Art of Fighting

n/a

Art of Fighting

System(s): Sega Mega Drive

Publisher: Sega

Developer: SNK

Original system(s): NeoGeo

Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad

Genre: Action

Number of players: 1-2

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1994-01-14	¥8,8008,800	G-4113
US	1994-10^[1]		1146
EU	1994-03		1146
PT	1994		MDJ1146
AU	199x
KR	199x		GM93037JG

VRC

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Art of Fighting, known as Ryuuko no Ken (龍虎の拳) in Japan (and South Korea), is a fighting game by SNK, originally released for the Neo Geo MVS arcade and AES home console in 1992. It was ported to, among other consoles, the Sega Mega Drive in 1994.

Art of Fighting is the second fighting game to be developed by SNK, following Fatal Fury (which co-exists in the same fictional universe).

Gameplay

Art of Fighting is a story-driven fighting game where players control fighters Ryo Sakazaki or Robert Garcia, travelling around the fictional city of South Town in search of Ryo's captured sister, Yuri. The player has to defeat eight other fighters with their own unique fighting styles to finish the game. Unlike later entries, only Ryo and Robert are selectable, though if playing in the two player versus mode, all characters can be controlled.

Similar to many games of the genre, there are special attacks in Art of Fighting, called "Death Blows" and "Super Death Blows" — the latter being unlocked through bonus stages. Their execution consume a so called spirit gauge, which when low make the special attacks weaker and slower. The spirit gauge can be refilled by holding either , or .

By default, using any sort of controllers, jumps, crouches, holding / can block, / can be used to advance or retreat faster, punches, kicks and + low kick.

Playing with a three-button controller provokes the opponent, which depletes their spirit gauge. Pressing and holding briefly causes a stronger kick; pressing and holding briefly will normally cause a stronger punch, though if done close to the opponent, while also holding , performs a body throw. If close to one of the edges, midair performs a triangle jump.

Using a six-button controller both , and provoke, stronger punches are done with +, and stronger kicks with , then . To throw the opponent, hold close to the enemy and press . The triangle jump is done with one of the provoke buttons.

The use of a six-button controller allows the player to assign and for normal and strong kicks, and for normal and strong punches, plus and to provoke, by changing the controller setup to "Type-D" in the options settings, which makes it easier for playing.

In single player mode, after every second fight the player chooses one of three types of bonus stages:

Bottle Cut: press at the right time (when the gauge is close to MAX), to cut the necks of five bottles with a karate strike, gaining a spirit gauge boost.
Ice Pillar Smash: push quickly to fill a strength gauge and destroy four thick ice sheets, getting a boost to life gauge.
Initiate Super Death Blow: perform a "Super Death Blow" for the informed number of times, within a time limit, to unlock it for single player mode.

Characters

	Ryo Sakazaki
	Known as "The Dragon" (Ryuu 龍).
	Robert Garcia
	Known as "The Tiger" (Tora 虎).
	Ryuhaku Todoh (Todo)
	Known as "The Old Master".
	Jack Turner
	Known as "Burly Brawler".
	Lee Pai Long
	Known as "The Legendary Acrobat".
	King
	Known as "Kick Boxing Magician". Venom Strike
	Mickey Rogers
	Known as "Stone-Fisted Fury".
	John Crawley
	Known as "Call of Death".
	Mr. Big
	Known as "Head of South Town".
	Mr. Karate (?)
	Known as "The Invincible One".

History

Legacy

Art of Fighting was a significant release for SNK, receiving two sequels in Art of Fighting 2 and Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior in 1994 and 1996, respectively. Neither of these games were released for Sega consoles, however Art of Fighting's influence can still be seen across numerous 2D fighting games to this day.

Characters from Art of Fighting appear in the The King of Fighters series, as well as Capcom vs. SNK and its sequels. Ryo Sakazaki also features as a secret character in Fatal Fury Special.

