RCHS Class Reunion -- Games -- Kunio Tachi no Banka
Kunio Tachi no Banka 
Technos: masters of the beat 'em-up.
Story - Controls - Review - Images - Downloads
Controls
Y: Punch. Press while jumping to attempt to grab onto ledges or overhead objects. By moving down over a fallen opponent you can sit on their chest to punch some more.
B: Jump. Press down while jumping to perform a knee-drop.
A: Kick. Can also jump-kick. Press down+kick to stomp.
X: Back-attack, used to knock down anyone behind you.
L and R: Block. Press any of the attack buttons while blocking for a special attack.
Select: Switch characters.
In-Depth Review
I've been told "Kunio Tachi no Banka" translates to "The Eulogy of Kunio's Friends," but if I were in your position I don't think I'd take some punkass webmaster's word as gospel (I'll be taking Japanese classes soon...). If that is correct, one can divulge from the title that this is going to be a pretty depressing game.
It turns out to be a really excellent beat 'em-up that's heavy on story, does indeed have some depressing bits, but overall is great fun to play. Technos had the genre down to a science, and I'd expect no less from the pioneers of it.
At first the game looks kind of bad. Although drawn well enough, the jail is really bland, and everyone looks very stiff and unnatural in the striped suits. However, once you're out of there, the look of the game improves drastically. The character design itself is a little odd, though. Most of the characters' faces look rather ugly most of the time, especially the heroes (I say "most of the time" because sometimes they'll make faces that don't look stupid). The villains are mostly well drawn with the exception of the first boss, and the animation is excellent all around.
Your ability to switch between heroes at any time is important, since you get kicked back a little if one character's energy runs out. You start out with Riki and Kunio, but they're joined later by two girls who I assume are their girlfriends. All four characters have similar, if not equal abilities, but their special attacks are different.
The level design and layout is great. You'll end up fighting in some unusual locations and some of the atmospheric effects are really impressive, even if they're just simple transparencies or mode-7. The run of the game is very parallel to the original Nekketsu Kouha Kuniokun (Renegade), fighting bikers on the docks, girls in a casino district, and Yakuza in the enemy's HQ, although there is no subway stage (damn, I would've liked to see that). Some familiar characters return, too. The music is good and catchy for the most part, some pieces really fit the action and improve the scene.
Aside from all the punching and kicking, there are two motorcycle scenes where you must get from point A to point B while dodging or kicking away enemy biker gangs. These are very fun in their own right, and don't detract from the game at all.
The climax is shockingly serious, but I don't want to spoil it. Just play the game yourself, you won't regret it.
Images
The box, manual cover, and the cart. Awesome art.
Lookee here, fresh meat.
Our heroes handle this awkward situation with no problem...
Poor conditions at this school...
The cool (but not really useful) hang and kick technique.
Poor conditions again (one of the most memorable scenes in the game, the school is crumbling as you fight).
Another memorable scene, this time for its sheer weirdness.
This roller coaster ride is optional, but it restores your health (erm...).
Motorbike scene.
A Combatribes guest shot.
Downloads
Passwords - for every single part of the game.
Kunio Tachi no Banka SNES ROM - requires SNES emulator, use Zsnes or Snes9X.
(check the links page to find the emulators you'll need to play this)
