Electronic Gaming Monthly's Top 22 Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting & King of Fighters Games

Fatal Fury (Genesis)

#22

“Fatal Fury on the Genesis just doesn't come across, to me, as a good fighting game. One of the keys to make this game work is to have a good joystick. Forget about using a pad as the control just isn't there. The new boss moves are cool though and the best part of the game. The two-player mode is decent.” (4 out of 10)

SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom (Xbox)

#21

“This game might have flown in, say, 1993, against competition like Power Instinct and the original Fatal Fury, but when online Guilty Gear costs all of 20 bucks, forget it. Chaos suffers from imbalanced fighters, hit-detection issues and other basic gameplay screw-ups, while some character art looks a solid decade behind the curve. SNK should bow its collective head and beg for fan forgiveness.” (5 out of 10)

Art of Fighting 3 (Neo Geo)

#20

“This game is five years past its prime. It's a choppy 2D fighter. The special moves and combos are easy to pull off, but they're not implemented well. For example, every character has a monstrously damaging move called Ultra-Cool Attack that can be used when your health is down to a fourth. This move can do almost 50 percent damage. It doesn't seem fair if I'm winning and someone pulls off one move, which cannot be blocked by the way, that kills me. Some characters have easier joystick motions for Ultras than others, leading to uneven gameplay. Art of Fighting 3 is just not a well-balanced game; there are plenty of better fighters in existence.” (5 out of 10)

Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition (PlayStation)

#19

“Fatal Fury hasn't made the transition to 3D particularly well, and as a result Wild Ambition is one of those games that makes you think the franchise is pretty much on its last legs. The action is slow, the controls are sloppy and not as responsive as the games' 2D descendants, and to top it all off, the sound effects sound like they were recorded through a tin can. This is not a good fighting game ... it's such a shame to see a good series go bad.” (5.4 out of 10)

Art of Fighting (Genesis)

#18

“One of the key features of the Neo Geo version of the fighting game was the scaling in and out during combat. That effect isn't in this version, but otherwise this is identical to the arcade (even the cinemas between the fights are kept in). Most of the moves are easy enough to execute, and there are some nice options like being able to fight five rounds instead of the standard three. In the versus mode, some fighters have an unfair advantage (like karate), but overall, this is an earnest conversion.” (5.8 out of 10)

The King of Fighters 2000 & 2001 (PlayStation 2)

#17

“If you approach this game unprepared, then you'll likely catch a brutal double-dose of 2D fighting to the face – and it won't be pretty. Straight up, the two games included here aren't visually impressive, but if you can get over this, you're in for some goodness – the King of Fighters games offer excellent gameplay, standing alongside the Street Fighter series in the 2D fighting pantheon. Don't be scared – these installments are as valid and compelling as games like Capcom vs. SNK 2.” (6 out of 10)

The King of Fighters Dream Match 1999 (Dreamcast)

#16

“This series is starting to show its age. Although it still has that nostalgic old-school feel, The King of Fighters Dream Match 1999 really should look a lot better (at least a Street Fighter III level of graphical quality). But even though the sprites are small and the frames of animation are too few, this game should tide over fans of traditional 2D fighters until Street Fighter Alpha 3 comes out. Dream Match 1999 has tons of characters and that old-style gameplay that requires skill, not memorization, to master.” (6.25 out of 10)

The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact (PlayStation 2)

#15

“Maximum Impact is essentially SNK's version of the Street Fighter EX series, which isn't really a good thing. A lot of the precision and strategy in the 2D King of Fighters games is almost completely lost here, since a complete novice can easily pull off a five – or six-hit combo within seconds of picking up the controller. Still, that speaks to Impact's accessibility. You won't have to spend hours trying to string three moves together, and fights are really fast-paced, much like those in the Dead or Alive games.” (6.5 out of 10)

Fatal Fury Special (Super NES & Sega CD)

#14

“Hey! Who put my TV in a tin can? That's the first thing I thought when I heard Fatal Fury Special. That sound is from the Dolby Surround effects. Even if you turn it to Mono, it's still bad. Other than that, the graphics are very sharp and the sounds are decent, but some of the moves are hard to get off (mostly charge moves, for some weird reason). The game is old and may have lost some of its appeal, but overall, it's not a bad translation.” (7.4 out of 10)

Art of Fighting 2 (Neo Geo)

#13

“The Neo Geo certainly has its share of fighting games. Art of Fighting 2 comes off as being pretty impressive. The first one had cruddy control and just wasn't much fun. It's nice to see these problems were fixed. The new characters are great and everything just looks, sounds and feels terrific. It would have been great to change characters between rounds. If you need another fighting game, Art of Fighting 2 will keep you happy.” (7.5 out of 10)

The King of Fighters Evolution (Dreamcast)

#12

“SNK is dead. Long live SNK. This, their premiere fighting series, was supposed to come out via SNK themselves, but when they went potty, Agetec wisely snapped up this fast-moving, action-packed 2D fighter. If you are turned off by Capcom vs. SNK's Capcom bias, then sate yourself on what may be the last SNK fighter you'll see on the consoles besides Last Blade. The King of Fighters '99 adds a ‘striker' to the fray, which is nothing new to the fighting genre, but fun anyway. The new fighters are a little too powerful for my tastes, and this year's model gave Heavy D the boot (boo!), but if you're a fan of the series, then this is a worthy follow-up to Dream Match Never Ends.” (7.5 out of 10)

