One of the biggest franchises to make its way out of Japan and captivate the Western side of the gaming scene is that of River City, and the spin-off series River City Girls. River City has seen us side-scrolling and beating-em-up for decades now, most recently with an Xbox port of River City Ransom, back in 2020. Now though, it’s time for us to experience life from the 1990s, as River City Girls Zero ports the original 1994 release to current audiences.
Releasing right now on Xbox (with PlayStation and Switch releases a while back and PC to come), River City Girls Zero sees the crack-team of Kunio, Riki, Misako and Kyoko attempting to clear their names of terrible crimes. How do they do this? Well, it’s of course by fighting even more people, as going down the jurisprudence route wouldn’t make for the greatest of games.
You’ll find yourself switching between these four heroes as you make your way through each level, making use of their different abilities when battling waves of enemies in the seediest of Japanese locales. With the ability to bring a mate along for the ride also, it’s essential that you gather a deep understanding of the moves each character can bring to the party.
With the release of of River City Girls Zero on modern platforms, new motion-comic cutscenes and music laid down by composer Megan McDuffee and DEMONDICE ensures that the money spent is worthwhile: this isn’t just a straight port over, it’s the best way to experience this classic River City story.
A more complete list of features include:
- • The classic 16-bit beat-’em-up, Shin Nekketsu Koha: Kunio-tachi no Banka, officially translated and released in the West after 28 years!
- • Switch between four playable characters, each with unique special moves!
- • Intriguing story that inspired River City Girls 1 & 2!
- • Bone-busting combat: Unleash an arsenal of punches, kicks, jump attacks, grabs, and more!
- • 1p or 2p local co-op gameplay!
- • A variety of environments: high school, the docks, an amusement park, a casino, and more!
- • Battle from a motorcycle in “Mode 7” style vehicle stages!
- • Image gallery featuring vintage box art, manual images, and additional content!
Whether you are a River City veteran, or wish to get involved with the franchise for the first time, what better game to try first than the one that laid the foundations for River City Girls 1 and 2?
River City Girls Zero is available now for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One from the Xbox Store for £12.49. Alternatively, this title is available on PlayStation and Switch.
Game Description:
Join Kunio, Riki, Misako, and Kyoko for bone-crunching, 16-bit, co-op beat-’em-up action – translated and released outside of Japan for the first time! Experience the origin of the River City Girls story as the hot-blooded heroes attempt to clear their names of a heinous crime by uppercutting, spin-kicking, stomping, and slamming every thug and two-bit criminal that gets in their way! Rock the jailhouse, clean up the carnival, and raise hell on the highway! The original 1994 graphics, soundtrack, and gameplay are augmented with new opening and closing motion-comic cutscenes, a new animated intro, and additional music by Megan McDuffee and DEMONDICE. Discover River City’s past with this lost classic!
