Fatal Fury Special

n/a

NTSC-U/PAL NTSC-J US/EU JP
Fatal Fury Special
System(s): Sega Mega-CD, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: JVC Musical Industries (US/EU) Victor Entertainment (JP) Takara
Developer: Funcom Gai Brain
Supporting companies: Aspect (sound)
Licensor: SNK
Original system(s): Neo Geo
Developer(s) of original games: SNK
Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Action, Fighting Action/Kakutou Action (格闘アクション)
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code JP 1994-11-25 ¥4,8004,800 T-103017 US 1994 T-103028 EU 1995-03 2582-50 UK 1995-03 £29.9929.99 2582-50 GR 199x JP 1995-03-31 ¥6,800 (7,004)6,800e T-60214 US 1995-06 T-60165 EU 1995-07 T-60165-50 UK 1995-07 £44.9544.95 T-60165-50 AU 199x BR 199x 063616
Non-Sega versions Arcade Arcade CD-ROM² FM Towns Macintosh Neo Geo Neo Geo CD Super NES X68000
OFLC

Fatal Fury Special, known as Garou Densetsu Special (餓狼伝説ＳＰＥＣＩＡＬ) in Japan, is an improved version of the one-on-one fighting game Fatal Fury 2. It was originally released on the Neo Geo by SNK, then it was ported to the Sega Game Gear by Gai Brain and Aspect in 1994 and to the Sega Mega-CD by Funcom in 1995.

Gameplay

Mega-CD version

Gameplay

Fatal Fury Special is an updated version of Fatal Fury 2. It adds a new combo system, a larger cast of selectable characters, and faster game speed. The graphics differ from the Mega Drive port of Fatal Fury 2 since the two games were ported by different developers.

Characters move with and and crouch with . They can move forward while crouched with (or when facing left). They backstep with (or when facing left). They jump upward with and jump behind and ahead with or . When using a standard control pad, characters can attack with a light punch with , a heavy punch with , a light kick with , and a heavy kick with  START . When using a Six Button Control Pad, characters can attack with a light punch with , a heavy punch with , a light kick with , and a heavy kick with . Characters have different attacks depending on whether they are standing, crouching, or jumping. Every fighter has special techniques performed by inputting specific directions with an attack button. The game also introduces Desperation moves, which are powerful special moves that can causes massive damage but can only be used when the character's vitality gauge is low and flashing.

Characters can throw nearby opponents by holding the D-Pad toward the opponent and pressing the heavy punch button. They can block attacks by holding the D-Pad in the opposite direction of the opponent. Blocking while standing guards against high attacks (from a standing or jumping opponent), while blocking while crouched defends against both high and low attacks. While guarding an opponent's attack, characters can counter with an evasion maneuver by pressing the weak punch button, which reduces the damage taken and potentially damages the opponent if within range. Characters become knocked out from being attacked repeatedly; they are uncontrollable and vulnerable in this state but can recover more quickly by rapidly pressing back and forth on the D-Pad along with the attack buttons.

Characters switch between lanes with + on a standard control pad or on a six button control pad. If an opponent is already in a different lane, the character can roll into the other lane with or or perform a low jumping attack across the lanes with  LP  or  LK  or a high jumping attack across the lanes with  HP  or  HK . Characters can perform a "powerful blow" with + START  on a standard control pad or on a six button control pad, which is an attack that knocks the opponent into the opposite lane. Some stages have objects that can be destroyed when a fighter is thrown through them. Certain stages have hazards in the background plane, such as electrified ropes or a stampede of bulls, and thus the player cannot change planes but can knock the opponent to the other plane to cause extra damage.

There is a single-player story mode that can be played as any character. The player faces ten opponents (and can choose the first opponent), then faces five boss characters (Billy Kane, Axel Hawk, Laurence Blood, Geese Howard, and Wolfgang Krauser). If the player wins every match without losing a round, Ryo Sakazaki from the Art of Fighting appears to challenge the player in a special "Dream Match." There is no dedicated two-player mode, but a second player can enter at any time by pressing  START  to challenge the first player. Both players have limited continues. There are six difficulty levels for computer-controlled opponents (Beginner, Easy, Normal, Hard, Expert, and MVS).

Characters

Move lists assume the player is facing right. If facing left, and should be reversed. P refers to either punch button, while K refers to either kick button.

All of the characters return from Fatal Fury 2, and the four boss characters are now playable in the single-player mode without needing a cheat code. Three characters from the original Fatal Fury return (Duck King, Tung Fu Rue, and Geese Howard). Ryo Sakazaki from the Art of Fighting is a playable character and also appears as a hidden boss.

