So...what do we have here?

Japanese Game Box Front

Wing Gundam, Front And Center!

Here we are, you and I, gathered here, looking at the pinnacle of SFC fighting game perfection...nah, it's not THAT great, but for a licensed anime game, I'd be hard pressed to find much better. Not only is Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W - Endless Duel one of the best anime games I've ever played, it's also amazingly one of the best fighting games on this system, and most other Gundam games before or after have barely even come close to this game's magnificence. Sound like an exaggeration? Maybe it is, if only slightly, but that's the general consensus when people ask for a good Gundam fighting game. Sure, Gundam Battle Assault 1 and 2 were okay, and Battle Assault 3: Featuring Gundam Seed is better than some may lead you to believe, but none of those games capture the same level of polish. If you don't believe me, why not try this game for yourself?

The game doesn't have much of a plot, like most fighting games I've played bar Evil Zone for Playstation...which was just silly to the point where I wanted to hate it, but just couldn't. I really think more fighting games should have a bigger emphasis on storytelling, but that is neither here nor there. Graphically, Endless Duel makes sure to deliver large, detailed characters, detailed backdrops, and crisp action which hardly skips a beat. Some of the attacks are downright awesome, and the game has a great presentation and overall quality of an Arcade fighter...bundled into a little cartridge of joy for all SNES/SFC gamers to call their own. As far as SNES fighters are concerned, things don't get much better than this, graphically speaking. While I could also sit here and write another paragraph or two about how appropriate and awesome the BGMs in this game are, I'll just tell you that they can get your adrenaline going and fit the theme of the game well. Casual fighting game players and Gundam fans alike will be pleased.

The gameplay of this game is what makes it better than practically any other Gundam fighter out there. This game doesn't focus on loads of characters and unlockables, but pure, straight-to-the-freaking-point arcade style combat! The game is fast and furious, the characters are all cool to use, and the game has a pretty complex combo system for its time, once you start becoming a crazed lunatic at this game. In addition, the incorporation of long and close range abilities for all characters, strategic maneuvering abilities, and of course, flashy special moves, are all welcome additions and should probably be mandatory for all fighting games but sadly isn't (darn rulebreakers!). My only real complaint is that there is no practice mode and the character roster is a tad bit lacking, but the game does its best to make up for these faults. Ah well, no game is perfect. The closest the U.S. got to this game was Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers - Fighting Edition, which is also good, but it's no Endless Duel. In conclusion, why are you wasting time reading this review when you can be playing this game!? Get out of here!

- Written by Vyse the determined -