View source for Art of Fighting

{{short description|Video game series}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox video game series
|title=Art of Fighting
|image=Art Of Fighting Logo.png
|developer=[[SNK]]<br>KOF Studio
|publisher=SNK
|creator= [[Hiroshi Matsumoto (game designer)|Hiroshi Matsumoto]]
|genre=[[Fighting game|Fighting]]
|platforms=[[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Neo Geo AES]], [[Neo-Geo CD]], [[SNES]], [[Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[TurboGrafx-16#TurboGrafx-CD/CD-ROM²|PC Engine CD]], [[PlayStation 2]]
|first release version = ''[[Art of Fighting (video game)|Art of Fighting]]''
|first release date = 24 September 1992
|latest release version = ''[[Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior]]''
|latest release date = 12 March 1996
}}

'''''Art of Fighting''''', known in Japan as {{Nihongo foot|'''''Dragon & Tiger Fist''''',|龍虎の拳|Ryūko no Ken|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a series of [[fighting video game]]s created by Japanese game designer [[Hiroshi Matsumoto (game designer)|Hiroshi Matsumoto]]. Originally released for the [[Neo Geo]] platform in the early 1990s, it is the second fighting game franchise created by [[SNK]], following the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series, and is set in the same [[fictional universe]]. The original ''[[Art of Fighting (video game)|Art of Fighting]]'' was released in 1992, followed by two sequels: ''[[Art of Fighting 2]]'' in 1994 and ''[[Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior]]'' in 1996. A new ''Art of Fighting'' game is currently in development. The trilogy primarily focus on two martial artists known as [[Ryo Sakazaki]] and [[Robert Garcia (Art of Fighting)|Robert Garcia]] as they use their Kyokugenryu Karate to face enemies in their quests explored in the trilogy of games. Such skills are obtained across bonus from the first game while they become integrated in the two sequels with new characters becoming playable.

The franchise went to become one of SNK's biggest hits from the early 1990s for its focus on fighting engine and storytelling. This eventually led to connect it to other SNK franchises in the form of crossovers with the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series, with Ryo being playable in two installments among others, which would form as the basis of ''[[The King of Fighters]]'' series from SNK. Despite its fame, critical response to the first game was mixed as many considered the game inferior to previously released games like ''[[Street Fighter II]]'', also resulting in criticism from their similarities. Nevertheless, the improvements each sequel had were the subject of praise. The similarities between ''Art of Fighting'' and ''Street Fighter'' protagonist resulted into the creation of the latter's parody character [[Dan Hibiki]] which eventually led to jokes between the companies.
{{TOC limit|4}}

==Games==
{{Timeline of release years
| compressempty = yes
| range1 = 1992 - 1996
| range1_color = #ff7207 #B74F05
| range2 = 2006 -
| range2_color = #000000 #474747
| 1992 = '''''[[Art of Fighting (video game)|Art of Fighting]]'''''
| 1994 = '''''[[Art of Fighting 2]]'''''
| 1996 = '''''[[Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior]]'''''
| 2006 = ''Art of Fighting Anthology''
}}
Taking place in 1978, [[Ryo Sakazaki]] and [[Robert Garcia (Art of Fighting)|Robert Garcia]] set out to find Ryo's sister, [[Yuri Sakazaki|Yuri]], who has been kidnapped by Mr. Big. Mr. Big has taken the girl to entice Takuma Sakazaki, Ryo's father and originator of the fictional form of [[karate]] known as Kyokugen Karate ("Extreme style"), and because Ryo refused to work for Big. After they defeat Mr. Big, Ryo and Robert face the enigmatic Mr. Karate. ''Art of Fighting''{{'}}s story ends with a cliff-hanger; Yuri is about to disclose the true identity of Mr. Karate as their father Takuma. Ryo and Robert are the only playable heroes in the single player story mode, although eight of the game's ten fighters are playable by default in the two player versus mode.<ref name="AOFAESmanual">''Art of Fighting'' user's manual (Neo Geo AES, US)</ref> Mr. Big and Mr. Karate can be played in the [[Neo Geo MVS]] (arcade) version by reaching their respective stages in the game then having a second player join in, and in the [[Neo Geo AES]] (console) version through the use of cheat codes. A [[Sharp X68000]] version of ''Art of Fighting'' was in development by [[Magical Company]] but it went unreleased for unknown reasons.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/OhX1990-1995/Oh%21X_1994-03#page/n26/mode/1up|title=The Softouch – Software Information: 新作情報 -- 龍虎の拳|magazine=[[:ja:Oh!X|Oh!X]]|issue=143|date=March 1994|page=25|lang=ja}}</ref>

