Format: Super CD-ROM²
Genre: 2d Fighter
Developer: Alfa System
Publisher: Hudson Soft

Like certain games on other platforms-- Faselei on the NeoGeo Pocket Color comes to mind-- Godzilla uses clever aesthetic tricks to transcend the graphics even possible on its platform; no standard PC Engine-style fonts here! As well, massive sprites feature in all of the menus. In-fight graphics make use of cohesive color schemes, and the various characters are wonderfully animated. From both an aesthetic and technical perspective, Godzilla is a real showcase of the PC Engine's capabilities.

Godzilla features Western-style compositions done right; orchestra music but with super memorable melodies, almost in the vein of the famous John Williams! The game also uses almost entirely digital sound effects, and the various character sounds-- taken straight from the various films-- to amazing effect. The PC Engine's sound chip is barely used, and when it is-- such as in the case of the short "you win!" jingle-- the developers were very careful to avoid any hint of "plink plunk" impressions.

Like the incredible One Must Fall: 2097, Godzilla features fully functional 2d fighter mechanics, but with only two buttons-- and only one of which in this case is used for attacking! Although the action isn't nearly as fluid or robust as most fighters, the game has a surprising amount of depth, with a full suite of special moves available per character, executed using Street Fighter II-style motions and charges.

From a multimedia standpoint, Godzilla feels more like a 3DO game than a PC Engine release-- such is the incredible quality, polish and aesthetic trickery put into the title! Despite the 2d fighter mechanics and classic fighter versus mode, Godzilla doesn't quite feel like a full-scale entry in that genre. This is in part because of the limited characters on offer-- many of them are essentially duplicates-- and because the single player mode is only playable by Godzilla, lending a sort of brawler feeling to the proceedings. As such Godzilla is more of a technical showcase and arcade-like diversion than a full-scale fighter. But what a showcase it is!