PIT-FIGHTER:
Made By: Atari
Release Date: 1990

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzEbrYz … umentaries
-A brief history of the game.

-So when I first saw Pit Fighter in an arcade, I dismissed it as a pretty cheap Mortal Kombat clone. I played it briefly (probably playing the biggest guy) in some place I can’t really remember aside from that it was a small strip of games (including the only time I’ve ever seen Dragon’s Lair in person), possibly in a hotel or something, and moved on. So imagine my surprise when I learn years later that it PRE-DATES Mortal Kombat by years!

So this is one of the first games to use digitized live actors, and does so in a Fighting Game before MK did it (the only earlier one is something called Reika Doshi: Chinese Exorcist). Designed mostly by one guy at Atari (with actors he’d recruited from the gym where he worked out- this is obvious when you look at how ripped most of the cast is), Pit Fighter lets you play one of three guys in a series of isometric-view fights where you can move up and down on the screen and brawl with people- essentially a live-action Double Dragon game. Up to three players can play at once, though more enemies will arrive if you do. Every third fight is a “Grudge Match” against a CPU-controlled clone of your character, or against the others in a multiplayer fight where if you are knocked down three times, you’re out (effectively a bonus round). In the end, you must face the Masked Warrior- in multiplayer you must fight your fellow players to the death for the right to challenge him.

The gameplay is pretty simple- three buttons to fight: Punches are fast and light, Kicks are further-reaching but not as fast, and you can Jump. Kick & Punch together let you grab guys. Jump & Kick lets you do a jump kick (not that useful, apparently), and Punch & Jump lets you block. Pressing all three buttons at once, the character does a “Super Move”, which you should just do all the time since there’s no penalty- effectively, the game just has the same offense for everyone, plus a unique Super Move. You can pick up a variety of weapons- bar stools, knives, ninja stars, a metal drum, wooden barrels and even a MOTORCYCLE. A Power Pill will fall out of barrels, and will make you temporarily hit much harder (all hits are knockdowns, just about) and let you absorb damage more easily. Unusually, the crowds that surround the fight will hurl stuff at you (a similar function is in Violence Fight), and they will push you back into the fray if you go to the edge. Periodically, knife-wielding assailants will actually burst out and FIGHT you- you can attack and/or disarm them as well, using their weapons.

Though the digitized characters are actually impressive even now (much less for 1990, 90% of the animations are just a single frame, making the entire thing look clunky then and even worse now- it’s like a bunch of still photos flying around. In particular, grapples are HORRIBLE- they just kinda have a character raise their arms rapidly, and the other guy’s sprite just goes horizontal and flies across the screen. Like, it’s South Park-tier graphics.

Reviews were pretty solid, particularly since this was pre-Street Fighter II even, and the simplistic fighting style hadn’t been exposed yet. Reviews in modern times are less kind- it has not held up. The game actually did pretty well, hitting arcades, some computers, the Super NES, Sega Genesis, and even the Master System, Lynx and Game Boy (hoo nelly- I bet THAT one wasn’t great). The SNES version is apparently considered one of the top five worst SNES games of all time- it cut out a few characters and seemed really shoddily done. Despite the success, no sequel was ever released- work on a planned Pit-Fighter 2 was 80% complete before it was cancelled, and instead lead to the standard-issue scrolling Beat ‘Em Up Guardians of the ‘Hood, with most of the digitized assets re-used.

THE CAST (with their performers listed):
Buzz (Bill Chase): A big and strong ex-professional wrestler.
Ty (Marc Williams): An agile kickboxing champion.
Kato (Glenn Fratticelli): A quick 3rd degree black belt.

