Pretty much a Jet Set Radio fighting game. In general, the colorful cel shaded look, goofy fun party atmosphere, and the wild character designs share an aesthetic. Doesn't help that they were released in the same year. But it's a fun game. Plays akin to the Marvel Vs. Capcom games minus the tag mechanic. Honestly, attacks feel a lot snappier which isn't something you'd expect for most fighters of this console. There's also this Rhythm mechanic where you play a rhythm game to initiate a character's ultimate move. I've never fully pulled one off. And neither has most of the internet. Can't even find a compilation. They're mostly good for chip damage I suppose. But yeah. Surprisingly good game.

Humble beginnings, as they say.

This old PC port is pretty cool for letting you choose between the old models and remixed models just like that.

For the game itself, it's okay.
Not the most polished fighter but nothing entirely sluggish.

Product of its time sort of deal.

















Shut up, Dark Edge seethers. VF has REAL 3d!

It's a nice little game. Its structure is pretty unique as far as brawlers with RPG elements go.
Its as long as you want. You either play by the rpg system's rules or you get good and go straight for the bosses regardless of level except a high amount of Willpower.
It's nice in a sense that it wastes no time and you're constantly progressing (aside from the times you have to grind.)
Difficulty curve is pretty balanced as well.
Combat is pretty tight similar to its NES sister series, Double Dragon, as well.

Overall, very good beat em up and pretty great NES game.

It's pretty cool most of the time.
Base gameplay is pretty much the same as regular Spikeout. There are a lot of minor touches to make it feel more unique but some things to me come off more annoying like how some of the bosses work.
Cons:
I think this is the case where the speedy nature of Spikeout could have been toned down a bit, specifically with bosses. Maybe from the fact I played as Luna first might have soured my taste a bit combined with me not playing with an arcade stick. Not to mention, jump attacks in Spikeout aren't great unless its to get a combo going which is REALLY annoying with bosses where you need to attack airborne (namely Marionette and Evileye).
I feel there could've been a meter for Super Magic moves that refills instead of what the game has. The game would still feel challenging without feeling the need to gamble then lose for the rest of the level.
Pros:
Levels themselves are fun. And its pretty surprising that there isn't a single reused enemy, even at the last couple of levels.
Game looks great for the time as well.
Even though the gameplay is largely the same as SpikeOut, I like the added tools like a different special attack mid-combo and the Berserker mode. Sadly, this is the case where you wouldn't know all this stuff unless you looked online which is a shame because they help a bunch.

So yeah, compared to Spikeout, it's okay as a sequel but some things keep it from being a total improvement over the first game.

Underrated Final Fight entry overall. This game just feels right to me. The movement in this style of gameplay feels very smooth especially doing running attacks. Albeit pretty easy. But what can you do. The whole multiple paths also seem very innovative for the genre. But very few that do aren't even in the mainstream zeitgeist I feel. You can probably argue Final Fight 3 is the first "mainstream" one given the series its attached to. But yeah. Its up there as the best arcade... well.... "arcade" brawlers on the system.