Play VS Gong Fight Online

VS Gong Fight came out in 1992 from Arcade Innovators, a company that put out a few solid titles in the early 90s arcade scene. It was one of those games you'd find tucked between the big names, a two player competitive fighter that didn't try to be Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat. It had its own look, its own feel, and it drew a small but dedicated crowd.

You control a martial artist, and your goal is to knock your opponent off the platform by striking one of three gongs at the right moment. Each gong corresponds to a different type of attack; timing is everything because if you hit the gong too early or too late, your character telegraphs the move and leaves you open. The screen is split vertically, so you see your half and your opponent's half simultaneously, which means you have to watch their movements as closely as your own. The pacing is fast, and the difficulty ramps up quickly against human opponents. It feels like a tense rhythm game disguised as a fighter, where every match is decided by split second decisions.