As part of the LRG3 stream, Limited Run Games revealed that they’re pulling the two Fighting Force games together for a compilation. It will be arriving sometime in 2024.
Do you remember Fighting Force? The first one was released in 1997. Reportedly, Core Design pitched it to Sega for the Saturn as Streets of Rage 3D. Sega passed on it. As a result, it didn’t even release for the Saturn, instead arriving on PS1 and N64.
It’s fun. It’s pretty loose. I don’t think anyone really had a good idea of how to do beat-’em-ups in 3D at the time, and this was no exception. Beyond just fisticuffs, there were also a lot of firearms. Honestly, I think what makes it stick out in my mind so much is its general vibe. There’s a real urban feel to its aesthetic that I love. The weirdest thing about it was that players had lives and limited continues, if I recall. Kind of a drag.
Fighting Force 2 followed on PS1 and Dreamcast. I’m less familiar with this one because I had an N64 growing up. I’ve nearly bought the Dreamcast version on quite a few occasions in the last couple years. Contrary to the first game, the only footage I’ve seen of it takes place in some military complex. It’s also 1-player, what the hell? There’s no word if it’s the PS1 or Dreamcast version (or both) included in the collection. By the looks of it, it’s PS1.
I’m down. They’re admittedly not great games, but I have enough affection for the era. I guess I’m saying that I really want to like them and am willing to attempt it again.
Fighting Force Collection is coming sometime in 2025.
