Last Bronx     STORY:  Last Bronx is set in a alternate version of post-Japanese bubble Tokyo, where crime and gang warfare is rampant.   Talk about a big forehead... geeeeez man.   REVIEW:  Last Bronx, also known as Tokyo Bangaichi in Japan, is a 3D fighter developed by Sega-AM3 on the Sega Model 2 arcade board. Last Bronx was actually one of the first 3D fighting games to use motion captured animation (Soul Edge being the other).   Hammer VS stick... Okay!   Last Bronx uses the same 3-button system used in the Virtua Fighter series (punch button, kick button, guard button). Characters can also use rolling moves, throws, and attack cancels (by hitting guard while attacking). In addition, certain button combinations are used for specials, combinations, and even taunts. The stages are set in various closed areas of Tokyo City, without any ring outs. However, fighters can jump on the barriers, which can result in a ring out.   Doesn't look like he's going to land very softly.   Overall, the gameplay isn't quite as deep the other Sega 3D fighters from the time period... and of course I'm talking about Virtua Fighter 2 and Fighting Vipers. While there are some decent combos and fun elements about the gameplay, it pales in comparison to many fighting games out at the time in terms of fun and gameplay mechanics. Looking back at it, it seems like an early attempt to do what Soul Calibur did for the fighting game genre when it launched.  The animation of Last Bronx was decent for the time, but clearly had some awkward rough edges, notably on some characters' default stances and certain priority moves. To seasoned fighting game players in 1996, Last Bronx most likely felt and looked a bit clunky. There are some cool looking throws and combos, and something is just kinda "cool" about this game... not really sure what it is though.

Last Updated: March 31st, 2014 Developer(s): Sega-AM3 Publisher(s): Sega Platform(s): Arcade, Sega Saturn, Playstation 2, Windows Release Date(s): 1996 (Arcade) 1997 (Saturn) 1998 (Windows) 2006 (PS2 in Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 24,) Characters:  Yusaku Kudo, Joe Inagaki, Saburo Zaimoku, Toru Kurosawa, Nagi Hojo, Hiroshi Tomiie, Lisa Kusanami, Yoko Kono, Ken Kono Featured Video: Related Games: Soul Blade, Bushido Blade, Battle Arena Toshinden, Battle Arena Toshinden 2, Fighting Vipers, Fighting Vipers 2, Fighters Megamix, Virtua Fighter, Virtua Fighter Remix, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Fighter Kids, Tobal No. 1, Tekken 2, Tekken 3 Gameplay Engine  6.5 / 10 Story / Theme  6.5 / 10 Overall Graphics  7 / 10 Animation  8 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  6 / 10 Innovation  7.5 / 10 Art Direction  7.5 / 10 Customization  6 / 10 Options / Extras  6 / 10 Intro / Presentation  6 / 10 Replayability / Fun  5.5 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  8 / 10 Characters  7 / 10 BOTTOM LINE 6.8 / 10  Review based on Arcade version Final Words: Last Bronx was an early 3D weapon based fighting game, and was an honest attempt. Thus, I'm sure there are quite a few fans of this game out there, and I can understand why. Some of the characters were halfway decent fighting game design for the time, but I personally found most of them pretty bland and boring. At least the characters introduced some interesting and even innovative weapon fighting styles, even though the roster was a bit lonely. I mostly played the arcade version back when it first released in 1996. Neither the characters or gameplay really held my interest at the time... I wasn't really impressed, but a put quite a few tokens in.  ~TFG Webmaster