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Game
Game2025
KIZUNA ENCOUNTER: SUPER TAG BATTLE
Developer Code Mystics
Sudden-death tag team turmoil—with weapons! KIZUNA ENCOUNTER: SUPER TAG BATTLE rises from its 1996 arcade roots in this enhanced Steam edition. Includes rollback netcode for seamless online play, a swathe of new features, and a bonus jukebox and media gallery—plus even lets 4 players fight at once! From the Steam store page
61 reactions from 2 sources (Bluesky, Steam reviews) · newest Oct 30, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
88
LovedLoved
21 positive · 3 negative
95% range 69–96%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 10 | 0 | 27 |
| Steam reviews | 21 | 3 | 0 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Positive
21 of 24 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
90% recommend · 18 yes, 2 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 20 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (46 of 52 positive).
Some note the lack of arranged soundtrack and color editor. [1][2] A few find the price high and the roster small. [3][4][5]
Liked
Representative posts
- [5]
Not as worthwhile, especially for $20, as Real Bout 2 in the same line-up. 10 chars, even back then, ain't much for a tag fighter, and the gameplay itself is hit-or-miss (you can seem to cancel into Desperations for example) with a few bright spots, IMO. It's more of an interesting footnote in SNK's FG library, being their first attempt at a tag fighter. The practice lifebar thing from RB2 also still persists, where …
- [1]
The definitive version of Kizuna Encounter. Being able to play the rare 4-player version alone worth the price. The only flaw this version has is the lack of the arranged soundtrack.
- [3]
The game itself is an oddball that will engage you if you enjoy games with extremely fast pace (Karnovs Revenge, Vampire Savior) and very easy to play thanks to the Rush combo system. 10 characters isn't a whole lot for a tag-team game but I think there's enough to each character to enjoy it. The online play is top-notch and justifies the price point if you are interested in that. If you aren't, $20 might seem …
- [8]
Quick review from a filthy casual: I play a lot of fighting games - but generally single player as I don't really have the time to devote to becoming at least competent(!) Arcade modes are generally my go to. I'd never even heard of this one until a couple of days ago. It's a lot of fun thanks to a really neat mechanic. It's a tag team game - 2 characters on each side - and you can only swap in a smallish zone on …
- [4]
32 reviews? Here's 33. Best buy this on sale, horribly overpriced. Still don't know why people buy this while Fightcade exists and has better online.
Summarised from 28 of the 57 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked KIZUNA ENCOUNTER: SUPER TAG BATTLE talk about 4-player support is a highlight; those who didn't talk about missing arranged soundtrack from PS2 release. Which matters more to you?
Reactions
60 of 61 · most liked firstKizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle - Neo Geo box artwork. Not really a well-known game, this was a 1996 weapon-based tag-team fighting game by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade and home platform.
neutral · AI labelView post →Saw a Savage Reign artwork and it made me want to draw Rosa from the sequel Kizuna Encounter, one of the best designs SNK ever did but for some reason they never made her playable in other game. Might do proper lineart and color when I'm not busy #art
neutral · AI labelView post →Savage Reign Neo Geo MVS, 1995 SNK Happy Fighting Game Friday! While I much prefer its sequel Kizuna Encounter, Savage Reign is still interesting. I admire their dedication to silly characters, like Carol, who wields the deadliest weapon of all, the dreaded exercise ball. #crt #retrogaming #fgc
neutral · AI labelView post →Once again, it’s another low-budget Code Mystics port. The scanlines have been the same ugly ones for over 10 years, and the gallery is a joke with barely 30 artworks. This port is a light upgrade from their 2024 port that is available on GOG for 6€.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game feels so good even after all these years. One of SNK's best for sure in nearly all regards. KoF XI next please.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Another awesome SNK classic, works great on Steam Deck!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not as worthwhile, especially for $20, as Real Bout 2 in the same line-up. 10 chars, even back then, ain't much for a tag fighter, and the gameplay itself is hit-or-miss (you can seem to cancel into Desperations for example) with a few bright spots, IMO. It's more of an interesting footnote in SNK's FG library, being their first attempt at a tag fighter. The practice lifebar thing from RB2 also still persists, where it's always refilling with no pause to let you see the damage you're doing.…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Todays video is LIVE and whats this about SNK and their surprise shadow-dropping of games and special announcements? What exactly is this Kizuna Encounter anyways? Its the grand-daddy of Tag Fighters! Lets talk about it. youtu.be/qFwzAWWdfsA
