Three Games to Wrap Up March

Play it on just about any device you have at hand, and get ready to clean up the streets! Recently, I’ve been diving back into Capcom’s extraordinary beat ‘em up games from the late ’80s to the mid-’90s. It’s been a blast, especially checking out some of these classics for the first time. Just last week, a friend and I tackled the fantastic pair of Dungeons & Dragons themed brawlers, Tower of Doom and Shadow over Mystara. We played them through the Chronicles of Mystara compilation, and I was really blown away by how satisfying the combat felt. They’re packed with secrets, alternate routes, and even have inventory management and magical items! Now, my weekend plans include revisiting the game that really set the stage for Capcom’s iconic beat ‘em ups: 1989’s Final Fight.

When you think about what makes a beat ‘em up game special, Final Fight probably comes to mind. I remember how exciting it was to see it in arcades or even in unexpected places like laundromats and convenience stores. The oversized character sprites, the gritty sound effects, and the intense combat had such an impact. It was one of those titles that clearly showed the potential of the genre, building on what games like Double Dragon and Renegade started, but making it more engaging and memorable. It’s been ages since I last played Final Fight, and my gaming buddy has never experienced it, so it feels like a perfect time to bring back Metro City’s tough-as-nails Mayor Mike Haggar. We’re going to watch him tackle the infamous Mad Gear gang, and eventually face off against the mastermind behind it all—a sinister and affluent villain pulling the strings from atop his gleaming skyscraper, overlooking the chaos of the city streets and subways. Can’t wait to jump back into such a vivid depiction of a city teetering on chaos. — Carolyn Petit