Knights of Valour: Super Heroes
1. Game Background
1.1 Setting
In the final years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, political corruption, eunuch interference, and natural disasters left the people in misery. Zhang Jiao, a man from Julu, rallied the Yellow Turban Rebellion with the slogan, "The blue sky is dead, the yellow sky shall rise; in the year of Jiazi, the world shall be blessed." Chaos ensued. As the Yellow Turbans seized key provinces, legend says Zhang Jiao used dark sorcery to sever the Han Dynasty's "dragon vein," causing the earth's fortune to collapse. Warlords rose, and the Central Plains plunged into a bloody era of endless warfare.
On this grand Three Kingdoms stage, heroes and villains fought for decades, driven by their own beliefs and ambitions. From the campaign against Dong Zhuo to the Battle of Red Cliffs, from the Battle of Yiling to the Northern Expeditionsโevery battle was a legend, and every general an epic.
Knights of Valour: Super Heroes takes place against this backdrop. The game does not strictly follow historical timelines; instead, it weaves iconic battlesโfrom Guandu and Red Cliffs to Yilingโinto a single experience, allowing players to enjoy the "complete Three Kingdoms" saga. The title "Super Heroes" refers to the resurgence of chaos and the gathering of legendary warriors who rise once more when the world faces crisis.
1.2 Development History
Developed by Taiwan's International Games System (IGS), Knights of Valour originally launched in 1999 on the PGM (PolyGame Master) arcade board. The PGM was a 32-bit arcade platform developed by IGS between 1996 and 1999, featuring an ARM7 RISC processor. It was the most successful proprietary arcade board in the Chinese-speaking world, offering performance on par with Capcom's CPS2 and SNK's Neo Geo MVS, providing a solid foundation for many classic titles.
The original Knights of Valour became an instant hit in arcades across the region due to its unique "Three Kingdoms + Beat-'em-up" formula. In 2001, IGS released the enhanced remake Knights of Valour: Super Heroes. This version featured a massive upgrade, including new characters, a combo scoring system, hidden items, branching paths, and rebalanced gameplay mechanics.
Knights of Valour: Super Heroes holds a status in the Chinese arcade scene comparable to Capcom's Warriors of Fate. In fact, the popularity of Japanese beat-'em-ups like Warriors of Fate and Captain Commando inspired IGS to explore the potential of the "Three Kingdoms + Beat-'em-up" genre. Unlike Capcom's titles, IGS's Knights of Valour surpassed them in character roster depth, magic system complexity, and hidden elements. It is truly a Three Kingdoms beat-'em-up for Chinese players, carrying the collective memories of a generation.
2. Character Introduction
Knights of Valour: Super Heroes features a roster far larger than the original, including numerous hidden and crossover characters. Here are the main playable characters:
Guan Yu
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โโ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โโโ |
- Background: The leader of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han, renowned for his loyalty and peerless martial prowess.
- Special Moves: Heavy Strike (โ+A), Flying Dragon (โโโ+A), Sweeping Gale (Burst: โโ+A)
- Super Moves: Dragon Rises (โโ+A), Dragon's Regret (Burst: โโ+A)
- Features: High attack power and balanced range. The most well-rounded power character and the best choice for beginners.
Zhang Fei
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โโ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โโ |
- Background: One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han, known for his ferocious and wild fighting style.
- Special Moves: Heavy Strike (โ+A), True Bull Rush (โโ+A), Jumping Slash (Jump โ+A), Gale Strike (โโ+A), Hungry Tiger (โโ+A)
- Super Moves: Yasha Explores the Sea (โโ+A), Heaven Cracker (Burst: โโ+A)
- Features: Highest single-hit damage in the game, though his attack rhythm is slow. His throws are devastating, and his post-grab combos deal the highest damage of any character.
Zhao Yun
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โโ |
- Background: One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han, legendary for saving the infant heir at Changban.
- Special Moves: Three Kingdoms Split - Ground (โ+A, follow-up AยทA), Three Kingdoms Split - Air (Jump โ+A, follow-up AยทA), Roc Spreads Wings (โโ+A), White Crane (Burst: โโโ+A, follow-up A)
- Super Moves: Nezha Fire Wheel (โโ+A), Kunlun Reversal (Burst: โโ+A)
- Features: The fastest character with the best combo potential. His "Three Kingdoms Split" series can rack up massive hits and damage. His "Slide" (โโโ+B) is an extremely flexible movement skill.
