Final Fight One

"Who is in a gang... well, pretty much everyone."

Side scrolling, beat'em up action games do not get much better than this… and yes, Final Fight is just as good, if not, better than Streets of Rage. Final Fight One on the GBA is just as good as Final Fight was on the SNES. They are basically the same game, with a few changes. These changes, however, do not make the game any less enjoyable. Right from the start you are thrust into face-pounding, groin-smashing action and it keeps getting better.

Game Play – 8/10:

All you have to do is punch, kick, and throw annoying gang members around to make your way through each stage. It is beautiful in its simplicity and surprisingly satisfying. It will not get boring anytime soon. At times the game can seem pretty easy. If you have all the enemies on one side of the screen there are instances when all you need to do is constantly press the punch button and they cannot do anything to you unless they get around you. At other times, though, it can become frustrating as there will be multiple enemies on the screen coming at you from different directions. Some of these enemies are extremely irritating because of how they attack. Once you recognize their pattern it becomes less aggravating, but once in a while you will still find yourself wondering why they are kicking your butt all over the place.

Controls are straightforward as there is not much that you will need to learn to be able to play this game and not have a tough time; punch, jump, throw, jump-kick, and a special move. That is about it. There are times, however, when the controls are not as responsive as they could be, but it is not that much of a problem.

Graphics – 7/10:

The graphics are fine. The characters and settings look good and have decent detail, but they are not anything special. The graphics do not seem to take a hit porting this from the SNES to the GBA.

Sound – 10/10:

The main sounds in this game are pretty much grunts and people getting pummeled about the face repeatedly and it is quite entertaining. The music is good, but you will be hearing sounds of pain more, either from yourself or your enemies.

Story – 7/10:

The Mayor's daughter, Jessica, gets kidnapped by a gang called Mad Gear. He (Haggar), Cody, her boyfriend, and Guy (Cody's friend who just decides to tag along and help for some reason) set out in beating up gang members in Metro City to find her. A basic story if I ever heard one, but it is entertaining nonetheless.

Characters 10/10:

This is the best part about this game. The characters are so cliched for this type of game and I love it. They probably should be this way. Haggar is a middle aged muscle man with a mustache heel bent on getting his daughter back. Cody, Jessica's boyfriend, is the pretty boy, jeans and white t-shirt wearing, tough guy, and then there is Guy, the ninja type character. All of them… awesome. Oh yeah, and Jessica is the hot blond.

The bad guys are even better and it seems like the whole city is just gangsters. Most of all are the Andre the Giant types of characters, conveniently named Andore… spectacular. Billy and Sid are great too and oh so aggravating. Are they boys, are they girls, or are they something else. Either way, I'm pretty sure it hurts when they get hit in the crotch. Wong Who is also great… a fat Chinese guy who runs into, much like the two other fat guys that run into you, like Bill Bull and G. Oriber. All the other characters are pretty cool. I cannot forget to mention Edi. E the spitting police officer and Sodom the Samurai who fights in a wrestling ring. All of these enemies can be made quick work of with a pipe to the head or a sword to the jugular.

Replay Value – 7/10:

If you like bashing the skulls of gang members with your fists then you will find yourself playing this game multiple times. There is something that is just so satisfying about it, especially when you beat the hell out of Billy and Sid. I hate them so much. Andore too.

Overall – 9/10:

If you are a fan of side-scrolling fighting games you should love this one. It does not get old and will not disappoint.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/18/07