Why War Gods Needs to Be on GOG — The Most Underrated Fighting Game Ever
War Gods, released by Midway in 1996, may not have reached the same legendary status as Mortal Kombat, but it deserves a second chance — especially on GOG, where cult classics and hidden gems find new life. As one of the earliest 3D fighting games from the arcade era, War Gods brought a unique blend of ancient mythology, sci-fi, and brutal combat that set it apart from the pack. It’s long overdue for rediscovery.
What made War Gods stand out was its bold use of "Digital Skin" technology — an early technique for creating digitized 3D characters that added realism to the game’s diverse cast. Each fighter represented a powerful deity or warrior from different cultures and eras, including a cybernetic samurai, a voodoo priestess, and a four-armed alien god. The designs were striking, and the lore hinted at a rich, fantastical world.
The gameplay was fast, fluid, and reminiscent of Mortal Kombat — complete with brutal finishers and a dark, arcade tone. While it had a steep learning curve and lacked polish compared to later fighters, War Gods had heart, creativity, and raw fun. For fans of retro fighters, it was a bold experiment that deserves more credit than it received.
Releasing War Gods on GOG would preserve this underappreciated title and introduce it to a new generation of players. With modern controller support and a few quality-of-life tweaks, it could finally earn the respect it missed out on in the 90s.