Software:Fighting Force

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Short description: 1997 video game 


Fighting Force
North American PlayStation cover art
Developer(s)Core Design
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive (PS, Win)
Crave Entertainment (N64)
Producer(s)Ken Lockley
Programmer(s)Sarah Avory
Artist(s)Roberto Cirillo
Composer(s)Martin Iveson
Platform(s)PlayStation, Windows, Nintendo 64
ReleasePlayStation
  • NA: 5 November 1997[1]
  • PAL: November 1997
Windows
Nintendo 64
Genre(s)Beat 'em up
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer


Fighting Force is a beat 'em up video game developed by Core Design and published in 1997 by Eidos Interactive for PlayStation and Windows. A Nintendo 64 version was published by Crave Entertainment in 1999. Announced by Core shortly after the success of Tomb Raider, Fighting Force was highly anticipated but met with mixed reviews. It was followed by Fighting Force 2.





Gameplay


Players control one of four characters as they move through urban and science fiction environments, battling waves of oncoming enemies with weapons including soda cans, knives, cars, and guns.[4] The player can make some choices as to which territory to travel through.[4]



Story


The four characters have various reasons for taking on Dr. Dex Zeng, a criminal mastermind with an army at his command who predicted that the world would end in the year 2000. After New Year's Eve 1999, Dr. Zeng believed that there was an error preventing the apocalypse, so decides to correct it by destroying the world himself.[5] The action starts with a police cordon around Zeng's office skyscraper, moving to such locales as a shopping mall, subway and Coast Guard base before finally ending at the top of Zeng's island headquarters.



Characters


A screenshot of Ben "Smasher" Jackson punching a generic enemy


Players choose from a selection of four characters: Hawk Manson, Mace Daniels, Alana McKendricks and Ben "Smasher" Jackson.[6] Hawk Manson and Mace Daniels are two all-around characters. Hawk is somewhat stronger than Mace who is in turn faster than Hawk. Ben "Smasher" Jackson is a large and slow bruiser capable of lifting and throwing the engines of cars at enemies. Alana McKendricks is a fast but soft-hitting teenager with an effective jump-kick. All four characters have a special move that can be performed with the loss of a portion of health.



Development and release


Core Design originally pitched the game to Sega as a potential fourth entry in Sega's Streets of Rage series. Sega declined; according to Core, Sega explained that it had its own plans for continuing the series.[5] Core opted to go ahead with the game as a standalone, multi-platform title, and started work on it.[5] Core Design collaborated with ten coders from EA Japan in making the game.[7]

The story line and character designs were done by Marc Silvestri.[6] The character of Dr. Zeng was inspired by Heaven's Gate.[6]

A "Battle Arena" mode was added to the game during development, but it was cut from the final version.[8]

In addition to the PlayStation, Windows, and Nintendo 64 versions, a Sega Saturn version was developed and eventually completed. After Eidos decided against publishing this version, Sega Europe secured the publishing rights and announced a European release date of November 1997,[9] but ultimately cancelled the release.[10] An early prototype, with older character designs, was leaked in November 2008.[11] In February 2024, the released Core running demo disc (which provided a real-time demo of multiple Core Design Saturn titles), which post-dates the leaked beta, was hacked to be playable.[12][13]

Eidos demonstrated a playable Nintendo 64 version at the 1998 E3.[14] Eidos later cancelled this version of the game, but in February 1999 publisher Crave Entertainment purchased the rights from Eidos and put the game into its release schedule.[15] The Nintendo 64 version was released in North America and Europe in 1999, under the title Fighting Force 64. Differences include partially improved graphics[16] and changes in the available number of player lives.

In June 2024, Limited Run Games announced that they are working with copyright owner Square Enix to release the game and its sequel in Fighting Force Collection for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Windows (via Steam).[17] The collection was released on 23 January 2026.[18]



Reception


Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
N64PS
EdgeN/A6/10[21]
EGM3.25/10[22]7.625/10[23]
FamitsuN/A25/40[24]
Game Informer6.75/10[25]6.5/10[26]
GameFan58%[27][lower-alpha 1]71%[28][lower-alpha 2]
GameRevolutionD[29]N/A
GameSpot4/10[16]N/A
Hyper65%[30]65%[31]
IGN6.4/10[32]5.5/10[33]
N64 Magazine26%[34]N/A
Next GenerationN/AStarStarStar[35]
Nintendo Power6.7/10[36]N/A
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStar[37]
Aggregate score
GameRankings55%[19]64%[20]


