Breakers Revenge
Encyclopedia
is a competitive fighting game
developed by Visco
, which was released for the Neo Geo
coin-operated platform on December 17, . Home versions were released for the Neo Geo cartridge console on March 21, , and for the Neo Geo CD
on April 25, .
An updated version titled was released exclusively for the arcades on July 3, .
, Special
and 3). The special actions are also similar to other fighting games from the same era, although the dashing and back-stepping techniques tend to differ between characters (some of them will roll on the floor for example). Additionally, the player can move while standing up after a fall. The game system emphasizes balance between characters by featuring an elaborate damage adjustment feature.
The player also can perform super moves by accumulating enough energy in their power gauge and performing the command (the power gauge can be filled up to three levels). To accumulate energy for the Power Gauge, the player must perform special actions such as taunting, dashing, back-stepping, rolling, etc. Like most fighting games, the player can cancel a regular move into a special move or special move into a super move, but the player can also connect one super move to another until their Power Gauge runs out, allowing the player to perform acrobatic combos. Because of its emphasis on damage adjustment, it is hard to spam the same attacks for great damage.
The matches follows the standard one-on-one best two-of-three format like most fighting games, but a match can last up to five rounds if there is no clear-cut winner in previous rounds (the game will end if both fighters lose the fifth round and no bonus points will be awarded if one wins the fifth round). In the single player mode, if the CPU
uses the same character as the player, then the CPU-controlled character's name display will have a different name.
The home versions of the game were released for the Neo-Geo AES and the Neo-Geo CD. Both versions feature an option menu with a sound test allowing the player to play the game's music, sound effects and voices. The CD version adds a 2-player Versus Mode and a Survival Mode. The music is also slightly-arranged. The final boss Bai-Hu is also a playable character in the CD version.
Somewhere in Hong Kong
, two martial artists face each other in a vast courtyard. The challenger is a stout man in brown skin. The ground has been tainted with blood. However, his crescent blade hasn't touched his opponent yet. It was a one-sided battle. He was already exhausted and it won't be long before he would fall. "Fool, you will become one of my family" resounded the opponent's voice, as the challenger crumbled to the floor and was turned into sand.
The Fighting Instinct Tournament, or FIST, is a tournament as fierce as its name suggest. There was no shortage of martial artists who entered the tournament seeking fame, and yet there were many who left the tournament as corpses. The last challenger who remains in this lawless tournament gets to challenge the organizer of the tournament, the Head of the Huang Financial Clique, for the chance to win the massive prize money. The martial artist who can manage to defeat him will obtain the honor of truly calling him or herself the strongest. However, none of the martial artists who were chosen to challenge the champion in a private final match have ever come back alive. Nobody knows when exactly the tournament is held, since only an avaricious will was spiraling over there. The sponsor is actually an evil spirit who possessed the body of a modern man from Hong Kong who has established a selection system to amplify his dark powers. The FIST tournament has gathered numerous participants from around the globe and another sacrifice will be chosen this year.
- The lead character. A young karate
master from Japan who is pursuing strength. He harbors the belief that his "fist must protect the weak" and hates having to compromise this. He will go anywhere where there is someone claiming to be the strongest. He is determined to participate at the FIST tournament, aware that the chances of survival in that tournament are slim. Another reason for his participation in the tournament is to face his old rival Dao-Long. He once fought Dao-Long in the past and ended with a scar on his cheek, a painful remainder of his defeat. He has considered Dao-Long his rival ever since and has trained further to challenge him in a rematch. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as .
- Sho's rival and senior. A young kung fu
master from Korea who practices a style called the "Empty Fist." He worships the dragon as a messenger from God and techniques he uses are the results from that devotion. The only memory of his father is that of a black shadow forging his martial art skills. He was told by his late mother that Bai-Hu, the sponsor of the FIST tournament, was the man responsible for his father's death. He returned to his home country after his confidence in his Kung-Fu skills was increased by his battle with his rival Sho and his training with his father. He now enters the FIST tournament to uncover the mystery of his father's supposed death. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as , and wears a slightly different outfit.
