Ryo Sakazaki
A karate practitioner searching South Town for his kidnapped sister, Yuri.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Joystick | Move the fighter and select directional movement. |
|---|---|
Joystick Down | Crouch. |
Joystick Up | Jump. |
Control notes
Arcade control-panel button labels and move inputs can vary by cabinet documentation and regional setup.
How it plays
How does Art of Fighting play?
Players choose from a small roster and fight through one-on-one matches. The objective is to defeat an opponent in a best-of-three-round format by reducing their life bar before time expires.
Normal attacks, throws, defensive movement, and special moves are combined with a spirit gauge. Strong techniques consume spirit, while taunting can weaken an opponent's gauge. The main story route includes fights against CPU opponents and allows Ryo or Robert to learn or improve techniques through bonus activities.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Art of Fighting?
Learn the reach and recovery of normal attacks before relying on special moves. Preserve the spirit gauge for reliable finishing attacks, and use taunts when the opponent is at a safe distance to reduce their available spirit.
Watch the camera distance: attacks and jump-ins change as the screen zooms. Throws are useful at close range, while blocking and controlled movement are safer than repeated attacks against aggressive CPU opponents.
In the story mode, use bonus stages to improve attributes or techniques when available. Do not spend spirit continuously; a depleted gauge can leave special moves unavailable at a critical moment.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Robert Garcia
Ryo's wealthy Italian-American friend and fellow martial artist who joins the search.
Yuri Sakazaki
Ryo's younger sister whose kidnapping drives the story.
Takuma Sakazaki
Ryo and Yuri's father, a powerful martial artist known as Mr. Karate.
King
A skilled kickboxer and South Town fighter.
Jack Turner
A large street fighter and former gang leader.
Lee Pai Long
A Chinese martial artist and master of traditional medicine.
Mickey Rogers
A fast American boxer.
John Crawley
A military-trained fighter and helicopter pilot.
Mr. Big
A criminal boss involved in South Town's underworld.
Mr. Karate
A masked master who serves as the story's final opponent.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Use taunts only when the opponent cannot immediately punish you.
- 2
Special moves consume spirit, so manage the gauge between exchanges.
- 3
Close-range throws can interrupt opponents who block too often.
Community discussion
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