STORY:  Geese Howard: a man feared by the world as the dark ruler of South Town. He shocked the land with his violent techniques and was confident that no one could ever top him. To rid himself of the man, Geese took the life the street champ, Jeff Bogard. However, several years later, three men arose to stop Geese's ambition. They were the sons of the dead Jeff, Terry and Andy Bogard, and Muay Thai champ, Joe Higashi. After Geese was defeated by them, he was believed to be dead. However, as time passed, a disturbing rumor began to float around the world. Geese is alive...


His elder half-brother, Wolfgang Krauser, took the reigns of the underworld after his younger brother's passing. However, the resurrected Geese deprives Krauser his seat of glory and the Bogard brothers burn with the flames of revenge. Terry and Andy hear where Geese is located."We're coming for you, Geese!" A new legend is about to begin.

 

  
REVIEW:  No, Fatal Fury "Special" isn't retarded, it's just a more complete version of Fatal Fury 2... (cheap joke, my apologies). This upgrade to Fatal Fury 2 enables players to select the previously AI-only characters by default (Billy Kane, Axel Hawk, Laurence Blood, and Wolfgang Krauser). Several classic characters who were missing from the the prequel also make their return, including: Duck King, Tung Fu Rue, and the mighty Geese Howard. Ryo Sakazaki from the Art Of Fighting series even makes an epic special appearance as a bonus character.


Fun Fact: The popularity and positive fan-response from Ryo Sakazaki appearing in Fatal Fury Special, was part of the reason The King of Fighters series was born (about a year later).

 

 

The mechanics of Fatal Fury Special slightly expand upon those from Fatal Fury 2, adding a new combo system and a faster game speed. Unlike the previous Fatal Fury games, Special allows players to combine attacks. When an attack lands, the player will have a brief moment of invincibility. The number of Line Move Attacks have also increased, pressing the Light Punch or Light Kick button while the opponent is on an opposite line will perform a Low Line Jump Attack.

 

 

In general, Fatal Fury Special still feels much slower and less-responsive than other fighting games at the time. The jumping in and out of the background element still feels unrefined, unnatural, and perhaps a bit unnecessary. (This gameplay system was later tightened up in the Real Bout series.)

 
 

Page Updated: January 18th, 2020 Developer(s): SNK  (NeoGeo) Takara  (SNES/Sega CD/Game Gear) Publisher(s): SNK Platform(s): Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD, Super Nintendo, Game Gear, Sega CD, Wii Virtual Console, Xbox 360 (XBLA) Release Date(s): Sept. 16, 1993            Arcade Nov. 4th, 2009             Wii VC Mar. 1st, 2010             Wii VC Mar. 26th, 2010          Wii VC Characters:  Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Joe Higashi, Big Bear, Jubei Yamada, Cheng Sinzan, Kim Kap Hwan, Mai Shiranui, Duck King, Tung Fu Rue, Billy Kane, Axel Hawk, Laurence Blood, Wolfgang Krauser, Geese Howard, Ryo Sakazaki Featured Video: Related Games: Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury 3, Real Bout Fatal Fury, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, Real Bout Special: Dominated Mind, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition, Fatal Fury: 1st Contact, Garou: Mark of The Wolves, Art Of Fighting, Eternal Champions, Fighters History, Virtua Fighter, Mortal Kombat 2, Samurai Shodown, Super Street Fighter 2, World Heroes 2    Gameplay Engine  6.5 / 10 Story / Theme  6.5 / 10 Overall Graphics  7.0 / 10 Animation  6.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  6.0 / 10 Innovation  6.5 / 10 Art Direction  6.5 / 10 Customization  5.0 / 10 Intro / Presentation  6.0 / 10 Replayability / Fun  6.0 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  6.0 / 10 Characters  6.5 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  6.5 / 10  Review based on Arcade version       Final Words: SNK was trying their best to keep up with Capcom's runaway Smash hit Street Fighter 2 series. Fatal Fury Special was an attempt, but definitely wasn't one of SNK's best games in the era. Upcoming sequels to the Samurai Showdown and Art of Fighting series would make a much bigger impact on the arcade landscape.  ~TFG Webmaster     Click here for all poster/box artwork!                               Click here for all character artwork!