When fighting you have the choice of three different modes: walking, punching, and kicking. You start the game in walking mode and when you're near enough to your opponent you can either kick or use your fists. At the start of the game, both you and your opponent are given a certain amount of energy which is shown on-screen in the form of a bar. If you get hit, your bar diminishes slightly. To defeat your opponent you have to make his or her energy bar reach zero before yours does. If you manage to do that then you are promoted to the next, more difficult opponent with your energy level restored to maximum; if you lose, you forfeit one of your five lives and have to challenge the same opponent again.

Each combatant has a unique way of fighting and you need to modify your fighting strategy in order to win. Some of the opponents carry weapons—poles, throwing stars, shields, swords, sticks and fans—which have to be jumped over or ducked under while avoiding the usual flurry of punches and kicks. If you manage to beat the final opponent, Oolong becomes a Grand Master, and has to challenge the same set of opponents all over again—only this time they're meaner and faster. Overall, Yie Ar Kung-Fu is an incredibly addictive fighting classic that is truly timeless. I like the game much more than Way of The Exploding Fist thanks to the greater number of moves and fluid animations. Two thumbs up, way up! Too bad the game was never released for the PC.