Kabuki Ittouryoudan

~ KABUKI ITTOURYOUDAN ~

Hudson Soft / Red

Arcade CD-ROM

1995

I've seen Kabuki Ittouryoudan criticized for being too much of a Street Fighter II clone--and, in truth, the action at its core is rather "traditional," with Kabuki slipping into the role of Ryu and fireball/sonic-boom button combinations found up and down the moves list. However, with background visuals so gorgeous and controls so slick and responsive, KI makes it easy for us to forgive and forget about its blatant concept swiping.

Desperation techniques like mad sword-slash flurries and all-out gang attacks add a little spice to the effective-if-derivative gameplay.

And for big Kabuki Den fans like me, seeing the old gang in action again is a blast.

The game disappoints only in that it offers so few cinemas and does little with the ones that are present.

Lack of intermissions is hardly a big deal, though, when a fighter offers great action, graphics, and characters to occupy the player's attention. KI is by no means unique, but it impresses and entertains nonetheless and is a must-buy for those who own an Arcade Card.