Art of Fighting (video game)

Art of Fighting (released as *Dragon & Tiger Fist* in Japan) is a fighting game from 1992, created and published by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade system and its home console. It marks the beginning of the Art of Fighting series. The story centers on Kyokugenryu Karate practitioners Ryo Sakazaki and his friend Robert Garcia, who battle their way through South Town’s underworld to rescue Ryo’s kidnapped sister, Yuri. The game introduced mechanics that later became genre standards: a super gauge, super moves, taunts, dashes, and dynamic screen scaling.

The project grew from Hiroshi Matsumoto’s wish to make a fighting game with a strong story. Development proved difficult for SNK’s team, as they were implementing new features like the Desperation Move and a visible damage system on characters. The game became one of SNK’s major early-1990s successes, praised for its innovative combat engine and narrative focus. Its commercial performance was strong, but critics often found the gameplay inferior to earlier titles such as *Street Fighter II*, and pointed out similarities to that game. The visuals, however, received positive notice.

The plot begins in 1979. Ryo Sakazaki, known as the “Invincible Dragon,” and his best friend Robert Garcia search for Ryo’s sister Yuri, held hostage by mob boss Mr. Big in South Town. After fighting through several enemies using their Kyokugen Karate style, they defeat Mr. Big, who leads them to Yuri. She is being kept captive by an unknown assassin wearing a tengu mask. Ryo and Robert defeat the assassin, but Yuri stops Ryo from finishing him off. The story ends on a cliffhanger as Yuri is about to reveal the masked man’s identity—who is later confirmed to be Takuma Sakazaki.

In single-player mode, only Ryo and Robert are playable. Other characters are available only in the versus mode.

- **Ryo Sakazaki** is a skilled martial artist and a top disciple of his family’s Kyokugenryu Karate style, alongside his sister Yuri and Robert Garcia. He sets out to rescue Yuri after Mr. Big abducts her. - **Robert Garcia** is Ryo’s best friend and fellow Kyokugenryu student. He comes from a wealthy Italian family and was sent to train at Ryo’s dojo as a favor to his father. He helps Ryo rescue Yuri. - **Ryuhaku Todoh** is the first opponent in arcade mode. He created and teaches the Todoh fighting style, derived from Jujutsu, Kendo, and Kobujutsu.