Time Killers (USA)
Time Killers (USA) Overview
Time Killers is a fighting game for the Sega Genesis that was released as a home port of the 1992 arcade title by Incredible Technologies. It arrived in North America during the early 90s fighting game boom and is best described as a Mortal Kombat clone with a grislier twist. The arcade original gained notoriety for allowing players to dismember and decapitate opponents mid-fight, and the Genesis version brought that same over-the-top violence home.
In Time Killers you select from a roster of brutal fighters and face off against the computer or another player in one-on-one battles. The core gameplay involves executing punches, kicks, and special moves to deplete your opponent's health bar while managing your own. What sets this game apart is the limb-severing mechanic: landing enough hits on a specific body part can permanently disable it, and if you push a defeated foe's health to zero in the right way you can decapitate them even before the round officially ends. This makes every match a frantic race to inflict maximum damage before your own limbs get hacked off.
Time Killers is worth trying today if you are curious about the grittier side of the Genesis fighting library or enjoy historically notable clones. It is not as polished as the major series like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter II, and the animation and controls feel rougher by modern standards. But for fans of retro arcade fighters or anyone looking for a game that pushed the envelope for on-screen violence on 16-bit consoles, Time Killers offers a raw, no-frills brawling experience that captures a specific moment in the genre's evolution.
How to Play Time Killers (USA) Online
To start playing Time Killers press Enter to reach the title screen then press Start again to enter the main menu. Use the Arrow Keys to navigate the cursor and press X to confirm your choice. You will first be asked to select either a 1-player or 2-player mode; choose 1-player to fight against the computer or 2-player for head-to-head battles with a friend.
Once a mode is selected you must pick a character from the available roster. Each fighter has different strengths and special moves. After choosing your fighter the match begins with a best-of-three rounds structure. Use S to throw basic attacks and X to jump; combine directional inputs with button presses to perform special moves. The key gimmick is that repeatedly hitting the same limb (e.g. the arm or leg) will eventually sever it, removing that limb for the rest of the match. Learn to land hits on the opponent's head or torso to finish them off quickly and avoid losing your own limbs.
The core loop is simple: fight, win rounds, and advance to the next opponent. There is no story mode beyond a series of fights. If you play with a friend the goal is simply to see who can outlast the other. Mastering the dismemberment system is the fastest way to win, but it takes practice to land consistent hits on specific body parts.
Time Killers (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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