Fatal Fury 2 (Genesis)

#11

“All the fighters, all the stages and extra options not in the arcade (like a speed setting) make this another fine conversion of a Neo Geo title. Little details are retained, as have the last-ditch finishing moves. However, the sounds could be improved (especially the dizzy sound effects and some of the voices). This is the type of game that can truly be appreciated with a six-button controller. Excellent opening cinema, though.” (7.6 out of 10)

Fatal Fury 3: The Road to the Final Victory (Neo Geo)

#10

“It's baaack! Fatal Fury will never die. At least SNK can count to three. Anyway, Fatal Fury 3 dishes up all the fun of the previous games, but, of course, tosses in some new characters to liven it up. But for some reason, the game doesn't have the look and feel of Fatal Fury 2. Sure, it plays well, but the nostalgia isn't there. The new characters, especially Blue Mary, are really cool. I highly recommend checking it out at the arcade. You may like it more than I did.” (7.6 out of 10)

Fatal Fury 2 (Neo Geo)

#9

“SNK has taken a good game and made its sequel even better! The graphics are exceptional, as are the moves and audio soundtrack. The enemies are strong, powerful and difficult to beat. Easily one of the best fighting games on the market. If you have the system, you must have this cart.” (7.75 out of 10)

The King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo)

#8

“SNK has done it again. I didn't think they could do it, but they improved upon The King of Fighters '94. In The King of Fighters '95, they replaced one of their old fighting teams and added a new one. My favorite new option was the added team edit option in which the player can choose any three of the 24 fighters to make their own personal team. The gameplay and animation is top-notch. With these changes and the new backgrounds, SNK has produced perhaps their best fighter yet.” (7.9 out of 10)

Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves (Dreamcast)

#7

“With the Dreamcast just about dead and buried, it's a wonder Agetec decided to bring Mark of the Wolves to the U.S., but fighting fans should be happy they did. Regarded by some as SNK's finest fighter, Fatal Fury is as lavishly animated as Street Fighter III, plays as well as any title in its class, and boasts some of the slickest super moves ever. Combined with the razor-sharp controls, this is one of the fastest, most responsive fighting games I've ever played. It's easy to pick up and play, but features enough offensive and defensive options for more dedicated gamers to sink their teeth into. Beyond that, there isn't much to preoccupy players, as Mark of the Wolves is basically a no-frills affair. Still, if all you're looking for is a straight-up no-holds barred hardcore 2D fighting game that plays great in both single-player and versus mode, then this should cure what ails ya. Don't pass this one up.” (8 out of 10)

The King of Fighters '99 (PlayStation)

#6

“Unlike the Dreamcast version of this game, The King of Fighters '99 feels completely at home on the PlayStation. In fact, it comes off quite impressive, a stark contrast from the good but ‘could have been so much more' Dreamcast release. Even though they're not 3D, the backgrounds in here are nice looking and change between matches. The control is near-perfect, the animation is just about on part with the Dreamcast version and the special attacks look no worse. To make up for the lack of 3D backgrounds, SNK added some cool exclusive extras for PlayStation owners, and even though some of them are lame, others are really grand. While The King of Fighters '99 might be technically superior on Dreamcast, I actually had more fun with this one. Go figure.” (8 out of 10)

Fatal Fury 2 (Super NES)

#5

“When I first heard about this game, I was filled with dread. I didn't think Takara would be able to pull this translation off. I was wrong. Fatal Fury 2 has all the moves and sounds of the Neo Geo version, plus there's a way to play as the bosses. This is one of the best fighting games around for the Super NES and shouldn't be missed. Only the music suffers a bit. It's a small price to pay for such an awesome game.” (8.25 out of 10)

Fatal Fury Special (Neo Geo)

#4

“When it comes to fighting games, Neo Geo definitely knows what the game players are looking for. Fatal Fury Special is one of the best tournament fighting games out there. It has everything: awesome graphics, superb gameplay, decent sound and lots of characters with plenty of moves. The only problem is, if you want to be playing a game with arcade quality, you have to be willing to pay the arcade prices.” (8.5 out of 10)

The King of Fighters '94 (Neo Geo)

#3

“Eek! Another Neo Geo fighting game. The King of Fighters '94 is definitely the big boy of the group; 24 characters is nothing to sneeze at. The team player option is very cool and the game really cruises along at a decent pace. The backgrounds are simply unbeatable. The detail and the music are incredible. The King of Fighters '94 has enough distinguishing features to really make it stand out in a field that is jam-packed with competitors.” (8.5 out of 10)

Real Bout: Fatal Fury (Neo Geo)

#2

“This game plays a lot easier than many Neo Geo games (maybe too easy) with forgiving controls and very simple combos. The graphics and sounds are typical high-end Neo, however, there aren't many new characters. They compensate for lack of new players by the diversity of extra moves and strategy associated with all the old players. With features like super and comeback moves, ring outs and multi-level playing, this is a fast and furious fighter.” (8.75 out of 10)

Fatal Fury 2 (Arcade)

#1

“It's a simple fact of life; you make a sequel of a good movie, game or whatever, and immediately the sequel is judged by the merits of its predecessor. Fatal Fury 2 is one of those sequels that is good enough to stand on its own. The graphics and all-around playability of the game are excellent. The same character vs. same character option, while not original, is a good addition. But above all else, THIS GAME IS FUN TO PLAY (and let's face it folks, that's the most important thing). Great job, SNK!” (9 out of 10)