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Garou
Densetsu - Shukumei no Tatakai
餓狼伝説
～宿命の闘い～
(1991) |
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At
first, Garou Densetsu seemed like nothing
more than a simple follow-up to SNK's Street
Smart (1989): the game has a very similar
graphical style, and even features some of the
same music. But Garou Densetsu (released
in December 1991) differs in that it is a straight-up
versus fighting game, generally considered to
be SNK's answer to Capcom's hugely popular Street
Fighter II (March 1991).
Story has it that both games were developed simultaneously
- but considering that it was released six months
after Street Fighter II, SNK's effort
just doesn't hold a candle against it in terms
of raw playability. Truth is, it barely holds
together: the gameplay is sketchy, and the collision
detection between characters is haphazard at best.
The main novelty lies in the addition of an extra
playfield (or 'Background Line') into which the
players can leap into and fight in at any given
time. This may sound like an interesting idea
- but after a few rounds it grows very, very irritating.
This background business became the most distinguishable
feature of the Garou
Densetsu series, and to all extents its biggest
flaw: bouts are incessantly interrupted by one
character suddenly floating off into the background,
followed by a quick burst of both fighters randomly
bouncing in and out of the screen at each other. |
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AC Flyer (back) |
Art 1 |
Art 2 |
Art 3 |
Art 4 |
SFC Flyer |
X68000 Flyer |
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Art
Gallery
Terry Bogard
テリー・ボガード
Andy Bogard
アンディ・ボガード
Joe Higashi
ジョー・ヒガシ
Michael Max
マイケル・マックス
Duck King
ダック・キング
Tung Fu Rue
タン・フー・ルー
Richard Myer
リチャード・マイヤ
Hwa Jai
ホア・ジャイ
Raiden
ライデン
Billy Kane
ビリー・カーン
Geese Howard
ギース・ハワード |
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Bad
luck SNK. If this game had been released six months
earlier, it would have been a completely different
story. As it stands it was doomed right from the
outset: Street Fighter II simply blows
it away.
But it isn't an unworthy alternative, far from
it. It certainly excels in terms of dramatic presentation
and overall charisma: the music, visuals and characters
are all meticulously designed and surprisingly
memorable. Be it Richard Myer hanging on ceilings,
Tung Fu Rue turning into a monstrous hulk-like
goliath or Hwa Jai drinking in mid-bout and going
on a drunken rampage, Garou Densetsu
delivers surprises by the spade load, all the
way up to the eventual disposal of the devious
Geese Howard by pushing him off the top of a high-rise
skyscraper.
Regardless of the openly immoral means of disposal
of the arch-villain, it turns out that it's the
game's tense and climactic storyline that lies
at the very heart of the Garou Densetsu
experience. In this field, it easily outshines
the plight of the relatively stereotypical combatants
of the Street
Fighter series. By the turn of 1994 the exploits
of the Bogard brothers had spawned not just a
number of sequels but also dozens of comics, CDs,
books, two hour-long animated feature films, and
a full-length motion picture.
It's just a shame that the core playability isn't
there to match, this despite the presence of a
great '2P vs CPU' mode - a pioneering and entertaining
concept involving two players taking on the computer
together in an all-out (and rather one-sided)
three-man battle. It's a real shame that the idea
was wholly abandoned after this: it was removed
from the sequel, and the idea would not to be
seen again until 1995, and the 'Dramatic Battle'
feature of Capcom's Street
Fighter Zero (1995).
Oh well. When it comes down to it, Garou Densetsu
was, in its day, nothing but a fun alternative
for SFII aficionados to get their heads around
in their spare time. Today it survives as a curious
historical footnote: as SNK's fighting game debut
and the very first chapter of the King
of Fighters saga. It can still be a lot of
fun, too - an expert-level game is hilarious to
watch, as experienced players can literally molest
the game. Try mastering the 'Mid-air Special Moves'
bug (see below) for best results. |
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MID-AIR
SPECIAL MOVES
In the original Arcade / Neo Geo version,
Special Moves can be executed in mid-jump!
