River City Ransom is a bit of a weird game. It's one of many in the extremely popular Japanese "Kunio-kun" series, which started in the arcade and is still going strong today with the newest instalment being on the DS.
Every game in the series has the same main character, Kunio, but the story and setting in some of the games differs completely from others. In most, the goal is to fight groups of thugs and gangs in order to rescue someone or prove your innocence, but Kunio has also starred in some (actually quite violent) sports games, like dodgeball. Most games take place around a school or multiple schools.
River City Ransom/Street Gangs is a Westernized version of Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari, the third game in the series and the first to be a fighter/RPG hybrid, with multiple sequels following its example. You play as Alex or Ryan. Ryan's girlfriend, Cyndi, is kidnapped by one of the local gangs. Your mission is to fight your way past a whole bunch of other gangs, train to become stronger, and eventually reach the school where Cyndi is being held hostage.
The gameplay basically just involves running around and beating up gang members who come running at you. At first you can only perform a few moves, such as regular punches or a jump kick, but with money dropped by enemies, you can purchase additional moves in some of the game's shopping districts (which are devoid of enemies). Attacks such as "Acro Circus", "Stone Hands" or "Dragon Feet" pack much more punch and can take down enemies more easily.
Money can also be used to buy food, magazines, shoes and other things to restore health and boost stats. Some items can be carried around and used at a later time. You can also pick up weapons lying around, such as trashcans to smack your enemies around with! Or, you can run in order to outwit opponents and get around faster.
The game is quite linear, pretty much consisting of a straight path leading toward the end. But, you'll have to train for some time to get strong enough to get that far, otherwise the other gangs will beat you into a pulp! Every time you enter a screen, the "turf" you encounter changes.
While one time the screen might be the turf of a weak gang, other times you might encounter a very strong gang, meaning you might want to run away. On very rare occassions, the screen is nobody's turf, meaning it's enemy-free!
If you can't do it alone, the game also has a 2-player co-op mode in which player 2 takes control of whoever you're not playing as, so you can take on the enemies together!
Packed with the charm the Kunio series is known for (you'll also notice nearly every game in the series has nearly identical character design), this game will give you a few laughs along the way. The line "BARF!" shouted by some enemies upon defeat has gone down in gaming history!
This is the only "fighting RPG" Kunio game released outside Japan, which is quite a shame. Due to the import category on VC, however, we have some hope that the other games will be released to Western gamers as well!
That's really all there is to say - it's a basic game, but very, very enjoyable. Still, it's bested by several of its sequels and even some other games, so it just falls short of full marks. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be checked out, though!
1. Bass X0
28 Sep 2007, 15:19 GMT
never played this. i think i owe it to myself to play it sometime.
2. Ian Daemon
28 Sep 2007, 15:41 GMT
I loved this game! It was fun and the ''replay-ability'' was great!
3. dk_xcalibur
28 Sep 2007, 16:55 GMT
This game is a MUST download!
4. ICEknight
28 Sep 2007, 22:08 GMT
BARF!
Great game.
5. Thomas
29 Sep 2007, 19:04 GMT
Awesome title. I remember playing this at my cousin's house during the summer when I was younger. I bought the GBA update a while ago and it's still great (albeit, shorter than I remembered). Definitely recommend this to anyone who hasn't played it yet.
6. deggs
29 Sep 2007, 21:15 GMT
i can't wait for this one. i really hope it's true and not just speculation. i just bought Double Dragon 2 for the original gameboy off of ebay (which was originally a japan-only sequel to this game that had the sprites and music changed to make it more double dragon-like for it's north american release). that game is amazing (though super short)
7. BF-Medic
30 Sep 2007, 20:50 GMT
This is one of my all time favourites! Me and a friend used to play it all the time. Hope it still holds up.
8. Lost Heaven
08 Oct 2007, 12:45 GMT
This game is AMAZING! One of NES' best games. It's so rare to find one, I tried forever with no success. I never had the opportunity to play it on the GBA, so this is a must download for me. Barf!
(if this one is released, then Nintendo World Cup Soccer must be next)
9. JODIsBack
19 Oct 2007, 06:45 GMT
If this game didn't exist, one of G4's best comedy shows would not exist either.
