Art of Fighting
Kyokugen karate, bruised-up faces and a camera that zooms in when things get heated.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1992
- Manufacturer
- SNK
- Players
- 2 players at once
- Genres
- Fighting games
- Decade
- '90s arcade games
Art of Fighting hit arcades with stuff nobody had seen in a fighting game: huge characters, a camera that zoomed in and out depending on how far apart the fighters were, and faces that got bruised and battered as the hits landed. Folks who saw it for the first time on the local Neo Geo cabinet just stood there with their jaws on the floor.
It's a demanding game, with hits that hurt and a real need to manage your energy for special moves. No spamming fireballs here: every technique costs you something.
History
SNK released Art of Fighting in 1992 on its Neo Geo system; in Japan it was titled Ryuuko no Ken. The story follows Ryo Sakazaki and his buddy Robert Garcia, two Kyokugen karate experts tearing through South Town to find Yuri, Ryo's kidnapped sister.
It got two sequels and left its mark on the SNK universe: several of its characters later jumped into The King of Fighters, and South Town is the same city from the Fatal Fury series.
How to play
It plays with a joystick and four buttons: punch, kick, strong attack and taunt. Besides the health bar, each fighter has a spirit gauge that drains when you throw special moves. Run it dry and your techniques lose their punch; hold a button to recharge it, but that leaves you wide open for a moment.
The taunt has a purpose: talking trash drains your opponent's spirit gauge. In story mode you can only pick Ryo or Robert, while versus mode opens up more fighters. Between fights there are bonus stages where you train to unlock new techniques, including the famous finishing super move.
Fun facts
- In Japan it was called Ryuuko no Ken.
- Fighters show bruises and cuts on their faces as they take damage.
- It's set in South Town, the same city as the Fatal Fury series.
In the arcade
Art of Fighting isn't on the UsuArcade floor yet, but it's on our wish list. If you want it in the arcade, hit Want to Play on this page. The most-voted games get added first.
Meanwhile, you can throw down in Street Fighter II, its big rival back in the day, team up in Final Fight, or try another Neo Geo classic like Metal Slug.
Once Art of Fighting lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
Can I play Art of Fighting on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wish list and you can vote for it with Want to Play. In the meantime, try Street Fighter II, Final Fight or Metal Slug in the arcade.
What year did Art of Fighting come out?
The arcade game came out in 1992, made by SNK for its Neo Geo system.
How many players is Art of Fighting?
Two players at the same time, head-to-head, or one player against the CPU in story mode.
What does the spirit gauge do in Art of Fighting?
It powers your special moves. Using them drains it, holding a button refills it, and taunting your opponent knocks some off theirs.
