The game's major innovation is the ability of fighters to move virtually continuously towards or away from the screen as well as left and right in a similar manner to some 1980s arcade fighting games like Taito's "Violence Fight", SNK's "Street Smart" and Atari's "Pit-Fighter". Because of this, unlike many other 2D fighting games, jumping is done with the use of an action button. Unlike many SNK fighting games, the "D" button is not used, and only two action buttons are used for attacking, one for punches and one for kicks. Grappling and grabbing the opponent is the focus of the gameplay: the opponent can counter being grabbed and break free as well. Also featured is weapon play (another mechanic akin to beat 'em ups). Weapons can be picked up and thrown, or used in special and standard attacks. Weapons are thrown into the ring by spectators in the background.