Fighter’s History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu!

More than a footnote

Nick rummages around in the Super Nintendo’s library and finds an old Japanese one-on-one fighter

» SNES » 1995 » Data East a little while back, I bought the Data East Classic Collection for my SNES. Having been a Sega fanatic while growing up, my Nintendo collections have always felt tiny by comparison, and I knew I’d get my money’s worth from the Magical Drop games and the occasional hilarious multiplayer game of Super Side Pocket. The Fighter’s History games didn’t really factor into my purchase decision at all.

Of course, not buying the cartridge for the Fighter’s History games doesn’t mean I haven’t played them. Are they top-tier fighting games? Not at all – they’re hard and extremely unfriendly to newcomers, plus they’re a little bit stiff and the move inputs can be odd. But they’re very competently constructed and they’re quite enjoyable if you’re bloody-minded enough to persevere in single-player. Of course, I was definitely determined enough to see this sequel through to the end – if I can beat Shadow The Hedgehog 11 times, doing this once is no sweat. I like character designs like the judoka schoolgirl Ryoko and of course Karnov. Plus, the games give a less familiar alternative option for multiplayer gatherings, which is vital given that the other SNES fighting games I own are Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II.

I’d never have bought Fighter’s History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu on its own, but I’m pleased to have played it. That’s why I love compilations – even now, they frequently introduce me to fun games I would otherwise have missed entirely.