Power Moves

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Power Moves
Developer(s)	Kaneko
Publisher(s)	Kaneko
Release date(s)	November 27, 1992 January, 1993
Genre(s)	Versus fighting game
Mode(s)	Up to 2 players simultaneously
Platform(s)	Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis

Deadly Moves (Sega Genesis's version name), or Power Moves (Super Nintendo's version name) (known as Power Athlete in Japan) is a fighting game created by Kaneko. One of the many fighting games published in the early 90's to capitalize on the success of Capcom's Street Fighter II, it did not achieve the success of its competition, and was largely ignored by most gamers.

[edit] Gameplay

The gameplay is that of a traditional head-to-head fighting game. But unlike most games of its type, the single-player mode is limited to one character, Joe, who is the protagonist of the game. One of the game's most unique aspects is an RPG-like system which enables the player to boost Joe's various attributes, such as strength, speed and endurance. Another gimmick is the use of a two-plane fighting area (similar to that of Fatal Fury).

[edit] Characters

While the characters in the game each have their own distinct look, many of them were clearly inspired by characters from Street Fighter II.

• Joe (U.S.A.) - The main character, almost certainly based on Ryu.
• Warren (U.S.A.) - A Hawaiian grappler, patterned after E. Honda.
• Reayon (Thailand) - The token female fighter, clearly inspired by Chun-Li.
• Vagnad (Russia) - A huge wrestler with onyx skin, based on Zangief.
• Nick (Spain) - An arrogant, lightning-quick fighter (see Vega).
• Buoh (Japan) - A Kabuki-style fighter who can teleport, much like Dhalsim.
• Gaoluon (China) - An acrobatic fighter with a Flash Kick similar to Guile.
• Baraki (Kenya) - A bestial warrior reminiscent of Blanka.

Perhaps the only exception to the cast is the final boss, Ranker, who instead bears more resemblance to Rugal Bernstein of SNK.