Fighting games are about destroying the opponent. Beating with fists, slashing with swords, or roasting with fireballs all got the job done. Whittle that life bar down to zero to hear “K.O.” Knockout, they're down, they are done. Can't do much after that, can you? But along comes Midway, “Hey, what if we gave them the option of something more than a knockout punch?” Introducing the Fatality, icing on the cake. An ounce of humiliation added to being defeated by a twelve year old kid at the arcade. Heads fly, bodies incinerate, frozen people shatter, spines dangle. Plenty of fun to be had by all.





But not everyone wants the blood and gore, so they go to Capcom or SNK for the super move finish, whether it's a “HYPER SUPER COMBO FINISH!!!!!” or hidden SDM, it's something that adds a little polish to the end of a battle without having to mop up afterwards. Laserlight fanfare to wrap up an exciting match.



But let's say you want something else, the finality of the MK finisher mixed with the availability (for the most part) of Capcom and SNK moves topped off with a bit of anime/manga inspired theatrics. This leads to the current wave of finishers, Guilty Gears Destroy moves, Soul Calibur's Critical Finishes, and recent arcade addition BlazBlue's Astral Finishes.







While the ability to pull off these moves doesn't particularly add to the skill of playing the game, it adds a bit more enjoyment to the experience and satisfies that little part in the back of the mind that says “DESTROY!!!!!”


It doesn't hurt to say "FINISH HIM!" in a deep demonic voice while it's going on either.