	Terry Bogard
	Terry Bogard is an American street-fighting champion from South Town. Move list Name Command Description Burning Knuckle P Terry leaps forward with a burning fist. Power Wave P Terry punches the ground, causing a wave of energy to roll across the floor. Rising Tackle Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Terry spins into the air while upside down and holding an arm out. This move can only hit airborne opponents. Crack Shoot K Terry jumps forward while kicking in a circle. Desperation: Power Geyser  HP + LK  Terry punches the ground, causing a geyser of energy to erupt from the ground in front of him.
	Andy Bogard
	Andy Bogard is a ninjutsu practitioner and Terry's younger brother. Move list Name Command Description Hi Sho Ken P Andy shoots a long-ranged burst of ki energy from his palm. Sho Ryu P Andy jumps into the air while fanning his arms around him. Zen El Den Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Andy charges forward while ramming with his shoulder and knee. Ku Ha Dan Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Andy launches off the ground with his hands, flying feet-first toward his opponent. Desperation: Cho Reppa Dan Hold for 2 seconds, then + LK + HK  Andy launches off the ground with his hands, flying at his opponent with a flaming kick.
	Joe Higashi
	Joe Higashi is a Japanese Muay Thai champion and a friendly rival of the Bogard brothers. Move list Name Command Description Hurricane Upper P Joe punches into the air, generating a cyclone that moves across the ground. Baku Retsu Ken PPPPP Joe punches rapidly in a cone shape in front of him. Slash Kick Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Joe turns and launches himself forward with a flaming kick. Tiger Thrust K Joe flies forward with a knee strike. Knee Inferno + HK  (close) Joe grabs and knees his opponent in the stomach repeatedly. Desperation: Screw Upper  HP + LK  Joe punches into the air, generating a tall cyclone that covers the full height of the screen and moves a short distance in front of him.
	Big Bear
	Big Bear is an Australian face wrestler who was formerly a bodyguard of Geese Howard. Move list Name Command Description Giant Bomb Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Big Bear charges forward with a shoulder ram. Super Dropkick Hold  HK  for 5 seconds, then release Big Bear jumps into the air and performs a dropkick that knocks his opponent over. Back Drop + HP  (close) Big Bear lifts his opponent over his shoulder, then drops them to the ground behind him. Headbutt + HK  (close) Big Bear grabs and headbutts his opponent. Bear Hug + HK  (close) Big Bear grabs and squeezes his opponent against himself. Lariat Drop + HP  (close) Big Bear grabs his opponent in a lariat, then drops them to the ground behind him. Lift Up Throw + HK  (close) Big Bear picks up and tosses his opponent behind him. Neck Buster + HK  (close) Big Bear grabs and wrings his opponent by the neck. Bear Bomber  HP  (close) Big Bear grabs and throws his opponent against the ground with an explosion. Desperation: Breath of Fire  HP + LK  Big Bear breathes a heavy cloud of flame out in front of him.
	Jubei Yamada
	Jubei Yamada is an elderly Japanese judo sensei who wants to open his own training hall. Move list Name Command Description Senbei Shuriken Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Jubei throws a senbei rice cracker at his opponent. Nihon Seo Dash Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Jubei dashes across the screen, then grabs his opponent and throws them to the ground behind him. Oh Izuna Otoshi Hold for 2 seconds, then +P (close) Jubei grabs and spins into the air with his opponent, then drops them to the ground head-first. Neko Jarashi  HP  (close) Jubei grabs and rolls through the air with his opponent, then drops them to the ground head-first. Tawara Nagei + HP  (close) Jubei grabs and his opponent behind him. Tomoe Nagei + HK  (close) Jubei grabs and throws his opponent while rolling backward. Benkei Nakashi + HK  (close) Jubei kicks his opponent repeatedly in the shin. Kuma Koroshi + HP  (close) Jubei hops onto his opponent's back and chokes them. Izuna Otoshi + HK  in midair (close) Jubei grabs his opponent in midair, rolls with them, then drops them to the ground head-first. Desperation: Dynamite Izuna Otoshi Hold for 2 seconds, then + HP + LK  (close) Jubei performs a more powerful version of his Oh Izuna Otoshi move.
	Cheng Sinzan
	Cheng Sinzan is a greedy rich man who enters tournaments to win prize money. Move list Name Command Description Dai Taiko Bara Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Cheng flies into the air, then falls to the ground with a belly flop. Hagan Geki Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Cheng rolls forward along the ground like a spinning boulder. Kirai Ho P Cheng tosses a ball of energy in an arc in front of him. Zutsuki Satsu + HK  (close) Cheng grabs and headbutts his opponent repeatedly. Desperation: Bakurai Hoh Hold for 2 seconds, then + HP + LK  Cheng throws a large energy ball in an arc in front of him, which knocks down his opponent on impact.
	Kim Kaphwan
	Kim Kaphwan is a taekwondo master from Korea who fights in the name of justice. Move list Name Command Description Hangetsu Zan K Kim rolls forward with a somersaulting crescent kick. Hien Zan Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Kim flips backward, slicing through the air with a circular kick. Hisho Kyaku +K in midair Kim dives diagonally downward, then stomps repeatedly on his opponent. Desperation: Houou Kyaku  LK + HK  Kim dashes forward, then performs a series of kicks, ending with a Hien Zan.
	Mai Shiranui
	Mai Shiranui is a beautiful kunoichi who is the daughter of the Shiranui ninja clan's leader and the self-proclaimed "fiancée" of Andy Bogard. Move list Name Command Description Kacho Sen P Mai throws her folding fan at her opponent. Ryu En Bu P Mai twirls around, whipping her opponent with the sash around her waist, which is set alight. Musasabi Mai Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Mai leaps into corner of the screen, then dives diagonally downward with her arms spread out. Shinobi Bach  HK  Mai performs a cartwheel, then drops to the ground with an elbow strike. Yumezakura + HK  in midair (close) Mai grabs her opponent in midair, then stands on their back to slam them to the ground. Desperation: Cho Hisatsu Shinobi Bach + HP + LK  Mai performs a Shinobi Bach while flames radiate from her body.
