Fatal Fury 2

[Melf]

One of the perks of owning a Genesis was getting all the big-name SNK fighters for a third of the cost. Among the many releases was Fatal Fury 2, which was quickly gobbled up by demanding fans. Sega-16 has the complete run down on how it held up, so read our review (http://www.sega-16.com/2006/02/fatal-fury-ii/)for all the black and blue details.

[David J.]

I know it's not mentioned in the review, and for our PAL gamers...

For those wondering, there WAS a PAL release of this game, but it was only released in Australia.

[Flash1087]

Fatal Fury 2 is kind of a sore spot for me.

You know how everyone has that one friend who's much better at a certain game than anyone else you know?

As far as FF2 goes, I was NEVER that kid. :(

[Joe Redifer]

Judging by the emulator screenshots, this game ran in the Genesis' low resolution mode. That's sad as it looks pretty bad. The Arcade Card version on the PC Engine CD-ROM looks much better. I hear the Neo Geo version is the best, but that's only a rumor.

[GeckoYamori]

I was very impressed by this port, especially how they handled the music. I was even moreso impressed by the Game Gear port, it played more or less as good as the original with excellent controls. A first for an 8-bit fighter.

[JFLY]

I was very impressed by this port, especially how they handled the music. I was even moreso impressed by the Game Gear port, it played more or less as good as the original with excellent controls. A first for an 8-bit fighter.
The music was waaaaaaayyyyyy better than the SNES version. Check out how the Mai's theme turned out on both. This was the version to own for me (until I got the AES version anyway).

Snes - http://s44.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3HXG8EBY8HKCT2PHBYK7S78NLL

Genesis - http://s44.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3DT0F98OCWW1O2JTOGCKLLPUEE

[Obviously]

Wow, I actually forgot that I sent this in... add to that the fact that you posted it up on February 23, my birthday.

I'll stand by my opinions. The graphics might not have been nearly as good as other ports but I still thought they looked nice for the Genesis.

Overall it's a good port and it's probably my favorite Genesis fighter.

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah the Genesis version definitely has the better music. Those two examples almost seem to be two different tunes. Were these recorded from the real systems, emulators or SPC/GYM players?

[JFLY]

Yeah the Genesis version definitely has the better music. Those two examples almost seem to be two different tunes. Were these recorded from the real systems, emulators or SPC/GYM players?

Both were from SPC/GYMs, but they sound like the carts (which I own). If you thought the SNES Mai's theme sounds bad, the SNES Fatal Fury Special Mai's theme sounds even worse! It seem Takara put a surround sound option in the game, thus making everything sound all echoed. *shudders*

[Genesis Knight]

The gal in this game is even more laviscious than Chun Li.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Mr. Savadge, I salute you. That was an excellent review of Fatal Fury 2.

As an old SNK fan, I loved the ports on Genesis. It makes me appericate this version more, since the SNES version left out the original intro for some odd reason. I always got a kick out of "AGAIN...LEGENDARY...MEN....RETURN..."

[Joe Redifer]

Question: Did the characters scale when switching between planes? I know on the Neo Geo and PC Engine versions they did.

[MegaDrive20XX]

No, the SNES and Genesis version did not scale at all

[JFLY]

Question: Did the characters scale when switching between planes? I know on the Neo Geo and PC Engine versions they did.
Wow! Really? Man, the PC Engine impresses me even more. Did Fatal Fury Special on the Sega CD scale the characters?

[Joe Redifer]

I was pretty impressed when I saw that happen on the PC Engine version as well... but when you have 16 megs allotted to each level, I guess there is room left over for such things.

[Fang]

I think this was a good port of Fatal Fury 2 when compared to other crappy ports Takara released. I will have to agree with the score of this review.

[David J.]

I think Takara should stick to Transformers, Microman and some other thing I forgot, instead of ports of fighting games, a lame live-action show, and whatever else they do.

They make some kick ass toys.

[108 Stars]

Damn it,:horse:
another good game that was never released in Europe, just like MUSHA Aleste, Warsong, Pirates! Gold and too many others...
I guess the Australian PAL-Version is not easy to get either. Not a big chance I find it for 10,-€ on ebay.
Guess I´ll have to look more for American Genesis-games.