(voice actor: Minako Arakawa) - A female fighter in a red leotard and headband famous for her kicks. She is searching for her brother, a martial arts champion who was captured by Bai-Hu. Her name in the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy was Shelly Tarlar, which was given to her clone counterpart in Breakers. Her prototype version wears a slightly different outfit.
- A French nobleman who fights with a fencer's weapon (most likely an épée or sabre
) and the power of lightning. He lives a luxurious life and only about his wealth and personal appearance. He keeps a butler and nameless valet in his company. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, his name was spelled as Pierre Montalio, with the "l"'s and "r" switched.
- A Native American
fighter who uses a powerful grappling style. He seeks to seal away the evil spirit that possessed Bai-Hu. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as Red Gigars, a name given to his clone counterpart.
- A stocky Arabian man who fights with a scimitar
and uses fire projectiles, but can also inflate himself like a balloon. Searches for his missing comrade who, unbeknownst to him, was murdered by Bai-Hu. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as .
- A wild-hearted protector of the wilderness and forests of the Amazon
who attacks with her claws and speed. She is investigating the shadow of an evil sprit for the Amazonians. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, she was known as Virgo Sandra, which was given to her clone counterpart in Breakers.
- An undead ancient Egypt
ian with rubber-like limbs who uses electric and poison attacks. He was sealed in a tomb for 4,000 years by the spirit that possessed Bai-Hu. He seeks to restore his old kingdom. Unlike other characters, in the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, his main name is the same name in Breakers, and was neither changed to a different name, nor given to his clone counterpart.
- The game's final boss. Supposedly the world's strongest martial artist, he is an evil spirit who killed Dao-Long's father and possessed his body. He uses fire and lightning attacks, and his repertoire is very projectile heavy. He is the only character in the game to not have his own differently named, differently colored clone character. Therefore, two of him in one battle would be "Bai-Hu vs. Bai-Hu" with same colors. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as Dostov.
- A ninja
who seeks revenge on Bai-Hu for the slaughter of his clan. His attacks use fire and various animals. He is the only new character in Breakers Revenge.
. - Tia's alter-ego. A female kickboxer
who fought Tia's brother in the past and is a local celebrity in her hometown. She possesses the so-called "Gem of Water". - Pielle's alter-ego. A Frenchman who was once robbed during a trip to Italy
and has harbored a hatred for Italians ever since. - Condor's alter-ego. He is a distant relative of Condor whose clan shares a common ancestry with Condor's. He possesses the so-called "Gem of Earth". - Maherl's alter-ego. A cheerful butcher who uses his butchering blade as a combat weapon. - Rila's alter-ego. A woman who was entrusted to the "forest tribe" as an orphan and was raised by a giant snake. She possesses the so-called "Green Gem". Her surname, "Sandra", comes from the village where she lives. - Alsion III's alter-ego. A fan of ancient civilization who dresses up like a mummy
. When he is in this form, he can use the techniques of the "Pharaoh
Taijutsu
" style. In reality, he is a descendant of Alsion III. - Saizo's alter-ego. Like his counterpart, he appears only in Breakers Revenge. It is uncertain whether he is a real ninja or just a fanatic dressing like one.
during the same year revealed the first screenshot of the game. An issue of Geibunsha's Super Gamers magazine published a strategy guide for this prototype, which differs from the released version by having only a single-level special move gauge, different commands and move names for some of the characters, and having the same Super Move command (ABCD simultaneously) for all the characters.
Tenrin no Syo would underwent location testing on June 1994 at the Famil game center near Shiinamachi Station
and was later shown at the AM Show during the same year, before the game was revamped and retitled Breakers.
. Along with no home ports of Breakers Revenge being released, the home ports of the original Breakers was never released outside of Japan, pushing it deeper into obscurity. However, due to several people considering it a very good fighting game, it can be seen played in some fighting game tournaments in Japan, even today.
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
developed by Visco
Visco Corporation
is a Japanese software company located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in by , and later became corporate on August 8, while revealing itself as "Visco" in Kanamecho, Toshima, Tokyo Japan. They originally developed video games for several platforms from the arcades and NES, to the...
