's jab catches it at the knees (2.70-2.94 s); it is knocked upright (3.00 s) and falls on its back, the robot jabs at it on the floor, and a full yin-yang and the score 200 appear at the top left (4.72 s) before the bow
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the robot that only ever mid-kicks against the 3rd Dan (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, 3RD DAN). The robot raises its knee (0.88 s) and swings its mid kick out high and level (1.06 s) as the computer lifts its own knee; the computer's short jab kick shoots out low, its foot at the robot's standing leg beneath the outstretched kick (1.14-1.40 s); the robot is knocked back (1.42 s) and falls on its back (1.60-1.90 s), and a full yin-yang appears at the top right (3.86 s) before the bow
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a robot player that only ever mid-kicks, attacking from a few steps out, against the 2nd Dan (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, 2ND DAN). The computer crouches under the first mid kick (1.30-1.42 s) and sweeps; as the robot kicks again, high and level, the computer's sweeping leg stretches along the floor to the robot's standing foot (1.78-2.04 s), and the robot is swept off its feet and falls on its back (2.06-2.40 s); half a yin-yang appears at the top right (4.14 s). After the bow the computer's flying kick misses and it blocks a mid kick low, then crouches under the next (9.04-9.20 s) and sweeps again: the mid kick out, the sweeping leg at the robot's standing foot (9.56-9.82 s), the robot thrown down (9.84-10.30 s), and the yin-yang at the top right is completed (12.28 s)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a robot player that only ever does the short jab kick beats the novice opponent by two full points to none
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: the same one-kick robot loses to the 7th Dan (level 7) opponent, which only counter-attacks, by two full points to none (the screen reads 7TH DAN)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a player who only walks backwards, blocking automatically, against a level 6 opponent that attacks the other height
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a scripted player (black, left) that only ever holds 'back', against the 6th Dan (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, 6TH DAN). Backed against the left of the screen, its walk-back turns into a low block, arms swept down, as the computer's short jab kick comes in (11.7-11.9 s); the computer stands, then answers the low block high: a flying kick (12.5-12.8 s) that knocks the player down (from 12.9 s). After the bow, a mid kick into the same low block (22.0-22.4 s), then a high roundhouse (23.0-23.3 s), and the player is knocked down again (23.5 s)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The same match on the Spanish Erbe build, second take: the top line reads 10000 (player 1, black, left) and 9800 (player 2, hatched, right) from 0.16 s, the best score 1000; at 42.44 s the best score changes to 10000, then only the 10,000 player on the left moves, hands to his belt (42.9 s) and a bow (44.3-45.4 s), the game's winner's routine; no result text is shown
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment on the Melbourne House build, second take: the last bout of a two-player match, the top line reading 10000 for player 1 (black, left) and 9800 for player 2 (hatched, right) from 0.16 s, the best score beside 2 PLAYER reading 1000; nobody moves and the clock runs down to 0 (37.3 s); at 42.44 s the best score changes to 9800, then only the 9,800 player on the right moves, hands to his belt (42.9 s) and a bow (44.3-45.4 s), the game's winner's routine; no result text is shown
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a player who only sweeps against a level 6 opponent, which often jumps the sweep
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment: a player who stands still against the 5th Dan (level 5), which has just scored a point (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, 5TH DAN, a yin-yang at the top right): the fighters stand on their marks and bow, then the computer comes in from the right a step at a time, standing stock-still three times far out of range (2.30-2.86, 2.96-3.56 and 3.80-4.32 s, about half a second each), before it walks straight in and flying-kicks (5.5 s)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • All 59 animation frames of the game's fighters, each drawn by the game's own drawing routine
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The game's third background: a dojo interior with a lantern, drawn by the game's own scenery routine
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The game's second background: a pagoda, a torii gate and Mount Fuji, drawn by the game's own scenery routine
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The game's first background: a temple courtyard with a seated Buddha, drawn by the game's own scenery routine
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The crouch and forward sweep's drawings, drawn by the game's own routine and each marked CAN'T HIT: none of them the mid kick can hit
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The crouch frame on its byte grid: in each row, the bytes holding part of the figure shaded
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • A fighter frame (the crouch) drawn by the game over a checked background: the masks leave a one-pixel clear outline round the figure
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The same crouch frame drawn by the game on a plain background, at the same scale
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The short jab kick and mid kick to their impact frames: second and third
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The short jab kick's frames to its impact frame, the second
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The short jab kick and mid kick to their impact frames: second and third
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The short jab kick's and the mid kick's drawings placed by when each appears, to their impact drawings: the second and the third
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The same, with a line through both impact drawings: they arrive on the same update
