Metascore
44 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Negative: 5 out of 7
  1. Jul 18, 2012
    60
    Johnny Kung Fu certainly has its charms, and the dichotomy between the combat levels and the Game & Watch-inspired throwbacks is quite novel. It's just a shame that all the charm is burned through so quickly. The result is a game of extremes with no happy medium -- it's either too simple and brainless or too tedious and frustrating.
  2. Jul 23, 2012
    50
    In the end, I was left with the feeling that Johnny Kung Fu was sold short of its true potential. The basic premise is good, the gameplay (well, half of the gameplay…) is spot on, but sadly, the game is hindered by an unnecessarily brutal spike in difficulty and a repetitive, unrewarding design that makes a game that was once unique and challenging, turn into to a bore of a reaction-time test.
  3. 45
    Johnny Kung Fu's biggest crimes are likely frustrating difficulty and poor pacing.
  4. Sep 23, 2012
    40
    If a product wants to bring our memories back to when videogames were just lines and beeps it must offer something to still keep us entertained in 2012. Johnny Kung Fu just doesn't have what it takes. There are a way better options for that price in the e-shop. Don't waste your time with this.
  5. Aug 17, 2012
    40
    Novel and at times rather pretty, yet also banal and ugly, only die-hard fans of LCD games need take on this disappointing downloadable.
  6. Jul 18, 2012
    40
    It's entirely possible that one day UFO Interactive will crack the code of a genuinely interesting game, but with a sense of humor about as basic as its mechanics - which is to say incredibly so - Johnny Kung Fu still has a ways to go.
  7. 40
    With a few more level types and a real change in difficulty other than needing better reflexes, Johnny Kung Fu would have been entertaining for more than a weekend; as it stands now, I would let Mr. Wang win this battle.
User Score

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Johnny Kung Fu is an unusual game, but in my opinion it is actually one of the best 3D downloadable games in the Nintendo Online Shop. Like other reviews mention the game eventually becomes difficult. But it keeps the fun factor together because the difficulty is fair. The game does not cheat, but only requires faster reflexes and more experience. Perhaps some might be annoyed by the first portion of every level which is literally made like a traditional Game & Watch game. You can see the outline of each possible position of the projectile and the main character Johnny. Your job is to figure out the timing and quickly press the buttons.

    Johnny Kung Fu has excellent sound and clever use of 3D. I am giving it lower than perfect score because the developers did not attempt to create a story or plot, but just made it like Donkey Kong, where the girl is abducted and the player attempts to save her.
    Also there are no modes besides the main game mode. It would be fun to add a few game modes to alternate gameplay for someone who might need a break from the main campaign.
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