Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers Review (PC)
Summary: Overall Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers is a solid re-release offering more than enough gameplay and netcode refinement to keep a Fighting game enthusiast sated. With the practice and Player vs CPU mode, this should offer an entry point for “Newcomers” as well. The only real gripe is the price at £16.75. This is on the higher end for a re-release but hopefully this does not discourage people from buying and trying out this game.
3.9
Nostalgic Fun
SNK has once again teamed up with Code Mystics to update and release a classic from their storied history. It’s time to stretch, dust off those combos, and jump back into one of SNK’s premier fighting game franchises.
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers originally launched in 1998 during the height of the 1v1 fighting craze of the 1990s. Street Fighter II popularized the genre, Mortal Kombat pushed the envelope even further, and—as always—SNK threw their hat into the ring with the Fatal Fury franchise.
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 delivers exactly what players expect from a fighting game: tight controls, a simple yet skill-based system, and a large roster of characters. The two-lane battle system adds an extra layer to the 2D combat, giving players another way to dodge attacks and set up sliding counterattacks. Each of the 23 characters feels distinct, with their own style and combos, ensuring there’s someone to suit every playstyle.
Additionally, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 includes a practice mode that helps newcomers acclimate to the gameplay with on-screen prompts and hitbox displays. It’s the kind of feature that feels like a no-brainer—an excellent way to encourage more people to pick up fighting games and smooth out the initial learning curve.
The real draw of the PC version is the new rollback netcode, which offers smoother online play. On top of that, players can now create lobbies of up to nine people and host tournaments with varying formats, including league and single elimination. These additions expand the ecosystem and give players more ways to stay engaged.
Visually, the game strikes a balance between nostalgia and polish. Code Mystics has wisely avoided unnecessary new animations or heavy-handed graphical changes that often detract from re-releases. Instead, they’ve kept it authentic to the source material. The same goes for the music and audio cues, which remain faithful to the original. While some may grumble about the lack of remixed tracks or flashy overlays, those additions can sometimes interfere with gameplay—especially in a fighting game where clarity is key.
Final Thoughts?
Overall, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers is a strong re-release, offering enough gameplay depth and netcode refinement to satisfy fighting game enthusiasts. With practice and CPU modes included, it also provides a welcoming entry point for true “newcomers.” The only real drawback is the price—£16.75 is on the higher side for a re-release—but hopefully that won’t discourage players from giving this classic another shot.
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