Final Fight (Wii Virtual Console) Review
Posted by Cory Moore on 05.22.2007
One of the best brawlers of the early '90s has arrived on the Wii’s Virtual Console! Does this home conversion live up to the legacy of the arcade's streetwise attitude? Find out inside!
Originally released as an arcade game in 1990, Capcom’s Final Fight is widely considered one of the best beat’em-up games of all time. In the SNES version of the game, you are put in the shoes of Mike Haggar – the new mayor of Metro City – and Cody Travers; both are attempting to fight crime in the streets of Metro City. Specifically, the heroes are out to rescue Haggar’s daughter and Cody’s girlfriend, Jessica, who has been captured by the thugs of the Mad Gear Gang.
For a scrolling fighter, Final Fight is on the slow side in terms of gameplay. It has been years since I’ve played the arcade version, so I’m not sure if the lag is the SNES port’s fault or not. Compared to the rapid-fire approach of some other games in the genre, though, it may disappoint some people. The controls are spot-on, however, which is always a plus. You’ll have no problem grasping the jump, attack, and move scheme. If you want the SNES feel, use the Classic Controller. It’s also compatible with the Gamecube game pad.
Graphically, Final Fight is not arcade perfect, but comes close to resembling its counterpart. The visuals are rendered well, as this happens to be one of the better home versions in terms of character models and backgrounds. The color palette, which was lacking in some versions, also comes very close to the arcade experience. The port’s limitations show by allowing just three enemies on screen during the action. That’s probably a good thing in the larger scope, because too many henchmen could be overkill for this single-player experience. The sound includes your standard fighting game guitar/synth music hybrid. Every punch to the gut and kick to the chin is expressed through generic grunting.
While this is Final Fight, it is the SNES version of the game, which must be harped on. It wasn’t a tremendous port back in the day and Nintendo failed to address those issues in the Virtual Console release. Strict censorship guidelines made for some interesting changes, but none of them affect the gameplay so much as the content (enemy appearances, dialogue, etc.). A glaring issue in this version is the absence of Guy, the third selectable character in the arcade version. One of the better levels of the coin-op, the Industrial Area, is also absent from this edition. Finally, the cut scenes integral in telling the story are gone as well, which speeds up the game but ultimately makes the plot seem more shallow than it really is.
Perhaps the biggest omission that tainted the SNES port is the lack of cooperative gameplay, one of the most appealing elements of the arcade machine. For the repetitive style found in beat’em-ups, playing alongside a buddy is ten times better than tackling the journey on your own. Without the feature, the experience wears thin after a while. Experimenting between Cody and Haggar’s contrasting fighting styles (quick and powerful, respectively) is fun for the first few rounds, but once you’ve mastered the game with both personalities, there just isn’t much to keep you coming back for more.
The 411 Final Fight for the Virtual Console has left gamers torn. Final Fight should be great on its name alone, yet this port doesn’t do the arcade original justice. Considering arcade-perfect ports have been released on PS2 and Xbox compilations in recent years, the Virtual Console’s SNES version pales in comparison. If you’re absolutely clamoring for a single-player brawler right now, you’ll enjoy this game a great deal. For those who once enjoyed or want to enjoy the multiplayer goodness that made Final Fight so recognizable, this one just isn’t worth the cost of 800 Wii points. For now, stick with the recently released Streets of Rage 2, or wait things out to see what else pops up.
Graphics
7.0
The graphics are some of the best of its time and one of the closest arcade-to-home console translations in terms of detail. The large color palette is specifically impressive.
Gameplay
6.0
The controls are simple to master, but this port tends to lag and slow down the pace of your brawls.
Sound
5.0
Generic rock/synth tunes do not add much to the overall experience, but the grunts and groans of enemies help keep the game fresh.
Lasting Appeal
4.0
Playing through with Cody and Haggar individually will keep you occupied for a while, but after that you’ll be searching for new ways of spicing things up.
Fun Factor
6.0
A mindless brawler at heart, the arcade’s 2-player cooperative mode is nowhere to be found. Bummer.
