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-- Sonic the Fighters --
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Formats: Arcade
Genre: Fighter
Developer: AM2
Rating: N/A
Debut: June, 1996 (Japan)
Cast: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Nack the Weasel/Fang the Sniper, Espio the Chameleon, Bean the Dynamite, Bark the Polarbear, Metal Sonic, Dr. Ivo Robotnik/Eggman
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No sooner has Robotnik's Death Egg been knocked out of the sky than the doc begins construction
of a superior model: the Death Egg II. Tails' transformable reconnaissance robot locates the
machine in outer space and relays images to Tails' base. Our fox buddy throws together a
spaceship to reach the Death Egg II, but there are a couple of problems: the ship requires power
from the eight (yes, there are eight in this game) Chaos Emeralds to launch, and it only seats
one. The Emeralds are scattered around the planet, in the possession of eight "guardians". One
each with Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Nack the
Weasel, Espio the Chameleon, Bark the Polarbear, and Bean the Dynamite. Sonic and Tails meet
Knuckles on Floating Island to determine the best course of action. Knuckles points out that,
since there's only room for one, only the strongest should go. Of course, he decides that he's
the logical choice, and demands that Sonic give him his Chaos Emerald. Sonic, not being
particularly fond of Knuckles' methods, prepares to start a fight. Just as the two are about to
go the rounds, however, Tails interrupts the brawl with an idea: they hold a fighting tournament
to determine the strongest one fair and square.
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-- International Info --
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Area
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Title
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Debut
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Japan
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Sonic the Fighters
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June, 1996
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USA
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Sonic Championship
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July, 1996
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Perhaps Sonic's most unusual genre-bending, Sonic the Fighters was designed by Sega's
premiere arcade R&D department -- AM2 -- as a somewhat simpler and more animated take on their
tried & true 3D fighting formula. The object was to attract those who didn't previously take
much of an interest in fighters, namely young children and female players.
Like most Sega fighters, the game implemented a simple three-button attack system. Punch, Kick,
and Dash, with all other moves being combos of these three. Noticably, there is no "block"
button. Each character has shield Barriers...these Barriers can be broken with special moves
(similar to the Fighting Vipers armor system). Once all Barriers are broken, that
character can't guard again until the next round.
Although it got a fairly wide release in Japan, Sonic Championship (as it was known over
here) was very minimally received in US arcades. It almost didn't make it over at all, because
Sega of America was at the peak of their utter stupidity phase at the time, and they thought the
game was "too violent" to be associated with Sonic. Might not as well have, as you'd be hard
pressed to find a machine at even the most elite of arcades. A Saturn conversion was long
planned, but never came to fruition.
It's possible to get remotely aquainted with StF's fighting style through Fighters Megamix
on the Sega Saturn. After completing the "Muscle" round, Bark the Polarbear and Bean the
Dynamite become playable characters. From what I can assess, the gameplay is similar to
Virtua Fighter, only on a much simpler level. Combos aren't as complex or flashy, and
hand-to-hand combat is easier in general. (It should also be noted that the characters can
literally run up walls...) Of course, I'm not about to try and rate the entire game based off of
my experience as Bark and Bean in Fighters Megamix, but I've brushed around the edges
enough to speculate that most amateurs and newcomer fighting fans should enjoy it, but hardcore
VF otaku probably won't find anything to write home about.
Meet the combatants and their individual specialties:
- Sonic the Hedgehog -- Spin Attack
- Miles "Tails" Prower -- Propeller Dash
- Knuckles the Echidna -- Knuckle Glider
- Amy Rose -- Magical Hammer
- Espio the Chameleon -- Tongue Attack
- Fang the Sniper -- Popgun
- Bean the Dynamite -- Bomb Attack
- Bark the Polarbear -- Throw
- Metal Sonic -- All
- Like Dural from the Virtua Fighter series, Metal Sonic has the moves of every
character in the game at his disposal. To top that off, he takes off alot more damage,
and can attack from a distance with a laser from his stomach.
- Dr. Eggman -- None
- Robotnik is the final bonus round. He has no special attacks at all outside of a
PPP combo and a throw. The catch: you have to beat him in under fifteen seconds if you
want the good ending.
- Super Sonic -- Super Spin Attack
- Plays exactly like Sonic, except he's faster and can receive no damage. Super Sonic
is only obtainable in round two against Metal Sonic. You must have first beaten every
opponent without losing a single round...
And the arenas:
- South Island
- Flying Carpet
- Aurora Icefield
- Mushroom Hill
- Canyon Cruise
- Casino Night
- Dynamite Plant
- Giant Wing
- Death Egg's Eye
- Death Egg's Hangar
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-- MIDI Collection --
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None available
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"Sonic the Fighters" logo taken from
Sega Entertainment Universe. Screenshots thanks to Jonathan
"WB" Gray. Additional gameplay info thanks to "Mr. Dordray" and Martin Braid. Information
compiled and arranged by Jared "Green Gibbon!"
Matte.
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