Press release: 1997-05-15: Two Arcade Giants Clash In Fighters MegaMix On Sega Saturn

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: Sega.com (archived)

TWO ARCADE GIANTS CLASH IN FIGHTERS MEGAMIX ON SEGA SATURN

Game Informer calls Fighters MegaMix "A Fighting Fanatic's Dream Come True"

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- (May 15, 1997) --
SegaTM of America has combined the revolutionary, ferocious fighting gameplay of "Virtua FighterTM 2 " and "Fighting VipersTM," plus more options, hidden characters, new moves and additional arenas to create the must-have title for fighting game lovers -- "Fighters MegaMixTM." The game will be available exclusively for the Sega SaturnTM platform starting today.

Developed by renowned designer Hiroshi Kataoka of Sega of Japan's AM2 design and development team, "Fighters MegaMix" features full 3D characters, beautiful graphics and added shading and lighting, bringing each fighting scene to life.

"Fighters MegaMix" is the game Next Generation magazine called "the best fighting game ever." Gamers can experience the supreme team-up of more than 20 characters from "Virtua Fighter 2" and "Fighting Vipers," plus 10 hidden characters. In addition, "Fighters MegaMix" has five playing modes and 21 different fighting arenas to show off killer combos, including new moves from the arcade hit "Virtua FighterTM 3."

"This game was born in the arcades and blended to perfection for the Saturn gamer," said Ted Hoff, executive vice president, Sega of America. "With the highly popular `Virtua Fighter 2TM series and `Fighting Vipers' in our library, we had all the ingredients for the ultimate fighting game. Combining the two, and adding several new twists, we created the best fighting game in the market -- bar none."

"Fighters MegaMix" has got new moves to challenge even the most experienced fighting fan. The "Rain Drop" allows Kage to throw his opponent up into the air, do a back flip and pummel his opponent to the ground. Among other killer combos, Akira can perform the "Dragon Lance" in which he throws a kick, elbows his opponent and gives an overpowering shove with his back (also called a back body check) -- a move no opponent can overcome.

Other new features thrown in the mix include "Dodging," a "Virtua Fighter 3" move which allows characters to move in or out of the screen to avoid opponents' attacks without blocking, and the "Armor" feature which lets "Virtua Fighter 2" characters utilize armor-destruction moves, leaving "Fighting Vipers" characters vulnerable and exposed.

Sega has added 10 hidden characters to "Fighters MegaMix" from previous AM2 titles. Each hidden character has his/her own killer moves ranging from the DaytonaTM Car that can burn rubber on the opponent's neck; to Janet, a "Virtua CopTM 2" character that packs more than a mean punch; and Mr. Meat, a big piece of meat with hands and feet that can throw powerful punches and kicks, and can only be uncovered by furious fighting fans who have cleared all nine courses and logged 84 hours of play time. Other hidden characters include Shiba, Rent-a-Hero, Bean and Bark from "Sonic FightersTM," "Virtua Fighter Kids" characters, Palm Tree (the AM2 development team symbol) and many more.

Gamers can choose fighting arenas ranging from the "Fighting Vipers" nowhere to run environments to the open spaces from "Virtua Fighter 2" with no ring outs. "Fighters MegaMix" features five different modes of play:

    Player Mode - select a fighter and fight through a preset course of opponents.
    Survival Mode - fight against the clock.
    Vs. Mode - for 1 or 2 players.
    Team Battle Mode - create a team of up to 8 players to pit against other teams.
    Training Mode - perfect the moves of each character on a defenseless training dummy.

"Fighters MegaMix" will be in more than 20,000 stores carrying Sega Saturn games starting today for a suggested retail price of $49.99. The game is also available for rental in Blockbuster stores across the country.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of video game systems and video games in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a nearly $3.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside an outside of the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com.