Great Forgotten Competitive Games

Highlights

Competitive games create social scenes, grow communities, and inspire new mechanics for future games.
Older games may lose interest, but dedicated fans support them with community-based tournaments.
Unique games like Tatsunoko vs Capcom and Lethal League Blaze offer engaging gameplay for players of all levels.

As a lifelong fanatic of fighting games, I’ve had my fair share of battles, both virtual and real-life. Among these digital duels, there are some gems that stand out from the crowd, and today, I’d like to share three of my favorites with you, dear reader.

Competing games serve as enchanting tools that foster camaraderie among gamers in a social setting. Beyond providing obstacles, they also present chances for interaction with both teammates and adversaries. At their best, these competitive games expand their user base while earning backing from players and creators alike. Their influence even triggers the creation of fresh games incorporating recognizable elements with innovative twists.

As the years pass, there’s a noticeable decline in interest for classic games compared to newer competitive titles, often from developers. However, the dedicated fanbase keeps these older games alive through community-organized tournaments. Although many may have forgotten about the earlier games, their significant influence on the gaming scene will forever endure.

10 Tatsunoko Vs Capcom Ultimate All-Stars

2v2 Clash Of Anime And Video Game Casts

Released: January 26, 2010
System: Wii
Developer: Eighting
Publisher: Capcom

The game titled “Tatsunoko vs Capcom Ultimate All-Stars” is a unique fighting game that brings together Capcom’s legendary gaming characters and Tatsunoko Production’s cherished anime characters. Initially launched in Japan under the name “Cross Generation of Heroes” in 2008, its updated version also made its way onto North America and Europe’s Wii libraries two years later. Notably, this is the first entry in the “Capcom vs” series to use fully-modeled 3D characters instead of the traditional 2D character sprites within 3D environments. Its influence was significant, particularly for the development of “Marvel vs Capcom 3“.

The core of this game lies in key elements such as team assists and a unique feature called Baroque, which is a system that offers extended combos at the expense of recoverable health. As more health is spent to activate Baroque, the damage it inflicts grows, potentially benefiting or harming the player. Characters can join forces with any representative from well-known series like Megaman and Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, as well as lesser-known ones such as Onimusha and Yatterman. The game has a strong following among dedicated fans, particularly through community events like Frosty Faustings. However, its biggest drawback is the limited availability due to its exclusivity on the old Wii platform.

9 Neo Geo Battle Coliseum

Love Letter For SNK series

Released: December 11, 2007 (NA)
System: PS2
Developer: SNK Playmore
Publisher: SNK Playmore (NA), Ignition (EU)

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement over the creation that is Neo Geo Battle Coliseum! This fantastic game brings together an array of characters from various SNK series, merging them into thrilling tag-team battles. The roster features both original heroes hailing from the Neo Geo universe and familiar faces from iconic IPs such as King of Fighters, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Samurai Shodown, Athena, and many others.

The game was created to resemble classic King of Fighters, offering cancel moves and special abilities for a smoother experience and balance for the viewers. However, its sixth-generation launch has made it challenging to host more community tournaments because there’s no online mode available. It primarily competes in specific events such as Tournament of Thrones and East Coast Throwdown.

8 Lethal League Blaze

Intense, High Pace Dodgeball

Released: October 24, 2018 (PC); July 12, 2019 (consoles)
Systems: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Steam
Developers: Team Reptile
Publisher: Team Reptile

Lethal League Blaze is a follow-up to its distinctive indie fighting game series, which is simple to play. Initially available on Steam, an improved version was launched for consoles and computers a year afterwards. The roster expanded from seven to twelve characters, each with unique moves and special abilities. Instead of attacking your opponent directly, the objective is to eliminate them by hitting the ball towards them. As the ball travels across the screen, its destructive power escalates up to its one-hit knockout limit.

As a lifelong gamer who has attended countless tournaments, I can confidently say that this fighter is a joy to play for both novice and experienced players alike. Its simplicity and engaging gameplay make it easy to pick up and enjoy on modern consoles, which is a significant advantage in offline and online events like Defend the North. Having played in numerous tournaments myself, I can attest to the fact that accessibility is key to ensuring a fun and inclusive gaming experience for all players. This fighter ticks all the boxes when it comes to being easy to learn yet challenging enough to keep even the most hardcore gamers engaged.

7 Arms

Competitive, Wacky Punch-Out

In this unique venture by Nintendo, the game titled “Arms” served as their endeavor to foster competitive play. This game predominantly promotes motion-controlled gaming, although players can also opt for a Pro controller or Joy-Con controllers if preferred. The game’s strategic depth and competitive spirit stem from its wide array of distinct arms and character attributes.

From its debut in 20xx till 2020, Nintendo backed Arm’s competitive spirit, hosting the Nintendo VS Arms North American Open. Even though Nintendo stopped supporting the game, smaller tournaments are still being held by the audience. Here’s hoping it catches their attention and they recognize the intellectual property’s potential.