''[[Art of Fighting 2]]'' was in arcades on 3 February 1994. It involves both new and returning characters competing against each other in the King of Fighters tournament. The plot features Ryo Sakazaki and his friends as they work together to take down the mafia host [[Geese Howard]], whose forces manipulated them in the first ''Art of Fighting'' game. It retains most of the characters from the first ''Art of Fighting'' rather than just Ryo and Robert Garcia. The gameplay remains faithful to the original ''Art of Fighting'', including Desperation Moves and taunts that are used strategically. This game was promoted with ''[[The King of Fighters '94]]'' released in the same year by the company. It was ported to the Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD and Super Famicom. It would be later ported as part of the entire ''Art of Fighting'' trilogy for more modern consoles.

''Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior'' was the first game in the series (and the first SNK fighting game) to use [[motion capture]] for its animation,<ref name="Ready Yourself for Motion-Captured">{{cite magazine|title=Ready Yourself for Motion-Captured SNK Action!|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=5 |date=April 1996|page=122}}</ref> often being noted as some of the best sprite-work SNK has produced. It features a new cast of characters with the exception of Ryo and Robert. Yuri Sakazaki is seen in the game, but only as a side character in Ryo and Robert's story mode.
The story switched focus from the Sakazakis to Robert Garcia. Robert disappears to search for an old childhood friend, Freia Lawrence, and he tracks her to Glasshill Valley, [[Mexico]]. Freia is wanted by the game's main antagonist, Tom Wyler, to complete a powerful elixir that was created by his and Freia's fathers.

===Upcoming ''Art of Fighting'' game===
''[[The King of Fighters]]'' game designer Toyohisa Tanabe wanted to worked on a new ''Art of Fighting'' after playing its third installment with ''[[The King of Fighters '96]]'' engine but was not given permission.<ref>{{cite book |title=The King of Fighters: The Ultimate History |date=2022 |publisher=Bitmap Books |isbn=9781838019181 |page=501}}</ref>

At [[Evolution Championship Series|Evo 2024]], following similar revivals of the ''[[Samurai Shodown]]'' and ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series, SNK announced they were developing a new entry in the ''Art of Fighting'' series, marking the series' first new entry in nearly 30 years.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |title=New Art of Fighting game and Samurai Shodown action RPG in development |website=Gematsu |date=2024-07-20 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/07/new-art-of-fighting-game-and-samurai-shodown-action-rpg-in-development |access-date=2024-07-20}}</ref>

===Ports and compilations===
The original trilogy were all released for the Neo Geo MVS arcade system, Neo Geo AES home console, and Neo Geo CD. ''Art of Fighting'' was ported to the [[PC Engine CD]], [[SNES]], and [[Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]], while ''Art of Fighting 2'' was also ported to Super Famicom. Many of these ports made minor changes to the gameplay, story, or graphics.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=International Outlook|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=53|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|date=December 1993|page=86}}</ref>

The Neo Geo trilogy was compiled in {{nihongo|''Art of Fighting Anthology''|龍虎の拳 ～天・地・人～|Ryuuko no Ken Tenchijin}} for the [[PlayStation 2]], while the original game was also included as part of ''[[SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1]]'' and the [[NEOGEO Station]] service. The trilogy has also been digitally re-released via the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] and the ''[[ACA Neo Geo]]'' series.

==Gameplay==
[[File:NEOGEO Art of Fighting (Ryūko no Ken).png|thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot showcasing a match between [[Ryo Sakazaki]] and Ryuhaku Todoh]] 
The ''Art of Fighting'' series follows the conventions of the time in the sense that the player faces a variety of opponents in best two-out-of-three matches. Each of the game's characters have a unique fighting style and set of special techniques. The player has two basic attacks—punch and kick—as well as a utility button that switches between punches, kicks, and throws. A fourth button is used for taunting. ''Art of Fighting''{{'}}s contribution to the genre was the inclusion of a "spirit gauge" underneath the character's life bar. When characters perform special techniques, their spirit gauge is depleted and their special attacks become weaker. Players can also drain their opponent's spirit gauge by taunting them.