The original PlayStation release received mostly mixed reviews. Critics overwhelmingly commented that the game has a satisfyingly large amount of interactive scenery to destroy or collect weapons from,[23][33][35][38] but agreed that despite the transition to 3D, the gameplay was not meaningfully different from the 2D beat 'em ups of earlier console generations.[23][39][33][35][38] GameSpot summed it up as "basically a 3D version of Capcom's classic, Final Fight, except the characters and enemies lack the personality that made Final Fight exciting."[39] Some, however, looked on the game's lack of innovation as a virtue rather than a liability; Shawn Smith commented in Electronic Gaming Monthly, "What's cool about Fighting Force is that it plays like the old side-scrolling games of the same nature. Then you might ask, why not just make a 2-D one. Well, when the 3-D works, why not go with it?"[23] Next Generation took more of a middle ground, stating that "despite its derivative nature, Fighting Force is a very fun game. Yet, it's just not the same huge leap forward for the Final Fight genre that we might have expected from the creators of Tomb Raider."[35]

Besides a lack of originality, some critics criticized it for repetitiveness[23][33] and took issue with how the control configuration assigns multiple actions to the same button while leaving other buttons on the controller unused, saying this often results in the character performing a different action than intended and leaving them open to enemy attacks.[39][38] GamePro nonetheless opined, "Despite its few flaws, Fighting Force delivers the fierce fun and beat-fools-silly action that PlayStation gamers are looking for."[38][lower-alpha 3] IGN, while contradicting GamePro by actually praising the game's controls, offered a somewhat more pessimistic overall take: "With solid graphics, impeccable control, yet almost zero innovation or variety, Fighting Force is a mixed bag. If in doubt, rent before you buy."[33] AllGame gave the game three stars out of five, saying, "All in all, Fighting Force isn't a bad game. Just some problems that lie in the gameplay department and some graphical glitches that keep this title from achieving the status of the games it was modeled after."[40] In Japan, where the game was ported and published by Electronic Arts Victor under the name Metal Fist (メタルフィスト, Metaru Fisuto) on 15 January 1998, Famitsu gave it a score of 25 out of 40.[24]

PC Zone gave the PC version 88%, calling it "a computer game in which a lot of people get hurt in a variety of entertaining ways, with excellent 3D visuals and a surprising amount of detail."[2] However, PC Gamer UK gave it 62%, calling it "A middle class game without fire in its belly that refuses to strive for better things."[41]

GamePro and Nintendo Power gave the Nintendo 64 average reviews while the game was still in development under Eidos, months before the company handed its development rights over to Crave.[lower-alpha 4][42][36]

The game was a commercial success, selling 1 million units worldwide and satisfying a demand for a Streets of Rage like 3D beat 'em up experience in the industry at the time.[43] In the United States, the game sold 596,404 units.[44]





Legacy


A sequel, Fighting Force 2, was released on December 13, 1999 for the PlayStation and Dreamcast. Unlike the first title, Fighting Force 2 focuses on the character of Hawk Manson exclusively, and rewards a more stealthy approach.






Notes




    

  1. ↑ In GameFan's reviews of the Nintendo 64 version, one critic gave it 60, one 49, and another 65.

    2. 

  2. ↑ In GameFan's reviews of the original PlayStation version, one critic gave it 65, one 70, and another 77.

    3. 

  3. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4.0 out of 5 in all four categories (graphics, sound, control, and fun factor).

    4. 

  4. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 3/5 scores for control and fun factor.

    5. 



References




    

  1. ↑ "EIDOS INTERACTIVE: New development team". 1998-02-11. http://www.eidosinteractive.com/crprss.97.11.13-lo.html. 

    2. 

  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brooker, Charlie (November 1997). "Fighting Force". PC Zone (Dennis Publishing) (56):  82–85. https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_56_November_1997/page/n81/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    3. 

  3. ↑ IGN staff (1 June 1999). "Superman, Fighting Force Ship". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/02/superman-fighting-force-ship. 

    4. 

  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 EGM staff (May 1997). "Fighting Force: A 3-D Final Fight Done Right". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (94):  107. 

    5. 

  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Yeo, Matt (July 1997). "Fighting Force (Preview)". Sega Saturn Magazine (EMAP) (21):  16–19. https://archive.org/details/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_021/page/n15/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    6. 

  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 EGM staff (July 1997). "A Force to Be Reckoned With". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (96):  87–88. 

    7. 

  7. ↑ Rider, David; Semrad, Ed (April 1997). "Core". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (93):  75. 

    8. 

  8. ↑ "Fighting Farce". GamePro (IDG) (114):  22. March 1998. 

    9. 

  9. ↑ "Fighting Force (Preview 2)". Sega Saturn Magazine (EMAP) (25):  26–27. November 1997. https://archive.org/details/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_025/page/n25/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    10. 

  10. ↑ "Virtua Writer". Sega Saturn Magazine (Emap International Limited) (28):  31. February 1998. 

    11. 

  11. ↑ "Fighting Force Unreleased? Not really". https://www.satakore.com/news125,,Fighting-Force-Unreleased--Not-really-D.html. 

    12. 

  12. ↑ @memory_fallen. "A preview of [Fighting Force appeared on the "Core Demo Disc," but it's a "rolling demo" and not playable... until now!"]. https://twitter.com/memory_fallen/status/1758477590606537202.     Missing or empty |date= (help)

    13. 

  13. ↑ "Fighting Force, unbound". 16 February 2024. https://32bits.substack.com/p/fighting-force-unbound. 