6 Kill La Kill If

Faithful, Silky Smooth Arena Fighter

Released: July 26, 2019
System: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Developer: APLUS
Publisher: Arc System Works

If you’re a fan of “Kill La Kill” and yearn for intense clothing-shredding action, “Kill La Kill IF” delivers just that. It meticulously replicates the anime’s visual style and dynamic combat sequences, but it presents an alternate narrative focused on the main characters Satsuki and Ryuko. The roster is compact, featuring only 10 fighters, but each character retains their unique traits from the anime, like Gamagori’s towering stature and bondage suit. Its authentic representation and well-balanced cast contributed to its popularity among players when it was released.

As a gamer, I can tell you that the developers have been consistently adding DLC and tournament opportunities to this game, making it even more exciting to play. In 2019 alone, we saw massive competitive participation from events like ArcRevo America, Evo, and Ceotaku. Although the community isn’t overly large, the enthusiasm among fans for how authentically it captures the essence of anime is palpable.

5 Pokken Tournament DX

Pokemon Ultimate Tekken Storm

Pokken Tournament DX offers an over-the-top battle experience based on the anime version of Pokemon. Originally released as a port from the Wii U version, it was first launched in Japanese arcades back in July 2013. The game’s combat system boasts a distinctive feature called phase shift that alters the tempo of fights. When a critical hit lands on an opponent, the battle view transforms between the 3D battlefield and traditional 2D fighting mode. The initial roster consists of 20 characters, with additional content provided as DLC, featuring unique moves, abilities, status effects, and statistics for various Pokemon. Some Pokemon even have extraordinary abilities like mega evolution or familiar techniques such as Pikachu’s electrical electric wind godfist.

The game’s competitiveness garnered developer support until the Pokken Tournament DX World Championship 2022. However, developer participation ended following the final World Championship event. Nevertheless, fans have taken it upon themselves to organize their own events in subsequent tournaments, with some even being showcased at Frosty Faustings 2024.

4 Fantasy Strike

Free-To-Play Entry For Fighting Games

Zoners for those who prefer long-range combat, Rushdown characters for close-quarters battles, and Wild Cards for players seeking strategic flexibility.

The tournament setting is popularly enjoyed by fans, both offline and online, thanks to its rollback netcode. Players can easily get into the game on suitable platforms, giving them access to the full character roster. It’s known for being relatively simple to play and watch, with brightly-colored signs and text indicating special moves like invincibility and cross-ups.

3 Power Rangers Battle for the Grid

Morphin Into Capcom Vs Game

In simpler terms, “Power Rangers Battle for the Grid” is a three-versus-three combat game where you can combine forces with various Power Rangers characters, both allies and adversaries. This series spans from “Mighty Morphin,” “S.P.D.,” “Samurai,” “Jungle Fury,” and beyond. Many of the characters’ movesets are streamlined and influenced by other fighting games such as “Street Fighter.” Remarkably, Ryu and Chun Li were added as downloadable content in their original Power Ranger outfits.

Although the game isn’t widely recognized as a mainstream hit, it stands out for its extensive platform compatibility. Crossplay functionality is incorporated, which bridges the gap between online players across different platforms, ensuring a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, rollback netcode enhances online play by minimizing lag and delay issues. The community, despite being relatively small, actively organizes both offline and online gatherings, such as Frosty Faustings and East Coast Throwdown, to foster camaraderie among players.

2 Def Jam Fight for NY

Hardcore Ol’ School Rap Battles

If you’ve ever dreamt of stepping into the role of a renowned musician turned fighter in a secretive, perilous world, Def Jam Fight for NY could be just the game for you. This 3D combat arena title showcases captivating characters like Snoop Dogg, Carmen Electra, Sean Paul, Bless, and others. Each character boasts one of five distinct fighting styles: streetfighting, martial arts, kickboxing, submission, and wrestling. To truly excel, strategically utilize the surroundings and weapons at your disposal, particularly the crowd’s energy.

Its wacky, ambiguous idea gave the game a positive reception from critics and the player base. It’s one of the most fun hidden gems from the 6th gen library, especially with how impactful and brutal the moves are.

1 Marvel vs Capcom Infinite

Infinite Potential Of MvC

“Marvel vs Capcom Infinite” – A New Installment in the Series Featuring a 36-Character Roster

Although this game’s launch was tainted due to its disappointing visuals, content, and developer assistance, the enjoyable mechanics and rhythm of the gameplay have kept it afloat. Regrettably, it often finds itself overshadowed by Marvel vs Capcom 3. Despite a rocky start, dedicated fans continue to participate in various tournaments such as Frosty Faustings and Defend the North, drawn in by its captivating gameplay.

2024-08-03 18:34