Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge, known as Vampire Hunter: Darkstalkers' Revenge (ヴァンパイア ハンター) in Japan, is a versus fighting game released for the Sega Saturn by Capcom. It is the second game in the Darkstalkers series. It was followed by Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire.
The powerful alien demon Pyron invades Earth to add to his collection of planets that he has devoured. The world's most fearsome monsters are the last defense of mankind.
Gameplay
Character select
The game is a fighting game similar to the Street Fighter series, but it is set in a gothic horror universe with characters based on monsters from folklore. The series has been celebrated for its bizarre aesthetics and lively, exaggerated animation, featuring a cast of outlandish characters who often change in size and form while performing their moves. New gameplay features include air blocking, air throws, and chain combos. In each battle, two characters fight to drain each other's vitality gauges. The winner of the best of three rounds wins the match. Each round has a 99-second timer; if time runs out, the fighter with the most life left wins.
There is a single-player mode where the player chooses any character and fights eight opponents before facing the bosses Huitzil and Pyron. A second player can challenge the first at any point by pressing START on a second control pad, with the winner of the match moving on to the next opponent. There are eight different difficulty levels for the computer-controlled combatants. There is also a two-player versus mode where each player can choose any character, a handicap, and any stage.
Characters move with and and dash with and . They jump upward with and jump behind and ahead with and . They crouch with . Punches are done with (light), (medium), and (hard) and kicks are done with (light), (medium), and (hard). Light attacks are faster and hard attacks deal more damage. Chain combos can be performed by linking attacks from lightest to hardest and from punches to kicks, canceling the recovery of a normal move by starting another. Special moves for each character are done by pairing specific directional combinations with an attack button. Projectile attacks move slowly through each other, with the stronger projectile dissipating the other (depending on the strength of the attack button used and which was launched first) rather than canceling each other out as in most fighting games (unless they were launched at the same time with the same strength). ES moves are done by pressing the same directional combinations but holding two attack buttons of the same type (punches or kicks).
Throws and grabs are done by holding the D-Pad toward an opponent and pressing a medium or hard punch or kick button. Different characters have different throws available to them, and most characters can throw in midair. Characters can pursue knocked down opponents by holding with the medium or hard kick button simultaneously. Knocked down characters can recover and leap away with or .
Guarding is done by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent and can also be done in midair. Characters can become dizzy from being attacked repeatedly; they are uncontrollable and vulnerable in this state but can recover more quickly by rapidly pressing back and forth on the D-Pad along with the attack buttons. It is also possible to escape grabs in this way. Most characters have one special move, called a guard cancel, that can be performed while guarding to cancel out of the block and immediately counterattack their opponent.
The game features a Special meter similar to the Super Combo gauge from Super Street Fighter II Turbo, which fills as characters perform regular and special moves. When it is full, characters can perform two types of special moves: ES moves ("enhanced special" moves), which are enhanced versions of their special moves that can typically hit more times, and EX moves ("extra special" moves), which are unique special abilities that are usually more flashy and do more damage. Many characters can cancel chain combos into EX moves. The Special meter can have multiple levels, gaining a new level each time it fills, and using an ES or EX move costs a level. The Special meter levels are retained between rounds but not battles.
Players can choose between Normal and Turbo speed for battles. There are two playing styles that can be selected after choosing a character: Normal and Auto. The character automatically guards against a limited number of attacks in Auto mode and automatically performs chain combos when attacking with normal moves.
Characters
Move lists assume the player is facing right. If facing left, and should be reversed. P refers to any of the punch buttons, while K refers to any of the kick buttons.
All special moves can be performed as ES moves if two P or K buttons are used instead of one, with the exception of teleports and command throws.
Donovan Baine and Hsien-Ko are new characters. Huitzil and Pyron, the two bosses from the first game, are now playable. Anakaris is the only character without a guard counter or any throws.
A noble vampire from Romania, resembling Dracula, with the ability to control dark energy.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Chaos Flare
P
Demitri throws a fireball across the screen. This move can be performed in midair.
Demon Cradle (guard counter)
P
Demitri ascends vertically while spinning, hitting his opponent with his cape, which takes the form of bat wings. If performed while dashing, Demitri ascends at a diagonal angle.
Bat Spin
K
Demitri vanishes, then reappears in the air and dives at a diagonal angle in a spiral. This move can be performed in midair.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Negative Stolen
D-Pad in a 360° rotation, then MP or HP (close)
Demitri grabs his opponent, carries them into the air, then drives them into the ground while spinning.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Demon Blast
+ two K simultaneously
Demitri transforms into a giant bat and bombards his opponent with smaller bats.
Midnight Pleasure
+ two P simultaneously (half screen away or closer)
Demitri grabs his opponent, shakes them, and pummels them with a series of attacks.
A Frankstein-like monster from Germany created by a mad scientist named Professor Gerdenheim.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Giga Hammer
Hold for 2 seconds, then +P
Victor charges forward with an electrified fist.
Giga Kick
Hold for 2 seconds, then +K
Victor charges forward, then does a sweep kick.
Gyro Crush
P
Victor spins around with his fists extended.
Giga Burn (guard counter)
P
Victor jumps diagonally in the air with his knee out.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Mega Shock
MK or HK (close)
Victor grabs his opponent with both fists and shocks them repeatedly.
Mega Spike
D-Pad in a 360° rotation, then MP or HP (close)
Victor grabs his opponent, kicks them into the air, then bashes them with his fists on their way down.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Thunder Break
Hold for 2 seconds, then + two P simultaneously
Victor jumps up and slams the ground with his two fists, shooting bolts of lightning that strike an opponent standing on the ground.
