Itadaki Smash

San Daigo’s best restaurant becomes ground zero for a ridiculous supernatural crisis when a mafia curse turns ordinary dishes into rampaging food demons. Itadaki Smash is a colorful side-scrolling beat ’em up that treats Japanese folklore with the same playful energy as a Saturday-morning cartoon, while still aiming for the satisfying rhythm of arcade brawlers. Katsu and his unlikely yokai allies take to the streets to save the city, trading serious crime drama for flying punches, possessed cuisine, and exaggerated comic-book chaos. The tone stays light and energetic, making every encounter feel like a compact arcade challenge rather than a grim revenge story.

Combat centers on the genre’s essentials: moving through enemy-packed stages, stringing together combos, grabbing opponents for throws, and spending special moves when the screen becomes too crowded. Four selectable heroes bring different styles to the fight, and new abilities give the action more room to develop beyond simple button-mashing. Sixteen distinct levels carry the campaign through San Daigo, while additional modes offer reasons to return once the main route is cleared. Solo play captures the old-school score-chasing feel, but local co-op is where the brawling becomes especially entertaining, letting two players coordinate attacks or simply create more delightful chaos.

Its strongest quality is the commitment to a cheerful, cartoonish identity instead of copying the tougher street-brawler mood of Final Fight or Streets of Rage. Oriental-inspired backdrops, a retro arcade soundtrack, and the absurd idea of demonic meals give the action a personality that is hard to mistake for another indie throwback. The mechanics remain accessible enough for newcomers to pick up quickly, yet character choices, unlockable skills, and co-op teamwork give experienced beat ’em up fans more to experiment with. Anyone looking for a compact, lively brawler with folklore flavor and couch-co-op appeal finds plenty to enjoy here.