# Street Combat

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Street_Combat
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Street_Combat.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Combat
> Source revision: 1351732413
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Not to be confused with [Street Fighter](/source/Street_Fighter).

***Street Combat*** is a [fighting](/source/Fighting_game) [video game](/source/Video_game) developed by [NCS Corporation](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0) for the [Super Nintendo Entertainment System](/source/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System) (SNES). The game centers around Steven, a scientist and [Kung Fu](/source/Chinese_martial_arts) expert who enters a martial arts tournament to thwart the plans of a terrorist organization. Gameplay consists of one-on-one battles where the player must defeat opponents in sets of rounds using both standard and special attacks. It also features [bonus rounds](/source/Bonus_stage) and a [two-player](/source/Multiplayer_video_game) versus option.

The game was originally released in Japan in 1992 by the NCS label [Masaya Games](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A1%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A4_(%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89)) under the title ***Ranma ½: Chōnai Gekitōhen*** (らんま1/2 町内激闘篇, *Ranma Nibun-no-Ichi: Chōnai Gekitōhen*, "Ranma ½: Neighborhood Battle Chapter") as an adaptation of the manga series *[Ranma ½](/source/Ranma_%C2%BD)* authored by [Rumiko Takahashi](/source/Rumiko_Takahashi). When [Irem](/source/Irem) localized it as *Street Combat* for the western market in 1993, the game mechanics were unaltered. However, all connections to the manga were removed, most notably with its entire roster of [characters](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters) being replaced with different [sprites](/source/Sprite_(computer_graphics)).

Both versions of the game were critically compared and contrasted with the popular arcade hit *[Street Fighter II](/source/Street_Fighter_II)* from [Capcom](/source/Capcom). *Street Combat* has been largely panned for its substituted graphics and simplistic gameplay mechanics. The development team's next game in the series, *[Ranma ½: Hard Battle](/source/Ranma_%C2%BD:_Hard_Battle)*, was localized outside of Japan with the manga license retained.

## Gameplay

*Street Combat* is a [fighting game](/source/Fighting_game) centered around a world [martial arts](/source/Martial_art) tournament of the same name. The game's primary mode has the player take control of Steven, a genius scientist and [Kung Fu](/source/Chinese_martial_arts) expert. Steven infiltrates the competition to halt the assassination of a global leader to be carried out by C.J., the head of the V.I.P. terrorist organization.[4] The game's story campaign consists of six consecutive one-on-one battles against Tyrone, G.I. Jim, Helmut, Lita, and finally C.J. himself.[5][6][7] Every match starts with the player choosing between two versions of Steven, though they differ very little in ability.[8] In each fight the player must win two out of the three rounds to advance to the next match. Both fighters have a [health](/source/Health_(game_terminology)) gauge that depletes when successful blows are landed. The player's actions are mapped to individual face or shoulder buttons, including jumping, blocking, basic punches and kicks, and some [special attacks](/source/Fighting_game#Special_attacks_and_combos). Other specials are executed using simple [combinations](/source/Combo_(video_games)) of buttons.[7][9]

A [high score](/source/Score_(video_games)) counter increases with hits and round completions. Between matches, the player can earn extra points in one minute [bonus stages](/source/Bonus_stage) by repeatedly striking a dwarf character named Happy.[3] There are four difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, Hard, and Super.[4][5] Losing to a computer opponent will expend one credit, allowing the player to try the match again, while losing with no credits left will result in a [game over](/source/Game_over).[4] A [two-player](/source/Multiplayer_video_game) versus option allows human competitors to fight against one another with any of the game's eight fighters.[4][9][10]

## Development and release

The original Japanese version of *Street Combat*, titled *Ranma ½: Chōnai Gekitōhen*, was developed for the [Super Famicom](/source/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System) by [NCS Corporation](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0) and would be published under its [Masaya Games](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A1%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A4_(%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%96%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89)) label in Japan on March 27, 1992.[1] It is based on the [manga](/source/Manga) series *[Ranma ½](/source/Ranma_%C2%BD)* by [Rumiko Takahashi](/source/Rumiko_Takahashi), which is centered around its titular protagonist, [Ranma Saotome](/source/Ranma_Saotome), a cursed martial artist who switches genders when exposed to either cold water or warm water.[7] The plot of the game features Ranma competing in a fighting competition to win a trip to China in order to reverse the curse.[11]