Opponents (fought in order):
Executioner (John Aguire)
Southside Jim (James Thompson)
Angel (Angela Stellato)
C.C. Rider (Rich Vargas)
Mad Miles (Miles McGowan)
Heavy Metal (Kim Rhodes)
Chainman Eddie (Eddie Venancio)
Masked Warrior (Bill McAleenan)

Random Filler Enemies:
Knife Woman (Dianne Bertucci)
Knife Man (Milt Loper)
Finale Woman (Tina Scyrater)
Finale Woman (Maria Lenytzkyj)
Big Kid In The Crowd (Gabriel Koura)

Power Levels:
-I’ve decided to go with a low PL 6.5 statline for the main fighters, standard to most old Fighting Games. As a bonus, though, they can grab weapons that upgrade them to PL 7-7.5, and Power Pills which do similar (better damage & toughness temporarily). Just enough to be the worst fighters in most big-name Fighters, lol. The enemies you face vary quite a bit- the Executioner & Southside Jim are easy to beat, but later opponents like Chainman Eddie are dangerous.

(originally written in 2021)

TY
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: The Ryu (All-Around Guy), Agile-Fighter
Vague Martial Art Basis: Kickboxing
PL 7 (80)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 9 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+8)
Athletics 7 (+10)
Expertise (Travelling Martial Artist) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+5)
Perception 4 (+5)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Double Kick)

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Double Kick” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) [1]

Offense:
Unarmed +10 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Special Moves +8 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +5

Defenses:
Dodge +8 (DC 18), Parry +9 (DC 19), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 44 / Skills: 24–12 / Advantages: 2 + 12 / Powers: 1 / Defenses: 9 (80)

-Ty, the Kickboxer, naturally focuses on kicks- he’s inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme, whose Bloodsport inspired the game (Pit-Fighter was, in fact, called Bloodsport right up until release before they changed it). The one GameFaqs thing I could find says he’s the best guy to use- fast and long-reaching attacks, with few weaknesses. He looks decent enough, with big baggy pants to give him a different silhouette.

It’s a Fireball without the actual fireball!

KATO
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: The Ryu (All-Around Guy), Agile-Fighter
Vague Martial Art Basis: Karate
PL 7 (85)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 2 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 10 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+8)
Athletics 7 (+10)
Expertise (Travelling Martial Artist) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+5)
Perception 4 (+5)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Punch Flurry), Improved Defenses, Improved Initiative, Uncanny Dodge

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Punch Flurry” Strength-Damage +0 (Extras: Multiattack) Linked to Affliction 2 (Toughness; Dazed/Stunned) (Flaws: Limited Degree) [3]

Offense:
Unarmed +11 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Punch Flurry +11 (+2 Damage & Affliction, DC 17 & 12)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +9 (DC 19), Parry +10 (DC 20), Toughness +2 (+3 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)
Responsibility (Politeness)- After doing his Super Moves, Kato might stop to bow to the audience for a round, leaving him at -2 defenses at times.

Total: Abilities: 42 / Skills: 24–12 / Advantages: 5 + 12 / Powers: 3 / Defenses: 11 (85)

-Kato, played by a pretty built guy, does karate, and is the speedster of the trio. His Super Move is a flurry of punches ending with his hands in a “Hadouken”-like pose.

BUZZ
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: The Powerhouse
Vague Martial Art Basis: Pro-Wrestling
PL 7 (78)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+5)
Athletics 4 (+8)
Expertise (Pro Wrestler) 7 (+7)
Intimidation 6 (+7)
Perception 2 (+3)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Piledriver), Power Attack

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Liger Bomb/Body Slam” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) [1]

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +7 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Initiative +2

Defenses:
Dodge +7 (DC 17), Parry +8 (DC 18), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)
Responsibility (Show-Off)- After doing his Super Moves, Buzz might stop to flex his muscles for a round, leaving him at -2 defenses at times.