10. big_ed
24 Oct 2007, 21:03 GMT
a wonderful game that should come to the VC for everyone to enjoy. If that happens i'm definately getting it.
11. v404
26 Oct 2007, 19:00 GMT
This game is a classic!! If you were into old school side scrolling beat em' ups, you'll love this. It takes a chapter from Double Dragon but makes it much more dynamic & fun to play. It even has a bit of an RPG quality since you acquire new moves & have other variable attributes.
I think the music in the preview alone speaks for itself & the stocky character design makes it a charm to play..
I can't wait for this on the VC!!
12. Kevin
07 Nov 2007, 19:37 GMT
I've unfortunately never had the opportunity to play this one back in the day. I can't wait to download it.
13. Kaze
20 Nov 2007, 07:04 GMT
Wonder when this is coming out. Can wait. Wonder if Earthworm Jim is coming to vc too...
14. Sharecrow
05 Dec 2007, 20:29 GMT
I feel obligated to play this as much praise as it has gotten over the years. I played it only briefly back when it was more contemporary....I'm sure I'll like it just as many others have....
15. Jogurt the Yogurt
06 Dec 2007, 12:41 GMT
Best of genre, no question. Fantastic game, and will be an instant download for me. Great, smooth gameplay, fantastic music, very easy to pick up and play, fun two-player, and some apparent stat-building depth!
16. ShaggyC
08 Dec 2007, 03:37 GMT
Man, this game was awesome. I put countless hours into playing this game when I was little and will likely put in countless more once this is released.
17. LazerGun
11 Dec 2007, 23:59 GMT
Really fun game, kinda goofy with certain animations but overall well worth the 5 bucks.
18. BF-Medic
07 Jan 2008, 12:41 GMT
Crossing what can be crossed for this game to be released this week, both in EU and NA! Pretty, pretty please...
19. Villain
24 Jan 2008, 10:12 GMT
A true cult classic, and for good reasons! Surprisingly deep gameplay for a NES side-scrolling brawler, hilarious jap design and plenty of comedy. Keep your eyes peeled for this release.
"BARF!"
20. WarGreymon77
02 Feb 2008, 06:42 GMT
Newbies need to check out this game. The guys on the River City Ransom message board at GameFAQs all agree with me: best NES game ever.
21. Master Chief53
06 Feb 2008, 00:45 GMT
I hope this game comes out soon.. heard its really good.
22. PoisonedV
19 Feb 2008, 15:10 GMT
How can this game NOT be out yet?
23. Shortay-01
21 Feb 2008, 23:03 GMT
It is now PoisonedV, only in the EU
24. Bass X0
21 Feb 2008, 23:11 GMT
I'll get this when another game is released that I want. I'm short on money this week.
25. Kelvin
21 Feb 2008, 23:37 GMT
I just added some Points, and somewhere else expressed a wish that this game would be released. It's like destiny!
26. jg233
22 Feb 2008, 00:35 GMT
This game has a sequel?
27. lordbowser
22 Feb 2008, 00:46 GMT
Hey Drake this actually isn't the only fighting Kunio game released in our regions. I'm pretty sure Renegade is part of the series.
28. Thomas
22 Feb 2008, 02:18 GMT
I remember playing this gem with my cousins. More recently though, I bought the GBA remake. The game was a lot shorter than I remembered, unfortunately. It was still a joy to play it through. BARF is still a priceless death rattle.
I'd like to see Nintendo World Cup released on the VC.
29. Adamant
22 Feb 2008, 04:46 GMT
"This game has a sequel?"
Yes. Several.
30. Slionr
22 Feb 2008, 09:16 GMT
FINALY!!!!!!!!! Though I hoped more for Double Dragon 2, this game still kicks ass
31. cr00mz
22 Feb 2008, 09:28 GMT
best beat em up game ever, with excellent tunes
32. Drake
22 Feb 2008, 10:59 GMT
lordbowser: What I meant was it's the only Kunio fighter with RPG elements that we got. Renegade was more like Final Fight. I'll reword it slightly though.
33. That Guy from Faxanadu
22 Feb 2008, 12:48 GMT
A lovely gem, my youngest brother owns it and we´ve played it a lot. Co-op only! And don´t forget to eat loads of candy.