	Duck King
	Duck King is a young fighter who mixes breakdancing into his fighting style. Move list Name Command Description Head Spin Attack Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Duck King rolls into a ball and flies across the screen like a cannonball. Break Storm K Duck King flips upside down and flies diagonally upward while spinning. Dancing Dive K Duck King flies through the air with a knee strike. Beat Rush  HP  Duck King performs a combo of dance attacks. Needle Low ++ HK  Duck King slides along the ground, which can sweep opponents. Reverse Breaker + HP  in midair (close) Duck King grabs his opponent in midair, then stomps them to the ground. Desperation: Break Spiral + HP + LK  (close) Duck King kicks his opponent into the air, then attacks them with breakdancing kicks upon landing.
	Tung Fu Rue
	Tung Fu Rue is a wise, old martial arts master who can "pump up" his body to massive size. Move list Name Command Description Senshippo P Tung leaps forward with a fist strike. Shou Ha Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Tung shoots a short-ranged burst of ki from his palm. Ressen Kyaku Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Tung turns sideways and repeatedly stomps his opponent. Gekihou  HP  HP  HP  HP  HP  Tung crouches and unleashes a large spirit that attacks airborne opponents. Desperation: Senpuu Gouken + HP + LK  Tung grows to a large, muscular form and flies through the air while spinning with his fists extended.
	Billy Kane
	Billy Kane is a bojutsu master from the United Kingdom who is seeking revenge on both the Bogard brothers and Joe for the death of Geese Howard. Move list Name Command Description Sempu Kon PPPPP Billy spins his cudgel in front of him rapidly. Sansetsu Kon Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Billy whips his cudgel in front of him, and it expands across the screen. Suzume Otoshi Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Billy whips his cudgel diagonally upward, and it expands into the air. Hisho Kon K Billy vaults into the air with his cudgel, then drops back to the ground while spinning his cudgel and performing a dive kick. Jigoku Otoshi + HK  (close) Billy lifts his opponent into the air with his cudgel and stabs them repeatedly. Desperation: Cho Kaen Senpu Kon  LP + HP  Billy leaps forward, then drives his cudgel into the ground, causing an explosion of energy.
	Axel Hawk
	Axel Hawk is a retired heavyweight boxing champion seeking to make his comeback. Move list Name Command Description Axel Dance PPPPP Axel punches rapidly with alternating arms. Smash Bomber Hold for 2 seconds, then +P Axel dashes forward with a powerful uppercut. Tornado Upper P Axel punches in front of him, generating a tornado that moves across the ground. Electric Attack + HK  (close) Axel lifts his opponent, then pummels them with the other hand and punches them into the other layer (or the electrified ropes of his own stage). Rolling Buster + HK  (close) Axel lifts his opponent, then winds up and hits them with a big uppercut. Desperation: Axel Rush  HP + LK  Axel charges forward with a hook, a cross, and an uppercut.
	Laurence Blood
	Laurence Blood is a former matador who uses a fighting style based on his bullfighting methods. Move list Name Command Description Bloody Sabre P Laurence thrusts in front of him with his sabre. Bloody Spin Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Laurence spirals through the air in front of him like a torpedo. Bloody Cutter Hold for 2 seconds, then + HP  Laurence flies into the air, then dives back down while attacking with his cloak. Poncho Breaker + HK  (close) Laurence grabs his opponent with his cloak and tosses them into the air. Flying Buster + HP  in midair (close) Laurence grabs his opponent in midair, then drops them to the ground and onto his knee. Desperation: Bloody Flash  LK + HK  Laurence stabs repeatedly in front of him with his sabre.
	Geese Howard
	Geese Howard is a crime lord who rules over South Town. He has studied Japanese martial arts. Move list Name Command Description Reppuu Ken P Geese sends a violent shockwave across the ground. Shippuu Ken P in midair Geese throws a fireball diagonally downward. Atemi Nage K Geese catches an attack from his opponent and counters with a throw. Shinku Nage + HP  (close) Geese throws his opponent across his arms. Kosatsu Sho + HK  (close) Geese holds his opponent in the air by the neck. Desperation: Raging Storm  HP + LK  Geese ducks and calls energy spikes around him.
	Wolfgang Krauser
	Wolfgang Krauser is a German nobleman seeking to defeat the man who was responsible for Geese's downfall. Move list Name Command Description High Blitz Ball P Wolfgang throws a high fireball. Low Blitz Ball K Wolfgang throws a low fireball. Leg Tomahawk K Wolfgang flies diagonally upward with a flaming kick. Neck Hang Blow + HK  (close) Wolfgang holds his opponent into the air by the neck and punches them repeatedly. Lift Up Blow + HP  (close) Wolfgang grabs and lifts his opponent, then launches them into the air with a punch. Atemi Nage P Wolfgang catches an attack from his opponent and counters with a throw. Desperation: Kaiser Wave Hold for 2 seconds, then + LP + HP  Wolfgang holds his hands back, then throws a tall fireball across the screen.
	Ryo Sakazaki
	Ryo is a master martial artist who is dedicated to improving himself and his students. He fights with the art of kyokugen karate, which he learned from his father. Move list Name Command Description Ko'ou Ken P Ryo hurls a fireball from his palm. Haoh Shoukou Ken P Ryo channels and throws a large fireball from both hands. Kohou P Ryo jumps into the air while performing an uppercut. Hien Shippuu Kyaku Hold for 2 seconds, then +K Ryo leaps ahead with a flaming kick, followed by a spinning back heel kick. Zan Retsu Ken PPPPP Ryo punches rapidly in front of him, which lifts and then knocks his opponent away. Desperation: Ryuko Ranbu + LK + HK  Ryo unleashes a flurry of punches and kicks, ending with a Kohou.

