3 Games to Close Out March

You can experience it on practically any platform.

Right now, my mission is to bring some good old-fashioned justice to the streets. Recently, I’ve been diving deep into Capcom’s brilliant lineup of beat ‘em ups from the late ‘80s and mid-‘90s. For some, it’s a nostalgic revisit; for others, like me, it’s a fresh journey. Just last week, a buddy and I teamed up to tackle Capcom’s outstanding Dungeons & Dragons titles—Tower of Doom and Shadow over Mystara. We played through the Chronicles of Mystara collection, and I was blown away by how engaging the combat still feels, the hidden secrets, alternative pathways, and the clever integration of inventory systems and magical items. After being thoroughly impressed by those, I’ve set my sights on the classic that started Capcom’s iconic streak in the beat ‘em up genre: 1989’s Final Fight.

When it comes to defining what makes a beat ‘em up unforgettable, Final Fight is always at the top of my list. Thinking back on it, there was something almost magical about spotting it in an arcade, at your corner store, or in the local laundromat. The massive character sprites, the gritty digitized sound effects, and the intense battles were all groundbreaking. This game was a genre-changer, taking cues from predecessors like Double Dragon and Renegade, and turning them into something instantly engaging and memorable. It’s been a while since I’ve played Final Fight, and the friend I’m gaming with nowadays has never experienced it. So, this weekend seems perfect for stepping back into Metro City with Mayor Mike Haggar. It’s time to hit the streets, tackle the Mad Gear gang, and eventually take on the real villain—a powerful and wealthy mastermind operating from his gleaming glass tower above the run-down streets and subway lines that vividly illustrate Final Fight’s world, teetering on the edge of chaos. — Carolyn Petit