5 Great Fighting Games You Cannot Buy Anymore

Key Takeaways

X-Men: Children of the Atom laid the groundwork for the Marvel vs. Capcom series with unique combos.
Tekken Advance brought Tekken 3 to the Game Boy Advance, yet it was limited to only 10 characters.
Virtua Fighter 3 introduced 3D graphics and complex skill-based combat in the late 90s.

As a long-time gaming enthusiast who has spent countless hours honing my fighting skills across various consoles and platforms, I must say that the titles mentioned here have left quite an indelible mark on the genre of fighting games. Each one offers a unique blend of characters, combat systems, and visual styles that cater to different preferences and skill levels.

In terms of enjoyable multiplayer game categories, few match the entertainment value of combat genres. What makes combat games so appealing is their versatility – they can range from lighthearted, cartoonish brawls suitable for all ages, to intense, graphic fighting like the Mortal Kombat series known for its long-standing releases.

Regardless of the situation, fighting games continue to be an exciting and significant portion of the global gaming industry. Unfortunately, certain titles have disappeared from the market and can only be found as used copies sold by individuals on online platforms. Here are some fantastic fighting games you can no longer purchase new.

5 X-Men: Children Of The Atom (1994)

A Pioneer In Capcom X-Men Fighting Games

First Capcom game to feature X-Men characters
Great combos, including aerial attacks and super moves

X-Men: Children of the Atom marked the beginning of Capcom’s fighting game series featuring the X-Men, paving the way for subsequent titles in the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise. Featuring various X-Men characters like Magneto, Wolverine, Cyclops, and others, the game provides a rich selection of combos, including unique super moves that can be mixed and matched based on the character chosen by the player.

Title showcases 2D artwork-based animations to preserve the comics-like aesthetic, offering a more genuine and engaging feel. Regrettably, despite the game’s quality, licensing complications eventually caused its withdrawal from numerous platforms, making it increasingly obscure over time for many gamers.

4 Tekken Advance (2001)

A Portable Fighting Masterpiece

Heavily based on Tekken 3
The game has never been re-released for other platforms

When Tekken Advance hit the market, the Tekken series was already well-known among fighting game aficionados and arcade gaming enthusiasts. But what made this game special was that it allowed players to carry their battles with them wherever they went, thanks to its release on the Game Boy Advance. While it shared many similarities with its predecessor, Tekken 3, it had to be scaled back graphically to run smoothly on the portable system. Despite these adjustments, this version of the game retained much of the same mechanics as other installments in the series, providing an enjoyable gaming experience.

Despite the game being generally excellent, it only featured 10 characters, leaving some players feeling constrained. It’s important to note that this game’s disappearance from stores wasn’t due to licensing issues; rather, it was never made available on other platforms following its initial release. As the Game Boy Advance became outdated, so too did Tekken Advance.

3 Virtua Fighter 3 (1996)

A Game That Pioneered In Many Areas

Platform(s): Dreamcast, Arcade video game
Released: July 26, 1996
Developer(s): Sega AM2, Hidenori Shoji
Genre(s): Fighting game
Pioneer in 3D graphics in the fighting genre
Complex combos and skill-based combat

In numerous aspects, Virtua Fighter 3 revolutionized fighting games during the late 90s. Unlike its contemporaries, it boasted multi-level stages, authentic physics, and groundbreaking 3D graphics in its field. But what truly set it apart was its intricate, skill-based combat system. With more than a dozen characters to select from and countless combos and attacks at your disposal, players were given ample freedom to create their preferred fighting style.

As a dedicated gamer, I can tell you that this title was initially confined to the Sega Dreamcast and select arcade machines, which unfortunately restricted its reach by keeping it out of other booming markets and consoles during its time. Much like Tekken Advance, the fact that it never made its way onto other platforms means that finding a brand-new copy of this game has become something of a challenge, despite countless fans expressing their desire for it to be re-released.

2 Capcom Vs. SNK 2: Mark Of The Millennium 2001 (2001)

A Fighting Game With One Of The Most Complete Rosters To Date

The developers opted for a 2D style, although the norm at the time was 3D
Over 40 characters with different combos and attacks

Not many games have attempted a crossover as daring as the one in Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium. This game matched up characters from Capcom’s popular Street Fighter series with those from SNK’s King of Fighters lineup. The game offered six distinct fighting systems, each intricate to master yet enjoyable to play with. The roster was impressive too, boasting over 40 characters for players to select based on their tastes.

Back in the day, when most fighting games had transitioned to a 3D realm, I found myself immersed in the classic 2D world of “Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millennium Battle”. Despite being an era of advanced polygons, the developers chose to stick with the timeless 2D artistry, and boy, did it shine!

1 Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (2008)

A Great Title With An Ambitious Crossover

Platform(s): Wii, Arcade video game
Released: December 11, 2008
Developer(s): Eighting, Capcom
Genre(s): Fighting game, Action game
Exclusive to the Nintendo Wii
Great visuals and fluid combat

As a gamer, let me tell you, I’ve come across hidden gems in the gaming world and one such gem is Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. Despite not being as widely played as other fighting games out there, it holds a special place in Capcom’s extensive crossover series. This game brings together characters from both Capcom and Tatsunoko Production, offering a unique blend of Japanese animation and gaming action.

The game Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars was widely acclaimed for its smooth gameplay and stunning graphics, which were challenging to create at that time, given the Wii’s graphical constraints. Sadly, like many ambitious crossover games, it encountered numerous licensing problems, making it impossible to sell officially. Nowadays, you might find a used copy available, but be prepared for prices that are usually steep.

2024-10-05 10:33