Stages

Each character has his or her own stage where matches take place.

Terry Bogard

Andy Bogard

Joe Higashi

Big Bear

Jubei Yamada

Cheng Sinzan

Kim Kaphwan

Mai Shiranui

Duck King

Tung Fu Rue

Billy Kane

Axel Hawk

Laurence Blood

Geese Howard

Wolfgang Krauser

Ryo Sakazaki

Game Gear version

Gameplay

The game is a fighting game. It has simplified controls and omits several characters, but it retains all of the special moves of the remaining characters. Fights take place on a single plane and lack the plane-switching of the original game.

Characters move with and and crouch with . They can move forward while crouched with (or when facing left). They backstep with (or when facing left). They jump upward with and jump behind and ahead with or . Characters can punch with and kick with . Punches and kicks only have one strength, but characters can perform a strong attack with +.

Characters can throw nearby opponents by holding the D-Pad toward the opponent and pressing the punch button. They can block attacks by holding the D-Pad in the opposite direction of the opponent. Characters have special moves that can be performed with specific button combinations and can also perform Desperation attacks when their vitality gauge is low and flashing.

The "King of Fighters" mode is a single-player mode where the player faces every fighter in the game (with the first opponent being selectable), ending with fights against the boss characters Billy Kane and Geese Howard. If the player wins every match without losing a round, there is an additional final battle against Ryo Sakazaki from the Art of Fighting. There is a Vs Game mode that can be played against any opponent and a Survival Game mode where each player has five fighters and tries to eliminate all of the opposing player's characters. Both modes can be played against computer-controlled opponents and also support two-player battles using a Gear-to-Gear Cable. There are three difficulty levels for computer-controlled opponents (Easy, Normal, and Hard).

Characters

The Game Gear version cuts Big Bear, Jubei Yamada, Cheng Sinzan, Kim Kaphwan, Axel Hawk, Laurence Blood, and Wolfgang Krauser.

