During the Northern Song period of China, a group of 108 outlaws gather at Liangshan Marsh to rebel against the government. The emperor devises a cunning plan to quell the uprising by having the outlaws battle each other for the promise of riches and power. However, the cost of losing would be death.
The premise and characters were inspired by the classic Chinese novel Water Margin.
Gameplay
Character select
Modes
In the main mode, the player chooses a character to play and fights a series of matches against computer-controlled opponents. The player can choose the first opponent, then the other opponents are chosen in a random order. Every playable character is fought, including a mirror match against the same character that is being played, and the final match is against the boss Chougai. The game ends if the player loses a match but can be continued an unlimited number of times. A second player can join the game to challenge the first by pressing START at any time. There is also a dedicated two-player versus mode.
There are two pages of options, which can be switched with and . The first page of options is for the single-player mode and lets the player change the difficulty level (Easy, Normal, Hard, or Very Hard), timer speed (Slow, Normal, Fast, or Endless), the number of rounds per match (1, 3, or 5), or the game speed (Slow, Normal, or Fast). Computer-controlled opponents have a "Special Guard" barrier that can briefly surround them and protect them from any attack (besides grabs), which is used more frequently in higher difficulty levels. This second page of options is for the two-player mode and contains separate options for changing the speed of the timer and the number of rounds per match as well as the ability to toggle a training mode (which gives both fighters permanently full health, lets players do desperation moves at any time, and freezes the timer) and set a handicap for either player.
Characters
Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, and should be reversed.
P
Any punch button
LP
Light punch
MP
Medium punch
HP
Hard punch
K
Any kick button
LK
Light kick
MK
Medium kick
HK
Hard kick
Mizoguchi from Fighter's History and Yonmiyi from Fighter's History Dynamite are new additions to the roster. They have no weapons.
Characters have three different costume colors depending on the button used to select them (P, K, or START ). The default color scheme is used when the character is selected with K.
Playable
Shishin (史進)
A martial arts master with a dragon tattoo on his back. He fights with a jian (a double-edged sword).
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Flying Serpent Missile
P
Shishin thrusts his hand out and shoots a flaming dragon head across the screen. The projectile is larger and moves faster when a stronger button is used.
Flaming Serpent Sword
P (requires weapon)
Shishin slashes his flaming sword in a circle around him. When performed with MP or HP , he then jumps into the air with a flaming uppercut. He jumps higher when a stronger button is used. If it hits, he can follow up with an additional strike in midair by pressing P again. This move knocks the opponent over.
Knee Kick
K
Shishin leaps forward in an arc while striking with his knees, hitting the ground with an explosion. He leaps farther when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over. This move can only be blocked while standing.
Dashing Serpent Punch
P (without weapon)
Shishin dashes ahead with a fiery punch. He dashes further when a stronger button is used. He can follow up with a second flaming punch by pressing P again. This move knocks the opponent into the wall.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Rising Dragon
P (requires weapon)
Shishin swings his sword, creating a tall cyclone in front of him. If the opponent is caught in this cyclone, a fire dragon rushes upward, and Shishin follows with a flaming uppercut. The cyclone can dissipate projectiles.
Berserker Rage
HK (without weapon)
Shishin gathers his ki and begins to glow. While in this state, he moves faster and can link normal attacks together more easily. His vitality drains for as long as this effect is active; when he reaches his minimum vitality, the state ends.
Kosanjou (扈三娘)
An adept swordswoman who enjoys being surrounded by strong people and takes pity on the weak. She fights with a pair of sabres.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Flaming Jasmine Wave
P
Kosanjou swings a sabre to the ground (or a hand if unarmed), shooting a burning wave across the ground. The projectile is larger and moves faster when a stronger button is used. This move can only be blocked while crouching.
Samsara Kick
K
Kosanjou jumps into the air with a flaming front kick. When performed with MK or HK , she follows up with a second kick that knocks the opponent back if the first kick connects. She jumps higher when a stronger button is used.