Huang Zhong
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โโ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โ โ |
- Background: One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han, a master archer who could draw a heavy bow even in his sixties.
- Special Moves: Arrow Shot (โ+A), Mountain Splitter (โโโ+A), Chasing the Moon (โโ+A), Wild Horse Mane (Burst: โโ+A)
- Super Moves: Hundred Paces (โโ+A), Li Guang Shoots the Tiger (Burst: โโ+A)
- Features: The only dedicated ranged character. Keeping distance is key; his melee capabilities are weak when surrounded.
White Armor Huang Zhong
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โโ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โ โ |
- Features: An advanced form of Huang Zhong (requires secret code). Wears white armor with significantly boosted melee attack power. Includes moves like Soul Chaser (โโโ+A) and Cloud Archer (Jump โ+A).
Zhuge Liang / Kong Ming
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โโโ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โโ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โ โ |
- Background: The Prime Minister of Shu Han and the greatest strategist of the Three Kingdoms. Known for his calm demeanor and brilliant mind.
- Special Moves: Thunder Fire (โโ+A), Chasing the Moon (โโโ+A), Thousand Arrows (Jump โโโ+A), Houyi Shoots the Sun (Burst: โโ+A)
- Super Moves: Thunderclap (โโ+A), Call the Wind and Rain (Burst: โโ+A)
- Features: The only pure magic character. Weak in melee but deals massive magical damage. Best for experts who can precisely control magic timing and positioning.
Diao Chan
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โโโ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โ โ |
- Background: One of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, the mastermind behind the Chain Strategy. Skilled in dance and light-foot techniques.
- Special Moves: Heavy Strike (โ+A), Heavenly Flowers (โโโ+A), Cloud Kick (โโ+A, follow-up AยทA), Weaver's Shuttle (Burst: โโ+A)
- Super Moves: Flying Swallow - Ice (โโ+A), Flying Swallow - Burst (Burst: โโ+A)
- Features: An agile character with extreme speed but low damage. Her "Cloud Kick" allows for continuous aerial follow-ups, making her combos highly spectacular.
Zhang Liao
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โโ |
- Background: Leader of the Five Elite Generals of Cao Wei. Famous for defeating 100,000 Wu troops with only 800 cavalry at Xiaoyao Ford.
- Special Moves: Gale Kick (โ+A, follow-up AยทA), Overlord Strike (โโ+A), Qin King Whip (โโโ+A), Assassin's Blade (Burst: โโ+A)
- Super Moves: Rolling Thunder (โโ+A), Sweeping Clouds (Burst: โโ+A)
- Features: A hidden character with great all-around stats. His Gale Kick has excellent combo potential, blending speed and power.
Xu Chu
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Speed | โ โ โโโ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โโ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โ โ |
- Background: A fierce general of Cao Wei known as the "Tiger Fool." Possesses immense physical strength.
- Special Moves: Meteor Chase (โ+A), Mountain Opener (โโโ+A), Mount Tai Press (โโ+A)
- Features: The largest character with the widest attack range, but the slowest speed. His "Mount Tai Press" is excellent for crowd control in multiplayer.
Lu Xun
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โโ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โ โ |
- Background: Grand Viceroy of Eastern Wu. A military genius who defeated Liu Bei with fire at the Battle of Yiling.
- Special Moves: Gale Sword (โ+A), Sword Aura (โโ+A), Whirlwind Sword (โโโ+A), Swift Lightning Sword (โโ+A)
- Synergy: When Zhuge Liang bursts, Lu Xun bursts simultaneously.
Magic Zhang Fei
Adds magical attributes to Zhang Fei, granting stronger elemental attacks. Can trigger synergy bursts with Zhang Fei.
Ma Chao
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Speed | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Skill | โ โ โ โ โ |
| Difficulty | โ โ โ โโ |
- Background: One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han. Commander of the Western Liang cavalry; his name struck fear into Cao Cao.
