World Heroes 2
Encyclopedia
is a fighting
arcade game
developed and published by ADK
with the assistance of SNK
(now known as SNK Playmore
). It was originally released for the Neo Geo MVS
arcade cabinet on April 28, 1993. It is the sequel to the fighting arcade game World Heroes
, as well as the second title of the World Heroes series.
It was followed by a sequel released less than a year later titled World Heroes 2 Jet
.
In "Normal Game" mode, the object is to first defeat all six playable characters introduced in World Heroes 2, then defeat four of the original eight characters introduced in the original World Heroes chosen by the game randomly. After that, the player must defeat the two bosses, Neo Geegus and Dio to win the game. The rule in each battle against a character, like in most fighting games at the time of its release, requires the players to win two-of three rounds to completely win against the opponent. If the timer runs out before anyone is knocked out, the one with the most health in his/her lifebars wins.
In "Death Match" mode, the object of this mode is the same as "Normal Game" mode, but with new stages that feature new environmental hazards and a unique lifebar. Unlike most fighting games at the time, the lifebar in "Death Match" mode has a different rule. If the player hits his or her opponent, the arrow on the lifebar will move toward the opponent's side at a distance depending on certain moves performed against the opponent. If the arrow scrolls at the end of the opponent's side, he/she loses. If the arrow is perfectly in the middle with the time running out, the battle becomes a draw.
in both Japan and North America on June 4, 1993, which is the same as the Neo Geo MVS version like nearly every AES versions of Neo Geo titles. World Heroes 2 was later ported to the Neo Geo CD
exclusively in Japan by ADK on April 14, 1995, which everything in it is identical to the MVS and AES versions, with the exception of replacing FM chiptune background music
with arranged versions. Outside of SNK's platforms, it was first ported by Hudson Soft
to the PC-Engine Super CD-ROM² exclusively in Japan on June 4, 1994, as part of a series of titles that use the Arcade Card expansion for the PC-Engine Super CD-ROM² along with three Neo Geo titles also equally ported by Hudson Soft: Art of Fighting
, Fatal Fury 2
and Fatal Fury Special
. It features a mixture of arranged and chiptune BGM, as well as nearly identical graphics, sound effects and voice samples to the original Neo Geo versions. Later, World Heroes 2 was ported and published by Saurus to the SNES in Japan on July 1, 1994, while this specific port was later published in North America by Takara
in September 1994.
On October 18, 2007, SNK Playmore
added it along with its predecessor and successors to the arcade game compilation in Japan for the PlayStation 2
. It was later published in North America on March 11, 2008, and on November 7, 2008, both titled as World Heroes Anthology
. This compilation was reprinted as part of a series of best-sellers subtitled "The Best" in Japan on June, 18, 2009. The Neo Geo AES version was later re-released on the Wii
Virtual Console
in Japan on November 15, 2011.
Pony Canyon
and Scitron Label published both an original soundtrack simply titled World Heroes 2 exclusively in Japan on June 18, 1993, and an image album titled on October 21, 1993. In this image album, the first track titled was used for six years as the opening theme for Fuji Television
's news program, News JAPAN.
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...
arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
developed and published by ADK
ADK (company)
, also known as , was a Japanese video game production company founded sometime in July of 1980. "ADK" is an acronym for Alpha, Denshi, and the Japanese term for "corporation", Kabushiki kaisha...
with the assistance of SNK
SNK
SNK is a former name of SNK Playmore, a Japanese video game company . This may also refer to:* SNK European Democrats* SNK Union of Independents* Southeast Airlines ICAO code...
(now known as SNK Playmore
SNK Playmore
SNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....
). It was originally released for the Neo Geo MVS
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...
arcade cabinet on April 28, 1993. It is the sequel to the fighting arcade game World Heroes
World Heroes (arcade game)
is a fighting arcade game developed and published by Alpha Denshi with the assistance of SNK . It was originally released for the Neo Geo MVS arcade cabinet on July 28, 1992...
, as well as the second title of the World Heroes series.
It was followed by a sequel released less than a year later titled World Heroes 2 Jet
World Heroes 2 Jet
is a fighting arcade game developed and published by ADK with the assistance of SNK . It was originally released for the Neo Geo MVS arcade cabinet on April 26, 1994...
.