34. Rapadash6
22 Feb 2008, 15:32 GMT
Hey Nintendo, please keep in mind that the US really wants this game too, mm, k? We also would like the Mega Man games!!
35. SuperSonic1990
22 Feb 2008, 16:35 GMT
Not to mention that the USA wants Mario's Super Picross also.
36. Marvel_Maniac
22 Feb 2008, 18:43 GMT
This game is truely great. However, I wouldn't say its better than Double Dragon II, that, for me, is the money.
37. Adamant
22 Feb 2008, 21:17 GMT
And while we're at I, I think Europe really wants Tecmo Bowl and Axelay.
38. The_Indigo_Effect
23 Feb 2008, 07:03 GMT
I wasn't aware that Renegade was apart of the Kunio-Kun series; is it any good?
39. Adamant
23 Feb 2008, 07:47 GMT
"I wasn't aware that Renegade was apart of the Kunio-Kun series; is it any good?"
The arcade version is decent. The NES port sucks ass.
40. Rossi
23 Feb 2008, 22:11 GMT
Looks quiet good, but not enough for me to spend my nes points i have saved up!
41. MrLopez
24 Feb 2008, 21:38 GMT
Bought it yesterday, love it!!
Sorry America
42. raiamino
25 Feb 2008, 01:33 GMT
Has anyone else noticed the chronic slowdown in this game? A 60hz version really would have been good. Otherwise it's very fun and challenging.
43. KhaoShar
25 Feb 2008, 21:11 GMT
<This is me, having awfully lot of fun playing this game.
Even though, where can I find a list of whta food is doing what to my stats? There are dozens and it will take hours to earn enough mony to try them all...
44. Roo
26 Feb 2008, 11:13 GMT
Hauld on...Waffles cost $4.10? What a rip-off!
45. MaxPlastic
27 Feb 2008, 03:34 GMT
I've always heard a lot about this game, but never played it... It looks really awesome. I hope it comes out!
46. Mechapixel
28 Feb 2008, 20:47 GMT
GTA for the NES
47. Drake
01 Mar 2008, 20:57 GMT
KhaoShar: You can find a list of what food raises what here: http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/nes/rcr/
48. Mad Belmont
05 Mar 2008, 01:29 GMT
To me, this is even more fun than Double Dragon 1 and 2.
49. v404
05 Mar 2008, 04:42 GMT
ARGH! Everytime I come here & see this as the featured review it's like another slap to the face.. MAN, do I want this game!!
For the love of me, release this in the US already...
50. FirebrandMustDie
05 Mar 2008, 12:45 GMT
I've just downloaded this and after a few minutes of "this is rubbish", I'm now hooked!
51. APissedOffGma
09 Apr 2008, 04:37 GMT
nintendo you better release this in the U.S or your ass is mine!
52. Bass X0
16 Apr 2008, 22:36 GMT
finally, about two months after its european release.
53. TheLuigiDude
16 Apr 2008, 23:51 GMT
CAN'T WAIT!!! Haven't played this in over a decade and the GBA remake was good, but no co-op was really bad. Plus who doesn't want to have the original?
54. Timmy
17 Apr 2008, 09:00 GMT
this or street fighter 2 turbo?
55. Bass X0
17 Apr 2008, 11:22 GMT
Its apples and oranges. They're both similar but completely different. Nobody can make up your mind for you because they are both good, it all depends on what kind of game you're looking for. Scrolling fighter or one-on-one fighter.
56. jedimetroid
17 Apr 2008, 13:35 GMT
bested by what? double dragon 3? BARF!
57. ShoRyuKen
17 Apr 2008, 18:14 GMT
Timmy, it all depends on how you spend your time playing the wii.
If you have some friends who love SF2 Turbo & visit frequently I would say SF2 Turbo, if you play alone most of the time I would say get River City Ransom first. That's just my opinion. FYI SF2 is my favorite game of all time...unless i have a copy of wetrix at my disposal.
58. superduper
19 Apr 2008, 14:24 GMT
why choose? get both.
59. Csheroe
19 Apr 2008, 23:05 GMT
The quote of the century BARF! Buy this game..no seriously do it!..GO!!!
60. WarGreymon77
20 Apr 2008, 19:24 GMT
I have this game on my original NES and I guarantee you, it is the best game on the Virtual Console so far.