Concerning those, I have a question:Do all US-games have plastic cases usually?
I have a copy of the US-Ishido, a crappy game in a crappy cardboard-box, and that´s confusing me.

[Wesker]

I know it's not mentioned in the review, and for our PAL gamers...

For those wondering, there WAS a PAL release of this game, but it was only released in Australia.

Didn't know it. Thanks for the tip.

[108 Stars]

Please, someone tell me: Is this one of the games in a cardboard box, or was it released in a plastic case?

I want to import it soon. The Australian version is about impossible to come by (and will probably have a ridiculous price tag), the japanese version seems rather rare too, so the biggest chance should be the US-version. Please help!!!

[Hidden_Darkness]

the us version comes in a plastic case.

[108 Stars]

Thank you!!!:o

[David J.]

I know the grocery store I work at actually used to rent out games and movies... and I saw this game there well over 13 years ago. Does that help?

[108 Stars]

Well...strange grocery store renting games...
If you saw the game in a plastic case, it would be a bit of help. If you find it in a dusty corner and send it to me it would help me even more, since I live in Europe and visiting the USA just for the game seems a bit off ;)

[VinnyT]

The link to the review isn't working for me.

[David J.]

Well...strange grocery store renting games...
If you saw the game in a plastic case, it would be a bit of help. If you find it in a dusty corner and send it to me it would help me even more, since I live in Europe and visiting the USA just for the game seems a bit off ;)

The pharmacy where my family got all medicines rented quite a bit of games and movies. It's not that strage to me, imo.

[108 Stars]

Wow, the PAL-version of Fatal Fury 2 is even much more expensive than Alien Soldier or Daze before Christmas!

http://cgi.ebay.de/SEGA-Mega-Drive-Fatal-Fury-2-OVP_W0QQitemZ320145220229QQihZ011QQcategoryZ27239Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Genesis Knight]

Crap. It sucks to be in Europe, I guess. :P

[Zebbe]

Just because you're European it doesn't mean you have to buy European games. But yes, when it comes to gaming, Europe is the third world.

[megabomberman]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mega-Drive-FATAL-FURY-2-PAL-ULTRA-RARE-Megadrive_W0QQitemZ330156954019QQihZ014QQcategoryZ 112789QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Perhaps you should give this guy an offer 108, 200 euro is ridiculous for a game that I bought the american version for 4€ it can't be that much better for godsake!

[megabomberman]

Its been bumped out by austn volvilles raid on the off topic section, but what do you make of this no manual though...

[108 Stars]

I´ll definately take the US-version. It´s just that I would have prefered a PAL-version because I want my collection to look a bit tidy. I´ve started with PAL-games, so my collection is all black and blue (except for very few games I don´t put to them)and having to buy these red Genesis-boxes kind of pisses me off.

[Zebbe]

Just you wait until you have three types of Mega/Sega CD games on your shelf. THAT looks messy, because they are all in a different size! When you have a few red Genny games and a bunch of JP MD games, it looks pretty good though.

[grittykitty]

long time reader, first time poster.... (hi everyone)

can anyone tell me how the genesis version of fatal fury 2 compares to the sega cd version of fatal fury special? it's been years since i played either! the reviews on this site seem to be completely independent of each other and not a good point for comparison in my opinion.
also curious about samurai showdown in the same respect :)

[Aarzak]

I like the Genesis' rendition of Mai and Jubei's stages. Aside from the music I have nothing more to say about these redundant, moldy 16-Bit Takara ports.

The Sega CD ports of FFS and SS1 were good intentions, but ultimately executed poorly, especially FFS which is WORSE than the Genny FF1 & FF2 ports. Most of the original background objects, spectators and parallax from the Neo are GONE, the character sprites are missing MORE animations than the Genesis ports, the sound effects are sub-Genesis quality..........don't waste yer money. The SS1 port is much better, but still missing Earthquake.

If you own a PS2, go buy the recently released "Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Vol.1" instead, PLEASE. It's less than $20. The old 16/32-Bit console SNK ports are becoming more and more redundant over time with these lovely new compilations.

