Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

River City Girls Zero stays true to the classic beat ’em up formula of the Kunio-tachi series while injecting fresh twists that keep each stage feeling lively. You’ll brawl your way through gritty alleys, prison corridors, and bustling city streets, chaining punches, kicks, throws, and signature special moves into satisfying combos. Each character—Kunio, Riki, Misako, and Kyoko—brings a distinct fighting style, so swapping characters or teaming up with a friend dramatically changes how you tackle enemy gangs and bosses.

Beyond the standard side-scrolling beat-’em-up action, the game throws in Road Rash–style bike sequences that break up the combat with high-speed thrills. You’ll dodge traffic, fend off rival riders, and keep your momentum going to reach the next district before time runs out. These sections add a welcome variation in pacing and challenge, ensuring you’re not just button-mashing through an endless parade of foes.

Difficulty spikes are well balanced: early stages ease you into basic moves and enemy patterns, but later levels demand mastery of timing, aerial juggles, and resource management (like saving up for your powerful special attacks). With local co-op, you and a friend can coordinate tag-team assaults or revive each other in tight spots, making the game a blast to share. Side objectives and optional fights also encourage replaying levels to hunt down hidden items or unlock bonus cutscenes in the gallery.

Graphics

The updated port of River City Girls Zero delivers crisp, vibrant visuals that bring the high-energy anime aesthetic to life on modern screens. Characters are rendered with expressive sprites and fluid animations, from Kunio’s swaggering punches to Misako’s agile flips. Backgrounds pop with colorful neon signs, dilapidated rooftops, and dynamic weather effects that give each stage its own distinct atmosphere.

Non-interactive cutscenes and dialogue boxes employ manga-style panels complemented by character portraits—an artful nod to the game’s original Japanese presentation. The newly added anime opening sequence is particularly striking, framing the story with bold colors, dynamic choreography, and a catchy theme song that sets an upbeat tone from the moment you start.

All this is wrapped in a robust UI and gallery mode that lets you revisit vintage box art, promotional illustrations, and manual scans. The image gallery is a treasure trove for fans of retro gaming and anime, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the design process and legacy of the Kunio / Nekketsu High franchise.

Story

River City Girls Zero amplifies the classic “wrongfully accused” plot by combining dramatic stakes with tongue-in-cheek humor. Kunio and Riki find themselves behind bars for a hit-and-run they didn’t commit, setting the stage for a prison break that cascades into a citywide manhunt for the true culprits. This underdog narrative injects every alleyway brawl with personal motivation—you’re not just fighting random thugs, you’re clearing your names.

Adding to the narrative depth, Misako and Kyoko join the fray as playable characters with their own banter and subplots. Their interactions with the boys add levity and occasional rivalry, forging a found-family dynamic that enriches the experience. Brief cutscene interludes and overhead dialogue boxes carry the plot forward without derailing the action, striking a balanced rhythm between story and gameplay.

While the main storyline is straightforward, optional conversations and hidden vignettes reveal more about each character’s backstory and personality quirks. Whether you’re discovering why Kyoko is so determined to bust her boyfriend out of jail or learning about Misako’s rise in the underground fight scene, these moments reward curious players and add emotional weight to every punch thrown.

Overall Experience

River City Girls Zero is a superb blend of nostalgia and modern design sensibilities. Long-time fans of Kunio-tachi will appreciate the faithful adaptation of classic beat ’em up mechanics, while newcomers will find the intuitive controls and varied gameplay modes instantly accessible. Each run through the city feels engaging, thanks to a balanced mix of combat, exploration, and story progression.

The localized release on Windows and current consoles ensures smooth performance, customizable controls, and online gallery updates. Replay value is high: mastering every character’s move set, uncovering hidden items, and tackling harder difficulty modes will keep you coming back. Co-op adds another layer of fun, turning every street brawl into a shared thrill ride with a friend.

In the crowded market of modern beat ’em ups, River City Girls Zero stands out by honoring its roots while embracing quality-of-life enhancements. Whether you’re drawn by the retro aesthetic, the tight combat, or the humorous storyline, this game delivers a complete package that’s hard to resist. Strap on your gloves, rev up your bike, and get ready to clean up the streets—justice, and a whole lot of fun, await.

Retro Replay Score

7/10