Three Games to Bid Farewell to March

Play it on: nearly any device

Current Mission: Clean Up the Streets

Recently, I’ve been diving back into Capcom’s treasure trove of beat ’em ups from the late ’80s to the mid-’90s. Some are old favorites, while others are entirely new experiences for me. Just last week, a friend and I jumped into the action-packed world of Capcom’s licensed Dungeons & Dragons brawlers—Tower of Doom and Shadow over Mystara—through the Chronicles of Mystara collection. I was thoroughly impressed by the exhilarating combat, numerous secrets, branching paths, and the clever use of inventory systems and magical items. This weekend, I’m eager to revisit the game that marked the beginning of Capcom’s legendary beat ’em up era: Final Fight, originally released in 1989.

When I think about the ultimate beat ’em up, Final Fight immediately springs to mind. The impact it had back in the day, whether found in an arcade, at the local laundromat, or corner store, was undeniable. The game boasted enormous character sprites, distinct digitized voice samples, and that iconic, satisfying combat. It quickly became clear that this game would leave a lasting mark on the genre, taking the basic ideas from games like Double Dragon and Renegade and transforming them into something easily accessible, instantly engaging, and utterly memorable. It’s been years since I last played Final Fight, and my friend who’s been my gaming partner lately hasn’t experienced it yet. So, this weekend feels like the perfect time for Metro City’s Mayor Mike Haggar to step back into the fray—taking on the notorious Mad Gear gang one pile driver at a time. The adventure culminates in a showdown against the real mastermind: a wealthy, power-hungry villain perched atop a glass tower, far removed from the rundown streets and subway cars that vividly bring Final Fight’s crumbling city to life.

— Carolyn Petit