Panza Kick Boxing (USA)
About Panza Kick Boxing (USA)
Panza Kick Boxing hit the NEC TurboGrafx-16 as a French-developed fighting game that traded in fantasy characters for a proper sport simulation. Originally published by Loriciels in 1991 and created by developer Futura, it landed on the TG-16 in the USA after proving itself on home computers. This is a straight-up Thai kick boxing adaptation, not a flashy arcade brawler. The graphics and responsive controls earned high marks from critics at launch, even if the match structure could feel repetitive after a while. It's one of those titles that brought a little European flavor to the platform.
What you do in Panza Kick Boxing is step into the ring and face a series of opponents using authentic Muay Thai techniques. You control your fighter with timed punches, kicks, knee strikes, and blocks, all while managing your stamina and distance. The matches play out in a side-view ring with no health bars or energy meters typical of most fighting games - instead, rounds are scored by a judge based on clean hits and knockdowns. You have to outbox your opponent across several rounds to win. It's more about patience and reading the AI than pulling off special moves or combos.
For a TurboGrafx-16 library heavy on arcade ports and shooters, Panza Kick Boxing stands out as a serious sports simulation with a niche focus. It doesn't have the flash of a Street Fighter II or the character roster of a Pit-Fighter, but its realism and tight controls make it worth trying if you want something different. The repetitiveness is real - you'll see similar opponent patterns - but the core mechanics hold up well. If you enjoy old-school boxing or martial arts sims and don't mind a slow, methodical pace, this is a solid pickup. Just don't expect an arcade spectacle.
How to Play Panza Kick Boxing (USA) Online
Getting Started
When you first fire up Panza Kick Boxing, you'll see a title screen and a main menu. Use the D-Pad to navigate and press the A button (X key) to confirm your selection. The game typically offers options like a one-player fight or a versus mode - choose single-player to begin the tournament. You'll pick your fighter from a small roster of characters, each with slightly different stats. Once inside the ring, the round begins with your opponent coming at you.
The core loop is simple: manage your distance, block or dodge incoming strikes, and land your own hits to score points. You have three basic attack buttons mapped to punches, kicks, and knees - experiment with timing and range. Each round lasts about a minute, and the winner is decided by a judge's decision or a knockout. Don't expect power meters or super moves; this is all about clean technique. If you get knocked down, you have a limited time to get back up by tapping buttons quickly.
Pay attention to your opponent's patterns - they tend to repeat the same strings, so learning to counter is key. The game offers no tutorial, so be patient. It helps to watch a real match first on YouTube if you're struggling with the timing. The versus mode works with a second player, but the AI in single-player provides a decent challenge for solo play. That's really all there is - no hidden modes or secrets, just straight-up kickboxing.
Panza Kick Boxing (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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