Kinnikuman - Kinnikusei Oui Soudatsusen

Kinnikuman - Kinnikusei Oui Soudatsusen (Japan) is a fighting game for the Famicom Disk System, released in the late 1980s exclusively in Japan. It is part of the Kinnikuman franchise, which was popular at the time thanks to the anime and manga series. Bandai, the publisher behind many Kinnikuman titles, handled this release. The game uses the Disk System's unique storage format, which allowed for save data and more complex graphics than standard Famicom cartridges. The player selects a character from the Kinnikuman roster and fights one-on-one opponents in a wrestling ring. The core gameplay involves landing punches and kicks while using special moves that deplete the opponent's health bar. Each fighter has unique abilities based on their anime counterparts. The structure is a tournament ladder, where you must defeat a series of foes to become the champion. Controls are simple: a jump button and an attack button, with combinations triggering special techniques. The Japanese menus require some navigation, but the gameplay itself is straightforward. Today, this title is a neat piece of Famicom Disk System history, especially for fans of the Kinnikuman series. It is a simple but entertaining fighting game that captures the spirit of the anime. While it might not stand out among the many fighting games of its era, its connection to a beloved franchise and its presence on a short-lived format make it worth a look for retro collectors. It is a niche experience, but one that delivers exactly what it promises.