Graphical designer [Hitoshi Ariga](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%82%E3%82%8A%E3%81%8C%E3%81%B2%E3%81%A8%E3%81%97) recounted that after the completion of Masaya's *[Cyber Citizen Shockman 3: The Princess from Another World](/source/Cyber_Citizen_Shockman_3:_The_Princess_from_Another_World)* he was promptly asked by company producer [Toshiro Tsuchida](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9C%9F%E7%94%B0%E4%BF%8A%E9%83%8E) to join the *Chōnai Gekitōhen* team midway through the latter's creation. As *Ranma ½* was focused on martial arts, it was decided that it should be a [fighting game](/source/Fighting_game). Despite the explosive popularity of [Capcom](/source/Capcom)'s arcade hit *[Street Fighter II](/source/Street_Fighter_II)* during this period, Hitoshi doubted that copying its style was ever a consideration as *Chōnai Gekitōhen* featured a simpler control scheme more akin to [action games](/source/Action_game) of the time.[12] The characters were made graphically similarly to *[Ultraman: Towards the Future](/source/Ultraman:_Towards_the_Future_(video_game))* with [sprites](/source/Sprite_(computer_graphics)) animated with independent, angled parts. Character body parts were divided into banks of [pixels](/source/Pixel) made up from the [dot matrix](/source/Dot_matrix) of the Super Famicom's display. Ariga claimed that he was unable to achieve the smooth animation or detail from his initial sketches when restricting their motions to these banks.[12]

When [Irem](/source/Irem) localized the game outside Japan, numerous changes were made to remove all connections to *Ranma ½*. This was possibly due to the series being relatively unknown in the region at the time, licensing issues, or an attempt to [better appeal to Western audiences](/source/Westernization).[11][13][14][15] A new story was written and all the sprites and artwork depicting its characters were replaced.[16][17][18][19] Male Ranma became the blue-armored Steven; female Ranma became the armorless Steven; [Genma Saotome](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Genma_Saotome) became Tyrone; [Kodachi Kuno](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Kodachi_Kuno) became Dozo; [Tatewaki Kuno](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Tatewaki_Kuno) became G.I. Jim; [Principal Kuno](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Principal_Kuno) became Helmut; [Shampoo](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Shampoo) became Lita; [Ryoga Hibiki](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Ryoga_Hibiki) became C.J.; and [Happosai](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Happosai) and [Cologne](/source/List_of_Ranma_%C2%BD_characters#Cologne) were combined into the character Happy.[7][11] Alterations were also made to the music and backgrounds.[20] *Street Combat* was released by Irem in North America in April 1993 and was distributed in Europe by Playtime Software in July 1993.[2][3]

## Reception

Critical reception for the original Japanese *Ranma ½: Chōnai Gekitōhen* was mostly favorable. The game was compared to the arcade hit *[Street Fighter II](/source/Street_Fighter_II)*, which had yet to make its way to home consoles at the time. Jean-Marc Demoly of the French publication *[Joystick](/source/Joystick_(magazine))* gushed over its variety of attacks, fluid animation, detailed backgrounds, and audio design.[21] In a brief import review, *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)* contributor Dave Winstead similarly called it "a blast in two-player mode" and concluded, "This isn’t quite *Street Fighter II*, but it's as close as you can get right now on the Super Famicom!"[22] The game was received warmly by a panel of four reviewers in Japanese magazine *[Famitsu](/source/Famitsu)*, though a few of them noted an extreme difficulty from the CPU opponents and a general lack of polish.[1] In a later retrospective, *[Hardcore Gaming 101](/source/Hardcore_Gaming_101)* was highly critical of its control responsiveness, hit detection, graphics, and sound.[7]

