discovering that it has to be a real time fighting game is making me reconsider :( thats a pretty big innovation limit imo
Viewing post in I think I'm going to join!
Not necessarily! The game needs to be a 1v1 symmetric versus game playable on a single display whose goal is to "KO" the opponent - or equivalent win condition, for any definition of the term (e.g. ring out). This still includes arena fighters, platform fighters, theoretically even 1v1 top down shooters, as long as they abide by the general definition above. Something like Duelists of Eden, Acceleration of Suguri and Senko no Ronde would still be acceptable entries, for example!