[0x15e]

[the truth]I agree with all of that. I own both the Genesis FF2 and CD FFS and though I've spent hours playing FF2, I've spent less than half an hour with FFS. Every time I put in FFS, it made me just want to take it back out and play FF2 instead. While the CD music is nice, it doesn't make up for all its other shortcomings.

But seriously, if you have a PS2, go pick up FF: BA1 and be done with it. That's as good as you can get without owning the original Neo Geo versions.

[108 Stars]

Well, but therefor the GameGear-version of FF Special is extremely well done for the limited hardware.

[Aarzak]

Agreed, but it was and still is a novelty at best. Being able to play as Ryo Sakasaki without any codes and whatnot was great though. Portable fighters like this should've sold tons of copies, not CRAP like the Game Boy port of "Street Fighter II".

The PS2 SNK compilations are where it's all that for the most part, save for investing in a Neo or emul-yeah. Import if you must for the others.

[Joe Redifer]

I think Fatal Fury 2 on the Neo Geo AES costs less than the Genesis versions. I got mine for $16, and that included shipping from Japan.

[grittykitty]

thanks for the replies everyone! i don't own a ps2 or plan on getting one - the genesis has become my sole gaming console as of late and i was just curious what versions of the snk fighters were worthwhile. in my large cart collection, i think street fighter 2 c.e. is my only fighter. guess i'll consider fatal fury 2 (at least over fatal fury special)

[ary incorparated]

Well, but therefor the GameGear-version of FF Special is extremely well done for the limited hardware.

truly agree its is an awesome game on the gamegear almost outdates the neo geo pocket version,and Samurai showdown isnt that bad either on the gamegear sore they never made street fighter on the gamegear,that would have been a dream back in the days.

[acdc]

anyone

have this game compleet and like to trade

[InternalPrimate]

I think I have a complete copy... I'll post again when I get home.

[Iron Lizard]

Judging by the emulator screenshots, this game ran in the Genesis' low resolution mode. That's sad as it looks pretty bad. The Arcade Card version on the PC Engine CD-ROM looks much better. I hear the Neo Geo version is the best, but that's only a rumor.

I have the arcade card version and to be blunt it blows. If the Genesis version is any worse it would make baby Jesus cry.

[tomaitheous]

I have the arcade card version and to be blunt it blows. If the Genesis version is any worse it would make baby Jesus cry.

You think the ACD version blows? Wow...

[awack]

I have the arcade card version and to be blunt it blows.


Im guessing that you dont like any version of fatal fury 2/special.

[Iron Lizard]

I don't think it is impressive at all. It has nice music. THe PcEngine version of Street Fighter 2 crushes it both in graphics and gameplay. If it was any worse I would think of it in the same way I do of Cosmic Carnage.

[Aarzak]

Fatal Fury: Battle Archives 1. It's that simple.

[108 Stars]

Fatal Fury: Battle Archives 1. It's that simple.

No PAL-version, sadly. So I still need the Mega Drive-game.

[InternalPrimate]

I was wrong. I have the game and case, but no manual :(

[108 Stars]

I was wrong. I have the game and case, but no manual :(

GIVE IT TO ME!!!

please

[ary incorparated]

I was wrong. I have the game and case, but no manual :(

i have the manual for it,want to trade?.


Crap. It sucks to be in Europe, I guess. :P

not entirely,we still got metal,and esspecially sweden making big efforts in metal,Yngwie J malmster,artica sonatice and the rst i dont care for like children in a Botlle,i prefer music with good vocals aka Bruce dickingson or hetfield or something like that.

[RFGFnewaccount]

Faster Desperation Attacks glitch
To activate this glitch, press an attack button (other than the plane switching attack buttons), then input the command used for your characters Desperation Attack during the attack animation. The amount of frames used in the move will then cancel into the first few frames of the Desperation Attack. It’s most useful for Wolfgang Krauser and Axel Hawk, though it can be used by every character, with the exception of Jubei Yamada.

[Liquid Snake]

Judging by the emulator screenshots, this game ran in the Genesis' low resolution mode. That's sad as it looks pretty bad. The Arcade Card version on the PC Engine CD-ROM looks much better. I hear the Neo Geo version is the best, but that's only a rumor.

The original game was released on Neo Geo and it's identical to arcade version.

