PixlBit

This strategic card fighting game is cute, challenging, and addicting

Card Fighters Clash is a collectible card game (a genre that has all but vanished these days) for the Neo Geo Pocket Color, SNK's handheld console. Developed and published by SNK, this little game was released in 1999. CFC is notable for being the first crossover game between SNK and Capcom. The game uses tons of characters from both companies. And it's not just Street Fighter characters on the Capcom side, but a lot more, even characters from Capcom's lesser known games. On the SNK side, most (if not all) of the characters are from their fighting games. The characters on the cards are deformed and very cute. 

The rules are actually quite complex. Basically, you use cards' stats and positions on a board to damage the enemy. The game explains the rules, but for some reason, I had difficulty understanding them. Everything started to make sense once I started actually playing. This is a strategy game, dependent on which cards you use, which attacks you utitlize, and how you defend. I'll explain the rules as we go along, but you may not really get it unless you actually play the game. Just trust me here. 

The story in the game is similar to the story in Pokemon, complete with super squat characters. You have to go around challenging people to card battles, trying to make it to the top. There are five places to beat before entering the final tournament: Joy Joy, Lost World, Plaza Capcom, Neo Geo Land, and SC Park. You can beat these in any order. Sometimes you'll have to beat two or three people before battling the main opponent at a specific location. At any of the five locations, you can talk to NPCs to get tips or trade cards. 

So now let's get into the nitty gritty of how the card game part actually works. Each card has BP (its life) and SP (which allows for special attacks). You can set out three cards on the board, but you can only put out one card per turn. Certain cards can "back up" other cards, adding their BP to that card. You can also unite two cards to attack together, but it uses SP to do so. Your goal is not to defeat the cards per se, but to defeat the card player, who also has HP. If there are no cards to attack, your card will attack the card player. 

If your opponent attacks, you can choose to counter with a certain card that's out or take the damage directly. The damage of an attack is the same as the attacking card's BP. When you counter, the opponent's card will attack you first, then you will attack back (even if your BP drops to zero). It's best if the cards take the damage rather than the card player, as the match is over once the card player's HP hits bottom. You want to protect the card player as much as possible while planning how to attack your opponent most effectively. 

Every now and then you'll get an action card in your hand. Action cards allow another card to use that action attack (such as lightning, bopper, cover fire, etc.), but the card must have adequate SP to do so. Certain cards have specific powers, such as the M. Bison card, which shuffles the deck and gives you one Juni card and one Juli card. Timing is very important in the heat of battle. What's the best time to use this action card? Should I wait to put out this card until that other card is gone? Lots of strategizing. 

CFC really has three main things going for it. First, it's cute. All the characters are drawn very well in a cute deformed way. Those Street Fighter characters have never looked more adorable! Secondly, it's challnging. This game is no cake-walk! One NPC I challenged said to me, "Go easy on me, I'm still a beginner." But then she kicked my butt. It takes time to master this game. Finally, it's addicting. Once you learn how to play, it's fun, and you don't want to stop. You were afraid of this, weren't you? The best games are addicting. 

Final Verdict--4 Stars: Recommended

With tons of cards of great characters, a challenging battle system to master, and plenty of strategizing, CFC is a good little game. It's neat to see all those characters on the cards, all of which are pixelized very nicely. It takes patience and careful planning to win a match, making victory very triumphant. Battle card games are nearly gone today, which is a shame. They may not be the most appealing kind of game, but they can still be a lot of fun, and this game proves it. 

Join me every Saturday as we take a look back at all kinds of retro games, good and bad.