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 22–11 / Advantages: 3 + 12 / Powers: 1 / Defenses: 11 (78)

-The mandatory Pro Wrestling character, Buzz is naturally played by a huge bodybuilder, and at least looks cool. He likes to flex alot, does a lot of grapples, and more. Despite being the “Big Guy” of the three, he is noticeably puny compared to The Executioner or Chainman Eddie. His Super Move alternates between a Body Slam or a Piledriver at random (well, GameFaqs says it’s a piledriver- it is in fact a Liger Bomb- a sit-out version of the powerbomb). The main issue with Buzz is that, like in a lot of games with a “Big Guy”, he is made very slow to counter his stronger attacks, and this “balance” makes him kinda weak, especially for new players, as the game ramps up the difficulty via rapid-fire attacks from the enemies.

THE EXECUTIONER
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Level 1 Boss
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 5 (52)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 0
FIGHTING 5 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 0

Skills:
Expertise (Barfighter) 2 (+2)
Intimidation 6 (+6)
Perception 2 (+2)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Belly Bash” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) [1]

Offense:
Unarmed +6 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Belly Bash +4 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Initiative +0

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (DC 15), Parry +5 (DC 15), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +3

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 26 / Skills: 10–5 / Advantages: 1 + 9 / Powers: 1 / Defenses: 10 (52)

-A huge guy wearing a black mask, The Executioner is your “Opening Match Jobber”. All he does is punch and kick, or charge you with his belly. Despite being so huge, he’s a simple threat, so he’s only PL 5.

SOUTHSIDE JIM
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Level 2 & Level 9 Fighter, Brawler
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 5 (51)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 1
FIGHTING 6 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 0

Skills:
Expertise (Barfighter) 4 (+4)
Intimidation 4 (+4)
Perception 2 (+2)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Offense:
Unarmed +7 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Initiative +1

Defenses:
Dodge +6 (DC 16), Parry +6 (DC 16), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +3

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 26 / Skills: 10–5 / Advantages: 1 + 9 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 10 (51)

-Southside Jim wears a lavender wifebeater and messy jeans, making him one of the plainest characters I’ve ever seen in a Fighting Game- he’s literally just “Guy in Normal Clothes”. He’s your second opponent, and will usually make for the free knife- fans will also come out with knives and get involved. He returns for Match 9, in a stage with two motorcycles to use as weapons.

ANGEL
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Mandatory Dominatrix Character
Vague Martial Art Basis: Dominatrix Stuff
PL 6 (68)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 2 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Acrobatics 4 (+7)
Athletics 4 (+6)
Deception 2 (+4)
Expertise (Dominatrix) 5 (+5)
Intimidation 2 (+4)
Perception 3 (+3)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Evasion, Improved Defenses, Uncanny Dodge

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +7 (DC 17), Parry +8 (DC 18), Toughness +2 (+3 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +4

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 34 / Skills: 20–10 / Advantages: 4 + 9 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 11 (68)

-Angel is your standard-issue “Dominatrix/Streetwalker” character- the kind of thing you saw a lot in digitized games where they directors were like “Hey, we can actually put any outfit we want on the attractive girl we just hired!”. She’s fast and likes to use the bar stools in the stage. She returns for Match 7, but hasn’t improved any. Overall, I made her PL 5.5 and more acrobatic and defensive than the prior fighters.

HEAVY METAL
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Mid-Level Fighter
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 6 (58)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 1
FIGHTING 6 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 0

Skills:
Expertise (Barfighter) 2 (+2)
Intimidation 6 (+6)
Perception 2 (+2)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Fast Grab, Defensive Roll (Block), Improved Hold, Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Offense:
Unarmed +7 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +0

Defenses:
Dodge +6 (DC 15), Parry +6 (DC 16), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +4

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 30 / Skills: 10–5 / Advantages: 1 + 11 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 11 (58)

-Heavy Metal looks like a rocker, as his name would imply- a pretty muscular guy with fake-looking silver hair (it’s given a graphical overlay that doesn’t fit the digitized actor). He’s apparently not that good, though, despite being the Match 6 opponent. I made him PL 5.5, like Angel- enough to challenge the other guys, but a half a PL behind them.

