Mighty Final Fight (USA)

Mighty Final Fight is a side-scrolling beat 'em up developed by Capcom for the NES, offering an adorable yet intense version of the popular Final Fight series. Instead of realistic graphics, the game uses a charming chibi art style for all characters, creating an experience that is both familiar and fresh.

Players choose one of three familiar characters: Cody, Guy, or Haggar, each possessing unique stats and skills. The main objective is to rescue Jessica, Haggar's daughter, from the notorious Mad Gear gang. The basic gameplay involves moving through stages and defeating all enemies that appear.

A standout feature of Mighty Final Fight compared to other NES beat 'em ups of its time is its level-up system. By defeating enemies, players earn experience points (EXP). Accumulating enough EXP allows the character to level up, boosting stats like health (HP) and attack power. More importantly, leveling up also unlocks new and more powerful special moves. For instance, at higher levels, Cody can perform a jump kick, Guy can execute throws, and Haggar can perform his legendary piledriver.

Each character has a distinctive set of moves: Cody is a balanced fighter with powerful punches; Guy is a nimble ninja with kicks and jumps; and Haggar is a former wrestler with superior physical strength and grappling abilities. Players need to utilize basic attacks (punches, kicks), jump attacks, and newly unlocked special moves to combat various types of Mad Gear gang members, from common thugs to formidable bosses at the end of each stage.

The game also provides supportive items such as food to restore health and temporary weapons like knives and pipes to increase damage. Despite its cute graphical style, Mighty Final Fight retains the challenging difficulty typical of NES games, requiring players to employ sound strategies and good control skills to complete the adventure and rescue Jessica.