Versions

Art of Fighting was designed in part to take advantage of the relatively high technical specifications of the Neo Geo hardware, demonstrating very large sprites and a unique camera system which appears to zoom in and out of play (in a similar manner to what most 3D fighting games achieved some years later). The game also features (some) narration from the chosen fighter in between stages.

On the Mega Drive, all of these features are paired back, with the zooming effect removed entirely. Character and background sprites are noticeably smaller and much of the sampled speech is removed, however unlike the original arcade game, the actions can be spread to six buttons.

Enemy AI differs between the Japanese and Western versions, with the latter seeing generally stronger opponents. The difficulty in both is paired back from the Neo Geo versions, however. Mr. Big and Mr. Karate are also available in the two player versus mode from the outset in the Mega Drive version.

A raster scrolling effect was added for the layer of dust and smoke found in Mickey's stage in the Western version. This was not present in the Japanese release or the Neo Geo original.

While lacking the graphical and audio fidelity of its Neo Geo AES counterpart, the Mega Drive version of Art of Fighting, like most Neo Geo conversions of the era, retailed at a much lower price point.

Localised names

Also known as
Language	Localised Name	English Translation
English	Art of Fighting	Art of Fighting
English (US)	Art of Fighting	Art of Fighting
Japanese	龍虎の拳	Ryuuko no Ken

Production credits

Japanese version

Producer: Eikichi Kawasaki
Programmers: D.S.K, 68 Freak BBS Kenchan
Technical Support: Mr. Yuki29, Star Light, Asami Don
Designer: M.Mioshi, SSS, SK, Shodown, X.X.X
Sound: Jojou ha Kitapy, Yamapy I
Planner: K.I
Special Thanks: Y.O, Ya Shu!, Ken Kimra, Tabei Chan, Kamata San, Sanjyou, Yamatan GT X, Speaker.R, Wan Wan Pochi Kawai, 68 Freak BBS Z'N, EP82Boy, Atsushi, Sekotch, Stg.Oyaji, Yuritan, Sasa, Nakata21, Kei Fukunaga and... All SNK Staff!
Presented by: SNK

Source:

In-game credits

English version

Producer: Eikichi Kawasaki
Programmers: Cross Moon D.S.K, 68 Freak BBS Kenchan
Technical Support: Mr. Yuki 29, Asami Don, Speaker.R
Designer: M.Mioshi, SSS, SK, Shodown, X.X.X
Sound: Jojou ha Kitapy, Yamapy I
Planner: K.Chan MK2
Special Thanks: Y.O, Ya Shu!, Ken Kimra, Tabei Chan, Kamata San, Sanjyou, Yamatan GT X, Vow Wow John Kawai, 68 Freak BBS Z'N, EP82Boy, Atsushi, Sekotch, Stg.Oyaji, Yuritan, Sasa, Nakata 21, Kei Fukunaga, Kura San, Oh!Buchi, Jaro, Hirotan, 'Art of Fighting' Team All Staff, and... All SNK Staff!
Presented by: SNK

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Art of Fighting/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1994-02: "February 1994" (1994-01-08)

Artwork

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)

40

^[14]

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

68

^[15]

Console Mania (IT)

NTSC-J

82

^[16]

Consoles + (FR)

89

^[4]

Cool Gamer (RU)

50

^[17]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

59

^[5]

Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US)

NTSC-U

50

^[18]

Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)

NTSC-U

58

^[19]

GameFan (US)

NTSC-U

90

^[20]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

48

^[21]

Gamer (GR)

89

^[22]

Gamers (DE)

33

^[23]

Hippon Super (JP)

NTSC-J

50

^[24]

Joypad (FR)

PAL

82

^[25]

MAN!AC (DE)

PAL

63

^[8]

Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)

NTSC-J

52

^[26]

Mega (UK)

NTSC-J

57

^[6]

Mega Fun (DE)

NTSC-J

61

^[27]

Mega Play (US)

NTSC-U

73

^[28]