*Street Combat* yielded mostly negative reactions to its gameplay and to the quality of its graphical alterations during localization. *Hardcore Gaming 101* described it as "exactly the same game as *Chōnai Gekitōhen*, except totally embarrassing" and panned the graphically altered cast of characters as "a bunch of *[World Heroes](/source/World_Heroes_(video_game))* and *[Street Fighter 2010](/source/Street_Fighter_2010:_The_Final_Fight)* rejects.[7] Zach Meston of *[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment](/source/VideoGames_%26_Computer_Entertainment)* felt that Irem should have kept the *Ranma ½* license and only have made alterations required by [Nintendo of America](/source/Nintendo_of_America) in order to retain the original version's sense of humor. He criticized the difficulty in executing [special moves](/source/Combo_(video_games)) and a lack of challenge in its single-player mode.[8] The staff of *Super NES Buyers Guide* was equally bothered by the changes, finding the presentation and gameplay subpar.[23] *Super Control* writer Paul Mallinson labeled the game a "graphical and aural travesty", faulted the game for having a "one move conquers all" mechanic, and likened its control with playing *Street Fighter II* with a [breeze block](/source/Concrete_block) for a joypad.[6] Mark Wynne of *SuperPro* considered the game's release a "black day for the Super Nintendo," citing uninspired visuals, a lack of enemy AI, and poorly implemented, cliché mechanics.[3] Christian Bornemühl of the German magazine *[Video Games](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Games)* found it be a bland *Street Fighter* imitation with too few stages, small sprites, and poorly animated environments.[24]

The number of available attacks received some praise.[6][9][25][23] Though he thought *Street Fighter II* was superior in every regard, Matt Taylor of *GamePro* had a more positive opinion of *Street Combat* overall, denoting it "a mid-ranked contender" among SNES fighters.[9] Despite *[Nintendo Power](/source/Nintendo_Power)* labeling its animation as "jerky" and finding a lack of depth from its limited character roster, the magazine was still complimentary the challenge presented by the computer opponents at the higher difficulty.[25] The sound in *Street Combat* was generally not well-received with critics describing it as "sub-standard"[8], "poor"[23], "repugnant"[3], and "blackboard-scraping."[6] *Nintendo Power* alternatively found the music "good".[25] Taylor called the soundtrack "almost gifted at times and noxiously tinny at others" while expressing distaste for the character voice effects.[9]

## Legacy

A Super Famicom sequel from the same developer titled *Ranma ½: Bakuretsu Rantōhen* was first released in Japan in late 1992. Unlike *Street Combat*, the SNES version of this game from DTMC, titled *[Ranma ½: Hard Battle](/source/Ranma_%C2%BD:_Hard_Battle)*, was mostly unchanged from its Japanese counterpart.[26][27][28] Both *Chōnai Gekitōhen* and *Bakuretsu Rantōhen* were present at the [Evo Japan 2018](/source/Evo_Japan_2018) fighting game competition with the organizer stating that there was continuing online appeal in the series to warrant their inclusion.[29]

## References

1. *Famitsu* staff (April 3, 1992). ["NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: らんま1/2 町内激闘篇 (SFC)"](https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0172/page/39/mode/1up) (in Japanese). *[Famitsu](/source/Famitsu)*. No. 172. [ASCII Corporation](/source/ASCII_Corporation). p. 39.

1. *Nintendo Power* staff (December 1999). ["Super Nintendo Entertainment System Power Index"](https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-127-december-1999_202204/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20056%20January%201994/page/n73/mode/1up). *[Nintendo Power](/source/Nintendo_Power)*. No. 127. [Nintendo of America](/source/Nintendo). p. 5. [ISSN 1041-9551](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1041-9551)

1. Wynne, Mark (July 1993). ["Review Official: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/super-pro-08/page/n84/mode/1up). *Super Pro*. No. 8. [Paragon Publishing](/source/Paragon_Publishing). p. 85.

1. Irem staff (April 1993). [*Street Combat*Instruction Manual'](https://archive.org/details/snes_Street_Combat_USA/mode/2up)**. [Irem](/source/Irem). pp. 4–13. SNS-RA-USA.**

1. *Nintendo Power* staff (April 1993). ["*Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20047%20April%201993/page/n23/mode/1up). *[Nintendo Power](/source/Nintendo_Power)*. No. 47. [Nintendo of America](/source/Nintendo). p. 24. [ISSN 1041-9551](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1041-9551)

1. Mallinson, Paul (March 1994). ["Super Review: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/super-control-10/page/n27/mode/2up). *Super Control*. No. 10. [Maverick Magazines](/source/Maverick_Magazines). pp. 28–9.

