Fatal Fury Special: A Revolutionary Fighting Game that Set the Genre Ablaze

Overview

Fatal Fury Special, released in 1993 by SNK, revolutionized the fighting game genre with its innovative gameplay, stunning visuals, and unforgettable characters. Building upon the success of its predecessor, Fatal Fury 2, Special introduced several groundbreaking features that became industry standards.

Key Innovations

Feature	Description	Impact
Plane Shift	Players could move back and forth between two parallel planes, adding depth and strategy to the gameplay.	Allowed for aerial combos and unique attacks.
Desperation Moves	Super powerful attacks that could only be performed when near death.	Added a new layer of excitement and intensity.
Team Battle	Players could choose a team of three fighters and engage in a relay-style battle.	Pioneered the team battle format, later adopted by other games.
Improved Graphics	Enhanced character sprites and backgrounds, showcasing the capabilities of the Neo Geo hardware.	Set a new benchmark for visual quality in fighting games.

Iconic Characters

Fatal Fury Special featured a diverse and memorable cast of characters, each with their own unique fighting styles and personalities.

• Terry Bogard – The protagonist and a charismatic street fighter.
• Andy Bogard – Terry’s younger brother and a skilled martial artist.
• Joe Higashi – A Muay Thai champion with a fiery spirit.
• Mai Shiranui – A kunoichi with a seductive style and powerful ninjutsu techniques.
• Tung Fu Rue – The patriarch of the Bogard brothers and a legendary martial artist.

Gameplay

Fatal Fury Special’s gameplay was praised for its depth and balance. The game introduced a new line system, which restricted how often special moves and desperation moves could be used. This added a new layer of strategy and prevented endless spamming of powerful attacks.

Legacy

Fatal Fury Special had a profound impact on the fighting game genre. Its innovative features became industry standards, inspiring subsequent games for years to come. The game is still celebrated today for its timeless gameplay, stunning graphics, and iconic characters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the plane shift mechanic?

  • The plane shift mechanic allows players to move back and forth between two parallel planes during battle, creating unique opportunities for aerial combos.

• How many characters are in Fatal Fury Special?

  • There are 15 playable characters in Fatal Fury Special, including Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Joe Higashi, and Mai Shiranui.

• What is considered a desperation move?

  • A desperation move is a super powerful attack that can only be performed when a character’s health is low.

Conclusion

Fatal Fury Special remains a beloved fighting game classic, known for its revolutionary gameplay, stunning visuals, and iconic characters. Its innovations and legacy have left an indelible mark on the genre, solidifying its place as one of the most influential fighting games of all time.

References

• Fatal Fury Special on Wikipedia

Fatal Fury 2

Fatal Fury 2 is a fighting game developed and released by SNK in 1992 for the Neo Geo arcade and home console. It is the sequel to the 1991 game Fatal Fury. The game introduces several new characters and features, including the Super Special Moves and the Fatal Flash system. The story of Fatal Fury 2 follows Terry Bogard and his brother Andy as they participate in the second King of Fighters tournament. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered one of the best fighting games of all time.

Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory

Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory is the third installment in the Fatal Fury fighting game series. The game was released in arcades in 1995 and was later ported to the Neo Geo, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn.

Fatal Fury 3 introduced several new characters to the series, including Terry Bogard’s brother, Andy Bogard, and the enigmatic Billy Kane. The game also featured a new "Line Battle" system, which allowed players to create combos by chaining together attacks in a specific order.

The story of Fatal Fury 3 takes place after the events of Fatal Fury 2. Geese Howard, the main antagonist of the previous game, has been defeated, but his followers are still at large. Terry Bogard and his friends must now travel the world to defeat these followers and put an end to Geese’s evil organization, the Howard Connection.

Fatal Fury 3 was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay and stunning graphics. It is considered to be one of the best fighting games of all time.

Fatal Fury Wild Ambition

Fatal Fury Wild Ambition is a fighting game released by SNK in 1999 for the Neo Geo arcade and home console systems. It is the fifth installment in the Fatal Fury series and features a roster of 15 characters, including new additions such as Grant and Li Xiangfei.

