Awesome Fighting

Mondo Books and authors Grady Hendrix and Chris Poggiali offer up a fantastic retrospective of 1970s kung fu movies. This encyclopedic 432-page book recounts the history of these martial arts classics, accompanied by hundreds of movie posters, ads, and archival images. A must-own for any serious martial arts buff.

This new take on Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots has players battling with two wooden figures with balloons for heads. Instead of knocking your opponent’s block off, your goal is to pop their head. We’ve seen cheaper versions of the game, but Baloonic’s looks the best and gives players shields and interchangeable weapons. Assembly required.

Dev Patel makes his directorial debut in this Jordan Peele-produced action thriller about a man’s quest to avenge his mother’s murder. After years of being beaten down in an Indian fight club, rage boils over for Patel’s character, and declares war on the evil men who ruined his life and victimized countless others. In theaters 4.5.2024.

The action RPG Black Myth: Wukong is looking even better than it’s first gameplay video. The environmental effects are truly impressive, but it’s the fighting and enemy design that has us really excited for this game, inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

Fighting games typically use motion capture or hand-animated movements. There are CGI algorithms out there that can combine multiple moves, but they often have flaws. Two Minute Papers shows off an AI tech that not only can learn to fight but can create its own novel moves. Download the paper here.

Remember 8-bit fighting games like Karateka and International Karate? The members of dance/comedy troupe Fair Play Crew did a great job replicating the staccato movements of the characters in retro games like those. The fun starts at 1:07:17 on this Shanghai TV talent show.

This comprehensive collection of Team Ninja’s masterful fighting games includes Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge. You’ll also get most of the DLC costumes and models, as well as additional playable characters. Coming 6.10.2021 to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.

Directed by Cassius Corrigan, this psychological thriller follows the story of an up-and-coming MMA fighter battling dissociative identity disorder. As he delves into his trauma with a psychologist, he risks his career, as his rage is his greatest asset in the ring. Now streaming on HBO and HBO Max, on TV on HBO Latino.

(PG-13: Gore) The special release of the world’s most brutal fighting game includes every MK11 fighter, every guest character, new stages, new fatalities, and much more. Watch as new fighters Fujin, Sheeva, and the most exciting new addition, Robocop, show off their unique weapons and fighting styles. Drops 5.26.2020.

A charming performance by ballet dancer Oleg Chernasov, as he performs the parts of two smaller characters fighting each other. While the costume is definitely a big part of the illusion, it’s his agility and choreography that really make it work.

Alpha footage from Japanese indie developer Nussoft’s upcoming game Kani no Kenka aka FightCrab aka The Fight Game You Didn’t Know You Needed. Watch in awe as two sword-wielding crustaceans battle it out to the death. Loser goes to Red Lobster.

A group of stunt actors perform a series of routines in the fighting styles of five video game series, Assassin’s Creed, Metal Gear, Witcher, Uncharted, and our personal fave, God of War. The sound design is a little over the top, but the fight choreography is spot on. (Thanks Micah!)

Andy Le and Brian Le of Martial Club and the Andy Long Stunt Team collaborated to create this great tribute to classic Hong Kong fight flicks, combining martial arts prowess with overblown sound effects, and poorly dubbed Chinese taunts. (Thanks Joshua!)

(PG-13: Language) Videogamedunkey gives us a taste of the hilarity that is Gang Beasts. Almost anyone could upload their gameplay of the slapstick ragdoll fighting game and it would be funny. But no one does the “yes, yes, noooo” commentary quite like Dunk.

(Gore) At MMA league Shamrock FC’s 285th live event, featherweights Axel Cazares and Alan Vasquez gave the crowd  – and each other – a stunning result. The fighters connected with a hard right on each other’s face at the same time. Someone still won though. Kind of.

Another intense round of fighting in the M-1 Medieval league, as one armored opponent beats the holy snot out of another, and proves that all that armor does nothing to save you from a knockout in the ring.