One of the best side-scrolling beat-em-ups to date!
Story:
The game focuses on Two main characters: Mike Haggar, and Cody Travers. The story is located in "Metro City" which looks like New York City.
Mike Haggar is the Mayor, snd he's called one day by a thug from The "Mad Gear" gang, telling him that his daughter, Jessica, has been kidnapped. Haggar calls up her boyfriend, Cody, and they start fighting Mad Gear goons through different parts of Metro City, until they come to Belger, the head of the Mad Gear gang.
Gameplay:
The fighting is very simple, which adds that "pick-up-and-play" advantage to it. Haggar is the strongest of the two, with this wrestling skills and grapple moves. Cody is the more agile of the two, with his martial skills, and his ability to balance his power and speed. Both characters have different movements and animations, which makes them feel more authentic. One button is to punch and the other is to jump. When you press them together, the character will do his finishing move. Haggar does his version of a Spinning Clothesline, while Cody does a Jumping Spinning Kick. You can also clinch the goon, and have the choice of beating the snot of him, or throwing him into other thugs. You can also use weapons such as a knife, lead pipe, sword, etc.
Graphics:
For its time, this game looks great, right down from the backgrounds to the villians you'll be fighting. Sure, the backgrounds look very nitty-gritty, but that's the way an urban city should look like. I should know, I live in Brooklyn. All the goons have their own specifc costumes, which makes it easier to tell one from the other. Thus game had some very detailed sprites for its day.
Sound:
The sound is nothing to be crazy about, but its not bad either. This game sports some generic 80s rock-n-roll tracks. For the most part, they will keep you entertained while fighting through the levels.
Cons:
The only things I don't like about this port of the game is that they left out GUY from the Arcade version, you can't save, and there is not multi-player mode.
All in All, Final Fight is the stepping stone for all the 2D-side scrolling beat-em-ups that came before it. If you haven't played it, its worth a try.