neutral · AI labelView post →The definitive version of Kizuna Encounter. Being able to play the rare 4-player version alone worth the price. The only flaw this version has is the lack of the arranged soundtrack.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →'tis a fine Friday for fightin' Kizuna Encounter, 1996, SNK Rosa and Kim Sue-Il are cool as hell and this is the only game they're playable in. Shame! #crt #retrogaming #fgc
positive · AI labelView post →I played this game many years ago a lot, many times. It was and still is one of my favorite games. Even tough I never finished the game, I always tough that boxer boss was the final boss, and now I have played, and surprise, another one, but managed to beat him, with normal difficulty of course. I always had fun with this game and anytime I can just jump in and play. Same I do with first Street Fighter Alpha, KOF Maximum Impact 2 and another KOF's. I wish they had the rearranged music and the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO Man SNK have been rereleasing some amazing fightingg ames so this time we gotta play through Kizuna Encounter!! Check it out: youtu.be/d3wC1BsW2Ko LIKE | SHARE | SUBSCRIBE | UNDERRATED
neutral · AI labelView post →Ending the night playing Kizuna Encounter on my Neo Geo MVSX, this was a game I used to waste so many quarters on trying to beat the final boss. #RetroGaming
positive · AI labelView post →Released mere weeks before XvsSF, Kizuna Encounter is the first game to feature Tag-Mechanics! This sequel to Savage Reign, eschews it's hang-from-the-ceiling Lane-System, but maintains it's emphasis on Weapons and adds the aformentioned Tag-System It also features a bevvy of KOF Defensive Options
neutral · AI labelView post →Also, I ran into Gadie from Brandish 1 - who I totally don't remember at all, but whatever. Turns out he married Gayla (also from the first game). Gayla reminds me a bit of Rosa from Kizuna Encounter on the Neo Geo. Neat, I think. #retrogaming #snes
neutral · AI labelView post →SNK has released Joe Higashi as a playable character in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and has also launched the Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle game on Steam.
neutral · AI labelView post →The 2nd NEO GEO Game makes it to Steam thanks to Code Mystics now with 4 PLAYER SUPPORT!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game itself is an oddball that will engage you if you enjoy games with extremely fast pace (Karnovs Revenge, Vampire Savior) and very easy to play thanks to the Rush combo system. 10 characters isn't a whole lot for a tag-team game but I think there's enough to each character to enjoy it. The online play is top-notch and justifies the price point if you are interested in that. If you aren't, $20 might seem steep. As a fan of the game, I can't ask for much more than what we got out of this…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm a fighting game historian. Ask me for a game suggestion and I'll point you in the direction of The King of Fighters If you want something a little more obscure however... Kizuna Encounter, Waku Waku 7, Battle Arena Toshinden 3, Yu Yu Hakusho Final, and either Power Rangers game on Game Gear
neutral · AI labelView post →Kizuna Encounter having heavy punch and kick mapped to 6A/6B makes me think it'd be ideal as a 6 button game.
neutral · AI labelView post →This is a great arcade fighting game that deserved a modern release. They actually added a few things that makes it even better, such as an actual practice mode. Graphics are the same, but you do have a few options to tweak them to your liking. Sprites are big and while in combat, you see every movement in it's full glory. Music and Sound are good, with the strong hits sounding like they hurt and feeling like the damn screen is breaking. Story is nothing much, but you have a few…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game 045: Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle Given the absurd amount of fighting games released in the arcades in the 90s, a lot of them were destined to obscurity. Among them, was one of my favorite old fighters, one with a very original tag system, impactful combat and fantastic sprite art.