Typhoon Slasher
P (requires weapon)
Kosanjou rises into the air while slashing with a sabre. She rises higher when a stronger button is used (barely leaving the ground when the move is performed with LP ). This move knocks the opponent back when it is performed with LP or knocks the opponent down when it is performed with MP or HP .
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Sankaku Tobi
+P or +K when jumping onto the edge of the screen
Kosanjou clings to the edge of the screen, then repels off.
Air Throw
+ HP in midair
Kosanjou grabs and throws her opponent in midair.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Jasmine Ball
P in midair (requires weapon)
Kosanjou slashes her sabres out in front of her, shooting a large energy ball diagonally downwards. If it hits, the opponent is imprisoned in a magical barrier, and Kosanjou fires a fiery wave through the air when she lands.
Berserker Rage
HK in midair (without weapon)
Kosanjou gathers her ki and begins to glow. While in this state, she moves faster and can link normal attacks together more easily. Her vitality drains for as long as this effect is active; when she reaches her minimum vitality, the state ends.
Taisou (戴宗)
A swift fighter who can move so quickly that he appears to be teleporting. He fights with a pair of sai.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Fire Palm
Hold for 1 second, then +P P
Taisou thrusts a palm out and shoots a burst of flame from it. The flame is larger when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent back.
Ki Bomb
P in midair (up to 5 times)
Taisou swings his arm and throws a fireball diagonally downwards. This move can be repeated up to 5 times to hover in the air and throw more fireballs from alternating hands.
Teleport Attack
P
Taisou vanishes, then reappears in the air above where he was standing, falling with a double-fisted hammer punch. He reappears higher in the air when a stronger button is used. This move can only be blocked while standing.
Majestic Teleport
P or K
Taisou vanishes, then reappears somewhere else. He teleports in the air in front of the opponent with LP , in the air behind the opponent with MP , right in front of the opponent with HP , right behind with opponent with any two P, behind his initial position with LK , in the same place with MK , in front of his initial position with HK , or in the air above his initial position with any two K.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Sankaku Tobi
+P or +K when jumping onto the edge of the screen
Taisou clings to the edge of the screen, then repels off.
Air Throw
+ HP in midair
Taisou grabs and throws her opponent in midair.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Shadow Charge
K (without weapon)
Taisou charges across the screen.
Super Fire Palm
HP (requires weapon)
Taisou thrusts a palm out and shoots a beam of ki across the screen.
Rinchuu (林冲)
A bojutsu master who trained soldiers in the army but has a haunted past. He fights with a qiang (a spear).
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Savage Panther Claw
P
Rinchuu waves his hand and shoots a fireball in the form of a panther across the screen. The projectile is larger and moves faster when a stronger button is used.
Typhoon Spear
P
Rinchuu vaults forward on his spear, kicking in a semicircle. He vaults slightly further when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over when it is performed with HP . When he is disarmed, he rolls forward with a handstand instead of his spear, which covers a smaller arc. This move can only be blocked while standing.
Invincible Rapid Fire
PPPPP (requires weapon)
Rinchuu stabs his burning spear in front of him rapidly.
Leaping Kick
K (requires weapon)
Rinchuu leaps forward with a kick. When performed with MK or HK , he then jumps again and slashes his spear on the way down, which can only be blocked while standing. This move knocks the opponent back when it is performed with LK or knocks the opponent down when it is performed with HK .
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Thrust Kick
+ HK
Rinchuu hops forward with a side kick. This move knocks the opponent into the wall.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Savage Panther Blitz
K (requires weapon)
Rinchuu rushes forward, then assaults his opponent with a barrage of strikes from his spear, ending by spinning his spear in circles and slicing it down.
Berserker Rage
HP (without weapon)
Rinchuu gathers his ki and begins to glow. While in this state, he moves faster and can link normal attacks together more easily. His vitality drains for as long as this effect is active; when he reaches his minimum vitality, the state ends.
