Phantom Fighter (霊幻道士, Reigen Dōshi?) is a video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 in Japan, and in April 1990 in the United States. The Japanese version is based on Mr. Vampire (Reigen Dōshi being the Japanese title of the film). As a fighting monk, the player must fight through eight towns filled with Kyonshi aka Chinese Vampire(each with a unique town boss). A small selection of items, and a large selection of fighting moves could be used on the enemy.
Tropes present in Phantom Fighter:
- Chinese Vampire: "Kyonshies" are found throughout the game, in all shapes and sizes. note
- Ground Pound: The boss of the fifth town causes the ground-shaking vibration when landing, and the monk will fall down butt-first onto the floor should he be standing when the boss lands. While the vibration effect is non-damaging and brief in duration, it can be annoying for the player since the boss in question only jumps, activating the vibration effect every time when landing.
- Hidden in Plain Sight: One learnable skill- Mirage Move- lets the monk hold his breath (shown as a knife hand held over the mouth) while crouched, rendering him undetectable by Mook Kyonshies. In combination with a skill that allows crawling while crouched (Mirage Walk), this lets you sneak up to or get away from Kyonshies.
- Hitodama Light: Some levels feature a cemetery haunted by one that will abduct the assistant if you linger too long. In that case you have to go in and eventually fight a Cute Ghost Girl like the one in Mr. Vampire to rescue him, and the ghosts get less cute in actual battle.
- Level Grinding: Not for gaining levels per se, but to obtain enough scrolls to learn all the techniques offered at a village's Kung Fu training hall.
- Playing with Fire: The boss of the seventh town launches fireballs that move in wave-like pattern as the ranged attack of choice.
- Pop Quiz: You have to answer one correctly each time you want to see the Training Hall's master to learn new skills.
- Psycho Knife Nut: The boss of the second town is a knife-throwing Kyonshi.
- Rapid-Fire Fisticuffs: After several power upgrades, you'll be able to attack with multiple punches with the press of a button. The ultimate punch technique 4 Thrust can inflict serious damage to Kyonshies or even destroy them with a single strike.
- Teleport Spam: The final boss tends to flicker from one spot to the next frequently, oftentimes more than once before stopping to attack.
- Trauma Inn: The temple in every town serves as a healing point, once you get rid of any Kyonshies there.
- Undead Child: A hidden character that makes the game much more difficult is a baby kyonshi or "Conshi" with a slightly sad back story.
