Final Blow is a boxing arcade video game released in 1988 by Taito. The name remained the same for all ported platforms, except for the Sega versions, which Sega released outside Japan as James 'Buster' Douglas Knockout Boxing featuring American boxer James "Buster" Douglas himself in 1990 immediately after his upset victory over Mike Tyson.
| Final Blow | |
|---|---|
 Arcade flyer | |
| Developer(s) | Taito |
| Publisher(s) | Taito |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Genesis, Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, FM Towns, Master System |
| Release | 1988 |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, 2 player competitive |
Plot
editThe game follows a single season boxing championship run. There are five fictional fighters competing: Dynamite Joe - The Miracle Fighter, Fernando Gomez - The South American Eagle, Kim Nang - The Korean Comet, King Jason - The Black King, and The Detroit Kid - The Invincible Black Panther.
Gameplay
editFinal Blow is a side-scrolling boxing game where the player moves left and right to control a screen sized boxer. When the timing is right, the player can unleash a final blow punch which can sometimes KO the opponent in a single strike.
The home versions contain a spectator mode where the player can watch their favorite boxers compete.
The Sega Genesis port adds two boxers: James "Buster" Douglas (who uses The Detroit Kid's graphics, slightly edited and palette swapped) and Ironhead. It was one of the games used as part of the Genesis Does Campaign, particularly since Nintendo used Mike Tyson for its Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! video game, whom Douglas had challenged and defeated that year.
Reception
editIn Japan, Game Machine listed Final Blow on their June 1, 1989 issue as being the third most-successful table arcade unit of the month.[2]
Mega placed the game at #9 in their list of the 10 Worst Mega Drive Games of All Time.[3]
References
edit- ^ Lang, Chip (January 1991). "Genesis ProView: James "Buster" Douglas Knock-Out Boxing" (PDF). GamePro. pp. 82–83.
- ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 357. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 June 1989. p. 21.
- ^ "10 Worst Mega Drive Games of All Time". Mega. No. 1. Future Publishing. October 1992. p. 85.
External links
edit- Final Blow at the Killer List of Videogames
- Final Blow at Atari Mania
- Final Blow at Lemon 64