"Capcom has their cash cow...why can't SNK?"

Fighting games and more fighting games. It seems that the more we play, and the more we see, the less we understand on how a company can create something, and then milk it for all that it's worth! As in Street Fighter, Art of Fighting only offers two characters that you can choose to play with, the determined Ryo Sakaski, and his friend and rival Robert Garcia. The goal of the game is to make it through several computer controlled butt kickers in an attempt to rescue Ryo's kidnapped sister, Yuri from the clutches of Mr. Big! The game revolves around the tried control of controller stick motions and button presses as well as being able to charge up your sprint meter with a hold of either the punch or the kick button. However, as always, this leads to potential defensive problems that can cause headaches in battle! You'll fight against some of the more now well known characters like King, and Jack in your travels into Mr. Big's underworld.

-Game Play 7/10-

Your general fighting game match up that consists of a best two out of three match against a very skilled computer opponent. It should be said right now, that the computer can be very very cheap, even within the first few rounds of play, and will continue to be that way until you've learned how to use your character effectively! The game play also allows you bonus stages, in which you can smash bottles, crunch ice or throw fireballs {the latter of which allows you a new special move}. Once you've mastered that, you can move onto using the sprint button, which is actually a secondary power meter that allows you to throw full screen fireballs and the like. In order to recharge this, you have to hold down an attack button, but that is a double edged sword, if you do it in the middle of an intense match, you're going to get nailed, if you don't do it, your specials aren't going to have the strong effect that you're looking for!

-Control 7/10-

Street Fighter-ish in every way, all moves are done with a controller movement and then the press of either the punch or the kick button. Each character that you have, which is only two, is relatively easy to learn, but you've got to learn to use both of them effectively, or the computer is going to wipe the floor with you!

-Visuals 7/10-

Well designed, and pretty well detailed, you'll find that Art of Fighting can contend with just about anything that fighters of that era had to offer! Background stages are detailed, although a little dark in some cases, you'll find that the camera moves a lot with the size of the characters that you come across, and much of that will be happening when you come into contact with characters like Jack! The special moves come off with some pretty good speed, and relatively well designed flare that can only be compared to Street Fighter!

-Audio 7/10-

The music is rather drab, but in spots where it comes through, it does sound pretty good. The sound effects come off with voice overs that don't sound too shabby, and actually will take you by surprise. However, later on into the game, you'll find yourself getting sick of having to listen to the same damned thing over and over again!

-Quarter Crunching 7/10-

As with any decent fighting game, Art of Fighting has a potential draw on your quarter supply. With the amount of difficulty that can be found, and if you're not ready to use your character effectively, you'll find that the continue screen will pop up a lot! Just keep your quarters out and be ready when you face off against a strong character that will probably wipe the floor with you.

-Overall 7/10-

Art of Fighting is a potentially good contender for the Street Fighter series, and a good choice for those who are getting a little tired of Capcom's cash cow! You'll find that the game plays much like the original Street Fighter, but with characters that are just slightly different, and have a different design to them.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/04/01, Updated 10/04/01