The ''Art of Fighting'' series was also the first fighting series to allow players to perform a "super attack". In the original ''Art of Fighting'', the player's character can learn a super attack (dubbed the ''super death blow'') by completing one of the game's bonus rounds (this technique is available by default in the 3rd game). All three games also feature "[[Fighting game#Special attacks and combos|Desperation Attack]]s" that can only be performed when the player's health is low and the life bar is flashing.

The series also introduced graphical scaling into the fighting game genre: as the characters move towards each other, the camera zooms in to maximize the level of detail. Character sprites in ''Art of Fighting'' change as the fight progresses to become more bruised and cut as damage is taken.

==Plot==
{{main|Characters of the Art of Fighting series}}
The ''Art of Fighting'' series serves as a prequel to the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series, with the three games taking place between 1978 and 1980, over a decade before the events of ''[[Fatal Fury: King of Fighters]]''. The initial two games are set in South Town, the same setting as the ''Fatal Fury'' series, while the third takes place in the fictional Mexican town of Glasshill Valley.

Many characters from both ''Art of Fighting'' and ''Fatal Fury'' appear in ''[[The King of Fighters]]'' series, which is set in its own universe that ignores the continuity established in the ''Art of Fighting'' and ''Fatal Fury'' games so that the characters from both series could battle without having to age any of them.

==Development==
Shortly after the release of ''[[Street Fighter (video game)|Street Fighter]]'', a headhunter approached director [[Takashi Nishiyama]] and convinced him to leave [[Capcom]] and join nearby studio [[SNK]]. Nishiyama took planner [[Hiroshi Matsumoto (game designer)|Hiroshi Matsumoto]] and the majority of his team with him and abandoned the ''Street Fighter'' IP. In SNK, Matsumoto directed the fighting game ''Art of Fighting'' starring the leads [[Ryo Sakazaki]] and [[Robert Garcia (Art of Fighting)|Robert Garcia]] who fight people in the city of Southtown to rescue the missing Yuri Sakazaki. The cast were created by Matsumoto as an homage to the Capcom fighting games' characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/features/the-man-who-created-street-fighter?pager.offset=3 |title=The Man Who Created Street Fighter |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=2016-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414031418/http://www.1up.com/features/the-man-who-created-street-fighter?pager.offset=3 |archive-date=2016-04-14}}</ref> Matsumoto has stated that he felt he was appealing to people who did not usually play games by showing the story in the game instead of just media such as magazines and comics.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Udon|title=ストリートファイター アートワークス 極|year=2012|page=436 |language=ja |trans-title=Street Fighter Artworks Extreme |isbn=978-4-86233-381-0|quote=松本 当時は、ゲーム中でざっくりとした世界観だけを見せれば、あとは雑誌やコミッ クといったメディアがストーリーを補完してくれるという流れがありました。 でも、どう せならゲームの中でしっかりと物語を見せれば、普段ゲームをあまり遊ばない人たち にも訴求できると考えたんです。 設定資料集を作ったり、 TV コマーシャルをドラマ化 立てで見せたりとか。 SNKに移ってからは、そういったゲーム作りを戦略的にやって いきました。|trans-quote=Matsumoto: At that time, there was a trend that if you only showed a rough view of the world in the game, media such as magazines and comics would complement the story. However, I thought that if I could show the story in the game anyway, I could appeal to people who don't usually play games. For example, making a collection of setting materials and showing TV commercials as dramas. After I moved to SNK, I strategically worked on making games like that.}}</ref> Since the game primarily mainly men, the staff had problems deciding on a female fighter. This eventually resulted in the creation of King. However, the final design was more andrdogynous almost llike a man. Meanwhile, the other female character, Yuri, was given a more fragile portrayal despite having the same voice as King.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shmuplations.com/aof/ |title=Art of Fighting – 1993 Developer Interview |website=Shuplations |access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref>