[Da_Shocker]

The original game was released on Neo Geo and it's identical to arcade version.

I think he's being sarcastic, but maybe that's a rumor too

[Josh]

I've played the Neo Geo, SNES, and Sega Genesis versions of Fatal Fury 2. Compared to the Neo Geo version, the Sega Genesis version seems to use more animation for the characters and backgrounds, and it also has the boss character intermission sequences that the SNES version is missing. The levels that utilize scrolling are better on the SNES, Andy Bogard's arena and Mai Shiranui's arena scroll much quicker; they also have more detail and a larger variety of colors compared to the Genesis version. The SNES version does have the bonus games which are not in the Sega Genesis port. In terms of sound, it is hard for me to decide which is better; I like the music in both ports. In terms of the sound effects and voice sample quality, the SNES version definitely wins in terms of quality for the sound effects. The SNES version is somewhat lacking in terms of overall voice samples, while nearly all of them were included in the Genesis version. The voices seem really muffled on the Super Nintendo, but they are acceptable for Genesis standards. The game play is good in both ports. The Genesis version seems like a hybrid of the game play from Fatal Fury 2 and Fatal Fury Special. Using combos seems much more effective and flow more smoothly on the Genesis version than the SNES version. The commands for some of the Desperation Attacks were changed around to make them easier to execute on the Genesis port. The game play on the Super Nintendo version seems closer to that of the Neo Geo version. Between the SNES and Genesis ports, I'd say the Sega Genesis version is the better of the two. I'd give the Genesis version a 8.5/10, and I'd give the SNES version a 7.5/10. Reprogrammed by Takara.

[agostinhobaroners]

"Both ports were developed by SNK and published by Takara."

I don't think so.
It says "reprogrammed" by Takara inside the game.
It is another lackluster job by Takara, with all the lame quality they used to put on their games. It's their best work, but still very unsatisfying IMO.
If the graphics were not so terrible and bad colored, maybe...

[Aarzak]

The gameplay on the Genesis port of FF2 was WAY off from the coin-op or even the SNES ports. Many special moves hit twice or thrice when they originally hit once. While that may sound/look cool, it somehow made the combos you could pull off in other versions impossible here.

Also, Andy Bogard has a different fighting stance sprite in this (and in the Game Gear "Fatal Fury Special") that is unique to this port.

[Sega Genesis]

I was just happy to get a port at the time. Looking back they should have made this 32 mega. It would have helped with the animations.

[Aarzak]

Woah, didn't know game consoles could...talk. :D I bet your voice sounds scratchy and incomprehensible in-person, Sega Genesis.

[agostinhobaroners]

I was just happy to get a port at the time. Looking back they should have made this 32 mega. It would have helped with the animations.

Nop...
I don't think that, programmed like it was in this case, Genesis could handle more animation sprites without noticeable slowdown... Remember that NeoGeo 68K is running @12MHz and Genesis's @7.67MHz.
NeoGeo also uses faster rom chips, so, even if NeoGeo cartridge was a "regular" one like Genesis's or SNES's it would still be faster.
Furthermore, the NeoGeo cartridge slot is so much powerful, and using all the components inside those beast-freakin-expensive-huge cartridges it produces a phenomenal bandwidth... There are brutal differences comparing it to Genesis side of things...
A 32MBit cartridge could provide the cut out bonus stages and all arcade samples (with better quality than the 24MBit port maybe); but not much more than that.

[Sega Genesis]

...ope

So the game can't have better animation? Look at SSF2. 40 mega with better animations with more characters and induvidual endings. I guess it's just a crap lazy port.

[Curryman123]

Come on man....this game is NOT that bad.

[agostinhobaroners]

...ope

So the game can't have better animation? Look at SSF2. 40 mega with better animations with more characters and induvidual endings. I guess it's just a crap lazy port.

I said "programmed like it was in this case".
You can't compare Takara's engine to Capcom's engine. Who is better when it comes to (anything) fighting games?
Anyway, that 40MBit is somehow unnecessary, 'cause all the game data is decompressed... SSF2 colors are worse than SF2CEPlus. The voice quality in even worse. I really don't think that SSF2 is a good example o "better usage of rom space".
Of course, Takara's port is worse. 'Cause Takara really sucks!