- Special Moves: Flying Dragon (โ+A, follow-up AยทA), Heaven Dance (Jump โ+A, follow-up AยทA), Cloud Collapse (โโ+A), Immortal's Guidance (Burst: โโ+A)
- Super Moves: Wildfire (โโ+A), Hidden Ambush (Burst: โโ+A)
- Synergy: When Ma Chao bursts, Xu Chu bursts simultaneously.
Xu Chu Hidden Selection Code
On the character select screen, input using the 1P joystick: "BBBโCCCโDDDโBCDโDCB" (Simplified Chinese version) or "โBCโDDBCโBBBCโCCBC" (Other versions).
3. Controls
3.1 Basic Controls
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| 8-Way Joystick | Movement |
| A Button | Attack (Tap for single, mash for combo) |
| B Button | Jump |
| C Button | Use Item/Magic Book |
| D Button | Use Equipped Weapon/Special Item |
| A+B | Burst (Consumes energy to enter enhanced state) |
| โ+A | Character Special Attack (Heavy/Unique) |
| โโโ+A | Character Special Move 1 |
| โโ+A | Character Special Move 2 |
| โโ+A | Character Special Move 3 / Super Move |
| โโ+A | Character Super Move |
3.2 Weapon System
The weapon system is more robust in Super Heroes. Players can pick up various weapons to replace their default:
- Swords: Qinggang, Yitian, Ganjiang, Moyeโeach with unique elemental properties.
- Blades: Guan Wang Blade, Green Dragon Crescent Bladeโwider range but slower speed.
- Spears: Red Tassel Spear, Serpent Spearโlongest attack reach.
- Bows: Huang Zhong's dedicated ranged weapon.
- Special: Magic items like "Taoist Talismans" or "Bagua Formation."
3.3 Items and Magic Books
- Magic Books: Fire, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Earthโrelease full-screen elemental magic.
- Healing: Steamed buns, chicken legs, roast duckโrestore varying amounts of HP.
- Support: Gold beads (stun), smoke bombs (blind), poison darts (DoT).
- Key Items: Plot-critical items like the "Death Immunity Token" or "General's Seal."
3.4 Combo Scoring System
Super Heroes introduces the "Four Moves, One Finisher" system. In any combo, you can use a maximum of four special moves followed by one finisher. Exceeding this limit forces the enemy to fall, ending the combo.
Combo scores affect character level:
- Higher combos = higher scores.
- Leveling up increases attack, defense, and special move performance.
- Max-level characters unlock advanced magic book effects.
3.5 Burst System
Consumes energy to enter Burst mode:
- Attack power significantly increased.
- Some special moves gain new properties (e.g., Guan Yu's "Sweeping Gale").
- Allows the use of Burst Super Moves.
3.6 General Summoning System
Defeating specific bosses grants a "General's Token." Use it to summon that general for a one-time full-screen support attack dealing massive damage.
4. Stages and Boss Strategy
Knights of Valour: Super Heroes has 7 stages with branching paths.
Stage 1: Weapon Depot
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Setting | A Yellow Turban depot filled with supplies |
| Boss | Zhang Jiao (Yellow Turban Leader) โ Uses sorcery to control defensive mechanisms |
Strategy: Zhang Jiao uses lightning magic. Avoid his "Lightning Strike" by watching for the black shadows on the ground. Lure him into open areas. Defeating him yields the "Taiping Manual."
Stage 2: Mount Dingjun
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Setting | Rugged mountain paths defended by the Yellow Turbans |
| Boss | Xiahou Yuan โ Famous for rapid strikes. Wields a long-handled blade |
Strategy: Don't try to out-speed him. Use "Counter-Defense"โblock his combo and strike during his recovery. Huang Zhong's archery is very effective here.
Stage 3: Jiangxia
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Setting | Naval base and warships along the Yangtze River |
| Boss | Xiahou Dun โ The one-eyed general, known for his fierce temperament |
Strategy: His "One-Eyed Charge" deals massive damage and has super armor. Use ranged attacks or items to bait his charge, then strike from behind.
Stage 4: Battle of Red Cliffs
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Setting | The burning warships of the historic battlefield |
| Boss | Lu Bu โ The strongest warrior of the Three Kingdoms |
| Mid-Boss | Zhang He, Xu Huang |
Strategy: Lu Bu is notoriously difficult. He has massive range, high damage, and almost no hit-stun. Do not fight him alone. Use items (especially stun beads) and coordinate with teammates. He has a clear recovery window after his "Godly Dance" move.
