Arcade Gouketsuji Ichizoku: The OG Fighting Game You Probably Missed (But Shouldn’t)

July 3, 2025

Remember when fighting games didn’t take themselves too seriously? Before every character had a 200-page tragic backstory and combos required a PhD in frame data? Let’s talk about Gouketsuji Ichizoku (aka Power Instinct), the 1993 arcade gem that’s equal parts chaos, charm, and chair-throwing—literally.

Arcade

"Wait, This Isn’t Street Fighter!"

If you boot up Gouketsuji Ichizoku expecting another Street Fighter II clone, prepare for whiplash. This SNK-published brawler is like if someone mashed King of Fighters with a Monty Python sketch. The roster includes:

Oume & Otane: Elderly sisters who fight with frying pans and walkers (yes, the walker is a weapon).
Keith Wayne: A cowboy who shoots… himself to power up.
Annie: A literal ghost girl who floats around dropping teddy bombs.

And then there’s the transforming final boss, who goes from "creepy old man" to "eldritch horror" faster than you can say "block button."

(Fan-made tournament footage showcasing the game’s glorious jank.)

Gameplay: Where Jank Meets Genius

The mechanics are deceptively simple:

Two attack buttons (punch/kick), but with wildly different properties per character.
Dodges and counters that feel like cheating (until the AI uses them against you).
Stage hazards—because why not fight on a crumbling bridge or a moving train?

But the real star? The announcer. This guy screams every move name like he’s hosting a 90s game show. "GATLING PUNCH! DYNAMITE... BAAAAAACK!" It’s impossible not to laugh.

Why It Still Holds Up in 2025

The Modding Scene: The ROM-hacking community has kept this alive with balance patches, new characters (yes, someone added Shrek), and online play via Fightcade.
Speedrun Potential: WR times are under 7 minutes—perfect for quick, chaotic sessions.
It’s Supposed to Be Broken: Unlike modern fighters where a missed input ruins your life, here the jank is the fun.

The Verdict: Who Should Play This?

Fighting Game Historians: This is a snapshot of arcade culture’s weirdest era.
Casual Players: No labbing required—just mash and enjoy the madness.
Anyone Who Misses Games With Personality.

Final Score: 8/10 "Ridiculous Anime Chairs"
"A time capsule of 90s absurdity that’s still more fun than most ‘serious’ fighters today."

Where to Play: Grab the Arcade Archives port or emulate it (we won’t judge).

Hot Take: If Gouketsuji Ichizoku got a modern sequel, it’d break the internet. Until then, we’ll keep throwing walkers at our friends. 🪑💥