Steam’s newly automated monthly top-seller list has opened a nostalgic portal, allowing users to journey back to 2004. Among the gems of this retrospective is a curious title: Rag Doll Kung Fu. While it may not ring a bell for many, this fighting game holds the distinction of being the first third-party title to grace the Steam platform, making its debut in 2005—well before the iconic The Orange Box was even released. At that time, Steam was primarily a launcher for Half-Life 2, yet it soon expanded to include martial arts puppet action.
Mark Healey’s Vision
Created by developer Mark Healey, Rag Doll Kung Fu is a testament to the innovative spirit of its time. Although Healey’s name might not be immediately recognizable, his contributions to the gaming world are significant. He was part of Bullfrog during the era of Dungeon Keeper and later joined Peter Molyneux to co-found Lionhead Studios, where he played a role in the development of Fable and Black & White.
Rag Doll Kung Fu’s place in gaming history is secure, even as Steam’s dominance in the PC gaming sphere is often taken for granted today. There was a time when Steam was viewed as an unnecessary platform, and without the bold decisions made by developers like Healey to support Valve’s vision of a digital marketplace, the landscape of gaming could have evolved quite differently. For this, we extend our recognition and respect to Rag Doll Kung Fu.
A Piece of Gaming Lore
Remarkably, this title remains available on Steam two decades later, priced at just one dollar. For those curious to explore a piece of PC gaming lore, it presents an intriguing opportunity—though potential players should be aware that it may require some effort to run on modern systems, as it is labeled “Unsupported” on Steam Deck.
Interestingly, the game has garnered a surprisingly low number of user reviews, currently sitting at a Mostly Positive rating of 73% based on just 68 reviews. This scarcity may give the impression of a random relic rather than a celebrated chapter in gaming history. However, it’s worth noting that the game launched eight years prior to the introduction of Steam reviews, which might explain its limited feedback.
Despite its age, Rag Doll Kung Fu still receives the occasional review. One user, known as mudkipi, shared their thoughts as recently as November last year, even mentioning they received a free copy—raising questions about the ongoing distribution of review codes. Their humorous remark, “They ragging on my kung til I fu,” serves as a fitting tribute to this truly historic game.
