In 1988, Capcom releases the CPS (Capcom Play System), a 16-bit arcade hardware with outstanding specifications back then, on which the editor will develop a slew of legendary titles, like this Final Fight, here opposed to Burning Fight on the Neo Geo. If the architecture and the processors used are similar, the SNK machine benefits a slight technological advantage (processor speed, Yamaha sound chip, number of colors, zooms, size of cartridges) which could help it dominate its rival. The two Beat them Up that are facing here are like two drops of water: indeed, if Final Fight was an arcade hit since 1989, two years later SNK wants his part of the pie. Therefore BF, which was released by the end of 1991, is clearly plagiarizing the Capcom title. The goal for it: compete or even surpass the rival. But the game is far from over, for the Osaka company has earned a solid reputation with its various high quality fighting games ...

With Final Fight, we explore Metro City in every corner: bad neighborhoods, subway, undergrounds, bars, docks, offices... It is varied and the style is fine, detailed, and quite classy. For a title of 1989, this is a real slap: that year and the next, no competitor can claim to display such beautiful graphics. If the drawing is significantly different, Burning Fight it can boast to compete aesthetically with the Capcom soft... but more than two years later! The Osaka streets are cheesy and colorful, with nice reliefs and also many details. Nevertheless, some passages are a little less good than others, like for example the passage on the train's roof or the port sheds. Offering a wide variety of enemies and more consistent quality all through the game, Final Fight wins this round.

Burning Fight   89                                 95   Final Fight

Regarding the pace and speed, it's approximately equal. About the smoothness and number of animation steps, Final Fight have a slight advantage: if the characters are relatively stiff in both games, the Capcom one benefits more steps, especially for the main fighters. Ditto for the animated details in the backgrounds and objects here and there, the game's a little more polished. But it's when it comes to impact precision and "hitstop" that FF leaves BF far behind: the latter is too unaccurate, facing a perfectly crafted competitor for the benefit of its gameplay.

Burning Fight   68                                 90   Final Fight

The Final Fight themes are catchy and stick well to the dangerous atmosphere of dodgy neighborhoods or rowdy bars. Blows of sound effects and voice digits are also doing good. Burning Fight boasts a significantly better sampling and more realistic and numerous FX, but the game's melodies are really nothing special: it's even difficult to remember them a few hours after. In the end, we are dealing with two soundtracks quite decent for arcade Beat 'em Ups.

Burning Fight   82                                 82   Final Fight

Final Fight is a little longer than his rival, with his additional stage (six against five). Of course, you can play two simultaneously in each game and in both you are granted sympathetic bonus stages that bring a little extra fun. With a better proportioned difficulty and more fun that provides more pleasure and envy to get back to it, Capcom's game outperforms SNK's one on life.

Burning Fight   71                                 80   Final Fight

Similarities are numerous: three heroes, throws, combos, various moves; weapons and bonuses to collect, elements of the stages to destroy, cooperative play... The foundations for doing a great BTU are present in both apps. Except that the SNK game is definitely less refined than that of Capcom, concerning many aspects of the gameplay. If BF uses three buttons (punch, jump, kick) and FF two (punch/kick, jump), the latter still pack slightly more attacks (two different jumping attacks) and more throws (two to three per character, against one). In addition, it's difficult to be accurate in Burning Fight: moves, especially the jumping kick, has a way too small hitting window... unlike those of your enemies! Another detail which is a shame, the weapons you pick can only be used for about fifteen seconds... after what our fighter automatically throws it: useless and disappointing! Moreover, it's clear that SNK has little play-tested the game during its development: the combat phases can be frustrating, with enemies that do not let you get up, inflicting punishment without you that you can do anything, or others whose hits consistently put you down, leaving you no chance to recover. However, all these important things are perfectly set in Final Fight, and the gameplay is only far better.

Burning Fight   69                                 97   Final Fight

Final Fight wins by a landslide. Despite it accuses two years more than his rival, and the ratings were taking it in consideration, the Capcom soft literally buries his rival. There's only on the soundtrack and graphics that this one can compete with the winner, as on all other chapters, it's far behind.