Summary

Release Year: 1991
Genres: Arcade, Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up, Sport
Platforms: Arcade, iOS, Linux, Mac, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo MVS, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii
Developers: SNK

King of the Monsters (1991): The Ultimate Kaiju Brawler

Released in arcades in 1991, King of the Monsters is a side-scrolling beat ’em up game that pits players in control of giant monsters as they battle each other in a variety of cities around the world. The game was developed by SNK and was ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992.

King of the Monsters is notable for its large roster of playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and attacks. Players can choose from six different monsters: Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Gigan, Megalon, and Biollante. Each monster has its own strengths and weaknesses, so players must carefully choose which monster to use in each battle.

The game’s objective is to defeat all of the other monsters and become the King of the Monsters. To do this, players must battle their way through 12 levels, each of which takes place in a different city. The levels are progressively more difficult, and the final level features a rematch against all of the previous bosses.

King of the Monsters was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, impressive graphics, and large roster of playable characters. It has since become a cult classic among fans of beat ’em up games and kaiju films.

Gameplay

King of the Monsters is a side-scrolling beat ’em up game in which players control giant monsters as they battle each other in a variety of cities around the world. The game can be played by one or two players.

Players can choose from six different monsters, each with their own unique abilities and attacks. Godzilla is a powerful all-rounder, Mothra is a fast and agile flyer, King Ghidorah is a three-headed dragon with long range attacks, Gigan is a cyborg with a variety of weapons, Megalon is a giant beetle with a drill for a hand, and Biollante is a plant monster with a variety of attacks.

Battles in King of the Monsters are fast-paced and chaotic. Players can use a variety of attacks to damage their opponents, including punches, kicks, grabs, and special moves. Players can also pick up objects from the environment and throw them at their opponents.

Battles end when one of the monsters is pinned for a three count or if time expires (in which case the player loses). The winner of the battle is awarded points, which can be used to purchase upgrades for their monster.

Characters

King of the Monsters features a large roster of playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and attacks. Players can choose from six different monsters:

Godzilla: Godzilla is a powerful all-rounder with a variety of attacks, including his招牌atomic breath.
Mothra: Mothra is a fast and agile flyer with a variety of attacks, including her silk and her stinger.
King Ghidorah: King Ghidorah is a three-headed dragon with long range attacks, including his gravity beams and his lightning bolts.
Gigan: Gigan is a cyborg with a variety of weapons, including his hook hands and his buzzsaw.
Megalon: Megalon is a giant beetle with a drill for a hand, which he can use to burrow underground and attack his opponents from below.
Biollante: Biollante is a plant monster with a variety of attacks, including her vines and her acid spit.

Legacy

King of the Monsters has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Sega Genesis, and PlayStation 2. The game has also been released on virtual consoles for the Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch.

King of the Monsters has inspired a number of sequels and spin-offs, including Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee (2002), Godzilla: Save the Earth (2004), and Godzilla: Unleashed (2007). The game has also been adapted into a comic book series and a novel.

King of the Monsters is a classic beat ’em up game that remains popular today. The game’s innovative gameplay, impressive graphics, and large roster of playable characters make it a must-play for fans of the genre.