Gameplay
World Heroes 2 has most of the elements of its predecessor, such as the same three out of four button layout, movements and motion commands performed using an 8-way joystick, and the "Normal Game" and "Death Match" modes. However, the "C" button can either be used to throw when close enough to the opponent, or taunt against the opponent. New additions include six new characters, new and modified moves and fighting statistics added to the original eight playable characters returning from the first World Heroes, projectile-reflecting, counter-grabbing, air-dashing and a faster movement. There are fourteen playable characters in all.In "Normal Game" mode, the object is to first defeat all six playable characters introduced in World Heroes 2, then defeat four of the original eight characters introduced in the original World Heroes chosen by the game randomly. After that, the player must defeat the two bosses, Neo Geegus and Dio to win the game. The rule in each battle against a character, like in most fighting games at the time of its release, requires the players to win two-of three rounds to completely win against the opponent. If the timer runs out before anyone is knocked out, the one with the most health in his/her lifebars wins.
In "Death Match" mode, the object of this mode is the same as "Normal Game" mode, but with new stages that feature new environmental hazards and a unique lifebar. Unlike most fighting games at the time, the lifebar in "Death Match" mode has a different rule. If the player hits his or her opponent, the arrow on the lifebar will move toward the opponent's side at a distance depending on certain moves performed against the opponent. If the arrow scrolls at the end of the opponent's side, he/she loses. If the arrow is perfectly in the middle with the time running out, the battle becomes a draw.
Ports and related releases
World Heroes 2 was later ported to the Neo Geo AESNeo 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...
in both Japan and North America on June 4, 1993, which is the same as the Neo Geo MVS version like nearly every AES versions of Neo Geo titles. World Heroes 2 was later ported to 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...
exclusively in Japan by ADK on April 14, 1995, which everything in it is identical to the MVS and AES versions, with the exception of replacing FM chiptune background music
Background music
Although background music was by the end of the 20th century generally identified with Muzak or elevator music, there are several stages in the development of this concept.-Antecedents:...
with arranged versions. Outside of SNK's platforms, it was first ported by Hudson Soft
Hudson Soft
, formally known as , is a majority-owned subsidiary of Konami Corporation is a Japanese electronic entertainment publisher headquartered in the Midtown Tower in Tokyo Midtown, Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with an additional office in the Hudson Building in Sapporo. It was founded on May 18, 1973...
to the PC-Engine Super CD-ROM² exclusively in Japan on June 4, 1994, as part of a series of titles that use the Arcade Card expansion for the PC-Engine Super CD-ROM² along with three Neo Geo titles also equally ported by Hudson Soft: Art of Fighting
Art of Fighting
is a trilogy of competitive fighting game titles that were released for the Neo Geo platform in the early 1990s. It was the second fighting game franchise created by SNK, following the Fatal Fury series and is set in the same fictional universe...
, Fatal Fury 2
Fatal 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:...
and Fatal Fury 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....
. It features a mixture of arranged and chiptune BGM, as well as nearly identical graphics, sound effects and voice samples to the original Neo Geo versions. Later, World Heroes 2 was ported and published by Saurus to the SNES in Japan on July 1, 1994, while this specific port was later published in North America by Takara
Takara Tomy
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
in September 1994.
On October 18, 2007, SNK Playmore
SNK Playmore
SNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....
added it along with its predecessor and successors to the arcade game compilation in Japan for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. It was later published in North America on March 11, 2008, and on November 7, 2008, both titled as World Heroes Anthology
World Heroes Anthology
World Heroes Anthology, known in Japan as , is a game compilation, which includes all four games from ADK's World Heroes series, which were a part of the early Neo Geo titles from SNK. The four games presented here World Heroes, World Heroes 2, World Heroes 2 Jet, and World Heroes Perfect. The...
. This compilation was reprinted as part of a series of best-sellers subtitled "The Best" in Japan on June, 18, 2009. The Neo Geo AES version was later re-released on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
in Japan on November 15, 2011.
Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
and Scitron Label published both an original soundtrack simply titled World Heroes 2 exclusively in Japan on June 18, 1993, and an image album titled on October 21, 1993. In this image album, the first track titled was used for six years as the opening theme for Fuji Television
Fuji Television
is a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
's news program, News JAPAN.
Official sites
- World Heroes at SNK PlaymoreSNK PlaymoreSNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....
- World Heroes series at NBC Museum of SNK PlaymoreSNK PlaymoreSNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....