Unseen Brawls: Retro Fighting Games You Missed Outside the Arcade

Vary greatly in form and dimension, particularly within specific categories, with one such category being fighting games. These games have left a significant impact in arcades over the years. It’s no wonder that fighting games were a regular feature in arcades due to their high-competitiveness and intensity.

Many iconic retro fighting games, such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, initially gained popularity in arcades, but it’s important to note that numerous classic fighting titles were exclusively released on computers and gaming consoles. Games like Super Smash Bros. and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters demonstrate that not all the best retro fighting games originated from arcades.

Release Date – June 17, 1999

Platform(s): PlayStation

The game known as Fighter Maker was crafted by ASCII, a company famously recognized for producing games like the Street Fighter series. Similar to these game-making titles, Fighter Maker serves as a tool for creating games, with its 3D variant initially launched on the PlayStation 1. Further iterations were developed for Windows and PlayStation 2 platforms, with certain editions emphasizing 2D fighting styles.

Fundamentally speaking, Fighter Maker serves as a platform where gamers and budding developers can design their unique fighting games. It offers a rich depth, enabling users to create custom movesets and mechanics. Some might be disheartened by the fact that the majority of the complex tasks are left to the player, but for numerous others, Fighter Maker is an engaging and creative tool to explore and experiment with.

Release Date – Circa 1994

Platform(s): Amiga, MS-DOS, Sega Genesis, SNES

Paws of Fury: Way of the Warrior Cat was created and released by GameTek, and it’s one of the more intriguing and imaginative titles in the fighting genre. Instead of human or humanoid combatants, it offers a diverse cast of animal characters, each with their unique abilities that mirror typical characteristics of their species, infusing humor and uniqueness into the gameplay experience.

Although it might not be one of the most popular games, “Brutal: Paws of Fury” sets itself apart with its distinctive art style and captivating character designs, creating a distinct identity for itself. This game effectively carves out a niche for itself in a competitive genre, making it an entertaining and rewarding addition to any gaming collection that you might want to revisit from time to time.

Release Date – Sept. 5, 1995

Platform(s): Atari Jaguar

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “I jumped into the futuristic world of ‘Ultra Vortek’, a game created by Beyond Games, famed for their epic ‘BattleWheels’. This time, they teamed up with Atari to bring it to life on the Jaguar console, a platform that was really pushing its limits. The story unfolds in a future where humans and robots are on the brink of extinction. A mysterious force called the Guardian has risen, threatening to wipe out all life on Earth unless it’s proven worthy. It’s up to me, the player, to save our world!

Unlike many console-based fighting games, Ultra Vortek caters more to hardcore gamers, mirroring the high-intensity experience found in arcade classics like Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct. It’s also known for its raw, unpolished style, including a well-known finishing move that humorously references Mortal Kombat’s fatalities with a theme involving bodily waste. This rough edge, however, might be part of the reason why Ultra Vortek stands out as an enjoyable and unique fighting game, offering something fresh and worthwhile to the genre.

Release Date – Circa Nov. 1993

Platform(s): Sega Genesis, SNES

The game titled ClayFighter was published by Interplay, with the Sega Genesis version developed by Ringler Studios and the SNES version by Visual Concepts. Interestingly, the game’s plot revolves around a clay meteor that crashed to Earth in a circus located within the U.S. The impact of the meteor caused its residue to contaminate the circus, turning various people and objects into clay monsters. These peculiar creatures then engage in a series of extravagant brawls.

Every character in ClayFighter is modeled after real-life clay figures, creating an unusual and eye-catching aesthetic. The cast boasts a diverse array of fighters, stretching from the nearly human to the utterly peculiar, such as a seemingly ordinary clown and a tricky spirit. Each figure comes equipped with a zany arsenal of moves that contributes to the game’s quirky allure. In essence, ClayFighter is a fun and humorous fighting game that should receive more recognition.

Release Date – June 27, 1997

Platform(s): PlayStation

The game Dynasty Warriors was created by Omega Force and distributed by Koei, a company primarily recognized for their strategy video games at the time. The game is based on China’s Three Kingdoms era, which is evident in the lineup of historically authentic fighters, supplemented by a few characters from Japan’s Warring States period. With its captivating setting and cast, Dynasty Warriors offers an epic experience.