C.C. RIDER
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Elite Fighter
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 6 (73)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 1
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Athletics 2 (+6)
Expertise (Biker) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+6)
Perception 2 (+2)
Vehicles 8 (+8)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Fast Grab, Defensive Roll (Block), Improved Hold, Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +0

Defenses:
Dodge +6 (DC 15), Parry +8 (DC 18), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 38 / Skills: 22–11 / Advantages: 1 + 11 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 12 (73)

-C.C. Rider (probably named as a pun for CCR) is a biker who likes to grab sticks for weapons, and is the first of the more “serious” threats you’ll face. He’s pretty burly, but isn’t gigantic like several of the other guys you face.

Vince McMahon has such a huge boner right now.

CHAINMAN EDDIE
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Giant Fighter, Penultimate Opponent
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 7 (64)
STRENGTH 5 STAMINA 5 AGILITY 1
FIGHTING 7 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 0

Skills:
Expertise (Barfighter) 2 (+2)
Intimidation 6 (+6)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Fast Grab, Defensive Roll (Block), Improved Hold, Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Offense:
Unarmed +8 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +0

Defenses:
Dodge +6 (DC 15), Parry +7 (DC 17), Toughness +5 (+6 D.Roll), Fortitude +7, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 36 / Skills: 8–4 / Advantages: 1 + 11 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 12 (64)

-Chainman Eddie is a huge Mad Max-inspired dude in a loincloth- tough to knock down, and charges at you with a headbutt. He’s big and slow (MUCH larger than even Buzz, in fact), so can be outmaneuvered. It’s strongly recommended you not let him get any Power Pills, or you’re done. In Match 10, you have to fight TWO Chainman Eddies, which is quite ludicrous. They will attempt to put you between them, which will be a crushing loss if you let it happen- the advice is to stick and move, never holding still.

-An immense guy with a lot of strength and toughness, Chainman Eddie is equal in PL to the selectable fighters, making the battle against TWO of him a dangerous one.

MAD MILES
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Level 9 Fighter, Weapons Guy
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 6 (61)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 1
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 0

Skills:
Expertise (Barfighter) 4 (+4)
Intimidation 4 (+4)
Perception 2 (+2)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Knives), Improved Critical (Sticks)

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Initiative +1

Defenses:
Dodge +8 (DC 18), Parry +8 (DC 18), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 30 / Skills: 10–5 / Advantages: 3 + 9 / Powers: 0 / Defenses: 14 (61)

-Mad Miles is one of the final opponents- hilariously, he looks like just some normal guy with a fake mustache- not like fighter at all. He’s not too tough, but repeatedly goes for all of the weapons in the stage (4 sticks and 1-3 knives). Overall, he’s just PL 6, though.

THE MASKED WARRIOR
First Appearance: Pit-Fighter (1990)
Role: Final Boss
Vague Martial Art Basis: Wrestling
PL 8 (68)
STRENGTH 5 STAMINA 5 AGILITY 1
FIGHTING 9 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 0

Skills:
Expertise (Barfighter) 2 (+2)
Intimidation 6 (+6)

Advantages:
None

Pit-Fighter Mook Fighting Style: Fast Grab, Defensive Roll (Block), Improved Hold, Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Power Hitter” Strength-Damage +1 [1]

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Initiative +0

Defenses:
Dodge +6 (DC 15), Parry +9 (DC 19), Toughness +5 (+6 D.Roll), Fortitude +7, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Winning)

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 8–4 / Advantages: 0 + 11 / Powers: 1 / Defenses: 12 (68)

-The Masked Warrior is the final boss of Pit-Fighter– a dangerous threat in a stage full of weapons and THREE Power Pills. With a silver-colored hockey mask and wrestling tights, he’s another Mad Max/pro wrestling inspired guy, and it’s actually a pretty decent look since he’s so huge. I mean, I could see this guy in the WWF or WCW easily.

-The Masked Warrior is a real powerhouse- PL 7.5 and stronger than any other guy in the game.