SNK developer [[Yasuyuki Oda]] reflected that both ''Art of Fighting'' and the other IP ''Fatal Fury'' seemed to appeal to fans of male-oriented series like ''[[Fist of the North Star]]'' and ''[[Dragon Ball]]''. The inclusion of portraying several macho fighters led to dilemma of including more female character with [[Mai Shiranui]] standing out as SNK's first female fighter. With Mai's high popularity in ''Fatal Fury'', SNK decided to include Yuri in ''Art of Fighting 2'' as a playable character which received similar response.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ameblo.jp/delorean80s/entry-12821025124.html|title=北斗の拳に続いて『龍虎の拳』まで復活か！？|website=Ambeblo |access-date=2024-10-14 |language=Japanese}}</ref> Development of the game took a year. For the new characters, SNK were unable to connect them to the story, so that meant they had more freedom in designing them. The idea was making clashy and cool designs like Kisaragai, and Temjin. They wanted  to rival King of Fighters in that way. Balancing them was the most difficult task. As the first game the staff were trying to pursue an interesting story, which necessarily meant more emphasis on the CPU battles. ''Art of Fighting 2'' was meant to be more of a ''The King of Fighters''-style, "fighting tournament" game. To that end, they intended for the vs. play to be more important this time. They used the names of the moves from the previous game as their basis. If there's a strong move, we try to come up with a fittingly tough-sounding name.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shmuplations.com/aof2/ |title=Art of Fighting 2 – 1994 Developer Interview |website=Shmulplations |access-date=2023-06-10}}</ref> Geese Howard's popularity in ''Fatal Fury'' and his younger look from the first [[original video animation]] influenced his appearance in ''Art of Fighting 2'' as a hidden boss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/08/29/art-of-fighting-anthology-hits-ps4-today-the-origins-of-an-snk-classic/|title=Art of Fighting Anthology Hits PS4 Tomorrow: The Origins of an SNK Classic|date=29 August 2017|publisher=PlayStation|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref>

Like  the first ''Art of Fighting'' and the sequel ''Art of Fighting 2'', the third installment was produced by Hiroshi Matsumoto or Takashi Nishiyama.<ref name="ref"/> It was the first game in the series (and the first SNK fighting game) to use [[motion capture]] for its animation,<ref name="Ready Yourself for Motion-Captured"/> The concept behind ''Art of Fighting 3'' was to use motion capture, so instead of the company's own Artbox tool that had been used to develop MVS and Neo Geo games, SNK used Microsoft Windows. At the time, SNK did not have the technology for motion capture, so motion capture was recorded in the United States over a period of one to two months. After that, each character's movements were pixelated based on the motion capture.<ref name="famitsu"/> In regards to the third ''Art of Figthting'', the game was noted to be called "Gaiden" (lit. "alternative story") as a result of the story focusing now on Robert rather than Ryo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snkpd.2-d.jp/ryuko/ryukoG.html|title=ART OF FIGHTING 龍虎の拳 外伝|website=SNKPD |access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref>

==In other media==
===Video games===
Some of the ''Art of Fighting'' cast have continued appearing in other SNK fighting games since the last game in the ''Art of Fighting'' series was released. In the same way that Geese Howard appears as a secret boss in ''Art of Fighting 2'', Ryo Sakazaki appears as a secret boss in ''[[Fatal Fury Special]]'' and ''[[Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition]]''. Unlike the battle against Geese in ''Art of Fighting 2'', the battles against Ryo in both games are depicted as "dream matches" and are not canonical to either series' storyline. However, multiple ''Art of Fighting'' characters make canonical appearances in the story of ''[[Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves]]'', set over 25 years after the events of ''Art of Fighting 3'', with Mr. Big appearing as a playable character via downloadable content.

As a result of these crossover appearances between the two franchises, SNK produced ''[[The King of Fighters]]'' series, pitting characters from both series against each other. The series eschews the continuity of the ''Art of Fighting'' and ''Fatal Fury'' games for the purpose of having the ''Art of Fighting'' cast fight against everyone else without aging them. Ryo, Robert, Yuri, and King were introduced in the first installment and have appeared in nearly every entry, with Takuma and Kasumi frequently appearing as well. Eiji and Mr. Big also appear as playable characters in specific entries.