, which was released for the Neo Geo
Neo Geo (console)
The is a cartridge-based arcade and home video game system released on July 1, 1991 by Japanese game company SNK. Being in the Fourth generation of Gaming, it was the first console in the former Neo Geo family, which only lived through the 1990s...
coin-operated platform on December 17, . Home versions were released for the Neo Geo cartridge console on March 21, , and for the Neo Geo CD
Neo Geo CD
is a game console from SNK that was released in 1994, four years after its cartridge-based equivalent, in an effort to reduce manufacturing costs. It is the second console of the Neo Geo family. The system was originally priced at US$300 new. The unit's 1X CD-ROM drive was slow, making loading...
on April 25, .
An updated version titled was released exclusively for the arcades on July 3, .
Gameplay
The controls of the game is similar to that of SNK's earlier installments in their Fatal Fury series (particularly Fatal Fury 2Fatal Fury 2
is a 1992 fighting video game released by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade and home platforms. It is the sequel to Fatal Fury: King of Fighters and the second game in the Fatal Fury franchise.-Gameplay:...
, Special
Fatal Fury Special
is a 1993 head-to-head fighting game produced by SNK originally released for the Neo Geo arcade and home platforms. It is an updated version of Fatal Fury 2, introducing several changes to the gameplay system while expanding the available character roster....
and 3). The special actions are also similar to other fighting games from the same era, although the dashing and back-stepping techniques tend to differ between characters (some of them will roll on the floor for example). Additionally, the player can move while standing up after a fall. The game system emphasizes balance between characters by featuring an elaborate damage adjustment feature.
The player also can perform super moves by accumulating enough energy in their power gauge and performing the command (the power gauge can be filled up to three levels). To accumulate energy for the Power Gauge, the player must perform special actions such as taunting, dashing, back-stepping, rolling, etc. Like most fighting games, the player can cancel a regular move into a special move or special move into a super move, but the player can also connect one super move to another until their Power Gauge runs out, allowing the player to perform acrobatic combos. Because of its emphasis on damage adjustment, it is hard to spam the same attacks for great damage.
The matches follows the standard one-on-one best two-of-three format like most fighting games, but a match can last up to five rounds if there is no clear-cut winner in previous rounds (the game will end if both fighters lose the fifth round and no bonus points will be awarded if one wins the fifth round). In the single player mode, if the CPU
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
uses the same character as the player, then the CPU-controlled character's name display will have a different name.
The home versions of the game were released for the Neo-Geo AES and the Neo-Geo CD. Both versions feature an option menu with a sound test allowing the player to play the game's music, sound effects and voices. The CD version adds a 2-player Versus Mode and a Survival Mode. The music is also slightly-arranged. The final boss Bai-Hu is also a playable character in the CD version.
Breakers Revenge
Breakers Revenge is an upgraded version of Breakers that was released exclusively for the arcades. It introduces one new character named Saizo and makes the final boss Bai-Fu into a playable character. Revenge makes adjustment to the character balance by weakening the previously overpowered Condor and removing Sho's infinite combo from the first game. However, the opening intro is almost identical to that of the first game and game's graphics are not that different; however, the lifebars were modified to look different compared to the first game's lifebars, while some stages' graphics were removed (e.g. flags in Sho Kamui's stage).Plot
The following plot summary is translated from the home versions' manual:Somewhere in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, two martial artists face each other in a vast courtyard. The challenger is a stout man in brown skin. The ground has been tainted with blood. However, his crescent blade hasn't touched his opponent yet. It was a one-sided battle. He was already exhausted and it won't be long before he would fall. "Fool, you will become one of my family" resounded the opponent's voice, as the challenger crumbled to the floor and was turned into sand.
