Budokan: The Martial Spirit is one of those old-school EA fighting games that tried something different—instead of just punching dudes, you're training in a dojo across four martial arts: kendo, karate, bojutsu, and nunchaku. The vibe is more about discipline than flashy combos, which honestly makes it feel a little stiff compared to stuff like Street Fighter, but there's something weirdly satisfying about nailing the timing on a perfect bo staff strike.

First few minutes? You pick your fighter (I always went with the karate guy first), then it throws you straight into sparring matches with these kinda janky but charming animations. The controls take a second to get used to—half the moves feel like you're fighting the D-pad as much as your opponent. But once it clicks, landing a clean hit feels solid, especially in tournament mode where the AI actually puts up a fight.

It’s definitely a product of its time—no frills, no story mode, just you and the dojo. If you’re into retro fighters with a slower, almost methodical pace, this one’s got a weird niche appeal. Just don’t expect Mortal Kombat levels of excitement.