GUARDIANS OF THE ‘HOOD:
Made By: Atari
Genre: Side-Scrolling Beat ‘Em Up
Release Date: 1992

-The spiritual successor of Pit-Fighter, which was supposed to have a sequel but had it cancelled, is a little-known Arcade-only game called Guardians of the ‘Hood (possibly the most “early ’90s” name ever made). Unlike Pit-Fighter, this is more of a standard Double Dragon/Final Fight side-scrolling game, where you defeat armies of Mooks on the way to fighting stage bosses. Up to three players can play at once, choosing from one of four selectable characters. Like one of the Double Dragon games, defeating bosses humbles them enough to join you on your quest, making them playable as well!

There are four stages: Slums, Subway, Chinatown & the Amusement Park. After each stage, not only is the Boss selectable, but you can fight your friend in a head-to-head match for extra points. The final boss is Mr. Big, who is actually a female. Your characters are typically just brawlers, but with enough power built up, you can use “Magic”- a projectile attack.

The graphics are pretty crummy- characters are small and animations haven’t improved since Pit-Fighter, which leaves everyone just doing 1 and 2-frame attacks. The best part seems to be that you can use HOBOS as ranged weapons- picking up people lying on the street as if they were literal garbage and launching them either into your opponent or off-screen. I mean, you’re supposed to be “cleaning up the neighborhood”, but that’s usually a METAPHOR! Other backgrounders include a granny that punches you back if you hit her, and a flasher on the subway. The same “you get smaller the further you go from the front” effect as in Pit-Fighter, and unusually for the genre, you can play the same character- I’ve seen clips of two “Tanyas” on-screen at once.

The characters consist of Conner (generic muscular white guy), Javier (skinnier kickboxer), Tanya (black acrobatic girl) & Chief (big muscular wrestler with suspenders). The Stage Bosses you can later select are Jay-Jay (muscular black dude in PJs), Boris (muscular skinhead) & Kwan (Korean Liu Kang). The final boss, Mr. Big, is a female “Big Boss” in dominatrix gear, complete with a whip.

As I literally only heard of this game while looking up Pit-Fighter, I’m guessing it wasn’t a major hit. This genre of game was falling by the wayside at this point, which didn’t help. When Pit-Fighter 2 was in the making, screenshots of it made it clear that the fighters from ‘Hood were going to be there.

CONNER
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: Mid-Tier Guy
Vague Martial Art Basis: Karate, Judo
PL 7 (80)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 9 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+8)
Athletics 7 (+10)
Expertise (Travelling Martial Artist) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+5)
Perception 4 (+5)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Double Kick)

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Magic” Damage 4 (Extras: Area- 30ft. Line) (Flaws: Unreliable) (Reduced Defenses -2) (1) — [2]

• AE: “Double Kick” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)

Offense:
Unarmed +10 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Special Moves +8 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Magic +4 Area (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +5

Defenses:
Dodge +8 (DC 18), Parry +9 (DC 19), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Cleaning up the ‘Hood)

Total: Abilities: 44 / Skills: 24–12 / Advantages: 2 + 12 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 9 (81)

-Conner, played by a built blond white dude in a tank top and baggy white pants, is a “Karate Champion” but also does judo I guess. He’s a bit stronger than Javier but not as much as Chief.

The upper-left guy!

JAVIER
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: The Ryu (All-Around Guy), Agile-Fighter
Vague Martial Art Basis: Kickboxing
PL 7 (85)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 2 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 10 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+8)
Athletics 7 (+10)
Expertise (Travelling Martial Artist) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+5)
Perception 4 (+5)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Punch Flurry)

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Magic” Damage 4 (Extras: Area- 30ft. Line) (Flaws: Unreliable) (Reduced Defenses -2) (1) — [2]

• AE: “Double Kick” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)

Offense:
Unarmed +11 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Special Moves +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Magic +4 Area (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +5

Defenses:
Dodge +9 (DC 19), Parry +10 (DC 20), Toughness +2 (+3 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Cleaning up the ‘Hood)

Total: Abilities: 42 / Skills: 24–12 / Advantages: 2 + 12 / Powers: 3 / Defenses: 11 (82)

-A kickboxer, Javier replaces Ty in the “tiers”. He looks pretty plain- just a guy in a blue tank-top and karate pants.

