BastichB Reviews: Modern Amiga Re-Releases of “Final Fight: Enhanced” and “Wonderboy”

The Amiga home computer has seen a revival in recent years, with passionate developers breathing new life into classic titles and delivering updated versions that pay homage to their arcade origins. BastichB, a popular voice in the retro community, has reviewed two such releases: Final Fight: Enhanced and Wonderboy. Both games capture the charm and challenge of their arcade versions while introducing new features and optimizations for Amiga hardware. Let’s dive into what these modernized games bring to the table.

Final Fight: Enhanced

Final Fight, originally produced by Capcom in 1989, set the standard for side-scrolling beat-’em-up games, following the story of Metro City as it battles the criminal forces of the MAD GEAR gang. In Final Fight: Enhanced, players can once again step into the shoes of Cody, Guy, or Mayor Mike Haggar as they fight to save Cody’s girlfriend, Jessica. This new Amiga release stays true to the arcade’s visual and sound design while adjusting gameplay mechanics to ensure compatibility with the Amiga’s specific hardware capabilities.

System Requirements
While the enhanced edition has been adapted with the Amiga in mind, it demands a bit more power than earlier models can provide. For an optimal experience, Final Fight: Enhanced requires an ECS Amiga 600 setup, with exact-cycle 68000 CPU and custom chip settings, and at least 2MB of Chip RAM. A minimum of 512KB of additional RAM is also recommended to prevent graphic corruption, especially in two-player mode. Additionally, players will need Kickstart V2.05 Rev 37.300 and a two-button joystick or joypad for full control.

Wonderboy

Wonderboy is another arcade classic, following the adventure of a young hero tasked with rescuing his girlfriend Tanya from a brutish king. This action-platformer is known for its challenging levels, iconic art style, and gameplay that mixes axe-wielding combat with platform navigation. The Amiga port, like Final Fight: Enhanced, brings the original’s 28 levels to life with a modern twist.

System Requirements
The developers have designed this re-release to run smoothly on an Amiga with at least 1MB of Chip RAM and 1MB of additional RAM (chip, fast, or slow). For a lag-free experience, a 14MHz CPU or higher is recommended, as well as a hard drive setup. Emulator compatibility is another strong feature; Wonderboy works with WinUAE, offering convenience for users without access to vintage hardware.