What Forgotten Fighting Game Franchises Should I Play?
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13 Forgotten Fighting Game Franchises
These retro fighting games have been long since been confined to history. Rediscover these forgotten fighting franchises. It may have been a long time coming. Still, are finally transitioning to eSports, and the history of this illustrious genre is getting recorded and observed by newcomers and veterans alike. And looking back, not every series was Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, some having just one release before fading away in time. Resurrections like 2019's Samurai Shodown prove that holding out for a past classic to make a comeback isn't always a lost cause. From genre-defining mainstays to legitimate oddities, it's time to dust off the arcade sticks and make some noise to bring these lost classics out of the past and into the modern spotlight. Updated July 30, 2022, by Chris Sanfilippo: During the nineties, fighting games were so popular that an overabundance of titles launched, sometimes within months of each other. Capcom, in particular, launched several of these now forgotten titles, including Cyberbots, Red Earth, and the Darkstalkers series. Luckily, game preservation efforts, like Capcom Fighting Collection, are giving us a chance to revisit these titles anew! THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY Rival Schools
Even though the last entry of the Rival Schools series launched over twenty years ago, there remains plenty of interest in a revival of the high-octane fighter that resembles a toned-down version of . Outside of Kyosuke being a playable character in Capcom vs. SNK 2, the series has remained dormant, with fans clamoring for its return. Luckily, Akira Kazama's addition to Street Fighter 5 may indicate a series resurgence in the future, whether it's a new title or more crossover appearances in Street Fighter 6. Power Stone
To those who remember it, Power Stone was a memorable foray of carnage on the . Players could compete in a complete 3D environment, use weapons and stage obstacles, and even transform into their powerful alter egos after collecting three fabled power stones. After Power Stone 2, the franchise seems to have fallen by the wayside as there has been no word from Capcom that they will bring the series back. Until then, fans of the game will never forget, and those unfortunate enough to have never played the series will continue to miss out. Cyberbots
Mecha fighters are not new by today's standards. Consider, for instance, the slew of titles, like Gundam Versus and Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost. Still, was a unique fighting game of its time, even by Capcom's standards. The title was a spin-off of the successful beat-em-up game Armored Warriors (Powered Gear in Japan). Cyberbots stood out from its peers for several reasons. For instance, it was one of few 90s Capcom fighters that did not feature a six-button layout. Plus, the pilot characters did not affect gameplay. Instead, mechs called VAs (Variant Armors) were the primary means of combat. While Cyberbots never experienced a console launch outside Japan, its legacy continued with guest characters in several Capcom Versus games and a spiritual 3D successor, Tech Romancer. Eternal Champions
When and dominated arcades in the 1990s, one fighting game was an absolute must-play on the Sega Genesis, and that game was Eternal Champions. What made Eternal Champions unique was that it incorporated elements of the titles mentioned above while still feeling original all on its own. If Killer Instinct can be brought back and succeed in today's fighting game landscape, why can't a game that allows players to fight as an actual Shih Tzu? Bloody Roar
One of the best fighting game franchises that thrived on the Sony Playstation, Bloody Roar and its sequels were among the best 3D fighters ever made. Though the gimmick of changing into a raging beast mid-battle was neat enough, the game's combat was as fluid as any Tekken or Virtua Fighter game at the time. When the series made it to the , it was clear that the novelty had worn off as the quality of the last two games failed to match its predecessors. As a result, the series has been dormant since 2003's Bloody Roar 4. Primal Rage
Nothing turns the eye quite like an old fashion monster mash, and therein lies the appeal of Primal Rage. Trading punches and kicks for teeth and tails, players assume the roles of titanic beasts as they bite, claw, and even vomit their way to victory. Primal Rage was a massive hit on arcades and home consoles, with a sequel in the works. Then, unfortunately, pulled the plug, leaving all hopes for more dinosaur carnage dashed forever. Though Primal Rage 2 never saw the light of day, its story received a comic book adaptation in 1997. Virtua Fighter
With the runaway success of the Tekken series, it's shocking that the granddaddy of all 3D fighters, , was put to pasture. Sega's 3D fighting series revolutionized the genre and was well-loved from its early days as a polygonal mess to its refined later titles. Since the critically acclaimed Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown, the landmark franchise has been uncharacteristically dormant save for being a playable mini-game in Yakuza 6. However, there were some noticeable resurgences over the years. For instance, EVO 2019 featured Final Showdown in a side tournament. And a remastered version, Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Shodown, launched in 2021 on PS4. Bushido Blade
Bushido Blade's brilliance was simple: No life bars or time limits and death in a single blow. The samurai-themed fighter was as close to an actual sword fight as gaming could get, and the sheer scale and depth of the game were well before its time. While the series never continued beyond the second entry, its spirit lived on in the poorly received Kengo series for the PS2 and Xbox 360. Clayfighter
While parodies are satirical and not meant to improve their medium, there are instances where they are just too good to be ignored. Clayfighter was one such instance as it combined all the best aspects of 2D fighters with a healthy dose of humor and a lot of clay. A hallmark of the 16-bit era, Clayfighter's faced a doomed fate when Interplay Studios shut down shortly after the release of the heavily delayed Clayfighter 63 ⅓. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters
While there is a debate surrounding if this game stands alone or acts as the final game of the original series, Tournament Fighters was a well-received title that still sees tournament play today. Praised for being on par with Street Fighter 2 in terms of presentation and great utilization of the property, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters was great to play alone or with friends. Players can soon revisit this classic in the Ninja Turtles Cowabunga Collection. Fatal Fury
Though SNK's King of Fighters series became the chief rival to Capcom's Street Fighter and its variants, was the original contender to the throne. With a colorful cast of characters and fighting mechanics that gradually improved with each entry, Fatal Fury is one of the great forgotten fighting games. Perhaps most frustrating was that the last standalone title in the series, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, is considered one of the greatest fighting games ever made. However, with the resurgence of King of Fightersand Samurai Shodown, there is no reason for Fatal Fury to remain forgotten. Red Earth
RPGs translate well into fighting games. For example, consider successes like , , and . However, the concept of combining the two genres existed well before the launch of these titles. One early example of the Fighting Game RPG experiment was Capcom's , launched in arcades in 1996. Red Earth was a versus fighter designed for a single-player experience. Instead of relying on a sizeable playable roster, the game allowed players to choose one of four unique characters and pit them in a series of boss battles against mythical creatures, dastardly knights, and scheming wizards. As players fought through the campaign, their character would level up, unlocking new weapons, resistances, and special attacks. Darkstalkers
Darkstalkers retains a legacy as the most beloved forgotten fighting game series. In fact, "overlooked" feels like a more appropriate word to describe Darkstalkers since Capcom has all but abandoned the series despite a dedicated fan following. Moreover, while the original trilogy of games (and its two Japan-exclusive sequels) have been re-launched several times in the last twenty years, an official sequel has yet to see the light of the moon. The Darkstalkers series was well-known for a cast that included zombies, vampires, aliens, ghosts, and the beloved Morrigan Aensland. Still, its last entry, , was one of Capcom's fastest, fiercest, and most competitive, forever distinguishing the series from its more popular forebearer, Street Fighter. Luckily, modern gamers can revisit this classic in .