Simply jump forwards or away, and input
the command: you will teleport out of the
air and release the move on the ground.
This is clearly a bug; but in a twisted
way it's also a lot of fun to do.
BONUS ENDING
A 1-credit finish triggers a 'character
roll' montage depicting every cast member.
Not loosing a round sees a slightly different
roll, where each character's portrait changes
to their 'lose' image. |
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Super Famicom version
'STREET FIGHT' (VS mode)
ALL 11 CHARACTERS PLAYABLE
During the 2P 'SELECT PLAYER' screen,
press DOWN on controller 2
to access the full cast.
Strangely, this trick only works for Player 2
(Takara were really lazy here:
P1 can only use Terry, Andy or Joe) |
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UNLIMITED CREDITS: At the 'CONTINUE'
countdown screen, hold UP and press A+B+C
GEESE PLAYABLE (VS mode): Enter
'VS GAME START'. Before selecting '1P vs 2P',
both players must hold LEFT
INFINITE ROUNDS (VS mode): Enter
'CONTROL', put cursor on 'POINT', hold B and move
LEFT to reduce the counter from 1 to 0. |
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Garou
Densetsu
餓狼伝説
NEO GEO |
DETAILS
| Format |
Neo
Geo |
| Released |
20
Dec 1991 |
| Publisher |
SNK |
| Product
ID |
NGH-033 |
| Size
(cm) |
22
x 17 x 4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.70 |
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Despite
its flaws, the first Garou
Densetsu is a bona fide
piece of gaming history, marking
the very beginnings of the
KOF universe.
And like all ageing Neo Geo
games, it is starting to become
scarce.
Standard Neo Geo case, 55Mbit
cartridge, monochrome booklet. |
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Garou
Densetsu / Last Resort
餓狼伝説／ラストリゾート
－G.S.M.
1500 SERIES－ / SNK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
May 1992 |
| Publisher |
Pony
Canyon |
| Product
ID |
PCCB-00087 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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2-in-1
soundtrack release that includes
the BGM collections of both:
- Garou
Densetsu (1991)
- Last
Resort (1992)
Features a bonus arrange track
for Last Resort and
interchangeable cover art
for both games.
View [back]
for tracklisting.
CD case, 25-track audio CD,
12-page monochrome booklet,
spine card, Garou Densetsu
sticker [view]. |
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Garou
Densetsu
餓狼伝説
SUPER FAMICOM |
DETAILS
| Format |
Super
Famicom |
| Released |
27
Nov 1992 |
| Publisher |
Takara |
| Product
ID |
SHVC-GN |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 10.5 x 3 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.16 |
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Maybe
SNK shouldn't have licensed
such a successful title out
to Takara: the result is way
below par.
But regardless how sketchy
the game is it sold very well,
and played a great part in
making the series so popular.
Cardboard SFC packaging, 8Mbit
cartridge, 32-page colour
manual. |
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Garou
Densetsu Kanzen Kōryaku Hon
餓狼伝説
完全攻略本
TOKUMA INTERMEDIA MOOK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
30
Dec 1992 |
| Publisher |
Tokumashoten |
| Product
ID |
n/a |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 0.9
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.22 |
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Clear
and nicely laid out 'Complete
Capture Book' for the SFC
version.
Features character introductions,
special moves, and a massive
'Vs CPU' section that breaks
down every possible match-up.
88
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Garou
Densetsu Super Famicom Soft Kōryaku
Hon
餓狼伝説
スーパーファミコンソフト攻略本
BOM BOM FAMICOM HISSHŌ KŌRYAKU HON
4 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
10
Jan 1993 |
| Publisher |
Kodansha |
| Product
ID |
n/a |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 0.8 (B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.14 |
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Smaller
but just as complete 'Capture
Book' for the SFC version.