positive · AI labelView post →Quick review from a filthy casual: I play a lot of fighting games - but generally single player as I don't really have the time to devote to becoming at least competent(!) Arcade modes are generally my go to. I'd never even heard of this one until a couple of days ago. It's a lot of fun thanks to a really neat mechanic. It's a tag team game - 2 characters on each side - and you can only swap in a smallish zone on your starting side. Here's the catch - if either of your characters are knocked…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Incredible retro game First tag team game of this type ever. Good Visuals and easy to get into fighting game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fu'un Super Combo is a fighting game compilation, containing both the Neo Geo and Neo Geo CD versions of Savage Reign and Kizuna Encounter.
neutral · AI labelView post →I feel like Kizuna Encounter is another overlooked gem in SNK's stable of amazing fighting games. Although X-Men vs. Street Fighter gets credit as the first true tag-team fighting game, I believe development on Kizuna Encounter began before that of Capcom's game. Additionally, Kizuna Encounter is certainly the first to do it with a weapons-based fighter. Also, each game was released in the arcade mere days apart. Regardless, Kizuna Encounter is an incredibly polished and well-crafted…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Says 0.1 hours played but I primarily play on Steam Deck and it never tracks properly. This is another high quality port from Code Mystics. I have picked up all their releases on Steam and this one is just as good as the rest. It's got a good training mode, a jukebox, achievements, leaderboards, and rollback netcode for up to 4 players, which is quite impressive. As far as I know, fightcade does not easily allow for 4 players so this is a really neat way to play a very rare 4 player NeoGeo…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hey all, Kizuna Encounter for Steam just dropped today. This is the first time you can actually play 4 player mode online with reliable online play by @codemystics.com. Check out this quick 3 player play session we the other day on the @gamegoons.bsky.social channel www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq6n...
neutral · AI labelView post →Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle for the #NeoGeo is one of the most silky smooth #fighting games I've ever played. Every aspect of the mechanics are designed to help even a novice pull off combos and specials. When a fighting game makes you feel powerful, that's a good fighting game. #retrogaming
positive · AI labelView post →32 reviews? Here's 33. Best buy this on sale, horribly overpriced. Still don't know why people buy this while Fightcade exists and has better online.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An incredible port, that also has local co-op and also a 4 player party mode in offline. The only thing it is missing is online co-op. For superfans of fighting games, like myself, there are multiple characters that were only seen again very rarely, as in Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, but you've probably never played them before. Eagle was a ton of fun for me, as he has Clark's throw and an air projectile. Pretty great. Oh and thanks for not lying about online co-op like Capcom has done for three…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i have not given this game enough time, like you said i have mainly played Kizuna Encounter. might be time to fix that. great shots here !!
neutral · AI labelView post →Random videogame pictures from my phone in reverse-chronological order. Joker from Kizuna Encounter. Holy hell is this game great. One of those fighting games that you can just jump in, push buttons, and have instant fun. One of the earliest instances of a tag-fighter, but not the earliest.
positive · AI labelView post →Time for the official announcement of the beard monthly: Kizuna Encounter! This game is a sick, fast paced 2v2 tag fighter which works under tekken tag rules in which if the active character gets KO'd then the round is over, and this is a one and done game. Signup here! challonge.com/tournaments/...
neutral · AI labelView post →This is a game that I really don't understand BUT this is another classic SNK fighting game, if buying them makes it so that there are more of them, then I won't stop until THE ENTIRE LIBRARY is available on steam.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle set the stage for two-on-two fighters, burning bright decades later in @codemystics.com's #Steam release. Our review: www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-...
neutral · AI labelView post →I honest to god believe SNK shipped this with a crypto miner or some shit, this game has absolutely no reason to take up 40% of my cpu and gpu, and I can't even pull 60 fps in the menu, so it's definitely not just the emulator. I have not had this problem with any of the other Code Mystics games, either
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Released as part of SNK's NEOGEO Premium Selection series, Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle was originally an unreleased arcade game. This release features the original game with rollback netcode, lobby systems, practice mode, and a gallery mode.
