Lay some smackdown!

I found this game in the "Bargain Bin" while shopping for nothing in particular. The main reason I picked it up was because of the option to create and train your own character. I was intrigued...

Game play was very simple. There is a button to punch, a button to kick, a button to block, and a button to dodge. Moves are performed by using a combination of all the buttons and the thumb pad. Of course, the better moves require some complex eye-hand-thumb coordination, but the result is well worth it. I was impressed...

The basic plot of the game is to beat up everyone in the shortest time possible. There are 8 main characters for you to choose from and I am sure there are additional bosses to defeat later on. I have not found out because I have spent most of my time training my own character. Which leads me to the best part of the game...

In the character creation, players control all aspects of their new fighter: male or female, hair, face, height, weight, clothes and of course the name. Once you have all that settled, the training begins. Moves are "learned" by challenging and defeating the eight main characters. If you see a move performed by a character you like, challenge them and beat them down for the chance to learn something. A lot of moves build off each other, so don't be hesitant about learning something "weak". Chances are it leads to a better move. When your character learns enough moves, you can actually load him/her into the regular game to open up a can of your favorite woop topping.

Of all the martial arts games that I have played, I found this one to be the most realistic. No fireballs. No weapons. Just classic martial arts moves. As well as some street fighting and wrestling thrown in for good measure.

I would say this is a great sleeper that has been passed over way too long.