    14. 

  14. ↑ IGN staff (29 April 1999). "Eidos Gives Up on N64". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/30/eidos-gives-up-on-n64. 

    15. 

  15. ↑ IGN staff (9 February 1999). "Crave Nabs Fighting Force". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/10/crave-nabs-fighting-force. 

    16. 

  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 MacDonald, Ryan (22 April 1999). "Fighting Force 64 Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fighting-force-64-review/1900-2543656/. 

    17. 

  17. ↑ "Fighting Force Collection announced for PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC". 20 June 2024. https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/fighting-force-collection-announced-for-ps5-ps4-switch-and-pc. 

    18. 

  18. ↑ Moore, Logan (January 21, 2026). "2 PS1 Games From the 1990s Returning on New Platforms This Week". https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/ps1-games-playstation-new-release-fighting-force/. 

    19. 

  19. ↑ "Fighting Force 64 for Nintendo 64". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197332-fighting-force-64/index.html. 

    20. 

  20. ↑ "Fighting Force for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197329-fighting-force/index.html. 

    21. 

  21. ↑ Edge staff (December 1997). "Fighting Force". Edge (Future Publishing) (52):  85. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk052/page/n63/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    22. 

  22. ↑ EGM staff (May 1999). "Fighting Force 64". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (118). 

    23. 

  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 EGM staff (December 1997). "Fighting Force". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (101):  203. 

    24. 

  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "メタルフィスト [PS"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=16924&redirect=no. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    25. 

  25. ↑ "Fighting Force 64". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (73). May 1999. https://gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=3394. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    26. 

  26. ↑ "Fighting Force". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (56). December 1997. http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=dec97&doc=fforce. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    27. 

  27. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (May 1999). "Fighting Force 64". GameFan (Shinno Media) 7 (5):  26. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_05/page/n27/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    28. 

  28. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Jevons, Dan "Knightmare"; Griffin, Mike "Glitch" (December 1997). "Fighting Force". GameFan (Metropolis Media) 5 (12):  22. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_12/page/n27/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    29. 

  29. ↑ Ryu (September 1999). "Fighting Force 64 - N64 Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32589-fighting-force-64-review. 

    30. 

  30. ↑ Toose, Dan (August 1999). "Fighting Force 64". Hyper (Next Media Pty Ltd) (70):  79. http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-700-79.jpg. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    31. 

  31. ↑ Toose, Dan (January 1998). "Fighting Force". Hyper (Next Media Pty Ltd) (51):  52–53. https://archive.org/details/hyper-051/page/52/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    32. 

  32. ↑ Boulding, Aaron (2 June 1999). "Fighting Force 64". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/03/fighting-force-64. 

    33. 

  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 IGN staff (3 November 1997). "Fighting Force". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/04/fighting-force. 

    34. 

  34. ↑ Bickham, Jes (August 1999). "Fighting Force [64"]. N64 Magazine (Future Publishing) (31):  83. http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-512-83.jpg. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    35. 

  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 "Fighting Force". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (37):  101. January 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_37/page/n151/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    36. 

  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Fighting Force 64". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 114:  127. November 1998. http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-356-127.jpg. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    37. 

  37. ↑ "Fighting Force". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 1 (3). December 1997. 

    38. 

  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 Johnny Ballgame (January 1998). "Fighting Force". GamePro (IDG) (112):  88. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_102_January_1998/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    39. 

  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2  Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GSPS

    40. 

  40. ↑ Romero, Joshua. "Fighting Force - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2115&tab=review. 

    41. 

  41. ↑ Bickham, Jes (April 1998). "Fighting Force". PC Gamer UK (Future publishing) (55):  86–87. https://archive.org/details/pc-gamer-uk-055/page/n85/mode/2up. Retrieved 19 December 2020. 

    42. 

  42. ↑ Scary Larry (February 1999). "Fighting Force [64"]. GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (125):  112. http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-786-112.jpg. Retrieved 22 November 2020. 

    43. 

  43. ↑ Hickey, Patrick (9 April 2018). "Sarah Jane Avory, Fighting Force: From Streets of Rage 3D to Core Classic". The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews with Cult and Classic Video Game Developers. McFarland & Company. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-4766-7110-9. https://books.google.com/books?id=K5hUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45. 

    44. 

  44. ↑ "PS1 US Sales from 1995-2003". NPD Group. http://www.gamepilgrimage.com/Ps1ussales.htm. 

    45. 





  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.


Features


Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.



History


Logo used until March 2014


MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} 
On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]



See also


  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions


References




    

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 

    2. 

  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 

    3. 

  3. ↑ 
"MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 

    4. 

  4. ↑ 
"The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 

    5. 

  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

    6. 

  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 

    7. 

  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 

    8. 

  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 

    9. 

  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 

    10. 

  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 

    11. 

  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 

    12. 

  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 

    13. 

  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 

    14. 

  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 

    15. 

  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 

    16. 

  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 

    17. 

  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 

    18. 






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