The game introduces a new gameplay mechanic called the "Hidden Power" system, which allows characters to unleash powerful special moves by entering a specific command sequence. The game also features a variety of new stages and a revised story mode.

Fatal Fury Wild Ambition was well-received by critics, who praised its improved graphics, gameplay, and roster. It is considered to be one of the best games in the Fatal Fury series.

Fatal Fury First Contact

Fatal Fury First Contact is a 2D fighting game released by SNK in 1999 for the Neo Geo. It is a prequel to the original Fatal Fury game and depicts the events leading up to the first tournament. The game features a roster of 16 characters, including both returning favorites and newcomers.

First Contact introduces new gameplay mechanics such as the Double Impact system, which allows players to link two special moves together for increased damage. The game also features a unique "Time Quake" system, which can temporarily slow down or speed up the gameplay.

Fatal Fury First Contact was critically acclaimed upon release, with praise for its graphics, gameplay, and soundtrack. It is considered one of the best games in the Fatal Fury series and is still enjoyed by fans today.

Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 1

Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 1 is a compilation of the first three Fatal Fury games: Fatal Fury: King of Fighters, Fatal Fury 2, and Fatal Fury Special. These games were originally released in arcades and on the Neo Geo console, but this compilation makes them available on a single disc for the PlayStation 2.

The games in this compilation are all classic fighting games, and they feature a variety of characters, including Terry Bogard, Geese Howard, Mai Shiranui, and Kim Kaphwan. The games also feature a variety of fighting styles, including karate, boxing, wrestling, and kung fu.

This compilation is a great way to experience the early days of the Fatal Fury series. The games are all fun to play, and they provide a lot of historical value.

Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 2

Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 2 is a compilation of the two Neo Geo fighting games, Fatal Fury Special and Fatal Fury 2. The games were released on PlayStation 2 in 2007 and on Wii in 2008.

Fatal Fury Special is an enhanced version of the original Fatal Fury game. It features a number of new characters, stages, and gameplay improvements. Fatal Fury 2 is a sequel to Fatal Fury Special. It features a new story mode, as well as a number of new characters and stages.

Both games are faithful recreations of the originals. They feature the same gameplay, graphics, and sound. However, Battle Archives Vol. 2 also includes a number of new features, such as online multiplayer, leaderboards, and achievements.

Overall, Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 2 is a great way to experience two of the best fighting games of the Neo Geo era. The games are faithful recreations of the originals, and the new features make them even more enjoyable to play.

Fatal Fury Mark of the Wolves

Fatal Fury Mark of the Wolves is a fighting game released by SNK in 1999. It is the eighth installment in the Fatal Fury series. The game features a refined combat system with new mechanics, such as the Just Defended system, which allows players to counterattack after blocking an opponent’s attack. The game’s story revolves around a tournament organized by the enigmatic figure known as Geese Howard, who seeks to gather the legendary King of Fighters to achieve his sinister ambitions. The game features a cast of returning characters, such as Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, and Mai Shiranui, as well as several new characters, including Rock Howard, a young man who seeks revenge for the death of his mother.

Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle

Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle, released in 1992, is an arcade-style fighting game developed and published by SNK for the Neo Geo platform.

The game introduced significant improvements over its predecessor, featuring a roster of 15 characters, including seven new additions. It introduced several new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to dash forward, chain multiple special moves together, and perform a powerful "Desperation Move" when low on health.

Fatal Fury 2’s story revolves around former criminal Terry Bogard and his quest to avenge his father’s death by defeating the evil Geese Howard. The game received critical acclaim for its fast-paced gameplay, diverse character roster, and stunning graphics, cementing its status as one of the greatest fighting games of its era.

Fatal Fury Special: Double Impact

Fatal Fury Special: Double Impact is a fighting game released by SNK in 1993. It is the second game in the Fatal Fury series and introduces several new characters and gameplay mechanics.

Gameplay:

The game features a unique two-line battle system, where players can switch between two planes: the front line and the back line. New special attacks, desperation moves, and counter moves were added, expanding the combat options.

Characters:

The game introduces eight new characters, including Billy Kane, Yamazaki, Chonshu, and Bob Wilson. Each character has their own unique fighting style and special abilities. Additionally, the game includes returning characters from the original Fatal Fury.