1. ZZZ & Pat R. (July 3, 2007). ["*Street Combat* / *Ranma ½: Chounai Gekitouhen*"](http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/street-combat-ranma-%c2%bd-chounai-gekitouhen/). *[Hardcore Gaming 101](/source/Hardcore_Gaming_101)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250115022324/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/street-combat-ranma-%C2%BD-chounai-gekitouhen/) January 15, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 9, 2025.

1. Meston, Zach (March 1993). ["Video Game Reviews: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/video-games-computer-entertainment-march-1993/page/n47/mode/1up). *[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment](/source/VideoGames_%26_Computer_Entertainment)*. No. 50. [Larry Flynt Publications](/source/Larry_Flynt_Publications). p. 48. [ISSN 1059-2938](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1059-2938)

1. Taylor, Matt (March 1993). ["ProReview: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/game-pro-issue-44-march-1993/page/132/mode/1up). *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)*. No. 44. [IDG](/source/International_Data_Group). p. 132. [ISSN 1042-8658](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1042-8658)

1. *Control* staff (May 1993). ["Preview: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/control-09/page/n13/mode/2up). *Control*. No. 9. [Maverick Magazines](/source/Maverick_Magazines). pp. 14–5.

1. Meeks, Randy (October 30, 2024). ["The *Ranma* game was completely changed in the West… and any trace of the original manga was removed"](https://en.softonic.com/articles/the-ranma-game-that-was-completely-changed-in-the-west-and-any-trace-of-the-original-manga-was-removed). *[Softonic](/source/Softonic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251220223231/https://en.softonic.com/articles/the-ranma-game-that-was-completely-changed-in-the-west-and-any-trace-of-the-original-manga-was-removed) December 20, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2025.

1. Ariga Hotoshi (August 27, 2023). ["SFCらんま1/2町内激闘篇 開発の思い出"](https://note.com/arigamegamix/n/nd36fc9866110) [Memories of the development of SFC *Ranma 1/2: Neighborhood Battle Chapter*] (in Japanese). *Note.com*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20250527101432/https://note.com/arigamegamix/n/nd36fc9866110) May 27, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 27, 2025.

1. Fletcher, JC (February 28, 2008). ["Virtually Overlooked: *Street Combat*"](https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-28-virtually-overlooked-street-combat.html). *[Engadget](/source/Engadget)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250515104059/https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-28-virtually-overlooked-street-combat.html) May 15, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 15, 2025.

1. *EGM* staff (May 1993). ["Interface: Letters to the Editor"](https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-46-may-1993/page/20/mode/1up). *[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)*. No. 46. Sendai Publishing. p. 20. [ISSN 1058-918X](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1058-918X)

1. *Game On! USA* staff (1996). ["Special Report: Making Converts – Following games from Japan to the U.S."](https://archive.org/details/GameOnUSA/Game_On_USA_02/page/n16/mode/1up). *Game On! USA*. No. 2. [Viz Communications](/source/Viz_Media). p. 15. [ISSN 1087-8505](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1087-8505)

1. Fisher, Andrew (November 2017). ["Reskinned Games"](https://archive.org/details/retro-gamer-raspberry-pi-buenos-aires/Retro%20Gamer%20174/page/41/mode/1up). *[Retro Gamer](/source/Retro_Gamer)*. No. 174. [Future plc](/source/Future_plc). p. 41. [ISSN 1742-3155](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1742-3155)

1. Kurland, Daniel (April 15, 2024). ["10 Things You Didn't Know About *Ranma 1/2*"](https://www.cbr.com/ranma-anime-trivia/). *[Comic Book Resources](/source/Comic_Book_Resources)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240909214220/https://www.cbr.com/ranma-anime-trivia/) September 9, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 15, 2025.

