Time Killers
Time Killers is an arcade fighting game notorious for its extreme, weapon-based violence and a unique mechanic where successful attacks can sever an opponent's limbs. Players choose from a roster of warriors from different historical eras, battling in a interdimensional tournament to win the power of time travel. The game's claim to fame is its graphic dismemberment system, allowing fights to continue even after a character loses an arm or leg.
Game Controls
About This Retro Game
The game's core mechanic is limb dismemberment. Using swords, axes, and other weapons, players could chop off an opponent's arms or legs. A character who lost an arm could no longer use that arm for attacks, while losing a leg severely limited mobility. Despite the dismemberment, the fight continued until one character was completely incapacitated or decapitated, leading to absurdly bloody and prolonged battles.
Time Killers featured an unusual control scheme with a large joystick for movement and a single button that performed all attacks—the type of attack (horizontal slash, vertical slash, kick) changed based on joystick position. This simplified but often clunky control contributed to the game's chaotic and unpredictable feel.
While critically panned for its poor controls, imbalanced gameplay, and crude digitized graphics, Time Killers gained a cult following for its over-the-top violence and 'so bad it's good' charm. It remains a memorable, if infamous, example of the mid-90s trend of shock-value fighting games attempting to out-gore Mortal Kombat.
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