Fighting Masters (SEGA Genesis) - All Wrestling Throws & Grabs

Channel:

All Throws

Subscribers:

502

Published on March 4, 2023 10:08:11 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huW0ZnfeA2Y

Game:

Fighting Masters (1991)

Duration: 2:39

1,259 views

11

Character select:

Dirk / Larry (human wrestler) - 0:00
Mastodon / Elepha (elephant) - 0:12
Equus / Flamer (horse) - 0:20
Morin (Amazon warrior) - 0:31
Grinder / Beowolf (robot) - 0:38
Goldrock (Egyptian golem) - 0:48
Phoenix / Tomahawk (griffin) - 0:56
Zygrunt / Zygrunte (lobster) - 1:12
Rotundo / Medusa (jellyfish) - 1:25
Xenon / Drason (fire-breathing dragon) - 1:38
D I O (Venus fly trap) - 1:49
Uppercut / Eyesight (cyclops boxer) - 1:58
Valgasu (final boss) - 2:10

Hi everyone, welcome to All Throws, the channel which showcases grappling techniques in video games. This time I'm pleased to present a SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive game called Fighting Masters. It was released by Almanic Corporation in 1991.

The game is based on a monster wrestling concept, similar to the arcade games Mutant Fighter and King Of The Monsters, which came out in the same year. Unlike those arcade games however, Fighting Masters takes place on a 2D plane, rather than allowing 2.5D movement within the arena. Oddly, Fighting Masters still has a separate jump button rather than using the up direction for this, which is a format better suited to arena fighting games and scrolling beat 'em ups.

The small memory capacity of the game cartridge has had noticeable impacts on the developers' design decisions. There are only four stages for combat to take place in, including the boss level. This means there are also less music tracks in the game. Where the designers certainly didn't take shortcuts however was in the variety of grab and throw moves available.

As a game with a focus on grappling, the characters predominantly rely on pummeling, throwing and slamming their opponent to win the match. Normal striking moves do little damage on their own, and are instead used primarily to stun the opponent to make them susceptible to grabs. There is an option to enter into a neutral grapple, however the outcome tends to be biased towards the computer-controlled opponent (as in most 2D games with a grappling mechanic).

Each character has 2-4 grab moves in their moveset, many of which are derived from professional wrestling. There are classics such as jumping piledrivers, powerbombs, vertical suplexes, German suplexes, and body slams, but also unique abilities of the alien species. Players can slam their opponent against the walls of the arena to inflict additional damage, or bounce them back for another grappling move.

I think it's safe to say that Pheonix / Tomahawk is the best character for throwing techniques, as he has 4 different moves including a flying slam using his wings. However, I would have preferred it if every character had 3 unique throws, since the characters with 2 grab moves are less fun to play as. I also think the developers should have completely avoid any repetition in grab moves between characters, to really hone in on the unique abilities of each species. With that being said, it's hard to argue with a game that lets you do a jumping piledriver on a massive alien on the moon.

Thanks for checking out All Throws. Remember to subscribe for more grappling goodness.

Other Statistics