Fighter's History Dynamite ~ Karnov's Revenge (USA)
Neo Geo CD
🇬🇧🇯🇵
Reviewed in 1994
82
✪ Reviewed on March 21, 2023
74
SNK ported sequel of the Data East fighter, with expanded roster and clearer moves. Lacks the flair of top SNK efforts but the whole holds up well. Nice for fans of the genre.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
Karnov returns in this fighting game featuring a unique system of exploitable body zone weak points for each fighter. Published by Data East, released in the US in November 1994. One-on-one combat with character-specific body weak point system, fifteen playable fighters. US edition.
Fighter's History Dynamite ~ Karnov's Revenge review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
One of the game's peculiarities is read directly from the image: each fighter wears a visible accessory, headband, belt, guard, which shatters once struck enough, and that gradual degradation of the costume serves as a counter. The settings, an Asian market or a factory, are peopled with animated onlookers whose reactions accompany the exchanges.
The themes follow the cast's nationalities, with an instrumentation that quotes the popular music of each country represented without detour, then inserts it into a rhythm common to the fighting game. The disc rendering widens the spectrum, and the percussion gains a depth the cartridge version lacked.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,53 GB📅11/11/1994
Published by Data East
Fighter's History Dynamite ~ Karnov's Revenge (Neo Geo CD) price, value & rarity
Data East US November 1994 edition of the Neo Geo CD port of Fighter's History Dynamite, the direct sequel to the Data East fighter that was the subject of a Capcom lawsuit for resemblance to Street Fighter II. The US cartridge keeps the court-ordered adjustments on certain characters, a living legal document for early 1990s fighter enthusiasts. Its rarity rests on a limited Data East CD distribution and on the absence of a Western AES export in this post-trial branch.
Better with friends
A solid 2D fighter where hunting your opponent's weak point adds a tactical layer to the snappy duels. The competition rewards observation and timing: hitting the right zone tips an exchange, which pushes you to vary your attacks. Readable and demanding at times, it keeps versus fans loyal and makes face-offs a muscular chess match where rivalry sharpens over the rounds.
Is Fighter's History Dynamite ~ Karnov's Revenge still worth playing in 2026?
Karnov's Revenge, known in Japan as Fighter's History Dynamite, is one of Data East's most polished fighters. The weak-point zone system, which strategically strips parts of the opponent's gear, brings real originality to combat, and the offbeat roster sticks in memory. The sprites are careful and the CD soundtrack benefits Neo Geo CD. The title remains underrated next to SNK and Capcom heavyweights but has a loyal following. For retro 2D fighter fans and Data East curiosity hunters, still a genuinely interesting detour today.
