PG Applympics 2012: The fighting event

Welcome to the Pocket Gamer Applympics - our (hopefully legal) spin on that big sports thingy that's happening in the UK this summer.

Put simply, we're going to go focus on a number of sporting events and try and find eight mobile games that have some vague, tenuous link to the sport in question.

Then, we'll ask you - our fine readers - to vote on which games deserve medals made of precious metals.

First up, it's the fighting event. Yeah, your boxing, your judo, your taekwondo, and your wrestling. Any event where two people get in a ring and knock each other's lights out. We've picked out eight great fighters, brawlers, and beat-'em-ups - but, which do YOU think is best?

To vote for your favourite fighting game of the PG Applympics, visit our Facebook page and select the relevant radio button. Easy as.

The King of Fighters-i 2012
By SNK Playmore - buy on iPhone

32 brawlers and a whole bunch of different game modes mean there's plenty of content to keep you busy in this brawler from SNK Playmore. Team Battle mode is especially good.

If you're not content with battering your buddies or AI-controlled opponents, you can go head-to-head against some of the best players in the world over wi-fi.

As you play, you can unlock and collect all manner of trading cards and game illustrations.

Street Fighter IV
By Capcom - buy on iPhone

This may be a bite-sized Street Fighter experience, but it still packs a hefty punch. Get ready to participate in several different game modes, then, and choose from many of the franchise's most popular characters, such as Ryu, Ken, and DeeJay.

One of this game's greatest features is its on-screen 'SP' button, which allows you to pull off devastating attacks with a single tap.

This comes in pretty handy when you're battling your buddies over Bluetooth.

Streets of Rage 2
By Sega - buy on iPhone

If you've yet to play this classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up, you owe it to yourself to head on over to the App Store right this second and download it to your device.

Sod Sonic The Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2 was the only reason I bought a Sega Mega Drive back in the day. In it, you take control of one of four agile fighters and beat the stuffing out of absolutely everything that moves.

You're supposed to be fighting to save Adam, the hero from the original Streets of Rage game, but you forget all about him as soon as you start smacking chumps in the face.

This mobile instalment of Namco Bandai's infamous brawler features more game modes than you can shake a stick at, including an interesting Museum mode in which you - providing you're a big enough fan - can view artwork from the game.

There's even a tricky Extra Survival mode that punishes you if you don't dispatch your opponents with a single hit.

Fight Night Champion
By EA - buy on iPhone

In Fight Night Champion, you can create your very own boxer; develop his skills through rigorous training sessions and small tournaments; and unleash him onto the big stage when he's ready to challenge for the championship.

If you'd prefer to jab, bob, and weave as a real-life boxer in EA's knockout game, you can take control of 20 famous pugilists, including Oscar De La Hoya, David Haye, and the undisputed G.O.A.T. Muhammad Ali.

You can smack your friends in the mush over both Bluetooth and local wi-fi, by the way.

Instead of going toe-to-toe with the likes of Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao in this cartoon brawler, you take on obese guys, Spanish bullfighters, and gangster wannabes.

There are several different modes for you to delve into here, including Circuit mode, which sees you compete to become the champion of the world; and Challenge mode, which tasks you with surviving bouts while meeting strict criteria.

There's also an Endurance mode in which you have to simply survive for as long as you can against waves of opponents.

In this classic arcade game from 1992, you assume the role of Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and several other infamous mutant superheroes as they wage war against Juggernaut, Mystique, and, of course, Magneto.

If you've got three buddies, you can all jump into the action together thanks to wi-fi multiplayer.

WrestleFest Premium
By THQ - buy on iPhone or buy on iPad

Think you can fight your way to WrestleMania and take home the championship belt? If you do, here's your chance to prove it.

WrestleFest Premium features numerous active WWE superstars (such as John Cena, Randy Orton, and Rey Mysterio) and iconic legends (such as The Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts), as well as a variety of match types and well-known arenas.

You can purchase further brawlers and arenas in monthly DLC packs that cost 69p / 99c through in-app purchases.

To see each of the eight fighters in action, check out the video below.

Subscribe to Pocket Gamer on