One on One Beat Em Up
Here we have all the games in the One on One Beat Em Up Section.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Sequel to the original 94 release and mean fighter, but actually the first conversion to the PSX. Plenty of specials and a guest appearance of Neo Geo Land, Japan as one of the stages. The dark and moody Korean stage with rain lashing down and burning tree gets Genki’s vote though. The game zips along even if the loading times aren’t quite as fast missing the Saturns extra cart.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Twenty nine characters of which two are bosses offers plenty of moves and martial techniques to master as the King of Fighters series grew up in this forward thinking incarnation. Lavishly realised stages including the former Osaka HQ of SNK and more frames of animation for the combatants, but its the speeded up gameplay with greater emphasis on combos’ that makes this hard to beat. Projectile attacks have been shortened so they no longer continue endlessly making for tight close combat.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
A real progression point in the series with very fluid controls and some spanking backgrounds such as the Korean concert or the amusement park. Features the power bar that can be charged in Extra mode by pressing the buttons down, or charges itself in Advanced mode by launching attacks on your opponent.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
The superlatively detailed backgrounds and imaginative combatant design that characterises any quality SNK release are present, as is the power up bar from the 97 version which allows for super moves when full which is preferred by many to the striker system introduced in the sequels from here on in. Just like the real world of martial arts, its takes dedication and hard work to progress with this old school black belt. Today’s crop of beat em ups would take a pasting off this bruiser.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Survival mode is a real challenge with only one energy bar to defeat all comers, but the true fan wouldn’t have it any other way. A truly vast range of 32 characters – and thats just the starting line up. Being able to call up a comrade in times of need certainly helps as they can launch an assault or restore some well needed health. Fine extras for fans including sound clips and gallery showcasing SNK’s superb design flair.
XBOX 360
One on One Beat Em Up
Despite the fine backdrops such as the intriguing, if not slightly stereotyped, Chinese market in a nod to a Chinese fighting lady in a title that slips my mind; the core gameplay remains true to the combo hungry spirit of the SNK original. The fighters look mightily impressive and move with a fluidity befitting such well honed martial artists, but the true artistry in is the eye of the creator here.
PC Engine HU Card
One on One Beat Em Up
In the immortal words of Master Onion: “Kick, punch – its all in the mind.” Some huge pugalists match up in this traditional kung fu fest. One of the earliest Engine games released at the same time as the PC Engine.
PS4
One on One Beat Em Up
Ex members of crack 2D outfit SNK put their heads together and unleash furious combos in this sequel with the power of the PS4 ensuring the future truly is now. Genki harks back to King of the Fighters series with the slick combos, and well-proportioned characters with the obligatory skill factor being all important, as opposed to button mashing.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Plenty of lycra on show in this Japanese monster and hero themed martial mash up with a bloke in rubber suit B movie feel. The bosses take some beating, but the reward of fresh costumes, mega moves and more weapons is sufficient motivation for the latex loving monster fan.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Few will forget the spherical glory of Tohshinden when it first captured the potential of the Playstation for real 3D fighters. The eye candy was all it needed to sell, yet the gameplay is distinctly 2.5D. Happy days and memories, especially when the alternative was another go on Kileak the Blood.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
The sequel lavishes more textures on Toushinden’s ellipses and features some fabulous backgrounds from the peace and tranquillity of the forest stage to the flashing strobe of the disco dance floor, if saying that doesn’t make Genki sound too old. The detail is balanced correctly with playability and as such the speed of the contest zips along.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
A nice collectable for Playstation and Toshinden fans as Playstation Magazine promoted the release of Toushinden 2 in Japan.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Lots of love for Toshinden’s style of fight action with its distinctive ellipse like appearance of its pugilists. The series went on to gain strength and its quick paced action helps this third instalment flex its muscles.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Not quite wrestling, not boxing – no holds seem barred either in this encaged grapple fest. Plenty of modes of play and makes good use of the license, even down to the ability to edit your player. Still even without changing your man there are some brutal looking bruisers to choose from.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Not quite wrestling, not boxing – no holds seem barred either in this encaged grapple fest. Plenty of modes of play and makes good use of the license, even down to the ability to edit your player. Still even without changing your man there are some brutal looking bruisers to choose from.
