Retro Game: Final Fight

Overview

Final Fight is the quintessential side-scrolling beat 'em up that set the standard for the genre. The story is a classic of arcade action: the ruthless Mad Gear Gang has kidnapped Jessica, the daughter of Metro City's mayor, Mike Haggar. Refusing to be blackmailed, the former pro-wrestler Haggar teams up with Jessica's boyfriend, Cody, and their ninja friend, Guy, to take justice into their own hands. The trio must fight their way through waves of thugs across the crime-ridden streets to rescue Jessica from the gang's mysterious leader.

Background

Developed and published by Capcom, Final Fight was unleashed in arcades in 1989. It was originally conceived as a sequel to the first Street Fighter, titled Street Fighter '89, but was rebranded during development to establish its own identity. It quickly became a monumental success, defining the beat 'em up genre in the late 80s and early 90s with its large, detailed sprites, satisfying combat, and memorable characters. Its influence is immense, and its characters, like Haggar, Guy, and Cody, would later be integrated into the Street Fighter universe, bringing its legacy full circle. The home port for the SNES is particularly famous, though controversial for removing the two-player mode and the character Guy.

Gameplay

Final Fight offers a straightforward yet deeply satisfying brawling experience. Players choose one of the three protagonists, each with a unique fighting style: Haggar is the slow but powerful grappler, Guy is the fast but weaker ninja, and Cody is the balanced all-rounder. The objective is to walk from left to right through various urban stages, defeating every gang member that appears on screen. Players can perform a variety of attacks, including basic punch combos, jump kicks, and grabs that lead to powerful throws. Each character also has a unique special move that clears out surrounding enemies at the cost of a small amount of health. Along the way, players can break barrels and boxes to find health-restoring food items and temporary weapons like knives and lead pipes to gain an edge in combat.