Tongue of the Fatman / Mondu's Fight Palace / Fatman / Slaughter Sport (Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis)

 

Fatman C64 Box Art

In the late 80s, fighting games were starting to gain popularity in the gaming world. Titles like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat were becoming household names, and developers were looking for ways to stand out in the crowded genre. Enter Tongue of the Fatman, a fighting game developed by Activision and published by Sanritsu that was released in 1989.

The game was known by several different names depending on the platform and region. On the Commodore 64, it was known as Mondu's Fight Palace, while in Japan it was simply called Fatman. The Sega Genesis version was called Slaughter Sport. Regardless of the name, the game remained the same: a bizarre and often criticized fighting game that, despite its flaws, managed to gain a small cult following.

Mega Drive First Match

The game offers players a total of 10 different races to choose from, each with their own special moves. The races include the Humanoid, CyberDroid, Cryoplasts, Amazoid, Bi-Husker, Rayzor, Mammath, Puftian, Colonoid, and Celluloid. Players start with only 3 species to choose from, but as they progress through the game, they can unlock new characters by defeating them in battle. The objective of the game is to face off against each race in a series of 10 matches, with the final opponent being the champion of the fight palace, Mondu The Fat.

One of the unique features of the game was its use of in-game currency. Players earn money after each match and can increase their earnings by placing wagers. This money can then be used to purchase items from a merchant's shop to use in battle. The player and combatant are both allowed to carry up to four items in each match, and there are a total of 24 different items available in the game.

C64 Gameplay

The game also featured three status bars that display the character's hit points, the crowd's favor, and the effectiveness of techniques. The red bar, in particular, is a clever balancing mechanic that decreases after repeating the same offensive maneuver, making spamming attacks less reliable and effective.

Razor-sharp kick (MCGA/VGA)

The game received mixed reviews upon its release. Some praised its graphics and gameplay, while others criticized its clunky controls and bizarre concept. In retrospect, the game has not aged well and is often considered one of the worst fighting games of all time. Game Revolution and CNET ranked it in their list of the worst video game names ever, while Mondu, the game's antagonist, was ranked among UGO's list of the "Unsexiest Sexy Video Game Characters" coming in at number 3. Despite this, the game has managed to maintain a small cult following, with fans praising its unique concept and characters.

In conclusion, Tongue of the Fatman is a game that stands out from the rest of the fighting games of its time. Its bizarre concept, unique characters, and use of in-game currency set it apart from its competitors. While it may not have received the acclaim it deserved upon its release, it has managed to maintain a small but dedicated fanbase that continues to enjoy it to this day. If you are a fan of fighting games and are looking for something different, then Tongue of the Fatman is worth checking out.