Developer: Data East Publisher: Data East Release: 08/94 Genre: Fighting
Examining the fighting game landscape today is interesting. While we have a few long running series such as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken still receiving new entries the rest of the market is full of niche games that still have a small audience. But in the 90s nearly every developer took a stab at the genre following Street Fighter II with mixed results. Data East was no exception and they tried with multiple series. But Fighter’s History is the game many will remember them for, for all the wrong reasons. Legal shenanigans aside Fighter’s History is decent but one we would not remember were it not for its lawsuit.
The legal battle between Capcom and Data East is Fighter’s History’s greatest legacy. Capcom alleged that Data East infringed on their Street Fighter copyright as the characters and mechanics of Fighter’s History were too similar to their game. There were many clones at the time but in their eyes Data East flew too close to the sun. Objectively a few characters do look and play a little too similar to the SF cast, it uses the same six button setup, and has a comparable combo system. But honestly it is no more egregious than something like World Heroes. Ironically Data East’s own Karate Champ in 1984 established the many aspects of the fighting genre Capcom were suing for. In the end the court ruled in Data East’s favor. The lawsuit did give the game a higher profile so how is it overall? Eh.
The cast of Fighter’s History hails from all around the world as was typical of the genre. It cannot be denied that some of the cast were “inspired” by Street Fighter II. The game’s design documents reference them specifically if you can believe it. Marstorius is an Italian Zangief, Samchay practices Muay Thai like Sagat and has similar moves, and Feilin is your Chun Li stand in. Mizoguchi is the closest you will get to a Ken/Ryu expy. That being said the play styles of the rest are at least different. Feilin is a defensive fighter who is able to keep players away with her multi-directional fireballs. Lee is a rush down character who can put pressure on players to make them slip up in skilled hands. There is a little depth there if you look for it as the playable roster is average for the time.
Although it does play similarly to Capcom’s title Fighter’s History does have one unique feature. The weak point system adds an element of strategy to the proceedings. Every character has a weak point that varies. This is an article of clothing on the body. Hitting the weak point repeatedly makes it glow. Once it shatters they are stunned, leaving them open to attack. In addition hitting an exposed weak spot will deal greater damage. The damage ratio is already pretty high in this game with characters like Mastorius being egregiously bad. This system makes it even worse meaning you can end a match in seconds with the right timing. Admittedly it’s not much but at least it is something to try and differentiate this game from the legions of fodder on shelves and in the arcade.
As a whole Fighter’s History is competent. Compared to the many fighting games clogging up arcade games that tried to imitate Capcom it does a good job of it with tight controls, an…interesting cast, and a solid combo system. But the problem is it barely aspires to be anything more. The entire time you play the game it will remind you of the better title it takes after. Why play a pale imitation when you can spend time with the real thing, especially as it is better overall? That is Fighter’s History’s biggest failing. It does not offer a compelling reason to choose it over the better games in the genre.
The SNES port of Fighter’s History is very good overall with very little sacrificed outside of resolution. But it is also the victim of bad timing. By 1994 we had stellar ports of the most popular arcade games of the day. Super Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat II, and World Heroes II were excellent on the venerable SNES as well as being better games overall. You also had original efforts like TMNT: Tournament Fighters proving to be viable alternatives to the arcade classics. SNES owners were spoiled for choice by the time Fighter’s History came home. A slightly above average game was simply not good enough.
In Closing
Fighter’s History when judged on its own merits is okay. Even though it very clearly rips from Street Fighter II at least it is a good clone. The fighting game graveyard is littered with titles that could not do that properly. But good does not cut the mustard. This one is interesting from a historical stand point but nothing more. If you want to explore the series play its far better sequel or the Super Famicom exclusive Fighter’s History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu. That one is obscure but is great.