Story:

The story follows Terry Bogard as he enters the "Double Impact" tournament, a new fighting competition organized by his rival, Geese Howard. The tournament is revealed to be a ploy by Geese to lure Terry into a trap and claim revenge for his previous defeat.

Reception:

Fatal Fury Special: Double Impact was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its improved gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy soundtrack. The game is considered a classic in the fighting game genre and was ported to various home consoles and handheld platforms.

Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition

Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition is a fighting game developed and released by SNK in 1999 for the Neo Geo arcade and Neo Geo CD platforms. The game is the third installment in the Fatal Fury series and features a roster of 14 characters, including several new additions such as Tizoc, Grant, and Jin Chonrei.

The game’s story follows the events of Fatal Fury 2, with Geese Howard’s son, Jeff Bogard, seeking revenge against the man who murdered his father. Jeff teams up with Terry Bogard and Andy Bogard to enter the King of Fighters tournament, which is being held by Geese’s organization, the South Town Gang.

Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition features several new gameplay features, including the ability to switch between multiple fighting styles mid-match. The game also introduces a new "rollback defense" system, which allows players to recover from attacks more quickly.

Fatal Fury: First Contact

Fatal Fury: First Contact is a 2D fighting game released by SNK in 1999. It is the fourth installment in the Fatal Fury series and a direct sequel to Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory.

The game features a cast of 14 playable characters, including 10 returning characters and four new ones: Li Xiangfei, Raiden, Ron Howard, and Cheng Sinzan. The story follows the characters as they compete in a new martial arts tournament known as the "King of Fighters Minimum".

Fatal Fury: First Contact introduced several new gameplay elements to the series, including the "Line Shift" system, which allowed players to move their characters between the foreground and background of the stage, and the "Hidden Command" system, which enabled players to execute powerful moves by entering specific button combinations. The game also featured a redesigned "Power Meter" system, which allowed players to build up energy to unleash powerful special moves.

Fatal Fury: First Contact was praised for its high-quality graphics, fluid animation, and balanced gameplay. It has been cited as one of the best fighting games of the Neo Geo era and continues to be popular among fans of the genre.

Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Vol. 1

The Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Vol. 1 is a compilation of the first three Fatal Fury games: Fatal Fury: King of Fighters, Fatal Fury 2, and Fatal Fury Special. The games are presented in their original form, with no additional features or changes.

The compilation was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2007. It was met with positive reviews, with critics praising the inclusion of all three games in one package and the overall quality of the ports.

Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Vol. 2

Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Vol. 2 is a compilation of four classic fighting games from the Fatal Fury series developed by SNK: Fatal Fury: King of Fighters, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury Special, and Real Bout Fatal Fury. The compilation offers enhanced graphics, online multiplayer, and a host of gameplay tweaks to bring the classic titles up to date.

Players can choose from a roster of iconic characters, each with their unique fighting styles and special moves. The games feature a variety of stages, from the streets of South Town to the ancient ruins of Egypt, and offer a range of gameplay modes, including arcade mode, versus mode, and online battles. The collection also includes a gallery, featuring concept art, character profiles, and other bonus materials.

Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves

Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves is a fighting game developed by SNK and released in 1999. It is the fifth installment in the Fatal Fury series and introduces several innovations to the gameplay, including the "King of Fighters" style team system and a new parry system.

The game follows the story of Rock Howard, the son of Geese Howard, who is searching for his father’s killer. Along the way, he encounters a cast of characters including Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, and Kim Kaphwan.

The gameplay in Mark of the Wolves features a three-on-three team battle system, with players selecting a team of three fighters to battle against their opponent’s team. Each character has their own unique abilities and moves, and players can switch between characters at any time during a match.

In addition to the team battle system, Mark of the Wolves also introduces a new parry system that allows players to parry attacks and counterattack. The parry system adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay and rewards players for precise timing and anticipation.

Mark of the Wolves was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best fighting games of the era. The game is praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and memorable characters.

SNK Playmore

SNK Playmore is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded in 1978. It is known for creating iconic franchises such as "Fatal Fury," "The King of Fighters," and "Metal Slug."

