Joy Mech Fight (1993)

Using a positively unique type of fighting game character design, Joy Mech fight is probably one of the best fighting games - not just on the NES but overall.

Two scientists have turned against each other, one creating evil robots to conquer the world. Repurposing a nonviolent robot for combat, you control Sukapon and fight and unlock robots to join your side. In the game's three difficulty modes you can unlock seven other robots but can unlock up to 36 characters in versus mode.

The rules are fairly straightforward, with three lives and an HP meter. There is no timer and characters have at least four special moves at their disposal, one usually being a throw. There is a variety of moves including uppercuts, throwing one's head forward, projectiles, etc - the character may even become stunned after a period of sustained damage. This can all be practiced in a very helpful test mode that shows practice moves and how much damage each move makes. Special moves are also fairly simple to pull off, often requiring no more than an arrow or two plus the B or A button.

The graphics really set this game apart from the others. Having characters composed entirely of separate sprites allows a greater range of movement, along with different looking characters like four claw limbs, shovels, rotating spheres for limbs, drills, and fists of different shapes and sizes. All of the colors in the characters and stages pop out and most of the robots look positively adorable. The music is usually either cheery or exciting for battle - not super catchy but very well done chiptune.

Joy Mech Fight is a unique fighting game in its character premise but is also finely tuned for a lot of fun and I mean a LOT of fun between so many characters. Grab a friend and see how many matchups you can do between 36 characters!