Characters from the series have also appeared in the ''[[SNK vs. Capcom]]'' series and in ''[[NeoGeo Battle Coliseum]]''. [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000]]'' features Ryo, Yuri, and King while ''[[Capcom vs. SNK 2]]'' adds [[Ryuhaku Todoh]] to the lineup. ''[[SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos]]'' features Ryo, Kasumi, and Takuma under his Mr. Karate guise. ''[[NeoGeo Battle Coliseum]]'' features Lee Pai Long, Mr. Big and an aged Robert Garcia along with the older Ryo Sakazaki from ''[[Buriki One]]''. In ''[[KOF: Maximum Impact 2]]'', Ryuhaku Todoh drives the truck in one of the extra games.

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', some elements from the ''Art of Fighting'' series appear as [[downloadable content]]; specifically, two music tracks from the series appear (and can be played on the King of Fighters Stadium stage), Ryo Sakazaki makes three cameos in the game (as a background character in King of Fighters Stadium, as a spirit, and as the basis for a [[Mii]] costume), and Yuri Sakazaki and King both have background cameos in King of Fighters Stadium.

===Film===
A Japanese animated television film, {{nihongo|'''''Art of Fighting'''''|バトルスピリッツ 龍虎の拳|Battle Spirits Ryūko no Ken}}, was created and directed by [[Hiroshi Fukutomi]], animated by [[Studio Comet]] and produced by [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]. It was the third animated co-production between [[SNK]] and NAS, following ''[[Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf]]'' and ''[[Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle]]''. The special was produced by Kenji Shimizu and Yoshiro Kataoka, and features a script by Nobuaki Kishima and character designs by Kazunori Iwakura. The film follows follows Ryo and Robert, who must rescue Yuri from Mr. Big after he kidnaps her to learn the whereabouts of a valuable diamond. The film aired on [[Fuji TV]] on 23 December 1993, and received an English-language release from [[Central Park Media|US Manga Corps]] in 1997.

The ''Art of Fighting'' film was negatively received by several western publications. It was billed as stupid, idiotic and plodding,<ref name="Animejump">[http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=299 Review by Anime Jump] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204054227/http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=299 |date=4 December 2008}}</ref> and compared to a Saturday morning cartoon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://animeworld.com/reviews/artoffighting.html |title=Art of Fighting – Anime Review |publisher=Animeworld |date=28 October 2018 |access-date=6 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="THEM">[http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=45 Review by THEM Anime]</ref> It was said it had "choppy animation, illogical perspectives, uninspired art, badly choreographed fight scenes, and most of all horrible voice acting",<ref name="Animejump"/> and none of the interest of the video game or its sequels translate into the anime.<ref>[http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2179.php Review by Anime on DVD] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607133629/http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2179.php |date=7 June 2008}}</ref> The film gathered a 14% rating at Meta Anime Reviews,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.animecritic.com/_metareview/viewtitle.php?aid=256 |title=Reviews at Animecritic |access-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204003842/http://www.animecritic.com/_metareview/viewtitle.php?aid=256 |archive-date=4 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> placing it in the bottom 3% of the reviewed titles.

The 2010 live-action film ''[[The King of Fighters (film)|The King of Fighters]]'' features an appearance by Mr. Big, played by [[Sam Hargrave]]. He is the only character from the ''Art of Fighting'' series to appear in the film.