Super Famicom
One on One Beat Em Up
A fine tribute to the silver faced superhero – fitting better than his red lycra suit. Battle various rejects from a Toho movie using Ultramans array of super slick techniques before being required to pull off the finishing move. Japan can sleep well safe in the knowledge no – one gets past this bad boy from Nebula M78, well no-one in a rubber suit that is…
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Ultraman is pretty much the ultimate man, apart from being a robot. But he certainly is nails, albeit backed up with a possible platinum casing to his nuts. But don’t tell him Genki said that judging by the roster of kaijyu dispatched in this retro fight fest.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Fine fight title which takes a first person take on the 3D flurry of fists. Enjoyable characters and sense of perspective as Ultraman knocks down giant Tori gate (accidentally of course.) Its the spooky face of Alien Manon which unsettled Genki with its silvery, baby like charm.
Super Famicom
One on One Beat Em Up
Unbelievable to see a Super Famicom release in 2017. And some real coding might behind it too with a crack unit of ex-SNK veterans making up the A-Team.
Famicom Cart
One on One Beat Em Up
Pre-dating Street Fighter, this title puts player as a street brawler up against not only an opponent, but also falling objects from the inhabitants of the building above where the scrap ensues. This can also be a bucket of glitter should your opponent be defeated. Timing is everything. Vintage, Nintendo gameplay, a veritable claret of classic gaming.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Subtitled: Darkstalkers’ Revenge. The Saturn was made for titles of this ilk: wonderfully balanced characters hammering it out in 2D bliss. You can feel Capcom’s spark return in this Saturn classic.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Subtitled: Darkstalkers’ Revenge. The Saturn was made for titles of this ilk: wonderfully balanced characters hammering it out in 2D bliss. You can feel Capcom’s spark return in this Saturn classic.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Final part of the series on the Saturn sees strides made to improve the play mechanics over Vampire Hunter and includes the exquisite death moves. Incredibly fluid animation with Capcom squeezing out every iota from the Saturn and Ram cart to bring the arcade experience home.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Could the Saturn have beaten the Playstation had this release been the version ‘Remix’ was? Still sold by the bucketload. AM2 flexing it’s Naomi board porting muscles.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
With graphics as fluid as old man Shun’s drunken style kung – fu, jaws dropped over the huge leap from the predecessor to make this the series finest hour?
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Superb fighting series and worthy follow up which was never going to be as great a leap forward as between the first and second installments.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Superb fighting series and worthy follow up which was never going to be as great a leap forward as between the first and second instalments.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
AM2’s opus given a PS2 make over. Huge expectations on this title, yet it did not disappoint. Dazzling lighting and shadow effects. The Drunken Master look a like is a firm Genki fave.
PS3
One on One Beat Em Up
Well worth the wait as Sega polishes its massive series to create a visual punch capable of knocking players out cold for the count. Pugilists flow like water with seamless animation making it at times difficult to concentrate on countering the attacks, such is the graphical splendour. And its not only the players full of fluidity Ethe waterfall level will take a few attempts to get used to before players can focus fully on the battle in-hand. Seventeen playable fighters with some vicious special moves to master to become king of the arcades as players tour round the game centres fighting new challengers. Master is the operative word with ranking determined by performance against tougher opponents with the ultimate aim being to reach tenth dan. So the dojo is a sound place to start for some solid training in the foundations. Tournament mode allows competitors to pick up money or a new outfit to radically alter the player’s on-screen persona’s appearance.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Super Deformed versions of Lau, Wolf, Pai et al in a light hearted take on the VF series.