Play Fatal Fury Online

I first played Fatal Fury on the Sega Genesis in 1993, a port of SNK's arcade fighter. It arrived during a time when the console was packed with fighting games, each trying to stand out from the crowd. This one had a different energy, a grittier feel compared to some of its competitors, and it was clear they were trying something with the two-plane system.

You pick one of three fighters, Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, or Joe Higashi, and battle through a tournament. The main goal is to defeat all rivals and finally Geese Howard. The key mechanic is the two-lane system; you can hop between the foreground and background to dodge attacks or set up your own. Special moves require precise joystick motions and button presses, like Terry's Power Geyser. The pacing is deliberate, matches can feel tense and methodical, and the difficulty is unforgiving, especially near the end. It feels like a raw, early attempt at bringing a complex arcade experience home, with all the clunky charm that implies.