The Fighting Instinct Tournament, or FIST, is a tournament as fierce as its name suggest. There was no shortage of martial artists who entered the tournament seeking fame, and yet there were many who left the tournament as corpses. The last challenger who remains in this lawless tournament gets to challenge the organizer of the tournament, the Head of the Huang Financial Clique, for the chance to win the massive prize money. The martial artist who can manage to defeat him will obtain the honor of truly calling him or herself the strongest. However, none of the martial artists who were chosen to challenge the champion in a private final match have ever come back alive. Nobody knows when exactly the tournament is held, since only an avaricious will was spiraling over there. The sponsor is actually an evil spirit who possessed the body of a modern man from Hong Kong who has established a selection system to amplify his dark powers. The FIST tournament has gathered numerous participants from around the globe and another sacrifice will be chosen this year.
Main characters
The original Breakers features a roster of eight playable characters and a single boss character who is playable only in the home versions. Additionally, each of the playable character has a differently named palette-swapped alter-ego that each character face during the single-player mode instead of the usual clone. Breakers Revenge introduces one new character and turns the boss into a playable character as well.- The lead character. A young karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
master from Japan who is pursuing strength. He harbors the belief that his "fist must protect the weak" and hates having to compromise this. He will go anywhere where there is someone claiming to be the strongest. He is determined to participate at the FIST tournament, aware that the chances of survival in that tournament are slim. Another reason for his participation in the tournament is to face his old rival Dao-Long. He once fought Dao-Long in the past and ended with a scar on his cheek, a painful remainder of his defeat. He has considered Dao-Long his rival ever since and has trained further to challenge him in a rematch. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as .
- Sho's rival and senior. A young kung fu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
master from Korea who practices a style called the "Empty Fist." He worships the dragon as a messenger from God and techniques he uses are the results from that devotion. The only memory of his father is that of a black shadow forging his martial art skills. He was told by his late mother that Bai-Hu, the sponsor of the FIST tournament, was the man responsible for his father's death. He returned to his home country after his confidence in his Kung-Fu skills was increased by his battle with his rival Sho and his training with his father. He now enters the FIST tournament to uncover the mystery of his father's supposed death. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as , and wears a slightly different outfit.
(voice actor: Minako Arakawa) - A female fighter in a red leotard and headband famous for her kicks. She is searching for her brother, a martial arts champion who was captured by Bai-Hu. Her name in the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy was Shelly Tarlar, which was given to her clone counterpart in Breakers. Her prototype version wears a slightly different outfit.
- A French nobleman who fights with a fencer's weapon (most likely an épée or sabre
Sabre
The sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
) and the power of lightning. He lives a luxurious life and only about his wealth and personal appearance. He keeps a butler and nameless valet in his company. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, his name was spelled as Pierre Montalio, with the "l"'s and "r" switched.
- A Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
fighter who uses a powerful grappling style. He seeks to seal away the evil spirit that possessed Bai-Hu. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as Red Gigars, a name given to his clone counterpart.
- A stocky Arabian man who fights with a scimitar
Scimitar
A scimitar is a backsword or sabre with a curved blade, originating in Southwest Asia .The Arabic term saif translates to "sword" in general, but is normally taken to refer to the scimitar type of curved backsword in particular.The curved sword or "scimitar" was widespread throughout the Muslim...
and uses fire projectiles, but can also inflate himself like a balloon. Searches for his missing comrade who, unbeknownst to him, was murdered by Bai-Hu. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as .
- A wild-hearted protector of the wilderness and forests of the Amazon
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
who attacks with her claws and speed. She is investigating the shadow of an evil sprit for the Amazonians. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, she was known as Virgo Sandra, which was given to her clone counterpart in Breakers.
- An undead ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
ian with rubber-like limbs who uses electric and poison attacks. He was sealed in a tomb for 4,000 years by the spirit that possessed Bai-Hu. He seeks to restore his old kingdom. Unlike other characters, in the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, his main name is the same name in Breakers, and was neither changed to a different name, nor given to his clone counterpart.
- The game's final boss. Supposedly the world's strongest martial artist, he is an evil spirit who killed Dao-Long's father and possessed his body. He uses fire and lightning attacks, and his repertoire is very projectile heavy. He is the only character in the game to not have his own differently named, differently colored clone character. Therefore, two of him in one battle would be "Bai-Hu vs. Bai-Hu" with same colors. In the 1994 prototype Crystal Legacy, he was known as Dostov.
