Real Bout Special Game by Takara (Import) Reviewed by Lord Alucard lorde_alucard@hotmail.com Size: 4 megabits Save: None Released: 1998 Works with: All GB versions Opening Snide Remarks: After the marvelous KoF 96, I HAD to try another Takara game. When I saw the title "Real Bout Special", well, I bought it immediately. "Garou Densetsu", or "Fatal Fury" in the US, always was my favorite series! Actually, I never suspected that this game was available for the almighty handheld... I placed the money in the hand of the salesman and boy, I couldn't even work that afternoon... :-) Gameplay: It plays just like the two GB KoF, and that's excelent! At your service, count with the lone wolves, Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi. Along with them, Mai Shiranui, Jin Chonshu, the beautiful Blue Mary, Kim Kaphwan, the wacky Duck King and the villains, Ryuji Yamazaki, Billy Kane, Laurence and the last boss, Wolfgang Krauser. The secret bosses are Geese Howard and, guess, Iori Yagami! You can use their moves, Desperation Moves and their Super Desperation Moves (when your POW bar is full and your energy bar is flashing)! Just some cons: the battles are a bit longer, and there isn't an option to set only one round. Also the timer is a bit faster than it should be. The CPU controlled characters are a LOT cheap, and you'll find yourself glued to the walls! While that isn't a big con, it is a bit annoying. Graphics: This is easily one of the best-looking GB games ever... The characters are VERY well animated. In the beginning of the battle you can see beautiful portraits of the characters (looking younger, of course, just like any GB Takara game). The backgrounds are extremely well done, and they EVEN have two planes of dimension. When you walk, the lower part of the screen moves slower... Takara is really amazing! The graphics are even better than KoF 96, which I thought was something impossible to do. Really really great. The backgrounds present are those of Terry, Mai, Jin, Billy and Krauser! When you're fighting Krauser, you can even see the lightining, just like in the arcade! Sound: Same as the KoFs! Lots of beeps and crashes along with punches and kicks. Nothing special though. Music: There are lots of musics, from Terry, Mai, Jin, Mary, Duck, Billy, Laurence, Krauser, Geese and Iori. They are very well done, but they aren't as good as the KoF 96 music. Still they're something to hear! Play Control: The play control is perfect, just like KoF. I was truly impressed when I did the same combo I was used to do in the arcade (Andy's double kick followed by his Shoryu-Dan). You can combo anything you want. Press A+B to change the battle plane, attack from another plane OR attack someone in the other plane... The possibilites are great! EXCELLENT play control! Final Analysis: Well, KoF or Real Bout Special? Which is the best? If RBS was a bit, just a bit easier and if I could set only one round, then it'd be RBS. But, for now, I'd take KoF 96 to a deserted island if I could choose only one of them. But, overall, it is easily the second best GB fighting game. An US release wouldn't hurt anyone, Takara! Get this game, if you can find it. I'm still looking for Samurai Spirits 3, which I heard was released too... :-( Score Gameplay: **** Graphics: ***** Sound: **** Music: ***** Play Control: ***** Total: 23 Final Score: 92% Currently Known Codes: Enter in "Options", and in the "Sound Test" line, hold left and press A. In the "Soft Dip", set 1 in the first 0 to be able to choose Geese and Iori (press start over Billy and Krauser). Set 1 in the sixth 0 to do easily the DMs and SDMs!