Fighters Megamix
Back in the mid 90's, 3D fighting games were at their peak of popularity. Sega had been cranking out quite a few, with most following in the footsteps set by the hugely popular (at least in Japan) Virtua Fighter. Quite naturally, home versions had to follow and were soon brought to Sega's Saturn. Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers, Last Bronx, Battle Arena Toshinden - all found their way to the doomed console. As the time came for a highly-rumored Virtua Fighter 3 (and a potential upgrade cart), the Saturn's life was waning. As a holdover and a way to fill a market hungry for fighting games, AM2 cranked out Fighters Megamix, a quirky combination of its Fighting Vipers and Virtua Fighter Brawlers.
Story
Combine two of Sega's Saturn fighting series into one game and what do you get? Fighters Megamix. Now, the answer to the eternal question that no one had asked - Who would win the Virtua Fighters or Fighting Vipers - can finally be settled.
Gameplay
The fighting controls are fairly basic, following the VF3 button layout - dodge, guard, punch and kick. Control is pretty much the same as in each of the games, with the pacing a bit more akin to Fighting Vipers than Virtua Fighter.
There are 32 fighters total - 11 Virtua Fighters (Akira, Pai, Lau, Wolf, Jeffrey, Kage, Sarah, Jacky, Shun, Lion, & Dural), 11 Fighting Vipers (Tokio, Raxel, Bahn, Grace, Candy, Picky, Jane, Sanman, Mauler, Big Mauler, and Kuma-chan) and 10 hidden characters from assorted Sega arcade games ().
Since the Vipers are retain their armor, the Virtua Fighters have been given armor-breaking moves and their VF3 moves to help even things out.
There are 32 arenas in the game, some walled some not. The Vipers definitely have an advantage in the walled arenas, with their throws designed for caged combat, but the open areas are even ground.
Obviously, since 32 characters would be an insane number to battle to reach the end of the game, characters are divided into seperate fighting "tracks." Each contains six characters and a boss. After defeating the boss, a secret character (usually the boss) or two is unlocked and is now fully playable. The eight fighting tracks are: Virtua Fighters, Fighting Vipers, Lady Fighters, Muscle Men, Smart Guys, Dirty Fighters, Bosses, and Secret Characters.
After completing one these courses, the boss becomes a playable character.The bonus characters are somewhat surprising, somewhat of a joke, and somewhat of a bizarre reference to Sega's gaming history. Really, it's the cast of characters that give the game its charm and uniqueness. Where else can you take the Hornet from Daytona USA and fight against the pistol-packing Janet from Virtua Cop 2? The game is just a smorgasbord of Sega, pulling from some long-forgotten places. In the relatively serious world of Virtua Fighter, seeing Mr. Meat attack Panda-chan really mixes it up - "Megamixes" (I know,very punny) it up.
You'll find five challenging gameplay modes, 1 Player, Survival, Vs Mode, Team Battle Mode, and Training mode.
Today, FMM is a game that brings comments such as, "I wish they did a sequel," or "They should do that today." Unfortunately, I don't think the game would work in today's game world. Fighting games aren't as popular as they used to be and Sega hasn't been cranking them out like yesterday's styles anymore. Fighting Vipers 2 was released and quietly sank into obscurity. Last Bronx fizzled in the US. Soul Caliber, Tekken, and Dead or Alive are Virtua Fighter's competition, not its comrades. Sega would have to work with another company instead of using its own army of fighters. Even if it was created, these games aren't just VF-clones, making it harder to integrate them all together.
Games represented
- Rent-A-Hero
- Daytona USA
- Virtua Fighter
- Fighting Vipers
- Virtua Cop
- Sonic the Fighters
- Virtua Fighter Kids
Characters
Akira Yuki
Nationality: Japanese
Date of Birth: September 23, 1968
Age: 26
Occupation: Kung fu Instructor
Hobby: Kung fu
Technique: Hakkyoku-ken
Already a legendary master of the art of Hakkyoku-ken, Akira has spent the past year traveling and honing his skills to a razor edge. Though he didn't win the first tournament, he considered it a learning experience, and eagerly anticipates trying out his new moves on all comers.
Pai Chan
Nationality: Chinese (Hong Kong)
Date of Birth: May 17, 1975
Age: 19
Occupation: Action Film Star
Hobby: Dancing
Technique: Ensei-ken
Even though Pai is Lau's daughter, there is little love between the two - while Lau pursued his obsessive search for perfection, Pai's mother toiled so hard to support the family that she died of overwork. Pai never forgave Lau for her mother's death, and swore she would someday beat Lau at his own game. Though she didn't have what it took to defeat him in the last tournament, this time she's armed with a few new techniques that just might knock Lau of of the champion's position. And with Lau out of the way, the others should fall like dominoes.