@Curryman123

NOT that good too.

Compare it with Samurai Shodown port by Saurus (a part of SNK). SS port, even lacking Earthquake (due to its huge sprites that no other 16-bit machine than NeoGeo could handle without a major slowdown - don't tell me about the SNES port by Takara 'cause the fighters look like pocket fighters!) it is so much better...

Compare the SS Genesis port by Saurus with the SS SNES port by Takara and you will see the difference.

On the SNES side, you still can compare any Takara port with the great port of Power Instinct (done by Atlus, the same that developed the original arcade version).

Futhermore, any Sculptured Software port of a fighting game is superior to any Takara port of a fighting game.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and WWF Wrestlemania Arcade on the Genesis show that very clearly.

[Josh]

Billy Kane and Lawrence Blood no longer have their original Desperation Attacks in the Sega Genesis port. In the Neo Geo, SNES, and PC Engine CD versions, Billy Kane's staff weapon would light on fire when he spun it. He would then throw the fire which could hit the opponent and take out a good portion of the opponent's energy bar. In the Genesis/Mega Drive port, Billy Kane jumps toward the opponent and places the staff vertically on the ground, creating Terry Bogard's Power Geyser when the weapon makes contact with the ground. In the Neo Geo, SNES, and PC Engine CD versions, Lawrence Blood's Desperation Attack involved him doing multiple slashes with his sword. In the Genesis version, he stabs his opponent repeatedly instead. I don't know why Takara would choose to do that.

The Genesis version of this game also seems to be more difficult than its SNES counterpart. The A.I. can be pretty cheap at times; this is very noticable when fighting the four boss characters, though I guess that is to be expected because, well, they're the bosses. Kim Kaphwan and Jubei Yamada were kind of difficult to beat with certain characters. The Genesis version also includes individual ending pictures and text for each of the four boss characters, whereas the SNES version of Fatal Fury 2 has the same ending image with different text on the bottom of the screen. In Fatal Fury Special on the Super Nintendo, each boss character was given their own ending picture. Ryo Sakazaki (the secret sixth boss) is the only exception because it doesn't show an ending picture when you beat the game with him.

[NeoVamp]

I don't know why Takara would choose to do that.

No? Seems pretty simple to me, they did it to conserve rom space.

No big-ass animated fire circle or separate sword sprites = less rom space used.

[Sega Genesis]

One thing this game has that beats all other genesis/md fighters. Super Moves in the form of desperation moves. In my opinion that is what still keeps this game as one of the top fighters for the console.

[Josh]

It's not necessarily a bad thing, it just takes some time to get used to. Takara changed the commands for their Desperation Attacks and made them easier to use, which rocks!

[Lastcallhall]

This game, more specifically FF Special, was always a close second or third (the other being the MK franchise) in my eyes, right behind the mighty SF II machine in the early 90s. I used to waste so many quarters at the bowling alley on the military base while my dad was at the gym working out on this game, it was unreal. I used to know several characters' desperation moves, I could beat almost anyone at the time, cheap CPU included. I was so stoked when I heard these games were coming out for the Genesis and Sega CD, I started saving my quarters right then and there. I wound up buying both FF2 and FF Special for the SNES, and FF 2 and FF special for the Sega CD as they came out. Overall, I'd definitely agree that the Genesis version of FF2 is harder than Either SNES port, but the FF Special CD port is just brutal, and not in the good way. Man, talk about tough...

[Josh]

Response to Sega Genesis.
I agree. I like how Takara added the Dip Switch settings code (as some people call it) which allowed you to create easier juggle combos and added 48 costume colors for each character! To access this, quickly enter the command for Terry Bogard's Desperation Move when the Takara logo appears (Down, down back, back, down back, forward + Y button.) You will hear Terry's voice say "Geyser!" if you did it right. Go to the options screen and select Test. A new option will appear with a lot of 0's and 1's. Depending on how you set the number combinations, you can do stuff you wouldn't normally be able to such as being able to use Desperation Attacks at anytime during the fight. To access the additional costume colors, enter the Dip Switch code. When you get to the character select screen, hold Start and press B. While holding B, you can press left, right, up or down to get a different colored costume for your character.