MegaTech (UK)

NTSC-U

65

^[29]

Magazina Igrushek (RU)

5

^[30]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

NTSC-J

24

^[9]

Play Time (DE)

PAL

63

^[31]

Sega Power (UK)

NTSC-J

58

^[32]

Sega Pro (UK)

NTSC-J

67

^[33]

Sega Zone (UK)

NTSC-J

69

^[34]

SuperGamePower (BR)

76

^[10]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

65

^[35]

Sonic the Comic (UK)

PAL

75

^[36]

Super Juegos (ES)

87

^[37]

The Zone (AU)The Zone (AU)

62

^[38]

Todo Sega (ES)

79

^[39]

Tricks 16 bit (RU)

50

^[40]

Video Games (DE)

PAL

74

^[41]

VideoGames (US)

70

^[12]

	62
Based on 35 reviews

Art of Fighting

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, KR
Cover
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System

Hash

Size

Build Date

Source

Comments

✔

CRC32	c9a57e07
MD5	3b878b854302596cb197602878d0cf07
SHA-1	7603f33a98994e8145c942e1ed28e6b072332324

2MB

1994-07

Cartridge (US)

✔

CRC32	9970c422
MD5	e81c004b80d1b39690ecf301dc24e0dc
SHA-1	a58b1efbbdfa8c4ee6f3d06d474c3771ebe36ca4

2MB

1994-01

Cartridge (EU)

✔

CRC32	054cf5f6
MD5	05dc6075c0fa4dc5779b575b594d2947
SHA-1	c4adc3fc6e1130f64440c7dc2673b239f1523626

2MB

1993-12

Cartridge (JP)

References

↑ File:SonicTimes US 1994-10.pdf, page 8
↑ File:BeepMD_JP_1994-02.pdf, page 20
↑ File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 87
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf, page 136 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf_p136" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 File:CVG UK 148.pdf, page 33 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 148.pdf_p33" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 File:Mega UK 19.pdf, page 41 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Mega UK 19.pdf_p41" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:MegaFun DE 1994-04.pdf, page 101
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 File:MAN!AC DE 1994-07.pdf, page 57 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MAN!AC DE 1994-07.pdf_p57" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 File:SuperGamePower BR 001.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SuperGamePower BR 001.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:VideoGames DE 1994-05.pdf, page 92
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 File:VideoGames US 68.pdf, page 73 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:VideoGames US 68.pdf_p73" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:The_Zone_(AU)_s01e04_21-May-1994_v2.mp4, page 0:00
↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 39
↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-08), page 20
↑ Console Mania, "Marzo 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 30
↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 18
↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "September 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 78
↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 34
↑ GameFan, "Volume 2, Issue 4: March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 14
↑ GamePro, "September 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 62
↑ Gamer, "Noémvrios 1994" (GR; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
↑ Gamers, "Juli/August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-01), page 46
↑ Hippon Super, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-06), page 43
↑ Joypad, "Juin 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 100
↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 36
↑ Mega Fun, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 109
↑ Mega Play, "August 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 60
↑ MegaTech, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-18), page 20
↑ Magazina Igrushek, "1/1996" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 55
↑ Play Time, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-09), page 155
↑ Sega Power, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-03-31), page 32
↑ Sega Pro, "Easter 1994" (UK; 1994-03-24), page 46
↑ Sega Zone, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-24), page 50
↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
↑ Sonic the Comic, "July 22nd 1994" (UK; 1994-07-09), page 10
↑ Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 32
↑ The Zone (AU)The Zone (AU) "Season 1, episode 4" (1994-05-21, ) (+0:00)
↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 58
↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 15
↑ Video Games, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-27), page 96

NEC Retro has more information related to Ryuuko no Ken

[:File:SonicTimes_US_1994-10.pdf_p8-1] File:SonicTimes US 1994-10.pdf, page 8

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1994-02.pdf_p20-2] File:BeepMD_JP_1994-02.pdf, page 20