==Reception==
Critical response to the game has been negative when it came to the gameplay and positive to the visuals. [[Nintendo Life]] was negative to the game, considering it a poor game from SNK that cannot compete similar games like ''[[Street Fighter II]]'', citing few playable characters, limited gameplay and a strong enemy AI despite still praising the graphics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/art_of_fighting_neogeo|title=Art Of Fighting Review (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)|website=Nintendo Life|date=25 September 2017 |access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref> ''[[GameSpot]]'' agreed citing the visuals as one of the best ones in Neo Geo but criticized the " underlying gameplay is nearly devoid of soul." He specifically said this due to the requirements needed to perform special moves and called the game a ''Street Fighter'' "knock off".<ref name="gamespot">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/art-of-fighting-review/1900-6180704/|title=Art of Fighting Review|website=GameSpot|access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref> In regards to how the media saw the character, Wesley Yin-Poole of ''Videogamer.com'' commented that Ryo and Robert are "two double-hard bastards":<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps2/art_of_fighting_anthology/review.html|title=Art of Fighting Anthology Review|publisher=Videogamer.com|date=2008-03-06|author=Yin-Poole, Wesley|access-date=2009-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122175634/http://www.videogamer.com/ps2/art_of_fighting_anthology/review.html |archive-date=2008-11-22 |url-status=live}}</ref> The two were often compared to the ''[[Street Fighter]]'' protagonists Ryu and Ken Masters due to physical similarities and moves,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/community/2012/03/22/identity-theft-video-game-characters-that-look-alike/|title=Identity theft: Video-game characters that look alike |date=2012-03-22 |publisher=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=2019-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108222049/https://venturebeat.com/community/2012/03/22/identity-theft-video-game-characters-that-look-alike/ |archive-date=2019-11-08 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/25805/twenty-years-of-street-fighter-ii-a-new-challenger-appears-part-1 |title=Twenty Years of Street Fighter II A New Challenger Appears, Part 1|publisher=Nintendo World Report |date=2011-03-23 |author=Spencer, Spanner |access-date=2018-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126070957/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/25805/twenty-years-of-street-fighter-ii-a-new-challenger-appears-part-1|archive-date=2018-01-26 |url-status=live}}</ref> eventually leading Capcom to create their joke character [[Dan Hibiki]] from the ''Street Fighter''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The pathetic history of Dan Hibiki |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-pathetic-history-of-dan-hibiki/ |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |author=Reparaz, Mikel |date=2009-02-21 |access-date=2011-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010200636/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-pathetic-history-of-dan-hibiki/ |archive-date=2012-10-10 |url-status=live}}</ref> Dan was meant to be a joke about both Ryo and Robert as SNK "stole the talent" from their own company when they started making their own ''Street Fighter'' sequels. Director Toyohisa Tanabe decided to make Yuri a strong character despite her background and often borrowed techniques from Capcom fighting games out of respect in a fast fashion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/23/21579064/street-fighter-alpha-an-oral-history|website=Polygon|access-date=2024-10-14 |title=Street Fighter Alpha: An oral history|date=23 November 2020|archive-date=2022-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626013751/https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/23/21579064/street-fighter-alpha-an-oral-history|url-status=live}}</ref>

The sequel was praised by both ''[[GamePro]]'' and ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' for having far better graphics, sound, character selection and gameplay technique than the original ''Art of Fighting'', though three of ''EGM''{{'}}s four reviewers complained that in single player mode the opponent AI is "incredibly cheap".<ref name="GamePro">{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Art of Fighting 2|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=58|date=May 1994|pages=102–3}}</ref><ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Art of Fighting 2|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=57|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=April 1994|page=40}}</ref> Nintendo Life found the game superior to the first one due to its improved single player mode as well as system though he still had mixed feeling about the enjoyment the fighting system can give.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/art_of_fighting_2_neogeo|title=Art of Fighting 2 Neo Geo|website=Nintendo Life|date=15 January 2018 |access-date=2023-06-10}}</ref> 
Yuri has been well received by Japanese gamers, having been voted as the 19th favorite character in the 1997 character popularity poll on ''Neo Geo Freak'''s website.<ref name="gamest97">{{Cite book |year=1997 |editor=Gamest |title=Gamest Game Hero Collection 1997; issue 208 |page=1 |language=ja |publisher=Shinseisha}}</ref> In 1995, Japanese magazine ''Gamest'' ranked her as number seven in the list of the top characters of 1994.<ref name=gamest136>{{cite journal |last=Ishii |first=Zenji |author2=Pigu |date=January 1995 |title=第８回 ゲーメスト大賞 |journal=Gamest Magazine |issue=136 |page=40 |url=http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v136.html#TOKUSYU |access-date=2008-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304183330/http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v136.html#TOKUSYU |archive-date=2009-03-04 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Yuri was voted as the tenth most popular [[Neo Geo]] character.<ref name="famitsu">{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201807/05160468.html|title=NEOGEO mini（ネオジオミニ）発売記念 好きなキャラクター人気投票＆NEOGEO mini入ってほしかったゲームのアンケート結果を中間発表！ 1位はコイツで"オーケー！"|date=5 July 2018 |publisher=Famitsu |language=ja |access-date=2018-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705173649/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201807/05160468.html|archive-date=2018-07-05 |url-status=live}}</ref> Tiago O. Frosi from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul regarded Yuri as one of the most impactful female characters in fighting game history due to how she initially debuts as a damsel in distress only to become a playable character both in the sequel and SNK's crossover video games. She was compared with ''Street Fighter'' character [[Sakura Kasugano]] for having similar archetypes as well as an imitated fighting style from veteran fighters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbgames.org/sbgames2010/proceedings/culture/full/full5.pdf|title=As Rainhas da Luta: representações das mulheres karate-ka nos Jogos Digitais|publisher=Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul|access-date=2023-05-19}}</ref>