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The game's Mount Fuji background, drawn by its scenery routine, on the Spectrum's 8 x 8 grid
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The same high kick frame drawn by the game facing the other way
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The same high kick frame drawn by the game as the second fighter: outline kept, inside hatched
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The high kick at full stretch (frame 11), drawn by the game, large
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The high kick frame drawn three ways by the game: as itself, facing the other way, and as the second fighter
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The Spanish Erbe Software cassette inlay: the same Melbourne House cover artwork (a karate fighter breaking a kanji-carved sign) relabelled for Spain, 'INTENTA GANAR / Jeoffrey Thomson / Campeón Mundial de Kárate' on the starburst in place of the English wording, with the Melbourne House logo retained top right and Erbe Software's Madrid distributor address printed on the spine
    Erbe Software S.A. / Melbourne House, 1985. unknown. Source
  • The flattened Melbourne House UK cassette J-card: the front cover artwork (a karate fighter breaking a wooden sign carved with the kanji for jeet kune do, under a 'BEAT THIS, Jeoffrey Thompson, World Karate Champion' starburst, with the Melbourne House logo), the spine lettering, and the inside panel (six yellow move-icon stills, game blurb, a Popular Computing Weekly quote, a signed Jeoffrey Thompson endorsement, English/French/German language flags and the barcode)
    Melbourne House, 1985. unknown. Source
  • Our two-player experiment after the kick one frame later: the top line reads 100 for player 1 (the half point) and 0 for player 2, both fighters back in their fighting stance, the clock at 28
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 10.0 s of the late aiuchi recording (two-player mode): the black fighter's kick landed one update before the hatched fighter's, so only the hatched fighter was hit, and half a yin-yang shows at the top left for the black fighter, the score still 0. The half symbol is on screen from about 9.1 s; at 10.7 s it is cleared as the score turns to 100
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our two-player experiment after both kicks landed on the same frame: the top line reads 0 and 0, both fighters back in their fighting stance, the clock at 28
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our two-player experiment, frozen: both fighters' mid kicks landing on the same frame
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The game's own demo, frozen: the two fighters at striking distance in the temple courtyard
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the robot's high kick at its impact frame against the novice
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 17.52 s: the robot's high kick (black, left) fully out and the novice's high block up against it, arms raised (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, NOVICE); the block came after a wait of four updates
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the 9th Dan's high block already up while the robot's high kick is still in its first pose
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the robot's short jab kick landing at the knees of the 4th Dan, crouched with its hands raised
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the short-jab robot's foot between the knees of the 7th Dan, one step nearer than in the bout before, as it crouches to take off for its flying kick; this time the jab knocks it down (the opponent at level 7; the screen reads 7TH DAN)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the one-kick robot's short jab out, its foot at the front knee of the 7th Dan, which is crouching to take off for the flying kick that then knocks the robot down (the opponent at level 7; the screen reads 7TH DAN)
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 1.06 s: the robot's short jab kick (black, left) meets the 4th Dan's low block, the computer's arms swept down (the screen reads 1 PLAYER, 4TH DAN); the game's hit test at 1.0 s found the low block, a drawing the kick cannot hit
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen after the second full point: two yin-yang symbols and the robot's score at the top
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the robot's short jab kick catching the novice standing
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at the same moment of the same bout start: the robot's short jab kick out, low and short, its foot at the knee of the 2nd Dan, whose sweeping leg reaches along the floor to the robot's standing foot
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at the same moment of the same bout start: the robot's short jab kick and the 3rd Dan's short jab kick both out, low, the two legs crossing between the fighters; neither fighter goes down
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the robot's mid kick out high and level while the 3rd Dan's short jab kick, low, reaches its standing leg; the robot is knocked down by it
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen: the robot's mid kick at full stretch, high and level, its body leaning back, as the 2nd Dan's sweeping leg reaches along the floor to the robot's standing foot
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The same match on the Erbe build just after the comparison: the best score reads 10000 and the 10,000 player on the left is bowing as the winner
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • The Melbourne House build just after the comparison: the best score now reads 9800 while the top line still reads 10000 to 9800, and the 9,800 player on the right is bowing as the winner
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment on the Melbourne House build, frozen at the end of the last bout before the game compares the scores: the top line reads 10000 (player 1, left) and 9800 (player 2, right), the clock 0, the best score beside 2 PLAYER 1000
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 0.86 s: the screen still shows the update with the gap at 12, the robot walking (redraw lag; audit 04, D02). Not used: replaced by st-t10-gap9-on.