Features character profiles
and VS CPU tactics for all
3 characters.
82
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Garou
Densetsu
餓狼伝説
MEGA DRIVE |
DETAILS
| Format |
Mega
Drive |
| Released |
23
Apr 1993 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
G-4100 |
| Size
(cm) |
17.8
x 12.8 x 2.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.18 |
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The
MD Garou Densetsu
might play slightly better
than the SFC version, but
two characters (and the bonus
game) are missing.
Still - in its day this was
one of the only decent fighting
games on the MD.
Standard MD case, 8Mbit cartridge,
34-page colour manual. |
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Garou
Densetsu Kōryaku Guide Book
餓狼伝説
攻略ガイドブック
GUIDE BOOK for MEGA DRIVE |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
15
May 1993 |
| Publisher |
Mega
Drive Fan |
| Product
ID |
n/a |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 0.4 (B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.06 |
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Small-sized
'Capture Guide Book' for the
MD version, given away with
the May '93 issue of 'Mega
Drive Fan' magazine.
Includes dedicated move lists
for every character.
52
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Garou
Densetsu
餓狼伝説
X68000 |
DETAILS
| Format |
X68000 |
| Released |
21
May 1993 |
| Publisher |
Magical |
| Product
ID |
HDX-5001 |
| Size
(cm) |
25.5
x 18.5 x 4.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.56 |
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X68000
games have always been tough
to get hold of in good condition,
and Magical's excellent port
of the first Garou Densetsu
is no exception.
Large
PC-style packaging, four 5"
floppies inside plastic case,
12-page colour booklet. |
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Garou
Densetsu Image Album
餓狼伝説
イメージアルバム
SNK NEO SOUND ORCHESTRA |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
July 1993 |
| Publisher |
Pony
Canyon |
| Product
ID |
PCCB-00132 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1.1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.14 |
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Luxuriously
presented 'Arrange' soundtrack
CD featuring 11 remixed tracks
from the original OST. Very
hard to find complete in good
condition!
View [back]
for tracklisting.
Cardboard
presentation sleeve holds
CD case (with 11-track audio
CD & 8-page booklet) and
a bonus 'Sticker Book' containing
6 pages of Garou Densetsu
& Neo Geo themed stickers. |
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Garou
Densetsu - Aratanaru Tatakai
餓狼伝説
―新たなる闘い― LEO ADVER・雲緒 霞
GAMEST COMICS 001 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
30
Aug 1993 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-093-4 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 2 (A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.48 |
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Quality
manga adaptation of Garou
Densetsu, with art by
Leo Adver and story by Kasumi
Kumoo. Takes quite a few liberties
over the original story, but
is none the worse for it.
One of the very first releases
of the Gamest
Comics collection.
230 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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Garou
Densetsu
餓狼伝説
NEO GEO CD |
DETAILS
| Format |
Neo
Geo CD |
| Released |
9
Sep 1994 |
| Publisher |
SNK |
| Product
ID |
NGCD-033 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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If
you have access to a Neo Geo
CD, this is the hands-down
the best version of the original
Garou Densetsu.
It's also becoming very hard
to find these days.
'Neo
Geo' stamped CD case, Neo
Geo CD disc, monochrome booklet,
spine card. |
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Garou
Densetsu Battle Archives 1
餓狼伝説
バトルアーカイブズ1
NEO GEO ONLINE COLLECTION Vol.5 |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation
2 |
| Released |
20
July 2006 |
| Publisher |
SNK
Playmore |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-25664 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.18 |
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Garou
Densetsu Battle Archives 1 [Best]
餓狼伝説
バトルアーカイブズ1
[ベスト]
NEO GEO ONLINE COLLECTION THE BEST |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation
2 |
| Released |
29
May 2008 |
| Publisher |
SNK
Playmore |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-25863 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.17 |
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