Nekketsu Kakutō Densetsu

Riki Kunio unfolds within the familiar setting of Nekketsu High School, where the protagonists receive a challenge to a martial arts tournament. The core gameplay is a 2D beat'em up, but structured entirely around sequential 2-on-2 matches in static arenas rather than side-scrolling levels. Victory in each round is required to progress through the tournament bracket.

Players can control series regulars Kunio and Riki or develop a custom fighter, improving their capabilities through stat progression. Matches support solo play with a computer ally or cooperative play with a friend, and a separate versus mode allows for four-player free-for-all bouts. The arenas themselves are interactive, containing environmental hazards that influence the fights.

Team coordination is a significant mechanic, as certain powerful attacks are only accessible when both player characters work in combination. This emphasis on partnership, along with the arena hazards, defines the strategic layer of the combat.