Lau Chan
Nationality: Chinese
Date of Birth: October 2, 1940
Age: 54
Occupation: Cook
Hobby: Chinese Poetry
Technique: Koen-ken
Lau strives for perfection in anything he does, whether it's working as a famous chef in China or acquiring the title of the most powerful fighter in the world. Though declared champion, Lau was far from satisfied with his performance, so after the first tournament, he headed for the mountains for an excruciating year-long regimen of training. He hopes that in the next tournament he'll be able to perform up to his own exacting standards.
Wolf Hawkfield
Nationality: Canadian
Date of Birth: February 8, 1966
Age: 28
Occupation: Pro Wrestler
Hobby: Karaoke
Technique: Pro Wrestling
Wolf worked as a lumberjack until he was discovered by a scout and encouraged to take up professional wrestling. It wasn't long before he became invincible in the sport. He entered the World Fighting Tournament in order to find an opponent skilled enough to call a rival. It wasn't long before Akira gave him exactly what he was looking for, and the two set up a friendly but intense competition. At the end of the first tournament, both swore they would battle again. Now that chance has arrived, and Wolf has his eye on the championship.
Jeffrey McWild
Nationality: Australian
Date of Birth: February 20, 1957
Age: 37
Occupation: Fisherman
Hobby: Reggae Music
Technique: Pancratium
Jeffry uses the prize money from his fighting tournaments to maintain a fishing boat, his chief source of livelihood. All his life, he has sought one trophy above others: the legendary, man-eating "Devil Shark." Their last battle was the most ferocious yet, but the shark escaped, leaving nothing of Jeffry's boat but splinters. So Jeffry polished up his fighting techniques and is stepping into the ring again. If he wins this time, he can buy a new boat and get rid of his nemesis once and for all.
Kage-maru
Nationality: Japanese
Date of Birth: June 6, 1971
Age: 24
Occupation: Ninja
Hobby: Mah-jongg
Technique: Hagakure-ryu Jujutsu
Not much can be said about Kage's background, only that he is searching for the mysterious organization that murdered his father and kidnapped his other. His search led him to the first tournament, which he entered in order to pick up clues. Though he mad an impressive show as a fighter, he was unable to bring the syndicate to light... hover, he did receive word that his mother might still be alive. He has stepped into the arena again in the hope that once declared champion, he will be able to find out more.
Sarah Bryant
Nationality: American
Date of Birth: July 4, 1973
Age: 21
Occupation: College Student
Hobby: Skydiving
Technique: Jeet Kune Do
Kidnapped, brainwashed, and groomed for combat by an underground organization, Sarah Bryant was pitted against her brother in the first tournament. The organization had hoped to eliminate Jacky this way, but because they couldn't control Sarah completely, she failed to carry out her orders. She has spent the past year being reconditioned under a new set of teachers. By the time she steps into the arena again, she will be the ultimate fighting machine.
Jacky Bryant
Nationality: American
Date of Birth: August 28, 1970
Age: 24
Occupation: Indy Car Racer
Hobby: Training
Technique: Jeet Kune Do
One fateful day, hotshot race driver and Jeet Kune Do master Jacky Bryant was separated from his sister, Sarah, when she was kidnapped by an underground syndicate. After years of searching, he learned that Sarah was being trained for combat and was considered tops in the art of Jeet Kune Do. When the first World Fighting Tournament was announced, Jacky took the challenge in the hopes of finding and rescuing Sarah from the syndicate. But once a winner was declared, Sarah vanished. Jacky spent the next year training for the ensuing bout he knew would come. This time, he plans to win the championship and take Sarah back for sure.
Shun-di
Nationality: Chinese
Date of Birth: January 2, 1912
Age: 82
Occupation: Herbal Doctor
Hobby: Collecting Medicinal Herbs
Technique: Drunken Kung Fu
Under the guise of a hermit taking shelter deep in the mountains of northern China, Shun spent his days instructing young students in several esoteric and deadly martial arts. One day, while drinking with two old friends (who happened to be grandmasters in the arts of Hakkyoku-ken and Hissou-ken), Shun learned that his contemporaries had students who had achieved high ranks in the previous World Fighting Tournament, and were planning to return for the next. This sounded intriguing, and Shun decided to enter the tournament as well. His old friends tried their best to discourage him - what could one old man do against such powerful young predators? But Shun would not be turned away. It's time to show those youngsters a trick or two...
Lion Rafale
Nationality: French
Date of Birth: December 24, 1979
Age: 15
Occupation: High School Student
Hobby: Skateboarding
Technique: Tourou-ken
A wealthy, prominent French family, the Rafales were known first and foremost for their success in aircraft research and development, but this business was only a front for an underground weapons trade. Lion Rafale grew up with the best education available, and had been groomed all his life to follow in his father's footsteps, but once he discovered his father was a "death merchant," Lion wanted nothing at all to do with the family business. His father has given him and ultimatum: if he wants out of the family legacy, he has to prove he can be successful enough in whatever he does to be worthy of the Rafale name. In other words, if Lion wins the World Fighting Tournament, his father will free him of all family obligations.