The game combines features from popular fighting games of its era such as Samurai Shodown, The Last Blade, and Soulcalibur. Each character uses unique, weighty weaponry that provides a gratifying experience during combat. In essence, Dynasty Warriors is an entertaining PlayStation 1 fighting game that served as the basis for a lasting series.

Release Date – Circa 1995

Platform(s): Sega Genesis, SNES

The game titled “WeaponLord” was initially created by Visual Concepts and published by Namco, which signified one of their initial forays into the fighting game genre prior to the emergence of “Soulcalibur”. As its name implies, it’s a fighting game emphasizing weapons, where fierce combatants engage in intense battles armed with ruthless weaponry. Ranging from arrows, swords, and other lethal tools, these fighters engage in grueling, high-stakes duels to the death.

WeaponLord is a thrilling and engaging game, but it’s not really intended for beginners. Instead, it seems to be tailored more towards seasoned fighting game enthusiasts, especially those who have mastered their skills in arcades. The intricate move sets hint at this design choice. Additionally, WeaponLord stands out as one of the pioneers offering online multiplayer functionality.

Release Date – Oct. 10, 1994

Platform(s): MS-DOS

In the year 2097, the game “One Must Fall” was created by Diversions Entertainment and released by Epic MegaGames. The story takes place approximately 72 years from now, depicting a world where human strength is no longer measured by physical limits, but rather by the colossal power of towering mechas, which are still controlled by humans. As the name implies, one of these mighty machines must succumb.

In a distinctive twist, the game “One Must Fall: 2097” is exceptional because, as suggested in its summary, humans don’t engage in direct combat against each other. Instead, they command mechas and compete with other pilots managing machines of different power and skills.
This makes it a scarce genre within fighting games, mostly designed for computer use rather than console-based gaming.

Release Date – Sept. 4, 1993

Platform(s): NES, Sega Genesis, SNES

The game titled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters” was created and distributed by Konami, a company recognized for producing exceptional video games tied to the TMNT franchise. The narrative mode differs slightly across the three platforms it was launched on, but the fundamental idea stays consistent: the turtles engage in one-on-one battles against their frequent adversaries.

As a devoted fan, I’d say that Tournament Fighters seamlessly combines the intensity of weapon-based battles with the classic essence of hand-to-hand combat, ensuring both melee and weapon combat are equally thrilling. Each character, whether they’re a turtle or not, boasts unique fighting styles and specialized weapons, making every battle feel fresh and engaging. In essence, playing Tournament Fighters feels like being part of an extended action scene directly lifted from the original source material.

Release Date – Oct. 16, 1997

Platform(s): PlayStation

Bushido Blade was created by Lightweight and distributed by Sony on the PlayStation. However, it was Square that managed the game’s release in Japan. The setting is an alternate present day, heavily influenced by Japan’s feudal history. The narrative revolves around a skilled assassin who flees from a dojo, which in turn sets off a chain of lethal one-on-one combat encounters.

Embracing a combat style steeped in ancient weaponry with a distinct feudal flavor, Bushido Blade offers players the opportunity to select among eight unique weapons that align perfectly with the game’s powerful shogunate atmosphere. The name of the game is derived from the traditional samurai code of bushido, further emphasizing its noble demeanor. Instead of relying on showy spectacles, fights in this game prioritize accuracy, discipline, and respect, thereby distinguishing it from more typical fighting games that focus on flash and theatrics.

Release Date – April 26, 1999

Platform(s): Nintendo 64

Originating from HAL Laboratory and distributed by Nintendo, the game titled “Super Smash Bros.” isn’t merely recognized as an exceptional retro fighting game; it serves as a remarkable illustration of crossover fighting titles, showcasing renowned Nintendo characters hailing from series such as Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and others. In essence, the game’s concept is straightforward: one combatant aims to defeat the rest, ultimately facing the actual final boss, Master Hand, an anthropomorphic, disembodied hand.

Initially, Super Smash Bros. was merely a pet project developed by employees at HAL Laboratory and Nintendo during their free hours. Eventually, Nintendo recognized its potential and decided to publish it officially. The successful launch resulted in the birth of an influential fighting game series, one that continues to garner attention from gamers even today.

2025-05-15 02:41