neutral · AI labelView post →had a dream about Fatal Fury last night, and you better believe I was complaining about the game to someone. Also one of the upcoming characters was a female version of 'Joker' the rollerblading clown from Kizuna Encounter, now with edgy Pennywise teeth and no rollerblades due to design cowardice
neutral · AI labelView post →i love Kizuna Encounter entirely just for the feel of the damage impacts. i don't know what the actual general consensus of this game is as a fighting game but i love how chunky every hit feels
positive · AI labelView post →KIZUNA ENCOUNTER: SUPER TAG BATTLE my beloved. That game just has the snappiest pace ever in a lot of good ways. "beat. up."
positive · AI labelView post →this game is amazing and works great with my leverless. I recommend it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is super . Snk bring more game old ,neo geo battle coliseum ,art of fighting 2, The king of fighters XI.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fighting game right lol Uhhh someone from your history that doesn't have a lot of art i suppose, like uhhh Rosa from Kizuna Encounter
neutral · AI labelView post →I believe Kizuna Encounter does have one (it’s a fighting game I want some time) but yeah I expect to own more MVS carts than AES carts. Like the cheapest KOF2000 AES I saw was $500 where as an MVS cart is like $75 lol
neutral · AI labelView post →Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle is a good SNK fighter, but it never quite rises above being just that. The tag-team concept is neat and there’s certainly some fun to be had, but none of the fighters really stood out to me as particularly great or memorable - especially compared to SNK’s ridiculously strong stable of characters from this era. The gameplay also feels noticeably sluggish next to its contemporaries. I still enjoyed my time with it, and SNK fighting game fans should definitely…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a lovely game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →KIZUNA ENCOUNTER: SUPER TAG BATTLE is an intriguing example of how an unconventional arcade fighting game can retain its appeal through distinctive mechanics, memorable characters, and carefully implemented modern improvements. Developed for this updated edition by Code Mystics and published by SNK CORPORATION, the game revisits a lesser-known chapter of SNK's fighting game history. Rather than attempting to compete with modern fighting games through enormous character rosters or elaborate…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun and innovative. Getting to the last boss was easy, but the last boss is an input-reading cheat and I still haven't beat him. These old SNK fighters make efficient use of just 4 buttons. There's not so many moving parts that the innovative features, like the tag team, feel overwhelming.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Kizuna Encounter Super Tag Battle is a 2d fighting game is the sequel to SNK's 1995 release Savage Reign. #FightingGames #Shorts #Gaming #90s #SNK youtube.com/shorts/WDfJZ...
neutral · AI labelView post →Excellent fighter. Classic game. Really cool to see this getting a port on Steam. If you like this, look into the other SNK games. SNK games go on sale all the time.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle #Arcade #RetroGaming retroarcadememories.wordpress.com/arcade-games...
neutral · AI labelView post →The Video Game Critic reviews: Kizuna Encounter (Neo Geo) videogamecritic.com/neogeokk.htm?e=4…
neutral · AI labelView post →Another Kizuna Encounter clip that shows off how cool this game's pressure is. Seriously, play this game!
positive · AI labelView post →Looking more into things, and I would've expected for DP to be Swery's maybe second game or so, and from some angles, it is. But this dude actually did design on fucking Kizuna Encounter and The Last Blade 1-2, that's insane.
neutral · AI labelView post →Evening everyone! Today's Quick Combos are from Rosa in the Neo Geo game Kizuna Encounter Super Tag Battle! Hope you enjoy it! #SNK #NeoGeo #KizunaEncounter #Retro #RetroGaming youtube.com/shorts/M3Ji8...
neutral · AI labelView post →Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle Joins the #NeoGeo Premium Selection Line Read it here: metalgamesolid.com/systems/cons...
neutral · AI labelView post →4-player Kizuna Encounter sounds SUPER FIRE tbh. Might need to cop that for the next fighting game meetup. youtu.be/1ZyBMVhm2Jo?...
positive · AI labelView post →Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle ‘NEO GEO Premium Selection’ edition with rollback netcode now available for #PC www.gematsu.com/2025/10/kiz... #videogames #videogaming #Gematsu
neutral · AI labelView post →This is "Kizuna Encounter" for Neo Geo MVS—Played via the Neo Geo Mini. It's a great fighting game with a neat tag team mechanic.
positive · AI labelView post →
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