In retrospect, ''HardcoreGaming101'' noted ''Art of Fighting 3'' "is a drastic step away from its predecessors", comparing Robert's story to "a ''[[Jekyll and Hyde]]''. They compared the gameplay to ''Virtua Fighter'' and ''[[Tekken]]'' despite the usage of 2D graphics but reliance of 3D style."<ref name="ref">{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/art-of-fighting-3/|title=Art of Fighting 3|date=2007-01-23 |access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref> [[Nintendo Life]] scored it a 7 out of 10, praising the simplistic and faithful fighting game system but the changes that evoke 3D design. There were mixed responses to the story mode for the lack of cutscenes but large amount of dialogues that explore each character. In comparing previous games, the fighting system felt improved over previous ''Art of Fighting'' games and the polishing of new character sprites. The fact that the gamers can still zoom in and out when getting closer to the enemies was still praised by the reviewer. In conclusion, they found it as an appealing game despite not being up to the level of SNK's most famous games ''[[The King of Fighters '98]]'' and ''[[Garou: Mark of the Wolves]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/art_of_fighting_3_the_path_of_the_warrior_neogeo|title=Art Of Fighting 3: The Path Of The Warrior Review (Neo Geo) |date=2013-03-28 |access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref> [[IGN]] and [[Eurogamer]] instead felt that ''Art of Fighting 3'' was a massive improvement over the series with the latter praising the visuals used for characters sprites and victory scenes. They found the new touches of the gameplay to be add replay value especially as the Deperation Moves become more strategic if the players want to win with their first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/art-of-fighting-anthology-review?page=2|title=Art of Fighting Anthology |date=2008-02-07 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> IGN feels like the game is the most modern fighting game in the ''Art of Fighting'' compilation thanks to the graphics' improvements especially for such an old software it was originally released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/19/art-of-fighting-anthology-review|title=Art of Fighting Anthology Review|date=2008-02-19 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=IGN}}</ref>

In a cutscene from the first ''Art of Fighting'' game, Ryo says {{nihongo|"I have no choice but to use the Haoh Shokoken"|覇王翔吼拳を使わざるを得ない|Haōshōken o tsukawazaruoenai}} while he is driving a bike in his fighting clothes. According to ''[[PR Times]]'', this became an [[internet meme]] based on how hilarious it is that a man is driving while wearing a karate gi. This became popular in some Internet communities, regardless of the excitement it generated among individuals. It then spread to the Westerns and has become one of the classic internet memes in the fighting game world, such as marketing for the visual novel ''The King of Fighters For Girls''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000311.000028651.html |title=SNKがTGS2019の物販コーナーに出展決定！TGS2019限定商品や『THE KING OF FIGHTERS for GIRLS』のイベント先行グッズなど注目のラインアップ！|website=PRTimes |date=2019-09-03 |access-date=2024-09-18 |language=Japanese|archive-date=2024-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918213001/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000311.000028651.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of The King of Fighters characters]]
* [[Characters of the Fatal Fury series]]
* [[List of fighting games]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal bar|Japan|United States|Video games|Anime and manga|Speculative fiction|Martial arts|1990s}}
* [http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/online/ryuko/ ''Ryuko no Ken -Ten Chi Jin-''] at [[SNK Playmore]]
* [http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/nbc/museum/ryuko/ ''Ryuko no Ken series''] at NBC Museum of [[SNK Playmore]]
* {{KLOV game|id=6929}}
* {{KLOV game|id=6930|name=Art of Fighting 2}}
* {{KLOV game|id=6931|name=Art of Fighting 3}}
* {{anime News Network|anime|516}}
{{Art of Fighting}}
{{SNK}}
{{King of Fighters Characters}}
{{Studio Comet}}

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