61. Karma
20 Apr 2008, 20:44 GMT
"I have this game on my original NES and I guarantee you, it is the best game on the Virtual Console so far."
I love River City Ransom too.... but with games like Super Metroid, Super Mario Bros 3, and tons of games that are easily on a whole other level of greatness than RCR, your guarentee is pretty much worthless.
Not trying to be a prick or anything. I like this game and I'll likely download it as it's a very good game. I'm just saying. There are at least 9 or 10 better games on the VC than this by FAR.
62. Steve!
21 Apr 2008, 09:10 GMT
I didn't know there were more in the series nor that there was a GBA version. I do know that this is an essential purchase. Even today, this game is highly enjoyable and can be played over and over again.
63. TheLuigiDude
21 Apr 2008, 18:34 GMT
@Karma: Sure Super Metroid (IMO) is the best SNES game of all time and SMB3 (I like SMW a tad bit better) is awesome to and others like LttP, but RCR is a classic that has held up extremely well over time and is one of the most intuitive and fun beat 'em ups of all time. It really needs a true seqeul.
For any oldschool gamer this will be a $5 very well spent! (Co-op is an extra fun factor as well)
64. Clockwork
21 Apr 2008, 18:55 GMT
Doesn't get any better than this.
65. Rapadash6
21 Apr 2008, 20:55 GMT
Definately one of the defining games of the NES era. Personally I'm not that great at this game but I will download it simply because no NES game collection seems complete without it. I am VERY close to completely replacing my entire NES cartrige collection now. The only games I have left to replace are Bionic Commando, Mega Man 1 through 3, Blaster Master and Castlevania III. I have a few Disney games as well but because they are licensed based, I don't think they'll ever make it to Virtual Console.
66. TheLuigiDude
22 Apr 2008, 18:39 GMT
Downloaded it asap (first day) and I am so glad that you could use the quick save with the Wii, I HATED using the codes for saving your stats since this is a long game (I still can't believe they managed to pull off fun level grinding in a Beat 'em up). This version is definetly better than the original because of this.
Though I really hope Million (dev from Technos) makes a new River City Ransom with multi-player (the only weak spot of the EX verison), that'd be awesome.
67. Masuyo
23 Apr 2008, 20:54 GMT
I thought to myself "Anything less than a 5 out of 5 on this game and I'm not coming back"
Rating games shouldn't be compared to other games, only the time period. I guess that's your opinion blah blah blah but when I found this game in college in 2004 I couldn't believe they made a game for the NES that had such amazing controls and decent physics that had hilarious outcomes... I disagree with you! lol
68. President_Leever
24 Apr 2008, 19:23 GMT
Now that's what I call quite good!
69. The shoemaker
27 Apr 2008, 08:33 GMT
The game doesn't interest me much. I'm a fan of fighters, and this game doesn't look any different from the rest.
70. Jona
15 May 2008, 04:50 GMT
this is a good fighting game that really started it all. (actually more like double dragon but still) i like it more than double dragon (i still like double dragon) cause its more polished and has better controls. but double dragon is double dragon its amazing)
71. Jogurt the Yogurt
25 May 2008, 19:44 GMT
Wait... did this really get two stars, or is it the result of some weird site update glitch?
72. Mad Bomber
04 Jun 2008, 03:56 GMT
Great. Great. Great. Game. So many memories, none of which were spoiled once I downloaded this classic rpg-ish brawler.
Love it as much as when it first came out on my NES!
73. Maxime St. Rasse
17 Jun 2008, 22:23 GMT
this game is so awesome... nothings better than grabbin a friend and runnin around beatin up frat guys and other thugs... you gotta find a list of what all the items do though cuz i found myself buying items i really didnt need at the wrong times...
so much fun though... highly recommended
74. Kingston
18 Jun 2008, 19:25 GMT
Wow. this is one of the greatest NES games, second only to Super Mario Bros. I only wish it was longer. 9.3/10, especially for the price.
75. Ian Daemon
27 Jun 2008, 16:16 GMT
Fun, fun, fun!
You can find "tips" for food and items online fairly easily. (I would put a link here, but there's no need to advertise another website.)
76. CyclopsScott
21 Jul 2008, 09:41 GMT
I am so tempted to pick this up, even though I beat it numerous times on the old NES.
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