Which version should I play?
The largest active community is currently on Fightcade 2. Among the official releases, Steam and PS4 versions are the most popular due to the powerful rollback netcode by Code Mystics.
How do I find other players?
- FightCade 2: https://www.fightcade.com An online platform for arcade emulators with rollback netcode. People gather in lobbies to challenge other players. The compatibility with LUA scripts allows training tools created by the community. Despite the occasional visual and sound glitches, it provides state-of-the-art peer to peer connectivity for online matches.
- Discord Garou Group : https://discord.gg/EmKGA4U A discord group for people to share information about the game and help each other improve. It is also a place where you can look for game partners, stream your games, and use general text and voice chat functions.
- X-Zone : http://bbs.gotvg.com/forum.php Yet another GGPO-based platform for arcade (and others) gaming. Uses the same ROM set as RedGGPO. This platform is mostly used by mainland Chinese, but if you have a Chinese phone number (or can find someone on discord who has a Chinese phone number) you can play it anywhere. Generally better connections than FC, and still has Developer support. The interface is in Chinese.
How do I pick Kain and Grant in the arcade version?
Here are the codes to pick Grant and Kain in the arcade MVS version of Garou MOTW, you can do them fast or slow but there is a timer:
- Play as Grant: Move the selection to Dong Hwan, hold start, tap
x2, 
x2, , while holding start. Grant should appear if you did the code correctly, then just press 
, 
, 
or 
to pick his color.
- Play as Kain: Move the selection to Jae Hoon, hold down start, tap x2, x2, , while holding start. Kain should appear if you did the code correctly, then just press , , or to pick his color.
How do I use training mode on FightCade?
Peon2 kindly released a LUA script for training on FightCade that supports several games.
- Download and extract the files to any folder. Link for download: https://github.com/peon2/fbneo-training-mode/archive/refs/heads/master.zip
- Launch the game on FightCade by clicking on 'TEST GAME'
- Go into Game > Lua Scripting > New Lua Script Window > Browse
- Select the fbneo-training-mode file.
- Click on 'run'. You should see the input history on screen now.
- Start a match against a human controlled player 2. The game timer will be stuck in 99.
- You can access the training mode options by holding the 'coin' button mapped in the emulator during a versus match. You can record dummy functions by quickly tapping 'coin' twice. You can replay the dummy inputs by tapping 'coin' once.
Link for the Github page: https://github.com/peon2/fbneo-training-mode/
How do I perform guard cancels (GC)?
Guard cancels are an intermediate/advanced mechanic in Garou. When you guard against an attack a few frames before it hits, you perform a Just Defense. During a Just Defense, the player has a very short time to cancel its blockstun into a special or super attack. It can be extremely difficult to input the motion of a special attack during a Just Defense, since the time window is very tight. However, Garou has a very lenient directional input buffer. You can perform a guard cancel by buffering the special motion inputs before holding back to block. By pressing the attack button upon confirming the Just Defense, you will perform a guard cancel.
For example, Jenet can use guard cancel into Crazy Ivan by inputting 21[4] (Just Defense) 
. [4] means that the input 4 is held until the end of the special command.
Jenet can also guard cancel into her super Many Many Torpedoes by inputting 236236[4](Just Defense) .
My DP breaks fail every time! How can I do then consistently?
(applies to Dong, Marco, Gato, Terry, Grant)
There is a simple input trick that, for some reason, allows shoryuken-type breaks to be performed much easier. You must hold down the directional input 3 (down forward) during the break input. For example, with Marco, input 623, then hold down 3 as you input /
> +
How do I play survival mode in the arcade version?
In order to play survival mode in the MVS arcade version of the game, press and hold + + + 
before hitting start. It should take you directly into survival mode after you pick your character.
What is the tier list?
This list has changed over the years due to new techniques and bugs discovered. The majority of the players do agree with this current list.
| Tier | Character(s) |
|---|---|
| A | Kevin, B. Jenet, Gato, Kain, Grant |
| B | Dong Hwan, Jae Hoon |
| C | Butt, Hokutomaru, Hotaru, Terry |
| D | Tizoc, Rock, Freeman |
What are the differences between game versions?
- Playstation 4 and Steam:The Playstation 4 and Steam versions of the game are ports made by Code Mystics based on the Neo-Geo AES Home Console version. They feature a robust online connectivity between peers through rollback netcode. There is a gallery mode with several official artworks. Despite the robust netcode, it still lacks lobbies and spectator mode.
- Neo-Geo AES Home Console: The Neo-Geo AES (home console) and Neo-Geo MVS (arcade) versions provide the authentic experience , and they are identical. Support for Garou is available on all worthwhile Neo-Geo emulators. Warning: Most Neo-Geo emulators support a Prototype version of Garou: MOTW that should be avoided at all costs. This version has many bugs and changes from the released versions that make unsuitable for competitive play.
- Playstation 2 and Xbox 360: The Japanese Playstation 2 and Xbox 360 versions are the best home console versions. The controls are very tight and the gameplay is perfect. On the PS2 version during play the words 'Guard Cancel' do not flash on the screen like the other versions do. On the 360 version it fixes that problem. The training mode for PS2/360 is superior to all other official releases. It allows for recording and playback of the training dummy's actions. So for practicing setups and other single player training, the PS2/360 versions are the best, even better than the original Neo-Geo version. Another thing to take notice is that both the PS2 and 360 versions run at a faster framerate than the original arcade MVS/AES versions. Only takes a bit to adjust to the speed difference and shouldn't cause any problems when running tournaments. The online play over Xbox Live is better than previous SNK releases, but is still bad nonetheless. Steam/PSN/FightCade are your best options for online play. The PS2 version also contains the arranged soundtrack, while the 360 version does not (as it is based directly on the original Arcade version).
- Dreamcast: The Dreamcast version is the worst of all versions. It offers nothing over the Neo-Geo versions other than the unlockable image gallery and the arranged soundtrack mode. Inputs are delayed, Terry's stage lags the game and some versions show problems with sound effects delaying as much as 2 seconds from when they should play. Some of Terry's voice samples are also not the ones from the game, but from as early as Real Bout Fatal Fury Special. If possible, select the original soundtrack option instead of the arranged soundtrack, and play on the original GD-ROM to lessen these effects. Even with these adjustments, this is the worst option for play; even playing on an emulator will be more satisfying.
