Flying Dragon on N64 is this weird little gem that somehow mixes fighting game mechanics with light RPG elements—and it actually works. You’ve got two totally different modes: "SD Hiryu" with super-deformed, cartoony fighters, and "Virtual Hiryu" where everyone’s got this chunky polygonal look straight out of early 3D fighting games. The SD mode feels faster, almost like a party fighter, while Virtual’s got more weight to the punches.

What surprised me was the progression system—you earn XP, unlock new moves, and even equip gear between fights. My first run, I totally botched my build by dumping points into flashy specials instead of basic combos. Learned that lesson fast. The roster’s small but each fighter plays differently, especially once you start customizing them. Graphics haven’t aged gracefully (let’s be real, it’s N64), but there’s charm in those jaggy models and over-the-top attack animations.

If you dig obscure fighters or just want something that isn’t another Tekken clone, this one’s worth dusting off.