Someone did fanart of TANYA?

TANYA
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: The Chick, Agile Fighter
Vague Martial Art Basis: Roller Derby
PL 7 (86)
STRENGTH 1 STAMINA 1 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 11 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+8)
Athletics 7 (+10)
Expertise (Travelling Martial Artist) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+5)
Perception 4 (+5)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Evasion, Improved Critical (Spinkick), Improved Defenses, Improved Initiative, Uncanny Dodge

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Magic- Blue Tornado” Damage 4 (Extras: Area- 30ft. Line) (Flaws: Unreliable) (Reduced Defenses -2) (1) — [2]

• AE: “Spinkick” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)

Offense:
Unarmed +12 (+1 Damage, DC 16)
Special Moves +10 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Magic +4 Area (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +10 (DC 20), Parry +11 (DC 21), Toughness +1 (+2 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Cleaning up the ‘Hood)

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 24–12 / Advantages: 6 + 12 / Powers: 3 / Defenses: 13 (86)

-The only female fighter you can play, Tanya is a black girl and “Roller Champion” in yellow or red tank top and shorts who fights using an agile style, including a spin-kick, and her “Magic” is a blue tornado thingie.

CHIEF
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: The Powerhouse
Vague Martial Art Basis: Pro-Wrestling
PL 7 (79)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+5)
Athletics 4 (+8)
Expertise (Pro Wrestler) 7 (+7)
Intimidation 6 (+7)
Perception 2 (+3)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Piledriver), Power Attack

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Magic- Sonic Wave” Damage 4 (Extras: Area- 30ft. Line) (Flaws: Unreliable) (Reduced Defenses -2) (1) — [2]

• AE: “Liger Bomb/Body Slam” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +7 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Initiative +2

Defenses:
Dodge +7 (DC 17), Parry +8 (DC 18), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Cleaning up the ‘Hood)

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 22–11 / Advantages: 3 + 12 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 11 (79)

-A big pro wrestler “out for revenge”, Chief is the Big Guy of the squad, but is soon joined by the Dreads’ leader Jay-Jay in that tier. His “Magic” sends out a trio of increasingly-large curved lines when he claps his hands- effective a sonic blast.

JAY-JAY
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: Stage Boss, Playable Villain
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 7 (79)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+5)
Athletics 4 (+8)
Expertise (Pro Wrestler) 7 (+7)
Intimidation 6 (+7)
Perception 2 (+3)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Backfist), Power Attack

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Magic” Damage 4 (Extras: Area- 30ft. Line) (Flaws: Unreliable) (Reduced Defenses -2) (1) — [2]

• AE: “Triple Backfist” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +7 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Initiative +2

Defenses:
Dodge +7 (DC 17), Parry +8 (DC 18), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Cleaning up the ‘Hood)

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 22–11 / Advantages: 3 + 12 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 11 (79)

-An extremely muscular black dude with dreads and pajama pants, Jay-Jay is the leader of the “Dreads” and is a stage boss in the “Slums” area. Joining your quest, he equals Chief in power. His Special Move appears to be a three-hitting spinning backfist of sorts. His gang humorously looks like a bunch of crackheads, but are actually supposed to be Jamaicans- they just lope forward and hang their heads strangely.

