Fighting Games
The fighting genre describes a computer game in which players fight computer-controlled enemies or each other, usually employing some form of martial art. Games are divided into two separate sub-genres: versus fighting (or fighters) and beat 'em ups (or brawlers).
Versus Fighting
Versus fighting games (sometimes known in the UK as beat 'em ups) consist of one-on-one combat between two characters (one of whom may be computer controlled) over a number of rounds. These competitive fighting games typically employ martial arts and other forms of unarmed combat, usually with dramatic and occasionally physically impossible movements. In some cases, handheld weapons such as swords, sticks or nunchaku may be used, or ranged attacks such as chi-based energy blasts. A round is usually won by knocking out the opponent, typically by depleting an energy indication bar to zero.
One of the major attractions of this game type is the wide variety of characters that may be chosen or played against, all of whom usually have a distinct fighting style and appearance. For example, the characters of the Mortal Kombat series include criminals, Shaolin monks and gods.
The versus fighting genre arose in the mid-1980s and became a phenomenon, particularly in the arcades, with the release of Street Fighter II. Other notable series of games include Mortal Kombat, Virtua Fighter, Tekken, King of Fighters, Super Smash Bros, Soul Edge and Soul Calibur. However, although the genre is still popular today, it has failed to maintain the extreme popularity it once did.
Nintendo was initially hesitant about releasing Super Smash Bros. in America, as they didn't think young fans would understand why their favourite Nintendo characters were hitting each other.
Beat 'em Up
Although the term beat 'em up is sometimes used (especially in the UK) to refer to versus fighting games (see above), it is more correctly used to describe video games where close combat fighting against multiple opponents is the main objective. Also known as scrolling fighting games or brawlers, this genre emphasises one-on-many close quarters combat, beating large numbers of computer-controlled enemies through a series of increasingly difficult levels.
Unlike versus fighting games, play can take place over a large level, with the screen scrolling as the player moves through the stage. Play is typically co-operative, with up to six players teaming up to punch, kick, throw and slash their way through a horde of computer-controlled enemies, usually with a powerful boss enemy at the end. When players use weapons, rather than hand-to-hand combat, the genre is known as a hack 'n' slash.
The genre became popular in 1987 with the release of Double Dragon, leading to a large number of similar games, such as The Ninja Warriors, Streets of Rage, Battle Toads and Golden Axe, followed by more modern titles such as Viewtiful Joe, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors.
The top-selling fighting game (as of 2008) is Street Fighter II (SNES – 6.3 million).