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p87-3] File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 87

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_030.pdf_p136-4] 4.0 ^4.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf, page 136 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf_p136" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:CVG_UK_148.pdf_p33-5] 5.0 ^5.1 File:CVG UK 148.pdf, page 33 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 148.pdf_p33" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:Mega_UK_19.pdf_p41-6] 6.0 ^6.1 File:Mega UK 19.pdf, page 41 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Mega UK 19.pdf_p41" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1994-04.pdf_p101-7] File:MegaFun DE 1994-04.pdf, page 101

[:File:MAN.21AC_DE_1994-07.pdf_p57-8] 8.0 ^8.1 File:MAN!AC DE 1994-07.pdf, page 57 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MAN!AC DE 1994-07.pdf_p57" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p78-9] 9.0 ^9.1 File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:SuperGamePower_BR_001.pdf_p24-10] 10.0 ^10.1 File:SuperGamePower BR 001.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SuperGamePower BR 001.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1994-05.pdf_p92-11] File:VideoGames DE 1994-05.pdf, page 92

[:File:VideoGames_US_68.pdf_p73-12] 12.0 ^12.1 File:VideoGames US 68.pdf, page 73 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:VideoGames US 68.pdf_p73" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:The_Zone_.28AU.29_s01e04_21-May-1994_v2.mp4_p0:00-13] File:The_Zone_(AU)_s01e04_21-May-1994_v2.mp4, page 0:00

[14] 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 39

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1994-02.pdf_p20-15] Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-08), page 20

[:File:ConsoleMania_IT_028.pdf_p30-16] Console Mania, "Marzo 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 30

[17] Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 18

[:File:ElectronicGames2_US_24.pdf_p78-18] Electronic Games (1992-1995), "September 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 78

[:File:EGM_US_061.pdf_p34-19] Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 34

[:File:GameFan_US_0204.pdf_p14-20] GameFan, "Volume 2, Issue 4: March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 14

[:File:GamePro_US_062.pdf_p62-21] GamePro, "September 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 62

[22] Gamer, "Noémvrios 1994" (GR; 1994-xx-xx), page 1

[:File:Gamers_DE_1994-05.pdf_p46-23] Gamers, "Juli/August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-01), page 46

[24] Hippon Super, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-06), page 43

[:File:Joypad_FR_032.pdf_p100-25] Joypad, "Juin 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 100

[:File:MDAG_UK_21.pdf_p36-26] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 36

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1994-04.pdf_p109-27] Mega Fun, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 109

[:File:MegaPlay_US_0504.pdf_p60-28] Mega Play, "August 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 60

[:File:MegaTech_UK_28.pdf_p20-29] MegaTech, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-18), page 20

[:File:Migr_6_RU.pdf_p55-30] Magazina Igrushek, "1/1996" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 55

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1994-04.pdf_p155-31] Play Time, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-09), page 155

[:File:SegaPower_UK_54.pdf_p32-32] Sega Power, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-03-31), page 32

[:File:SegaPro_UK_31.pdf_p46-33] Sega Pro, "Easter 1994" (UK; 1994-03-24), page 46

[:File:SegaZone_UK_18.pdf_p50-34] Sega Zone, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-24), page 50

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p87-35] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87

[36] Sonic the Comic, "July 22nd 1994" (UK; 1994-07-09), page 10

[:File:SuperJuegos_ES_024.pdf_p32-37] Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 32

[thezone1x04-38] The Zone (AU)The Zone (AU) "Season 1, episode 4" (1994-05-21, ) (+0:00)

[:File:TodoSega_ES_12.pdf_p58-39] Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 58

[40] Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 15

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1994-05.pdf_p96-41] Video Games, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-27), page 96

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Art of Fighting

From Sega Retro

Contents

Gameplay

Characters

History

Legacy

Versions

Localised names

Production credits

Japanese version

English version

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Artwork

Physical scans

Technical information

ROM dump status

References