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The strange phenomenon only held the attention of the city of Megalo for a day. Thousands of residents verified reports of a distinctive UFO passing over, and landing not far from the city. City investigators worked out the telemetry of the UFO, working out its landing site, but when they got there... Nothing.

Attention waned and the mystery was forgotten until... A year to the time of the UFO, the Megalo City mayor announced a contest to find the strongest fighter in the world. Immediately those that fancied themselves for the title got back into the gym. But little did they know, that that previous close encounter heralded some incredible and dastardly super opponents: the Masters of Combat!

There are four Masters of Combat, who reached the finals without any difficulty. You can pick up the basic controls pretty quickly, but each has an ambitious range of signature moves that devastate opponents on contact. These require moving the joypad through an arc and timing the blow perfectly.

This Ninja has the chilling combination of speed and power, and carries some concealed weapons. His rush attacks are particularly effective, but he has some even more special moves

1. Scimitar Slash
   Hayate rushes across the playfield while drawing his sharp and curvy sword. Does about 25% damage.
2. Flurry Kick
   This crazy rush is a hail of kicks that decks most opponents immediately. Does 25% damage.

Okay, he's circumferentially challenged, but being fat is not a block to being a combat master. In fact, he's probably the most versatile character:

1. Dragon Punch
   Looking startlingly like Ryu's move, this jumping punch with 360 degree turn is just as poetic to see in motion. Around 20% damage.
2. Flying Bodykick
   This incredible feat of athleticism allows Gonzales to soar across the screen with a two-footed chest-aimed clothesline. 15% damage.

This son of Edison is edifying in action. He adds to his physical build with electrical attacks that regularly stun his opponent.

1. Powered Fist
   This charged fist does incredibly damage, but opponents have to be very close to be in range. Up to 30% damage.
2. Electrical Discharge
   Useful as a long distance attack, a swift wave of power travels across the screen at a low level. Only does around 10% damage.

Certainly the dottiest and weirdest of the characters. With balsa wood wings and lots of flying moves, he's away with the birds. Some interesting tactics, though:

1. Sparrow Somersault Kick
   When this works, Wingberger cavorts around the screen, giving a good kicking to most things. Maximum 20% damage.
2. Energy Bolt
   This attack is so intense it knocks the sender off his feet. However, it's the strongest long range attack in the game. 30%.

Superb! I bet Master System owners had given up hope on a decent Street Fighter clone for their system. Having had rubbish like Pit-Fighter in the past, we were almost convinced it "couldn't be done". But, with Masters Of Combat, it has.

The graphics are brilliant. They may look indistinct as screenshots, but each of the characters looks great, and the animation is really quite stunning in places. What makes the game look good is the imaginative and vast range of moves: all manner of kicks, throws and mystical attacks.

It also benefits from being really fast, and having computer opponents you can respect (and fear!). An unequivocal megagame.

Not only is Masters Of Combat addictive, but it is visually exciting too which is incredible, considering its 8-bit format. No doubt it is difficult to design a set of characters that drive the imagination to any extent in such an overcrowded scene, but the quartet presented here have their own powerful identities. In fact, it's a tough decision choosing which fighter to master first!

There are so many moves and combinations to perfect within this game that it is likely to take an age before owners become tired of the cart; even more so considering the computer opponents' deviousness and guile - they are not beaten easily! The control method seems odd at first but only because it differs from the current 'standard'. Mortal Kombat is weak in comparison. Buy this!

Masters Of Combat is a Street Fighter rip-off, with special moves, a versus mode and bonus rounds.

Beat each opponent into submission in two separate rounds against the clock.

Presentation 80%
P. A two-player option is the most important feature, also allowing the same characters to fight head-to-head. N. Only three difficulty levels.

Graphics 87%
P. Great fighter animation, and fighting moves that are interesting to watch. N. The backgrounds are sometimes too detailed to let the fighters stand out.

Sound 82%
P. As good music as you can squeeze out of the miserable MS chip. N. It's a pity that no-one tried some sampled groans of agony!

Playability 92%
P. Mega playability! The game plays really speedily and the range of attacks offers real strategic choice. The game has a great feel.

Lastability 88%
P. This is one game you'll be working out combos for. The two-player mode is timeless. N. The only weakness is the meagre four characters.

Overall 90%
For those desperate for a good combat game, this is a superlative addition to the Master System's one-on-one stakes.