Rochishin (魯智深)
A monk with immense strength and an intimidating stature. He fights with a crescent moon spade.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Flying Shadow Attack
K (requires weapon)
Rochishin charges forward with his flaming spade. He charges further when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent back. When the move is performed with MK or HK , he can follow up by swinging his spade upwards by pressing MK or HK (whichever button was used for the initial move), which launches his opponent into the air.
Manchurian Fang
P
Rochishin gathers a ball of ki above his head, then throws it to the ground in front of him. It explodes when it hits the opponent or the ground. He throws it at a wider angle when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over.
Silkworm Slash
P in midair (requires weapon)
Rochishin floats in the air and slashes his spade rapidly in a cone in front of him. The slashing motion sucks the opponent inward like a vacuum if nearby. He slashes more times when a stronger button is used.
Freeze Ball
P or K (without weapon)
Rochishin swings his fist through the air and shoots a freeze ball across the screen. If it hits, the opponent is damaged and temporarily frozen. The projectile is larger and moves faster when a stronger button is used.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Super Earth Scorcher
P (close) P (close)
Rochishin grabs and uses the opponent like a surfboard to surf to the side of the screen, ending with an explosion. This move can be blocked even though it looks like a grab.
Super Manchurian Fang
HP HP HP HP HP
Rochishin gathers three large balls of ki above his head, then throws them to the ground in front of him at increasingly far distances.
Kousonshu (公孫勝)
A Taoist priest who has learned to manipulate lightning and wind. He fights with a genjutsu (a large illusory being) named Nataku.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Earth Scorcher
P or K
Nataku picks up Kousonshu and throws him. Nataku throws Kousonshu in an arc while he is curled into a ball (or he launches himself if unarmed) when the move is performed with P or throws him along the ground while he slides in a prone position (or he launches himself if unarmed) when the move is performed with K (which can only be blocked while crouching). He is thrown further when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over.
Meteor Strike
P
Nataku picks up Kousonshu and throws him straight ahead while he is curled into a ball (or he launches himself if unarmed). This move knocks the opponent back.
Horrifying Hellraiser
P or K (requires weapon)
Nataku charges forward. He charges with a headbutt when the move is performed with P or with a sliding kick when the move is performed with K (which can only be blocked while crouching). He charges further when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over.
Mongolian Bear Hug
P (close)
Nataku picks up the opponent (unless unarmed). Kousonshu jumps to the edge of the screen, then glides past with an attack.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Sankaku Tobi
+P or +K when jumping onto the edge of the screen
Kousonshu clings to the edge of the screen, then repels off.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Super Meteor Strike
P in midair (without weapon)
Kousonshu spins his body like turbine as he falls.
Pinball Bounce
HP (requires weapon)
Nataku picks up and throws Kousonshu, who bounces around the screen like a pinball.
Bushou (武松)
A constable with a serious personality. He fights with a pair of tonfas.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Shredding Talon
K
Bushou leaps forward with a flying kick. He leaps farther when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over when it is performed with LK or HK . He can pass through to the other side of the opponent if close when the move is performed with HK .
Crushing Tiger Claw
P (requires weapon)
Bushou swings a tonfa upwards in front of him. This move knocks the opponent over when it is performed with MP or HP .
Doomsday Dragon
P (requires weapon) (close)
Bushou grabs and flies high into the air with the opponent, landing with a spinning slam.
Piledriver
P (without weapon) (close)
Bushou grabs and slams his opponent with a piledriver.
Rushing Dragon
P (up to 5 times) (without weapon)
Bushou advances forward with a series of punches.
Rolling Kick
K (without weapon)
Bushou flies through the air with a rolling kick. He flies farther when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over. This move can only be blocked while standing.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Hop Knee
+ HK
Bushou skips forward with a jumping knee strike. This move knocks the opponent into the wall.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Tiger Drill
P (without weapon) (close)
Bushou swings his hand upwards and tries to grab the opponent. If he succeeds, he swings his hand in a circle and slams the opponent into the ground with an explosion, then drives the opponent like a drill into the wall.
