The requisite opening taunts are out of the way and the players hold perfectly still, beads of sweat forming on furrowed brows while white knuckles clutch brightly colored joysticks. The intensity, the sheer focus could suffocate a small mammal. The announcer reels through the formalities; the round number, are the combatants Ready? A blanket of tension covers the room as two coiled snakes ready for the mark.

“FIGHT!”

The Pavlovian trigger initiates a furious bout of controlled epilepsy, until finally the alpha monkey forces his opponent into submission. Whether in the arcades, on home consoles, or at international tournaments this scene had played itself out countless times over the history of fighting games. No matter when or where, regardless of platform, all these games have one thing in common: the trigger. That glorious word that sets the neurons aglow with HCFs and QCBs.

“FIGHT!”

Here, then is our video celebration of the magic word that’s set hearts racing, adrenaline pumping, and buttons a-pounding for over 15 years. OK, so sometimes they say other stuff besides “FIGHT!” to indicate that the Men are about to be separated from the Boys. We’ve included a few of those too, to keep things lively. Get Ready!

Leave a comment telling us which fighting franchises we didn’t include!

Oct 23, 2008