Typical side-scrolling chop socky game, but still managed to have some fun in it.
All in all there really isn’t anything special about Black Belt. The graphics are typical 8-bit and the sound isn’t anything to write Aunt Mae about. Since this game was some of the first exposure I would have of the Master System, I could see why it didn’t do so well in the US. NES games seemed to be more professionally crafted and complete. Basically, Black Belt would be considered a low-tiered Nintendo game. Not much too it but moving across the screen and punching and kicking enemies. Kung Fu for the NES follows the same dynamic, but was more fun to play. Still, I felt pity on this game and the system that bore it. I would find out that even though Master System games felt somewhat inferior to NES games, they were, in no part, easy. This game had about 6 levels and most could get to the third level with no problem. From there the difficulty exponentially skyrocketed. It would take me months of playing the game in spurts to finally get through it.
This game did manage to grow on me. It does have a generic feel to it, but I think that is part of its charm. Since getting this game, I have managed to build a respectable Master System library. It does have some great games for it like Phantasy Star and Sonic the Hedgehog. Black Belt won’t win any new fans for the Master System, but if given a chance, will at least entertain old fans.