Riki (李逵)
A dark giant known for his primal and reckless nature. He fights with a pair of axes.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Mandarin Earth-Splitter
P
Riki smashes the ground with his axes (or his fists when unarmed), causing rocks to burst out of the ground. The rocks appear farther away when a stronger button is used. They appear directly under Riki when the move is performed with LP , halfway across the screen when the screen is zoomed out all the way with MP , and all the way across the screen when the screen is zoomed out all the way with HP . This move knocks the opponent back.
Scorching Breath
P
Riki breathes a cloud of flame in front of him. He breathes for longer when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent back when it is performed with MP or HP .
Black Death Blizzard
P (requires weapon)
Riki runs forward while swinging his axes in circles. He runs further and can hit more times when a stronger button is used.
Dive Kick
K in midair (without weapon)
Riki dives diagonally downwards with a kick. He follows up with a second kick when the move is performed with HK . This move knocks the opponent over.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Mandarin Death Chop
K (requires weapon) (close)
Riki swings his axe down. If it hits, he batters the opponent on the ground with multiple axe chops, then finishes by breathing fire.
Atomic Earth-Splitter
HP (without weapon)
Riki smashes the ground with his fists, causing a volcanic eruption to burst from the ground in front of him.
Gen Shouji (阮小二)
The eldest of the three Ruan Xiao brothers. Though not as strong as his brothers, he has learned to manipulate water. He fights with a puddle of water that he can control and use like a weapon.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Shao Lin Slash and Burn
P
Gen Shouji swings his hand and throws a disc-shaped projectile through the air. The projectile moves faster when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over when it is performed with HP .
Shao Lin Crescent
K
Gen Shouji flips backwards with a kick, then shoots his body in an arc while covered in ice. If he hits the opponent with the second part of the move, the opponent is damaged and temporarily frozen.
One-Handed Skullcrusher
P (requires weapon)
Gen Shouji holds his hand out, causing his water puddle to reach into the air to try to grab an airborne opponent. If it succeeds, it bashes the opponent back and forth multiple times.
Water Torture
, then hold K (requires weapon)
Gen Shouji holds his hand out. For as long as the player continues to hold K, the water puddle can be moved with or and can attack with P. It forms a fist and does a quick punch with LP , forms a tall spike that can launch the opponent into the air with MP , or forms a cone of needles that covers a larger horizontal area with HP . It can move under the opponent, and it cannot be attacked, though Gen Shouji is vulnerable for the duration of the move.
Water Summoning
LK + MK + HK (without weapon)
Gen Shouji holds his hand out and replenishes his weapon gauge faster. He is vulnerable while doing this.
Swallow Dive
P in midair
Gen Shouji spreads his arms out and dives across the screen.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Tsunami Strike
K (requires weapon)
Gen Shouji holds his hand out and manipulates his water puddle into a series of strikes, ending with a grab and a slam.
Water Phoenixes
HP (without weapon)
Gen Shouji summons three watery phoenixes to fly from the left to the right of the screen.
Gen Shougo (阮小五)
The middle Ruan Xiao brother. He is unusual and resembles a kappa. He fights with a nunchaku.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Nunchaku Rage
PPPPP (requires weapon)
Gen Shougo swings his nunchaku repeatedly in front of him.
Punishing One-Two
Hold for 1 second, then +P
Gen Shougo throws an animal at his opponent, which can be a fish (thrown straight ahead), a frog (thrown toward the ground, then it hops forward until it hits the opponent or exits the screen, can only be blocked crouching), or a crab (thrown toward the ground, then it walks forward until it hits the opponent or exits the screen, stuns the opponent, can only be blocked crouching). The animal is chosen randomly. It is larger and moves faster when a stronger button is used.