1. *Game Players* (February 1993). ["Ahead of the Game: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/Game_Players_Nintendo_Guide_Vol_06_Issue_02_February_1993/page/n73/mode/1up). *[Game Players](/source/Game_Players)*. Vol. 6, no. 2. GP Publications. p. 72. [ISSN 1087-2779](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1087-2779)

1. Heath, David (May 25, 2024). ["7 Obscure Fighting Games Based on Classic Anime"](https://gamerant.com/obscure-fighting-games-based-on-classic-anime/). *[Game Rant](/source/Valnet)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250515104416/https://gamerant.com/obscure-fighting-games-based-on-classic-anime/) May 15, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 15, 2025.

1. *EGM* staff (April 1995). ["Interface: Letters to the Editor"](https://archive.org/details/egm-2-volume-1-issue-10-april-1995/page/n15/mode/1up). *[EGM2](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)*. No. 10. Sendai Publishing. p. 16. [ISSN 1058-918X](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1058-918X)

1. Demoly, Jean-Marc (May 1992). ["*Ranma ½*"](https://archive.org/details/joystick027/page/n191/mode/1up) (in French). *[Joystick](/source/Joystick_(magazine))*. No. 27. Sipress. p. 192. [ISSN 1145-4806](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1145-4806)

1. Winstead, Dave (July 1992). ["Overseas Prospects: *Ranma ½*"](https://archive.org/details/game-pro-issue-36-july-1992/page/74/mode/1up). *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)*. No. 36. [IDG](/source/International_Data_Group). p. 74. [ISSN 1042-8658](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1042-8658)

1. Guy; Dude; Sam Rye (July 1993). ["Super NES Reviews: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/super-nes-buyers-guide-issue-9-july-1993/page/n48/mode/1up). *Super NES Buyers Guide*. No. 9. Sendai Publishing. p. 49. [ISSN 1063-8342](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1063-8342)

1. Bornemühl, Christian (June 1993). ["ROM Check: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_1993-06_Markt_Technik_DE/page/n83/mode/1up) (in German). *[Video Games](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Games)*. [Future plc](/source/Future_plc). p. 85. [ISSN 0946-0985](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0946-0985)

1. *Nintendo Power* staff (April 1993). ["Now Playing: *Street Combat*"](https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20047%20April%201993/page/n105/mode/1up). *[Nintendo Power](/source/Nintendo_Power)*. No. 47. [Nintendo of America](/source/Nintendo). pp. 104, 107. [ISSN 1041-9551](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1041-9551)

1. Semrad, Ed (September 1993). ["Feedback: *Ranma 1/2* Arrives!"](https://archive.org/details/super-nes-buyers-guide-issue-10-september-1993/page/8/mode/1up). *Super NES Buyers Guide*. No. 10. Sendai Publishing. p. 8. [ISSN 1063-8342](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1063-8342)

1. Kunkel, Bill (May 1994). ["Players' Guide to Martial Arts: Exotica"](https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-05/page/n49/mode/1up). *[Electronic Games](/source/Electronic_Games)*. Vol. 2, no. 8. Decker Publishing. p. 50. [ISSN 0730-6687](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0730-6687)

1. ZZZ & Pat R. (December 6, 2008). ["*Ranma ½: Hard Battle*"](http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/ranma-%c2%bd-hard-battle/). *[Hardcore Gaming 101](/source/Hardcore_Gaming_101)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250118203940/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/ranma-%C2%BD-hard-battle/) January 18, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 16, 2025.

1. Yanamoto Shinichi (January 28, 2018). ["［EVO Japan］スーパーファミコンの「らんま1/2」，26年目の王者が決定。サイドトーナメント「Ranma World Championship」レポート"](https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20180128004/) [[EVO Japan] Super Nintendo *Ranma ½*, the 26th champion is decided. Side tournament "*Ranma* World Championship" report] (in Japanese). *[4Gamer.net](/source/4Gamer.net)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240918040219/https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20180128004/) September 18, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 12, 2025.

## External links

- [*Street Combat*](https://www.mobygames.com/game/30967/street-combat/) at [MobyGames](/source/MobyGames)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Street Combat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Combat) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Combat?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.