• Terry Bogard
• Andy Bogard
• Joe Higashi
• Mai Shiranui
• Duck King
• Tung Fu Rue
• Billy Kane
• Geese Howard
• Ryo Sakazaki

Stages

Each character has his or her own stage where matches take place. Most stages have recolored variants at later times of day for the second and third rounds.

Terry Bogard

Andy Bogard

Joe Higashi

Mai Shiranui

Duck King

Tung Fu Rue

Billy Kane

Geese Howard

Ryo Sakazaki

History

Legacy

The inclusion of Ryo Sakazaki from Art of Fighting and the return of popular characters from the original Fatal Fury, including Geese Howard after his apparent death in the ending to the first game, was the first crossover of its kind in a fighting game and inspired the King of Fighters series.

Versions

The Mega-CD port is missing parallax scrolling and background details (such as the crowds in the stages for Big Bear and Joe Higashi). It also lacks the day/night variations for each stage. It has a Red Book recording of the original Neo Geo soundtrack.

Ryo Sakazaki only appears as a hidden opponent in the arcade version, but he is playable in all of the home versions (including the Neo Geo AES version).

Localised names

Also known as

Language	Localised Name	English Translation
English	Fatal Fury Special	Fatal Fury Special
English (US)	Fatal Fury Special	Fatal Fury Special
Japanese	餓狼伝説ＳＰＥＣＩＡＬ	Garou Densetsu Special

Production credits

Mega-CD version

JVC Musical Industries

• Executive Producer: Makoto Orii
• Producer: Yoji Takenaka
• Game Testers: Aki Akaike, Jurio C.Arreygue, Jeremy Klein

JVC Victor Entertainment

• Executive Producer: Harunobu Komori
• Producer: Toshiyuki Nagai
• Director: Kazuya Tominaga
• Co Director: Gaku Sato
• Assistant: Ryo Misawa

Funcom

• Main programmer: Anders Dybdahl
• Tools & Realtime Animation Decruncher: Eivind Eklund, Eivind Hagen, Johan Köhler, Morten B Ofstad
• Other Programming: Roar Flølo, Morten B Sfstad, Carl-Henrik Skàrstedt
• Graphic Artists: Joachim Barrum, Torkell Bernsen, Colin McMahon, Tommy Svensson
• Music and Sound: Kim M Jensen
• Animation Editing: VerJørn Strømmen
• Producer: Trond W Larsen

Source:

In-game credits (JP)

Game Gear version

• Director: T.Ikenoue, T.Ishigai
• Programmer: H.Koiso, Swan, T.Ishigai, Kaizer-S, T.M.Ninja Special
• Graphic Designer: Samaraki.Y, Katsutoshi.H, Takuya.S, Tsubura.N, J.Kawaura, T.M.Ninja Special
• Arrangement: T.M.Ninja Special, H.Koiso, A.Yamada
• Sound: K.Oikawa, K.Mikusa
• Special Thanks: Kumiko, Etsuko, T.Ohtsuka, and S.Takagi, D.Fowler
  • SNK Co., Ltd
  • All Takara Staffs
• Fatal Fury Special Original Game Design by: NeoGeo SNK
• Fatal Fury Special Game Gear version Produced by: Takara

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Fatal Fury Special/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Fatal Fury Special/Promotional material.

Artwork

• 

  Mega-CD cover

• 

  Game Gear cover

Physical scans

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score Consoles + (FR) 85 Computer & Video Games (UK) 67 Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U 58 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) 74 Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J 53 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 65 Joypad (FR) PAL 87 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 75 Mega (UK) PAL 28 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 36 Player One (FR) 95 Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J 68 Sega Magazin (DE) 78 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 71 Sega Power (UK) PAL 64 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 78 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 58 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 43 Todo Sega (ES) 89 Top Consoles (FR) 75 Videogame Advisor (US) NTSC-U 42 Video Games (DE) PAL 75 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 70

	67
Based on 23 reviews

Fatal Fury Special

Mega-CD, JP
Cover
Spinecard Disc Manual Reg Card

Mega-CD, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Mega-CD, EU
Cover
Disc Manual

Mega-CD, BR

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J 73 Consoles + (FR) 92 Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J 55 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 78 Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL 84 Hobby Consolas (ES) 84 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 80 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 46 Player One (FR) 95 Play Time (DE) 80 Sega Power (UK) PAL 84 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 51 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 84 Todo Sega (ES) 84 Video Games (DE) PAL 81 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 90

	78
Based on 16 reviews

Fatal Fury Special

Game Gear, JP
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, GR
Cover
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Fatal Fury Special/Technical information.

References

NEC Retro has more information related to Garou Densetsu Special