| Graphics: |   3 |
| Sound: | 2 |
| Controls: | 2 |
| Extras: | 3 |
| Fun Factor: | 3 |
| Genre: | Fighting |
| Reading ability: | Not Required |
| Company: | Masaya |
Background:
This game actually was released in North America with the name Street Combat. However, it was unrecognizable as the characters were totally redesigned. At the time, it was thought that the American gaming audience couldn't handle anime style graphics. So, the characters were redrawn. This was apparently before the release of Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle for the American market, which was advertised extensively by Viz but was still a failure. ---Greg
Plot:
A martial arts tournament with an invitation to see China as the prize lures Ranma into battle.
Review:
The first Ranma game for the Super Famicom features some of the series most popular (and wacky) characters! Ranma Saotome hears about a martial arts tournament, with an invitation to see China (If you read the manga or seen the anime, you know where this is going) as the prize. Other Ranma characters are there either for the prize, or just to cause Ranma trouble. The 1 player story mode lets you pick Ranma only. However,you get to pick before each opponent if you wish to be Ranma boy or girl.Your first opponent is Genma (Genma Saotome), then Kodachi (Kodachi Kuno). After that, you enter a bonus round with Happy (Happosai), and have to hit him 10 times before time runs out to earn an extra credit (continue). Next,you fight Kunoh (Tatewaki Kuno), then Kohchoh (Principal Kuno). Next is a bonus round with Colon (Cologne), where you must hit the bowls of ramen and sweet chestnuts she throws (any combination of 10) before time runs out to earn one more credit. Then,you take on Shampoo (Shampoo) and then the final opponent, Ryohga (Ryoga Hibiki). Ranma finds out what the "invitation to see China" really is (I won't spoil it for you if you don't know...but it is in both the anime and manga...the "Ranma and Juliet" storyline), and a funny end credits chase ensues! The 2 player mode lets you duke it out as Ranma boy, Ranma girl, Genma, Kodachi, Kuno, Kocho, Shampoo and Ryoga. However....(See Extras for more!) The controls can be set to your preferance in the options menu,but you cannot set the "Jump" move to the directional pad.
Difficulty:
The game has three difficulties: Easy, Normal, and Hard and Super. The only differences are the game getting harder, nothing in the endings changes that I know of.
Pros:
The characters should be familiar to any Ranma fan,and have the trademark moves (Ranma's Hiryu-Shoten Ha, and Principal Kuno's exploding pineapples). The anime portraits and beginning and ending artwork are all top notch (except Principal Kuno's non-tanned skin in his portrait). The ending pic with Ryoga defeated is different slightly depending if you beat him as Ranma boy or girl (totally different pose for Ranma)!
Cons:
Ranma is the only playable character in story mode. You can do a debug trick (See Extras) to play as the others in story mode, but you still get Ranma's pics and ending. Even though I personally love this game, the graphics in battle are a bit dated, but then, this game did pave the way to greatness for the sequels. Lots of the fans didn't like jumping with only the options of either the X, Y, B or A button.
Extras:
Press the Select button 15 times fast while highlighting the Credits option on the option menu...you'll get 50 credits! If you hold the top L and R buttons and press Start on the 1 player mode,you can play as Ranma's opponents. (You will need to press the A button to begin the match when you get to a fight such as Genma VS Genma, etc.) But wait, there's more! Do the same thing (L and R plus Start) on the 2 player mode, and you can now play as Happosai and Cologne! Ever wanted to hit people with Cologne's walking stick or Happosai's firecracker bombs? Now you can!!! So, between the 2 modes, and using the debug trick, here's the list of all 10 characters you can play as:
Ranma boy (Ranma's name in blue colored text)
Ranma girl (Ranma's name in red colored text)
Genma Saotome (listed as Genma)
Kodachi Kuno (listed as Kodachi)
Happosai (listed as Happy)
Tatewaki Kuno (Listed as Kunoh)
Principal Kocho Kuno (listed as Kohchoh)
Cologne (listed as Colon)
Shampoo (listed as Shampoo)
Ryoga Hibiki (listed as Ryohga)
Contributing reviewer:
joelc827@aol.com
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