- A ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
who seeks revenge on Bai-Hu for the slaughter of his clan. His attacks use fire and various animals. He is the only new character in Breakers Revenge.
Clone characters
During the single-player mode, instead of fighting a clone of their character, the player will face a differently named, differently colored alter-ego. Even though these alter-egos have different names and back-stories, but are otherwise palette-swaps of the regular characters. - Sho's alter-ego, named after a certain game company employee. A karate master who is Sho and Dao-Long's senior. A big fan of the band group TUBE. - Dao-Long's alter-ego, although he has no connection with him. He resents his girlfriend for leaving him and aspires to become a voice actorVoice acting
Voice acting is the art of providing voices for animated characters and radio and audio dramas and comedy, as well as doing voice-overs in radio and television commercials, audio dramas, dubbed foreign language films, video games, puppet shows, and amusement rides.Performers are called...
. - Tia's alter-ego. A female kickboxer
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
who fought Tia's brother in the past and is a local celebrity in her hometown. She possesses the so-called "Gem of Water". - Pielle's alter-ego. A Frenchman who was once robbed during a trip to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and has harbored a hatred for Italians ever since. - Condor's alter-ego. He is a distant relative of Condor whose clan shares a common ancestry with Condor's. He possesses the so-called "Gem of Earth". - Maherl's alter-ego. A cheerful butcher who uses his butchering blade as a combat weapon. - Rila's alter-ego. A woman who was entrusted to the "forest tribe" as an orphan and was raised by a giant snake. She possesses the so-called "Green Gem". Her surname, "Sandra", comes from the village where she lives. - Alsion III's alter-ego. A fan of ancient civilization who dresses up like a mummy
Mummy
A mummy is a body, human or animal, whose skin and organs have been preserved by either intentional or incidental exposure to chemicals, extreme coldness , very low humidity, or lack of air when bodies are submerged in bogs, so that the recovered body will not decay further if kept in cool and dry...
. When he is in this form, he can use the techniques of the "Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...
Taijutsu
Taijutsu
is a Japanese blanket term for any combat skill, technique or system of martial art using body movements that are described as an empty-hand combat skill or system. The term is commonly used when referring to a traditional Japanese martial art but has also been used in the naming of modern martial...
" style. In reality, he is a descendant of Alsion III. - Saizo's alter-ego. Like his counterpart, he appears only in Breakers Revenge. It is uncertain whether he is a real ninja or just a fanatic dressing like one.
Development
Breakers was originally announced in 1993 under the title of Crystal Legacy in English, or in Japanese. The game was first announced in the premiere issue of published by Byakuya Shobo in 1993, while the first issue of published by Tokuma ShotenTokuma Shoten
is a publisher in Japan, that was established in 1954.The company was also the parent company for the film studio Daiei Motion Pictures, bought in 1974, and the record label Tokuma Japan Communications, bought in 1972, until both were sold off when Yasuyoshi Tokuma, who established this company,...
during the same year revealed the first screenshot of the game. An issue of Geibunsha's Super Gamers magazine published a strategy guide for this prototype, which differs from the released version by having only a single-level special move gauge, different commands and move names for some of the characters, and having the same Super Move command (ABCD simultaneously) for all the characters.
Tenrin no Syo would underwent location testing on June 1994 at the Famil game center near Shiinamachi Station
Shiinamachi Station
is a railway station in Toshima, Tokyo, Japan. This station is served by the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. Shiinamachi is the second station leaving from Ikebukuro Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.-Adjacent stations:...
and was later shown at the AM Show during the same year, before the game was revamped and retitled Breakers.
Reception
The game is rather obscure in the arcade and Neo Geo scene, likely due to its somewhat uninspired visuals and character designs, but it has gained something of a cult following thanks to its solid gameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
. Along with no home ports of Breakers Revenge being released, the home ports of the original Breakers was never released outside of Japan, pushing it deeper into obscurity. However, due to several people considering it a very good fighting game, it can be seen played in some fighting game tournaments in Japan, even today.
External links
- Official Breakers Revenge website
- Breakers at Jap-Sai