KMC Forums - Fist Of The North Star 2D Fighting Game

here is some info on the game:

Fist of the North Star (�k�l�̌�, Hokuto no Ken) is a 2005 versus fighting game created by Arc System Works and is based on the manga and anime series of the same name.

The game was released in Japan in March 2007. This version features a bonus DVD including an exclusive training mode ("Starter's Guide") and a documentary covering previous Fist of the North Star console games. Also, the PS2 port has some minor tweaks for the gameplay, yet some glitches can still be used such as "Aerial" Fatal KO's.

Gameplay
While in both terms of gameplay and visual style, the game is similar to Guilty Gear (which was also made by Arc System Works), some aspects of the mechanics are slightly different.

Below each character's lifebar is a gauge with seven "stars" in the shape of the Big Dipper. Special moves, supers, and some command normals can remove varying amounts of stars. Once empty, a final "death star" or "shichousei" will light up and the other player can perform a special "Fatal KO" attack that can instantly defeat them, regardless of their lifebar (similar to the Instant Kill attacks in Guilt Gear.)
The biggest difference is these moves may be easily comboed into, making them far more practical than their Guilty Gear counterparts. Players regain one star at the star of each round, and anytime an opponent attempts to Fatal KO but misses. After being Fatal KO'd, if the match is not over, that player starts the following round with all seven stars replenished.

Boost is one of the many meters in the game, displayed above the Aura meter in the game's HUD. The bar is divided into three sections or stocks. Using a boost (with the Boost/Special button) allows a player to cancel a move after it hits (similar to Roman Cancels in Guilty Gear), and also shoots the character forward. The player can also Boost when not doing a move, in order to jet across the screen quickly. Boosts are frequently used to perform combos that otherwise would not be possible.

Used to perform super moves and Guard Cancels (similar to alpha counters.) The gauge can hold two stocks. The first stock fills the gauge up with blue; the second stock fills the gauge up with gold. When at least one stock is ready, text reading "GOD FIST BLOW" appears next to the gauge. If the player's opponent has lost all his stars, it will ready "DEADLY FIST BLOW."

This game is based on the first half of the original manga (chapters 1-136) and uses the characters as they were depicted in the 1980's anime series. The voices of the playable characters are all performed by the original voice actors from the anime, with the exception of Kenshiro and Rei, who are both played by new actors.

Playable characters:

Kenshiro
Shin
Raoh
Rei
Jagi
Juda (aka Yuda)
Toki
Souther
Mamiya
Mr. Heart
Shuu

as fan of 2d fighting games such as sf/kof, im looking foward to getting this if it comes out in europe!

here is the cover of the japanese version of the game