C&VG


Final Blow
By Taito
Sega Mega Drive (JP Version)

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #104

Final Blow

Ever wanted to know what it's like to be repeatedly smacked in the gob by a bloke built like a proverbial brick lavatory? Now's your chance to find out in Final Blow, a conversion of Tairo's boxing coin-op.

Of course, if you're any good at the game, you'll be giving as good as you get in this toe-to-toe slugging contest of violence. Three minutes is all you get against an opponent - three minutes in which to knock him down three times to win outright, or to outscore him by the time the bell rings by landing more hits than he does.

There are four different opponents to go against: beat them all and you play them again, only this time they're even tougher. Beat them all again and you become the World Boxing Champ and everyone will think you're brill.

Megadrive

Final Blow

Using very large, nicely drawn and animated screen-high sprites, Final Blow is an impressive-looking boxing game. At first the speed of the action is off-putting, with the opponent letting rip with a flurry of blows which quickly floor your boxer.

However, it's surprisingly easy to get into action, and become very proficient at landing a variety of deadly jabs, blows and uppercuts on your opponent's head and body.

In fact, it's this ease of mastering the game that is Final Blow's downfall. The first four boxers can be beaten within a sitting, and it doesn't take long to knock them all out second time round, making lasting appeal limited.

Fans of the arcade game will certainly enjoy this conversion, but if you're a competent games player, you might find that you don't really get your money's worth out of this one.

Julian Rignall

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