Brilliant Storm
K
Gen Shougo spins forward on the ground like a top while holding his nunchaku in his mouth (unless unarmed). The move covers a shorter area if he is unarmed. He spins further and faster when a stronger button is used. This move can only be blocked while crouching.
Phantom Cyclone Stinger
P
Gen Shougo waves his hand and summons a geyser of water that bursts from under the opponent's feet. This move knocks the opponent over.
Mirage Roll
K
Gen Shougo cartwheels forward in a shadowy blur. He can pass through attacks (including projectiles) and the opponent. He moves further when a stronger button is used.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Brilliant Storm Drop
K (requires weapon)
Gen Shougo spins his body like a top while holding his nunchaku in his mouth, then a geyser of water bursts from under him and carries him into the air. He continues spinning until he hits the ground, and the player can control his descent with or .
Fire Phoenixes
HP (without weapon)
Gen Shougo summons three fiery phoenixes to fly from the bottom to the top of the screen.
Gen Shoushichi (阮小七)
The youngest of the three Ruan Xiao brothers. He is strong and narcissistic. He fights with a nunchaku.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Nunchaku Rage
PPPPP (requires weapon)
Gen Shoushichi swings his nunchaku repeatedly in front of him.
Shao Lin Slash and Burn
P
Gen Shoushichi swings his hand and throws a disc-shaped projectile through the air. The projectile moves faster when a stronger button is used.
Shao Lin Crescent
K
Gen Shoushichi flips backwards with a kick, then shoots his body in an arc while surging with lightning. If he hits the opponent with the second part of the move, the opponent is damaged and momentarily stunned.
Phantom Cyclone Stinger
P
Gen Shoushichi waves his hand and summons a geyser of water that bursts from under the opponent's feet. This move knocks the opponent over.
Mirage Roll
K
Gen Shoushichi cartwheels forward in a shadowy blur. He can pass through attacks (including projectiles) and the opponent. He moves further when a stronger button is used.
Triple-Leg Deathtrap
K (without weapon)
Gen Shoushichi does a roundhouse kick, then a leaping kick. When the move is performed with HK , he finishes with a backflip kick. This move knocks the opponent over on the last hit.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Thunderstorm Arc
P
Gen Shoushichi waves his hand and envelops himself in a cage of lightning.
Lightning Phoenixes
P (without weapon)
Gen Shoushichi summons three fiery phoenixes to fly across the screen horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.
Mizoguchi (溝口)
A Japanese karate champion. He has no weapon.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Tiger Bazooka
P
Mizoguchi kneels and shoots a fireball in the shape of a tiger across the screen. The projectile is larger and moves faster when a stronger button is used.
Kuuchuu Tiger Bazooka
P or K in midair
Mizoguchi shoots a fireball in the shape of a tiger. He shoots it straight ahead when the move is performed with P and at a diagonal angle when the move is performed with K. The projectile is larger and moves faster when a stronger button is used.
Gottsui Tiger Bazooka
+ any two P
Mizoguchi kneels and charges a large fireball in the shape of a tiger across the screen.
Koryuusai
P
Mizoguchi slides forward with an uppercut. He slides further and can hit more times when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over when it is performed with LP or launches the opponent into the air when it is performed with MK (if all of the hits connect).
Tsuutensai
+ any two P
Mizoguchi rises into the air with a flaming uppercut. This move knocks the opponent over.
Baseball Bat
P
Mizoguchi forms a weapon out of ki and swings it like baseball bat. This move launches the opponent into the air when it is performed with LP or knocks the opponent back when it is performed with MK or HK .
Renzoku Keri
K
Mizoguchi jumps forward with a flaming kick. He does one kick when the move is performed with LK , three kicks when the move is performed with MK , or five kicks when the move is performed with HK . The last hit can only be blocked while standing when the move is performed with HK . This move can be performed in midair.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Sheep Curse
HP
Mizoguchi summons a Data East logo that turns into a pink sheep. It can shoot small sheep with P or K. The sheep are fired at a higher arc when a stronger button is used. If a sheep hits the opponent, the opponent is transformed into a helpless sheep. Mizoguchi cannot move or attack while the sheep is out; the opponent can move but not attack if transformed into a sheep. The sheep disappears after a duration; the opponent remains a sheep for slightly longer after the duration ends.