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 0.92 s, when the screen shows the update of 0.84 s: the 7th Dan's three-unit stride has closed the gap to 9; the trigger-10 robot still in its walking drawing
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 0.98 s: the robot's short jab kick in its first pose, the 7th Dan still drawn at a gap of 9 (redraw lag; audit 04, D02). Not used: see st-t10-firstpose9-on and st-t10-stride7-on.
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 1.04 s, when the screen shows the update of 0.96 s: the robot's kick in its first pose, and the 7th Dan's next stride, taken in the update it chose its counter, has closed the gap to 7
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 6.84 s, when the screen shows the update of 6.76 s: the robot's short jab kick in its first pose, knee raised, commanded at a gap of 12, and the 7th Dan's stride in the same update has closed the gap to 9
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Our experiment, frozen at 6.78 s, when the screen shows the update with the gap at 12 (the frame log's state at 6.70; the fighters are redrawn a few frames after their state changes): the trigger-12 robot (black, left) still walking, the 7th Dan (shaded) walking in
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Sinclair User 43 (October 1985), page 27: the magazine's five-star "Sinclair User Classic" review of The Way of the Exploding Fist by Chris Bourne, ending "As a sports simulation, this is one of the finest and most realistic we have seen. As an arcade game, it's addictive and pacy. As a product, it's clearly destined for the top", with the publisher/price/memory/joystick details and the five-star rating
    Sinclair User, EMAP, 1985. unknown. Source
  • Sinclair User 45 (December 1985), page 17: the "Zap Chat" readers' tips column, with Waheed Ahmed's (Cardiff) scoring hints for The Way of the Exploding Fist, leg sweeps from 1st to 3rd Dan because they "are the most effective and cannot be blocked", and the note "After 10th Dan the computer player is just the same as a first Dan", beside Andrew Marshall's letter claiming a 23rd Dan run
    Sinclair User, EMAP, 1985. unknown. Source
  • The cassette shell's own printed label: 'THE WAY OF THE exploding fist' and 'SPECTRUM 48K / LOAD ""' in Melbourne House's hand-lettered logo type, the Melbourne House 'M' logo on the left edge, and the small print '© Beam Software 1985'
    Melbourne House / Beam Software, 1985. unknown. Source
  • The two fighters as the short jab kick lands: the kicker's impact frame against the second fighter standing, cut out
    The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985). Fair dealing (criticism, review, quotation): The Way of the Exploding Fist (Beam Software for Melbourne House, 1985); recorded by Retro Computer TV.
  • Your Computer, August 1985, page 25: the magazine's own five-star "Software Shortlist" review of The Way of the Exploding Fist (Commodore 64 version, Melbourne House, £9.95) with its star rating and review text, beside the "Behind the Screens" interview piece with programmer Gregg Barnett, captioned "Fist writer Gregg Barnett." with his photograph set mid-column
    Your Computer, Business Press International, 1985. unknown. Source
  • Your Sinclair 53 (May 1990), page 27: the "Complete Guide to Beat-'em-ups" feature's retrospective entry on The Way of the Exploding Fist, naming the punch-in-the-stomach, boot-in-the-back-of-the-head and "useful kick-in-the-shins" moves and noting that repeatedly using the kick-in-the-shins exploit is enough to reach 10th Dan in one-player mode
    Your Sinclair, Future Publishing, 1990. unknown. Source

Music (13)

  • "Big Mojo" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Eastern Thought" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Ethernight Club" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Finding Movement" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Groove Grove" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Ishikari Lore" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Marty Gots a Plan" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Mountain Emperor" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Mystic Force" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Ripples" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Scissors" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Senbazuru" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. CC BY 4.0. Source
  • "Sun Awakening" by Futuremono (YouTube Audio Library). YouTube Audio Library. Source

Sources (37)