[Irem] Hook

Arcade (1992):
1-2 players



Characters:
Peter Pan(pictured above), Rufio, Ace, Pockets, & Thudbutt

Controls:
Button 1: Attack/pick up
Button 2: Jump

Forward & 1: Knockdown strike
Hold Up/Down during a combo: Combo and throw(usually after 2 strikes)
Keep tapping 1 during combo: Alternate combo finish(more powerful than just pressing 1 tha 4th or 5th time)
1 & 2: Special (only drains health if it connects)
2, 1: Jump attack
2, Down & 1: Dive attack
2 toward a wall(an actual wall, or even a breakable object, but not just the sides of the screen) and press 2 again: Wall jump (Leads to any of the other jump attacks. Pockets and Thudbutt don't have this)
Walk into enemies: Grab
1 strike (multiple times for combo, faster characters have more strikes before the enemy is knocked down)
forward/away & 1: Throw
2, 1: Slam
2, forward/away & 1: Jumping air throw


If an enemy is knocked down, but not beaten, you can strike them while they're down.

There are a good amount of weapons to pick up, including a boomerang that will always come back to you, as long as you're not knocked down on it's way back. A lot of traps for the playable characters to interact with as well.

While there are a lot of Hook games, based on the 1991 movie, as far as I know, the beat 'em up is an arcade exclusive.

I think I like using Thudbutt the best, simply because his button tapping combo finisher hit's all enemies. A bit of an exaggeration on his weight, but still fun to use.

The game is almost reminiscent of a Konami licensed beat 'em up, but there's also just enough there to remind you that it isn't one of theirs.