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The general consensus between martial arts commentators around the world is that the art of fighting is fast becoming very stale, with no more room for improvement in the art of kicking the cack out of someone else. However, word soon gets out of the ultimate fighter who's spent all of his life honing his martial arts skills to the very limit.

Enter Joe, an impatient martial arts student from the USA. He hears about this mysterious fighter and figures that he can do better. But a plan of action is needed. Joe realises he can better himself by fighting the very cream of fighters from around the world. With their skills added to his own, Joe knows he'd be able to emerge victorious from a bout with this unknown martial artist.

You are Joe and it's your job to traverse the globe, engaging in pointless fights with ten masters of the art of fighting. A basic game is split into rounds, just like Street Fighter II. The combatant who wins two rounds goes on to fight the next, even deadlier master.

Deadly Moves is very similar indeed to Street Fighter II, but on a smaller scale. Less characters, backdrops and moves.

Use your chosen character to beat the seven shades out of your opponent! The winner of each bout is decided by means of a best of three system.

One player can tackle the enemies, or two players can enter the "Versus Mode", where they choose a character and fight each other:

1. Joe (USA)
   Joe's a karate, aikido and boxing champ who also fires fireballs and pulls off "Super Nova" moves to any foe who dares jump at him. Joe is the only character you can select in the one-player game.
2. 2. Warren (Hawaii)
   Once criticised for his obesity, Warren fought back and trained to use his considerable bulk to defeat his foes. His moves (including Rolling Drop Kicks, and "Big Wednesdays" (!)) are simple, but very powerful.
3. 3. Gao Luon (China)
   Master of the North China fighting style, Gao Luon is very quick, overwhelming lesser opponents with his Moonsault Kick and Twin Flying Dragon techniques. A deadly fighter with powerful (and indeed deadly) moves.
4. 4. Li Yong (Thailand)
   She was born in China, and is a master (mistress?) of the same art as Gao Luon. However, she's customised her attacks, adding sophistication and even greater speed to her attacks.
5. 5. Vaonad Rovnoski (Siberia)
   Once a prisoner in a concentration camp, Rovnoski chose to learn a martial art rather than die from starvation like the others. Now his Double-Power Bomb and Double Arm make him a deadly foe.
6. 6. Bu-Oh (Japan)
   Once a performer of Kabuki theatre in Japan, Bu-Oh suddenly realised that he had inherited the deadly arts of ninjitsu, kung-fu, karate, aikido, kobuda from his forefathers. Now instead of performing, Bu-Oh kills people.
7. 7. Baraki Kimera (Africa)
   Kimera is the head of the Opa Opa tribe and member of the secret organisation "Junk" (a name to strike fear into the hearts of men we're sure). He's also a fully qualified witch doctor. Beware his voodoo magic!
8. 8. Nick (Spain)
   Also a member of "Junk", Nick was once a Matador, who ditched his spear for a knife. Using his uncanny reflexes, he now aims to prove to his "Junk" bosses that his martial arts skills make him the most feared man alive.

Having just played the Super NES version (called Power Athlete), I'm surprised at how close the Megadrive version is! The graphics and gameplay are virtually identical - even the Mode 7 trick for the ground is replicated exactly! However, the game itself is nothing more than a cut-down version of Street Fighter II. There are less characters, less moves and less backdrops.

Having said that though, Deadly Moves is quite smart and very entertaining (especially with two players). However, it is quite a pain that you can only control Joe in one-player mode. What I do like about the game is the reward you get for beating an opponent. All of your stats are significantly increased, turning your fighter into an even meaner fighting machine.

Any road up, for beat-'em-up fans, Deadly Moves is well worth taking a look at - expect a game that's good fun and initially very compelling, but don't expect anything as good as Street Fighter II, that's all.

What is it with Megadrive Street Fighter clones? Let's face it, none of them have been particularly inspiring, the best of the bunch so far being Fighting Master.

Deadly Moves carries on the old Megadrive tradition of nearly-but-not-quite. Looking at the graphics, you'd think this game would be great; the sprites are detailed and colourful, although the animation is a bit wobbly, and the backgrounds are varied and certainly aesthetically pleasing. Well, there are three major problems with Deadly Moves.

First of all, it's far too slow to get your pulse racing, or even get the adrenalin levels up a bit.

Secondly, there just aren't enough special moves, and those that there are, are just a simple matter of pressing a couple of buttons together.

Finally, it's waaay too easy to complete. It's horribly easy to zip pretty much to the end on your very first credit, and being able to go back and play against characters you've already beaten to boost your stats makes it all the simpler.

Alright, there are eight skill levels, but there's very little difference between them. That's not to say Deadly Moves is all that bad; it's quite a laugh, especially in two-player mode, but if you buy this expecting Street Fighter II then you'll be sorely disappointed. Have a look by all means, but don't part with any cash without having played it.

Presentation 77%
P. There are some decent options to much about with on the options screen and a fairly decent intro.
N. Other than that, there isn't really a polished look or feel to either the game or its packaging.

Graphics 85%
P. The graphics are excellently defined, and there's a wide variety in the backdrops. The Megadrive even manages to copy some of the Super NES's graphical tricks!

Sound 78%
P. The digitised effects successfully enhance the atmosphere.
N. Unfortunately, the music is a tad sad and you also have to turn the volume up really high to hear the sound and music at all.

Playability 77%
P. All of the moves are easily executed and the urge to defeat your opponents is very strong indeed. The game takes on a whole new dimension in the two-player Versus Mode.

Lastability 77%
P. In two-player mode, there's bags of lastability what with eight characters to master, each with different strengths and weaknesses.
N. The lower difficulty levels on the one-player mode make the game too easy.

Overall 77%
Deadly Moves shows that the Megadrive has the potential to produce an excellent one-on-one beat-'em-up. Although it's no Street Fighter II, Deadly Moves should go down very well with Megadrive owners after a decent beat-'em-up.