Play Tao Taido Online

I first came across Tao Taido in a dimly lit arcade back in 1993, a time when fighting games were everywhere. It was developed by Video System, the same folks behind the Aero Fighters series, and it stood out for its unusual approach. Instead of another Street Fighter clone, it offered something a little different, a bit more freeform and acrobatic.

You pick one of five martial artists, each with their own exaggerated style, and your goal is to beat your opponent in one-on-one combat. The game uses an eight-way joystick and three buttons for punches, kicks, and jumps, allowing for a surprising range of movement. You can run around the screen, perform backflips to evade attacks, and chain together combos that feel improvised and fluid. Matches are fast and demand quick reflexes, with a difficulty that pushes you to learn each character's timing. It feels chaotic and physical, like you're making up the fight as you go.