Groove on Fight

File:ARC Groove on Fight - Gōketsuji Ichizoku 3.png

Oume and Otane are the only returning characters from the previous games.

A tag system is introduced, taken from Gogetsuji Gaiden: Saikyou Densetsu. Each match has four characters.{{Cite magazine|last1=Storm|first1=E.|last2=Shidoshi|last3=Rox|first3=Evil|date=July 1997|title=Viewpoint: Groove on Fight|magazine=Gamefan|volume=5|issue=7|page=16}} This gameplay mechanic is similar to X-Men vs Street Fighter, where the player picks two characters at a time and changes them at will. Also, the player can throw any other character, including their partner.{{Cite magazine|last=Doc|date=July 1997|title=Made in Japan: Groove on Fight|magazine=Japanmania (Superjuegos supplement)|language=ES|location=Spain|issue=15|page=21}}

The character Bristol can summon demons which are the same as the ones that have appeared in the Shin Megami Tensei series.{{Cite news|url=https://gamedrive.jp/news/1557997382|title=【5月16日のレトロゲーム】今日はSS『グルーヴ オン ファイト』の発売22周年！|date=May 19, 2019|work=Gamedrive|access-date=2019-05-19}}

After beating the game, a gallery mode can be unlocked showing concept art, including some for characters that did not make the final version.

The game features up to four players by using the Sega Multi-tap.

The game takes place 20 years after the last game in the series, and is set in the year 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://gamedrive.jp/news/1526432402|title=【次世代機／5月16日】今日は『グルーヴ オン ファイト』の発売21周年！【レトロゲーム】|website=ゲームドライブ（ゲードラ）- スマホ・アナログ・レトロ・新作ゲーム情報を毎日掲載中！|access-date=2019-05-20}}

It is the fourth game in the Gōketsuji Ichizoku series. The series is known as Power Instinct in the West.

Artist Range Murata worked on the game and prior entries in the series. He also worked on the Saturn title Wachenröder.{{Cite magazine|date=January 2004|title=Incoming Games: Spy Fiction|magazine=GMR|page=38}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-10-11/anime-nyc-to-host-illustrators-hiroyuki-asada-range-murata/.137984|title=Anime NYC to Host Illustrators Hiroyuki Asada, Range Murata|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=2018-10-11|work=Anime News Network|access-date=2019-05-20|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014191807/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-10-11/anime-nyc-to-host-illustrators-hiroyuki-asada-range-murata/.137984|archive-date=2018-10-14|url-status=live}}

The game uses the 1MB or 4MB RAM expansion cart. The game was sold with and without the 1MB cart.{{Cite web|title=List of Sega Saturn games that require an external cartridge - Satakore.com|url=https://www.satakore.com/cartridge.php|access-date=2021-02-07|website=www.satakore.com}}

The arcade version of the game was shown at the JAMMA 96 trade show at the Atlus booth alongside a 3D fighter known as Ultimate Domain. The arcade version used the Sega ST-V arcade board.{{Cite magazine|date=January 1997|title=JAMMA 96: Konami joins coin-op's elite|magazine=Next Generation|page=19}}

The game was released for the Sega Saturn on May 16, 1997, only in Japan.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=15076|title=グルーヴ・オン・ファイト 豪血寺一族3|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|access-date=2019-05-19}} The Saturn version has issues with low frame rate and long loading times.{{Cite magazine|date=2003|title=A Twist in the Tale|url=|magazine=Retro: The Collector's Series|location=United Kingdom|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=|page=105|doi=|pmid=}}

{{Video game reviews

| GSpot = 6.3/10

| GameFan = 71.7 /100

| rev1 = Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

| rev1Score = 6.33 /10

| rev2 = Super GamePower

| rev2Score = 3 /5

| rev3 = Joypad

| rev3Score = 79%{{Cite magazine|date=July 1997|title=Zoom Japan: Groove on Fight|magazine=Joypad|language=FR|issue=66|page=107|df=mdy-all}}

| rev4 = Consoles +

| rev4Score = 85 /100{{Cite magazine|date=July 1997|title=Groove on Fight|magazine=Consoles +|language=FR|issue=67|df=mdy-all}}

| rev5 = Gamers

| rev5Score = 81 /100{{Cite magazine|date=1998|title=Saturn: Groove on Fight|magazine=Gamers|issue=21|page=48}}

| rev6 = J-Pop

| rev6Score = 3 /5

| rev7 = Saturn Power

| rev7Score = 80%

}}

Brazilian magazine Super GamePower gave it 3.0 out of 5.{{Cite magazine|last=Bethino|first=Baby|date=August 1997|title=Saturn: Groove on Fight|url=|magazine=Super GamePower|language=pt|location=Brazil|publisher=Nova Cultural|issue=41|page=24|doi=|pmid=|df=mdy-all}}

GameSpot gave it 6.3 out of 10.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/groove-on-fight-import-review/1900-2533938/|title=Groove On Fight (Import) Review|last=Fielder|first=Joe|date=2000-05-02|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320080907/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/groove-on-fight-import-review/1900-2533938/|archive-date=2019-03-20|url-status=live}} Viz Media's online magazine J-Pop gave it 3/5.{{Cite web|last=Naga|first=Shidoshi|date=1998|title=Video Game Reviews: Groove on Fight|url=http://j-pop.com/games/archive/reviews/13_designers/groove.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010216081215fw_/http://j-pop.com/games/archive/reviews/13_designers/groove.html|archive-date=2001-02-16|access-date=2020-10-06|website=J-Pop|publisher=Viz Communications}}

Three reviewers for GameFan gave the game scores of 70, 80, 65. One reviewer was highly critical of the game, saying that the 3MB of RAM the extra memory cart brought should have resulted in a better game, and noted the constant loading times, and animations as the same quality as Street Fighter II. Another reviewer praised the art and cast of characters, but said that the pace of the game was rather slow and the gameplay was "not bad". The last reviewer was more positive about the game, while noting that the animation quality was lacking, and the Super Moves system was easy to abuse. Despite this however, they praised the character designs, calling them "stunningly beautiful" and specifically calling out Solis' outfit and praised the gameplay calling it "wacky".

Three reviewers for the Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine reviewed the game, and gave it okay marks.{{Cite magazine|date=May 16, 1997|title=Sega Saturn Soft Review: Groove on Fight|url=|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)|language=ja|location=Japan|volume=16|page=173|doi=|pmid=}} In an import review for the English Saturn Power magazine, they praised the game saying "Groove on Fight dares to be different and looks and plays well enough to get away with it".{{Cite magazine|date=August 1997|title=Sega World|url=|magazine=Saturn Power|location=United Kingdom|issue=3|page=|pages=86–87|doi=|pmid=}}

In 2003, Edge magazine's Retro special issue called the game derivative, and criticized the loading times and low frame-rate. Despite this, they said it was a decent alternative to Capcom fighting games. In 2006, Play magazine contributing editor Eric Patterson listed the game's cover art, along with River City Ransom, as his favorite game covers of all time.{{Cite magazine|date=July 2006|title=Play: Staff roundup|magazine=Play (USA)|location=United States of America|publisher=Fusion Publishing|issue=55|page=68}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Groove on Fight}}

Category:1997 video games

Category:Arcade video games

Category:Atlus games

Category:Fighting games

Category:Japan-exclusive video games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:Sega Saturn games

Category:Video game sequels

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists