Final Fight is an arcade side-scrolling beat-'em-up video game produced by Capcom of Japan in 1989. A Super Nintendo/Super Famicom port was released as a launch title for the platform in Japan in 1990 and later the rest of the world from 1991 to 1992.
The arcade game was a blast. But this port was a letdown because of the only single-player mode and not as slick and stylish as the first Streets of Rage game on the Sega Genesis.
The Story
Mayor Mike Haggar vows to free Metro City back from the crooks with his bare hands! But the Mad Gear Gang kidnaps his daughter Jessica.
Now Jessica's boyfriend Cody hits the streets hard with Haggar, bashing heads and causing brawls in the slums. Anything picked up can be a weapon.
Now you're Haggar or Cody, with their own fighting styles. Demolish goons, samurai wannabes, and musclebound crime bosses in a knuckle fest of fury!
The Graphics and Sound
The graphics are not too bad. Each stage has a nice amount of detail, backgrounds are well done with good color. The enemies are detailed and animated well. There isn't a noticeable, choppiness or lag in the game either.
The game has excellent sound effects. The punching and jabbing sounds were excellent for their time. There are grunts when your character uses a move (or loses a life) as well. The music is pretty good too. Most of the music fits nicely with the game itself.
The Gameplay
Just your average, usual beat-em-up game. Punch, kick, and a super attack. When you do the super move, it takes away from your health meter. It sucks that the arcade version had a 3rd character named Guy, who was not included in this Super Nintendo version.
There are various weapons and health meters hidden in barrels, cans, and even tires. The tough enemies could have used more variety. The moves are easy to do, but they are not that plenty.
Replay value is good. The great, excellent, fast-paced gameplay is enough for you to keep coming back. But, you will get bored after playing it a few times. Too bad there is no score save. The game is hard, so that may frustrate beginners.
My Verdict
Final Fight for the Super Nintendo/Famicom is a good game in its own right but it's also the worst version to play. It is not a bad game but it's just not the best version. Without that two-player option, the absence of Guy the character, and a just okay soundtrack, it's hard to recommend. It did showcase the power of the Super Nintendo and they tried to make up for it through later ports to other consoles.
Play it on the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on some emulator.
Let's keep on gaming in the free world!
