Three Games to End March With

You can play this game on almost any platform you have. Right now, I’m focused on cleaning up the streets in a thrilling retro gaming spree. Recently, I got caught up in revisiting—or in some cases, experiencing for the first time—Capcom’s fantastic beat ’em ups from the late ‘80s to the mid-‘90s. Just last week, a friend and I dove into Capcom’s fantastic Dungeons & Dragons brawlers, Tower of Doom and Shadow over Mystara, thanks to the Chronicles of Mystara collection. What really struck me was the satisfying combat, the treasure trove of secrets and alternative routes, and the clever use of inventory and magical items. This weekend, I’m excited about revisiting the game that started Capcom’s legendary series of beat ’em ups: Final Fight from 1989.

To me, Final Fight embodies what a classic beat ’em up should be. I fondly recall the awe it inspired when I first saw it at an arcade, a laundromat, or even a corner store. The giant characters, the powerful sound effects, and the intense combat made it unforgettable. It was clear from the start that this game was a game-changer for the genre, taking inspiration from earlier games like Double Dragon and Renegade, while making them accessible and memorable in new ways. It’s been years since I last played Final Fight, and my current gaming partner hasn’t experienced it at all. So this weekend, it feels right to step back into the shoes of Metro City’s Mayor, Mike Haggar. Together, we’ll tackle the notorious Mad Gear gang and face the true mastermind: a wealthy, influential figure commanding his criminal network from the top of a glittering skyscraper, looming over the rundown streets and subway tracks of a city teetering on chaos. — Carolyn Petit