BORIS
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: Stage Boss, Playable Villain
Vague Martial Art Basis: Brawling
PL 7 (79)
STRENGTH 4 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 8 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+5)
Athletics 4 (+8)
Expertise (Pro Wrestler) 7 (+7)
Intimidation 6 (+7)
Perception 2 (+3)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Piledriver), Power Attack

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Magic- Spinning Chain” Damage 4 (Extras: Area- 30ft. Line) (Flaws: Unreliable) (Reduced Defenses -2) (1) — [2]

• AE: “Triple Backfist” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)

Offense:
Unarmed +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +7 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Initiative +2

Defenses:
Dodge +7 (DC 17), Parry +8 (DC 18), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Cleaning up the ‘Hood)

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 22–11 / Advantages: 3 + 12 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 11 (79)

-A muscular bald white guy in tight grey, red or blue jeans, Boris leads the “Shavers”, who are humorously a gang made up of a guy in a trenchcoat, pallete-swapped female punkers (I hate punkers) with mohawks (green or pink!), and big fat guys who can nonetheless do somersault sentons and piledrivers. His “Magic” sends out a single spinning chain.

KWAN
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: Stage Boss, Playable Villain
Vague Martial Art Basis: Kung-Fu
PL 7 (85)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 2 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 10 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 1

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+8)
Athletics 7 (+10)
Expertise (Travelling Martial Artist) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+5)
Perception 4 (+5)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Improved Critical (Cartwheel Kick), Improved Initiative

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Magic” Damage 4 (Extras: Area- 30ft. Line) (Flaws: Unreliable) (Reduced Defenses -2) (1) — [2]

• AE: “Cartwheel Kick” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)

Offense:
Unarmed +11 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Special Moves +9 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Magic +4 Area (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +9 (DC 19), Parry +10 (DC 20), Toughness +2 (+3 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +5

Complications:
Motivation (Cleaning up the ‘Hood)

Total: Abilities: 42 / Skills: 24–12 / Advantages: 2 + 12 / Powers: 3 / Defenses: 11 (82)

-A standard-issue ripped Asian guy in baggy kung-fu pants, Kwan is the leader of the Dragons and boss of “Chinatown”, a stage which consists entirely of Lis and Sue Lees, the latter of which look hilariously like nail salon workers. Kwan more or less fights like Bruce Lee, though, albeit Bruce never did a Cartwheel Kick that I can remember. His stage consists of simple storefronts while “Asian music” plays, and ends in an actual strip club, where a woman in lingerie does single-frame dance moves during the fight.

BIG BOSS (Mr. Big)
First Appearance: Guardians of the ‘Hood (1992)
Role: Final Boss, Dominatrix
Vague Martial Art Basis: Dominatrix Stuff
PL 8 (80)
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 10 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE 0 AWARENESS 1 PRESENCE 3

Skills:
Acrobatics 3 (+8)
Athletics 7 (+10)
Expertise (Travelling Martial Artist) 6 (+6)
Intimidation 4 (+5)
Perception 4 (+5)

Advantages:
Close Attack 1, Equipment (Horsewhip +1), Evasion, Improved Critical (Double Kick), Improved Initiative, Uncanny Dodge

Pit-Fighter Fighting Style: Defensive Roll (Block), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Trip (Throw), Improvised Weapon (Stage Items), Ranged Attack 7

Powers:
“Super Move”
“Double Whip-Shot” Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) [1]
Features 1: May Add Weapon-Damage to Special Moves [1]

Offense:
Unarmed +11 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Horsewhip +11 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +9 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Magic +4 Area (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +5

Defenses:
Dodge +8 (DC 18), Parry +9 (DC 19), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +6

Complications:
Motivation (Power)

Total: Abilities: 50 / Skills: 24–12 / Advantages: 6 + 12 / Powers: 2 / Defenses: 11 (93)

-Unusually, the game’s Final Boss is a skinny Michael Jackson-lookalike clearly played by a female, and when you finally meet “Mr. Big”, the suit comes off to reveal a sexy chick in leather dominatrix gear, complete with a horsewhip and leggings. Her stage, the Amusement Park, is full of all the enemies you fought before, with the punk rock girls now sporting silver and orange mohawks. A PL 7.5 fighter, she can hold her own with multiple characters.