Initially known as Shin Nihon Kikaku (SNK), the company rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s with its arcade games. However, financial difficulties forced it to file for bankruptcy in 2001.

In 2003, the company was revived as SNK Playmore by its former employees and investors. It continued to develop and release new games, including popular titles such as "The King of Fighters XIII" and "Fatal Fury Special."

SNK Playmore’s legacy lies in its innovative game design, particularly in the fighting game genre. Its games are known for their fluid controls, fast-paced action, and charismatic characters. It has also played a significant role in the development of the e-sports scene.

SNK Corporation

SNK Corporation, also known as SNK Playmore, was a Japanese video game and arcade game company founded in 1978. It is best known for its Neo Geo line of consoles and arcade systems.

SNK developed popular arcade games such as "King of Fighters", "Fatal Fury", and "Samurai Shodown". In the 1990s, the company released the Neo Geo console, which was renowned for its high-quality graphics and arcade-like experience.

Despite financial troubles in the late 1990s, SNK was revived under the name SNK Playmore in 2001. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2016. Its assets and intellectual property were later acquired by Code Mystics and Hamster Corporation.

SNK Neo Geo

The SNK Neo Geo was a home video game console released by SNK in Japan in 1990. It was known for its powerful hardware, which allowed it to run arcade-quality games at home. The Neo Geo had a short lifespan, being discontinued in 1997, but it remains popular among collectors and retro gamers.

The Neo Geo’s key features included its 16-bit graphics, which were some of the best in the industry at the time, and its powerful sound chip, which produced CD-quality audio. The Neo Geo also had a large game library, with over 150 titles released during its lifetime.

Despite its high price, the Neo Geo was a commercial success, selling over 1 million units worldwide. It was particularly popular in Japan, where it was the best-selling home console of the early 1990s. The Neo Geo’s success was due in part to its arcade-quality games, which were ported to the home console with few compromises.

The Neo Geo’s legacy continues to this day. It is still considered one of the greatest home video game consoles of all time, and its games are still played by collectors and retro gamers. In recent years, SNK has released several Neo Geo mini consoles, which have helped to introduce a new generation of gamers to the classic console.

SNK Arcade Classics

SNK Arcade Classics is a compilation of classic arcade games released by SNK Corporation. The collection includes 25 games, including popular titles such as King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, Metal Slug X, Fatal Fury Special, and Samurai Shodown II.

The games are faithfully recreated from the original arcade versions, with pixel-perfect graphics and sound. The collection also includes a variety of features, such as online multiplayer, achievements, and a virtual museum.

SNK Arcade Classics was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2019. The collection received positive reviews, with critics praising the faithful recreations of the games and the extensive feature set.

SNK Fighting Games

SNK is a renowned Japanese video game developer known for its iconic fighting game series. SNK’s fighting games are characterized by their fast-paced gameplay, intricate combo systems, and memorable characters. Notable SNK fighting game franchises include:

• The King of Fighters: A crossover series featuring characters from various SNK games, including "Fatal Fury," "Art of Fighting," and "Samurai Shodown."
• Fatal Fury: A series known for its innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the "Line Battle" system that allows players to move in and out of the screen’s foreground and background.
• Art of Fighting: A series that focuses on real-world martial arts, featuring characters with unique fighting styles based on various disciplines.
• Samurai Shodown: A series set in feudal Japan that emphasizes the use of traditional samurai weapons.

SNK fighting games have gained a loyal following due to their challenging gameplay, stunning visuals, and memorable rosters of characters. They have been praised for their technical depth and the competitive scene they have fostered. As a result, SNK fighting games continue to be revered by both casual and hardcore fans alike.

SNK Developers

SNK Corporation, formerly known as Shin Nihon Kikaku, was a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded in 1978. They are known for creating classic arcade and home console games like the Fatal Fury, King of Fighters, and Metal Slug series. SNK was known for its innovative hardware and software, which pushed the boundaries of the arcade and home console gaming industries. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001, but its intellectual property and some of its development teams were acquired by Playmore, which was later renamed SNK Playmore.