Pocket Fighter is a Capcom 2D fighting game with above average graphics using characters from past Capcom fighting games such as Street Fighter Alpha 1 & 2, the Street Fighter series, and the Darkstalkers/Night Warriors series. The game is presented in a “Super-Deformed” style (from the popular Japanese anime style) and has colorful and cartoony backgrounds. Each of the characters have a few different colored costumes to choose from, and display wild and whacky Super Moves such as Zangief switching into a masked professional wrestler and smashing you over the head with a folding chair! The music is a little simplistic, but fits the overall “kiddie” feel of the game. Also, the sound effects are reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons.

Easy to tackle. There are ten characters to start with, and two hidden ones. The full roster is as follows: Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Sakura, Morrigan, Hsien-Ko, Felecia, Tessa, Zangief, Ibuki. The two secret fighters are Akuma and Dan. There are several modes for which to play: Arcade Battle, Free Battle (two-player fighting) Running Battle (single-player only, try to defeat all 12 opponents before your health or time runs out), and a Training Mode. There is also a separate “Edit Fighter” mode where you can make a “custom” character for yourself by answering silly questions (the character will look exactly like one of the other fighters, but you can choose a nickname). To be honest, I was never able to figure this mode out, and it seems like a novelty more than a valid game mode. In all, Pocket Fighters is a fun, funny break from the Street Fighters and Mortal Kombats out there; a little too easy for a one player game, but a blast to play with a friend or at a party.

With multiple difficulty settings in Pocket Fighter, you can suit the game to your skill level. The default difficulty setting seems to be very easy, however.

In keeping with the fun and light hearted game design, Pocket Fighter throws out the normal six-button attack scheme and uses a four-button attack scheme: Punch, Kick, Taunt, and Special Attack. As you are fighting, you can break open treasure chests and pick up power-ups, food (replenishes health), and gems. Some of the items that you can use against your opponent are bombs, poison, flames, bananas, ice, rocks, and lightning. Gems will increase your gauges and combinations, and it is possible to pull off combos. You can even “Super Jump” like in other Capcom fighters such as Marvel Super Heroes.