Play Art of Fighting Online

Art of Fighting on the Sega Genesis is one of those fighting games that feels different right from the start. Instead of just mashing buttons, you’ve got this Spirit meter that drains every time you pull off a flashy special move—which means you actually have to think before going all-out. Nothing worse than getting stuck recharging it mid-fight while your opponent takes free shots at you.

The story’s surprisingly involved for a fighting game: Ryo and Robert are hunting down Yuri’s kidnappers, digging up family secrets and old grudges along the way. The arcade version locks you out of playing as Mr. Big and Mr. Karate, but the Genesis port fixes that. And when you’re down to your last sliver of health? If your Spirit meter’s full, you can unleash this brutal desperation move that feels ridiculously satisfying to land.

It’s not as polished as Street Fighter, but the tension from managing your Spirit meter makes fights way more strategic than you’d expect.