Yonmiy (英美)
A Korean taekwondo master. All of her attacks are kicks. She has no weapon.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Spin Kick
P
Yonmiy hops up and kicks while spinning around in a circle. This move knocks the opponent back when it is performed with LP or launches the opponent into the air when it is performed with MK . This move can be performed in midair.
Neri Chagi
P
Yonmiy rises into into the air with a kick, then falls with another kick. This move knocks the opponent over. The last hit can only be blocked while standing when the move is performed with MP or HP .
Sprint
K
Yonmiy runs forward while close to the ground. She runs farther and faster when a stronger button is used. She can finish by somersaulting forward with a split kick by pressing P (which knocks the opponent back when it is performed with HP ) or a handstand kick that knocks the opponent over with K (which knocks the opponent back when it is performed with LK or HK or launches the opponent into the air when it is performed with MK ).
Fire Binta
K
Yonmiy kicks rapidly with a flaming leg. She kicks more times when a stronger button is used. She finishes with a sweep kick that knocks the opponent over when the move is performed with MK or a jumping kick that launches the opponent into the air when the move is performed with HK .
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Sankaku Tobi
+P or +K when jumping onto the edge of the screen
Yonmiy clings to the edge of the screen, then repels off.
Move list (Desperation moves)
Name
Command
Description
Dead End
HP
Yonmiy runs forward, then kicks the opponent. If it hits, she follows up with a sequence of kicks on the ground, then multiple kicks in the air after launching her opponent into the air.
Bosses
Chougai is now playable in both single-player and two-player games.
Chougai (晁蓋)
The second king of Liangshan, who was reportedly killed by a poisoned arrow to the cheek. It is said that he has returned from the dead, though no one knows how. He is the final boss of the game, and he has no weapon.
Move list (Special moves (before transformation))
Name
Command
Description
Blowing Fire
P
Chougai waves his hand, drawing a semicircular line on the ground in front of him that bursts into flames. The burst is larger when a stronger button is used. This move knocks the opponent over when it is performed with MP or HP .
Dashing Kick
K
Chougai flies forward with a burning kick. This move knocks the opponent back.
Blowing His Miniatures
P
Chougai blows two miniature figures of himself, which run forward and attack the opponent. When they get near the opponent, both figures jump with LP , one figure jumps and one figure slides along the ground with MP , or both figures slide along the ground with HP . This move knocks the opponent over when it is performed with MP or HP .
Transform
Hold LP + MP + HP after losing a round
Chougai transforms into his demon form for the second round. The player must start holding the buttons before the text declaring the victor of the first round appears (and can release the buttons when the screen fades away, as the transformation induces a loading screen for the second round).
In the single-player game, Chougai transforms into a demon form after he loses a round. This transformation can be done manually after losing a round in a two-player match.
Move list (Special moves (after transformation))
Name
Command
Description
Dashing Kick
K
Chougai flies forward with a burning kick. This move knocks the opponent back.
Upwards Arrows
P
Chougai swings his arm and shoots a cluster of four ki blasts at an upwards angle. This move knocks the opponent back.
Harden Body
+ any two K
Chougai flexes his muscles, hardening his body. If the opponent attacks him while he is doing this, the opponent is thrown backwards.
Move list (Command normals (after transformation))
Name
Command
Description
Headbutt
+ HP
Chougai does a headbutt. This move knocks the opponent down.
Move list (Desperation moves (after transformation))
Name
Command
Description
Dark Scream
P
Chougai screams and shoots a large energy beam across the screen.
Stages
In the single-player game, every character has their own stage when they are fought. In the two-player mode, the game cycles through the stages in order for each match.