Hidden Path: Use specific items or meet conditions to enter hidden routes, challenge more bosses, and obtain the legendary "Four Swords."
Stage 5: Eight-Portal Maze
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Setting | Zhuge Liang's complex maze. The order of portals determines the final boss |
| Mid-Boss | Zhou Tai, Gan Ning |
| Boss | Lu Xun or Cao Ren (depending on path) |
Strategy: Branching choices determine boss and item drops. The "Jing -> Xiu -> Sheng -> Si" path leads to the powerful "Xuanyuan Sword."
Stage 6: Fan City
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Setting | A besieged city under heavy arrow fire |
| Boss | Cao Cao โ The cunning warlord. Wields the Yitian Sword and is protected by Tiger Guards |
Strategy: Clear the Tiger Guards first, or they will block all your attacks on Cao Cao. Cao Cao's "Cunning" skill summons reinforcements, adding unpredictability.
Stage 7: Burning Camps - Final Battle
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Setting | The final battlefield of Yiling, engulfed in flames |
| Mid-Boss | Sima Yi |
| Final Boss | Sima Yi (Super Form) or True Final Boss (depending on path) |
Strategy: Sima Yi's magic is fast with no telegraph. Use a "speed-to-beat-speed" strategy. In his second form (at 1/4 HP), his projectile density increases significantly. Use all remaining items.
The Four Swords: A famous hidden quest. Collect the Fire, Ice, Thunder, and Explosion swords. They boost attack attributes and unlock hidden elements in specific stages.
5. Tips and Advanced Strategy
5.1 Survival Tips
- Four Moves, One Finisher: Master this rule to control the flow of battle.
- Items are Strategic Resources: Don't save them for the end. Use them to survive and clear difficult sections.
- Burst Timing: Don't burst immediately. Use it at the start of boss fights or when surrounded for the "Super Armor" effect.
- General Token Management: Save these for Lu Bu or Sima Yi.
5.2 Character Recommendations
- Beginners: Guan Yu (Balanced).
- Combo Seekers: Zhao Yun (High potential).
- Magic Users: Zhuge Liang (High skill floor).
- Teams: Guan Yu + Zhao Yun (Power + Speed).
5.3 Boss Rules
- Observe Patterns: Every boss has a rhythm.
- Stun Items: Gold beads are as valuable as magic books.
- Coordination: One stuns, one attacks, one heals.
- Terrain: Use space to your advantage; don't get cornered.
5.4 Advanced Knowledge
- Elemental Weakness: Swords have elemental advantages against specific enemies.
- Leveling: Low-level states can sometimes make enemies less aggressive; use this to farm points.
- Nine Tokens System: Collecting all nine general tokens unlocks achievements and permanent stat boosts.
5.5 Multiplayer Strategy
- Split Paths: Have players take different routes to collect all hidden items.
- Energy Management: Don't burst simultaneously.
- Revival: Clear the area before reviving a teammate.
6. Trivia and Arcade Legends
6.1 IGS PGM
The PGM board was the heart of Chinese arcade history, powering classics like Knights of Valour and Oriental Legend.
6.2 The Name "Zhan Ji"
IGS chose "Zhan Ji" (War Chronicles) over "Zhan Ji" (War Records) because the character "Ji" carries a weight of classical history, fitting the Three Kingdoms theme.
6.3 A Successful "Catch-up"
IGS entered the market 7 years after Capcom's Warriors of Fate, but by focusing on character depth and hidden complexity, they carved out a unique niche.
6.4 The "ID Card" of Chinese Arcades
Despite the arcade bans in the 2000s, Knights of Valour remained a pillar of the underground scene alongside KOF '97.
6.5 Design Philosophy
The "Four Swords" quest was inspired by RPGsโa rare design choice for 90s arcade games, rewarding players for deep exploration.
6.6 General Summoning
Inspired by SNK's "Striker" systems, IGS turned it into a strategic resource management tool.
6.7 The Huang Zhong Debate
Is he broken? Players have debated for decades whether his ranged power is a design flaw or a balanced trade-off for his melee weakness.
6.8 Legacy
While sequels followed, Super Heroes (2001) is widely considered the peak of the series, balancing complexity and arcade fun perfectly.
