Jan Ken Pon
A rock-paper-scissors action arcade game inspired by the Japanese/Korean variant where the winner tries to hit their opponent on the head with a toy hammer — while the loser scrambles to protect themselves with a helmet.
Play on Itch.ioOverview
Jan Ken Pon takes the classic rock-paper-scissors structure and extends it into an action arcade game. Players compete against an AI demon opponent in a three-choice selection duel — but winning the round is only the beginning.
Win a round and you gain access to a hammer to strike your opponent. Lose and you must quickly equip a helmet to protect your head. The AI scales in difficulty as your score climbs, keeping tension high throughout.
Mechanics
Rock Paper Scissors
Players choose one of three options each round against an AI demon opponent. Winning grants a point and offensive access; losing triggers the defensive phase.
Hammer Attack
Winners pick up a hammer and attempt to strike the opponent on the head before the moment passes. Timing and aim determine whether the blow lands.
Helmet Defense
Losers scramble to equip a helmet before the winner can land their blow. Successfully blocking a hammer strike earns a reprieve and resets the duel.
AI Design
The AI demon opponent scales with player score — early rounds are forgiving and teach the rhythm, while higher scores introduce faster reaction times and more punishing windows for both attack and defense. The escalation keeps experienced players on their toes without overwhelming newcomers.
Development Scope
Jan Ken Pon was developed entirely solo — covering sprite creation, game mechanics design, AI programming, and all supporting systems. It represents an early solo project exploring action-based adaptations of traditional games.
Gallery
8 screenshots — title screen, gameplay, win/loss states, helmet defense, hammer attacks