Battle Circuit (970319 Japan)
Inside Battle Circuit (970319 Japan)
Battle Circuit is an arcade beat 'em up that Capcom released in 1997, initially only in Japan and Europe. It was the last game of its kind the company developed for arcades, and it shows the studio refining a formula they had perfected over the decade. This version, marked 970319 Japan, is the original Japanese arcade release.
The story takes place in an alternate future where a group of bounty hunters chase the mad scientist Dr. Saturn to recover a disc containing the dangerous "Shiva System." You pick one of several characters, each with unique attacks, and fight through side-scrolling stages full of enemies. The action is fast, with a focus on combo strings, special moves, and the occasional weapon pickup. You can also team up with a second player for cooperative play.
What makes Battle Circuit worth revisiting is how it represents Capcom's last hurrah for the genre in arcades. The comic-book art style and sci-fi setting give it a distinct flavor compared to earlier beat 'em ups like Final Fight or Streets of Rage. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid, polished brawler that fans of the era will appreciate for its tight controls and over-the-top action.
How to Play Battle Circuit (970319 Japan) Online
This game is a Japanese arcade release, so the menus are entirely in Japanese. When you boot it up, you'll see a title screen with a few options. Press Enter to start. The first menu asks you to select the number of players (1 or 2) using the D-Pad and confirm with X. After that, you pick a character from a row of portraits. Each has different attributes, but you can just pick whichever looks cool.
The core loop is simple: walk right, punch, kick, and use special attacks to clear out waves of enemies. You have a health bar and a life stock. Watch out for enemy attacks that can knock you down. You can pick up weapons like pipes or bombs, and food items appear after some fights to restore health. The game is generous with continues, so don't worry about dying. Just keep fighting until you beat the boss at the end of each stage.
Battle Circuit (970319 Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
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