Dural
Nationality: Unknown
Date of Birth: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
Hobby: Unknown
Technique: Mix of all VF styles
Game: Virtua Fighter
Dural is a development from the syndicate mentioned in the story lines of other characters. She is modeled after a human (Kage's mother, as revealed in Virtua Fighter 3). She is made of an unknown alloy. Her fighting technique comes from a master who mastered all of the martial arts. This Syndicate is called J6 or Judgement 6.
Tokio
Sex: Male
Birthday: April 19
Hometown: Armstone City
Occupation: Part-time jobs
Hobby: Games (Virtua Fighter)
Likes: Sushi
Dislikes: Chicken
Game: Fighting Vipers
Tokio, the "Spin Kick Combo" Justice Viper, is an ex-"Black Thunder" gang leader who is rebelling against the strict upbringing of his uncompromising father. Watch out for his powerful spin kicks which are his strength when applied to the upper, middle, or lower sections of the body.
Raxel
Sex: Male
Birthday: February 26
Hometown: Armstone City
Occupation: Temp
Hobby: Rock Band
Likes: Veggies
Dislikes: Meat
Game: Fighting Vipers
Raxel, the "Steel Kick" Battle Rocker, is a talented singer and guitarist in the rock band "Death Crunch." This self-obsessed warrior is fighting to make a name for himself in the world. The combination of his "death spin kick" and the "sliding kick" is a move to be feared by the strongest of opponents.
Bahn
Sex: Male Birthday: August 25
Hometown: Nishino Machi
Occupation: High School Student
Hobby: Karate
Likes: Ramen
Dislikes: Western Food
Game: Fighting Vipers
Bahn, the "One Blow" Fighting Boss, joins the Vipers as an ex-gang member in search of the father who abandoned he and his mother, and he is not necessarily seeking a happy reunion. Beware of his powerful standing punches including "Super Straight" and "Hiji Teppou."
Grace
Sex: Female
Birthday: November 17
Hometown: Armstone City
Occupation: Fashion Model
Hobby: Inline Skating
Likes: Pasta
Dislikes: Potatoes
Game: Fighting Vipers
Grace, the "Footwork Combos" Skate Queen, releases her internalized anger from a bad personal experience in the past as she joins the Vipers and takes on opponents with merciless fury. Watch out for her combination of various kinds of footwork including the "camel spin cutter" and her "Frankensteiner" throw after a jump.
Candy
Sex: Female
Birthday: September 3
Hometown: Armstone City
Occupation: Fashion School Student
Hobby: Making Clothing
Likes: Strawberry, Cheesecake, Ice Cream
Dislikes: Carrots
Game: Fighting Vipers
Candy, the "Cat Punch" Costume Play Girl, displays a "Dr. Jekyl-Mr. Hyde" characteristic when suited up and not-suited up in her handmade rubber dress. Her combination of kicks are especially harmful and especially effective when directed at the lower section. Use her "wild airdrop" to scare the meanest of opponents.
Picky
Sex: Male
Birthday: April 13
Hometown: Armstone City
Hobby: Skateboarding
Occupation: Junior High Student
Likes: Potato Chips
Dislikes: Tomatoes
Game: Fighting Vipers
Picky is a typical junior high school skate rat. He started boarding to impress his first love, Kathryn. But here in Armstone, fighting in the tournament seems to be more popular than thrashing. So Picky took his board to try his luck as the youngest Viper.
Jane
Sex: Female
Birthday: August 18
Hometown: Armstone City
Occupation: Construction worker
Hobby: Physical training
Likes: Beefsteak
Dislikes: None
Game: Fighting Vipers
Jane, the "Power Punch" Soldier, who is high school aspired to join the Navy, became a Viper after she was rejected by the government because she had a police record. With muscles of steel she mainly attacks with a punch using the power of her arms. Her "tornado punch" is deadly!
Sanman
Sex: Male
Birthday: March 3
Hometown: Armstone City
Hobby: Custom Bikes
Likes: Sweets
Dislikes: Garlic
Game: Fighting Vipers
Nobody knows much about him, and he isn't saying. The only things for sure is that he rolled up to the tournament on a big custom hog, and he has a strange fascination with the number 3. Sanman lets his fists do the rest of the talking for him.
Mahler
Sex: Male
Birthday: January 20
Hometown: Armstone City
Hobby: Windsurfing
Likes: Mexican Food
Dislikes: Seafood
Game: Fighting Vipers
Mahler seems to have a score to settle with the mayor of Armstone, but nobody knows why he has entered the Vipers tournament. He hasn't even bothered to officially register his name.
Big Mahler
Sex: Male
Birthday: January 20
Hometown: Armstone City
Hobby: Windsurfing
Likes: Mexican Food
Dislikes: Seafood
Game: Fighting Vipers
Clad in poisonous-snake skin armour, Mahler seems to have a score to settle with the mayor of Armstone, but nobody knows why he has entered the Vipers tournament. He hasn't even bothered to officially register his name.
Kuma-Chan
A fearless bonus character from Fighting Vipers.
The rest of the cast will appear in 2020.
Stages
Codes
9/9/2008