Great Geldenheim
+ two K simultaneously, then P (close)
Victor electrifies himself. He can then grab his opponent in close range with P, spin like a helicopter rotor in the air, and throw them against the ground.
A jiang shi (reanimated corpse) of a young Chinese girl whose village was attacked by monsters. She and her twin sister Mei-Ling, who appears as a talisman on Hsien-Ko's hat, wish to free their mother's soul.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Anki Hou
P
Hsien-Ko tosses an item in the air. The type of item is randomized (examples are axes, shurikens, or boomerangs), and the arc of travel depends on the button used: LP for low and downward, MP for high, and HP for very high.
Henkyou Ki
P
Hsien-Ko bangs a gong, which can reflect or absorb other projectiles. It can also damage nearby enemies. This move can be performed in midair.
Senpuu Bu (guard counter)
P
Hsien-Ko swings while suspended from a chain, acting as a spinning blade.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Air Walk
or in midair
Hsien-Ko can walk in midair. Her walk lasts about half the screen length unless interrupted by attacking or being hit.
Rantetsu
+ MP
Hsien-Ko punches with a swinging spiked ball.
Edoga
+ HP
Hsien-Ko shoots her claws diagonally to the top of the screen.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Houten Geki
MP or HP (close)
Hsien-Ko tosses her opponent in the air, then spins on her back with her claws out to dice them when they fall.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Tenrai Ha
LK HK MP MP
Hsien-Ko transforms holds her arm high into the air and drops a giant anvil on a chain from her sleeve, which causes spiked balls to rain from the sky when it hits the ground.
Chireitou
+ two K simultaneously
Hsien-Ko impales the ground, causing multiple large blades to spike out of the ground in front of her.
A zombie rock star from Australia. He is accompanied by his pet monster Le Malta.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Death Hurricane (guard counter)
K
Lord Raptor spins his body like a top diagonally upward. This move can be performed in midair.
Skull Sting
K
Lord Raptor jumps in the air, then dives down with a sawblade on his leg. This move can be performed in midair.
Hell's Gate
K
Le Malta pops out of the ground and swallows Lord Raptor, then spits him out somewhere depending on the button used: LK spits him out in the same location, MK spits him out a half-screen away, and HK spits him out a full screen away.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Crouch Walk
or
Lord Raptor can walk while crouched.
Air Walk
or in midair
Lord Raptor can walk in midair. His walk lasts about half the screen length unless interrupted by attacking or being hit.
Alternate Attacks
+P or K
All of Lord Raptor's standing punches and kicks have alternate forms with longer reach when combined with .
Aerial Punches
+P in midair
Lord Raptor punches downward.
Loudness Screw
+K in midair
Lord Raptor glides downward while spinning his body like a drill.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Skull Punish
MP or HP (close)
Lord Raptor jumps in the air with his opponent, body slams them, and stabs them with his claws on the ground.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Evil Scream
+ two P simultaneously
Lord Raptor impales his opponent and pulls them near him, then uppercuts them with an electrified claw.
Death Voltage
+ two K simultaneously
Lord Raptor spins his body like a top diagonally upward while electrified. This move can be performed in midair.
Hell Dunk
+ two P simultaneously
Le Malta swallows Lord Raptor's opponent and spits them out as a ball. Le Malta transforms into a basketball hoop, then Lord Raptor dunks the ball, which transforms back into his opponent after hitting the ground.
A Scottish succubus with a particular fascination with the souls of human men.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Soul Fist
P
Morrigan shoots a flying bat projectile across the screen.
Soul Fist (aerial)
P in midair
Morrigan shoots a flying bat projectile at a diagonal angle in the air.
Shadow Blade (guard counter)
P
Morrigan rises into the air while uppercutting her opponent by using one of her wings as a blade.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Shell Kick
+K in midair
Morrigan falls prone while her wings wrap around her legs in a pointed cone.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Vector Drain
MP or HP (close)
Morrigan transforms her wings into a jetpack and flies into the air with her opponent before driving them into the ground.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Darkness Illusion
LP LP LK HP (half screen away or closer)
Morrigan transforms her wings into a jetpack and flies toward her opponent, then performs a series of attacks with a duplicate of herself. This move can be performed in midair.
Valkyrie Turn
+ two K simultaneously, then P or K
Morrigan flies off the screen, then flies back in. If the player presses P or K, she attacks with her Shell Kick move. This move can be performed in midair.
Astral Vision
LP LP MP HP
A double of Morrigan appears on the other side of the screen and mirrors her moves. This move can be performed in midair.
A 5,000-year-old Egyptian mummy who was once the pharaoh of a powerful empire before his death.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Hitsugi no Mai
P and K of the same strength
Anakaris drops a sarcophagus on his opponent. Stronger buttons drop the sarcophagus further away from him. This move can be performed in midair.
Ouke no Sabaki
P in midair
Anakaris blows out ghosts that curse his opponent, temporarily transforming them into a helpless version of themselves.
Kotodama Gaeshi (inhale)
K
Anakaris swallows a projectile with his body. This move can be performed in midair.
Kotodama Gaeshi (exhale)
K
Anakaris launches a projectile after swallowing it. This move can be performed in midair.
Cobra Blow
P
Anakaris turns his arms into a long cobra and punches with them.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Hover
Anakaris folds his body up and hovers for a duration instead of jumping. He can move in the air with and , attack with P or K, hover higher with again, or return to the ground with . He jumps back and ahead normally with and .
Double Jump
or
Anakaris jumps twice, maintaining his vertical height for a moment longer before floating down. He can do this up to two times with each jump.
Warp
on the edge of the screen
Anakaris can walk through the edge of the stage and reappear on the other side of the screen.
Seinaru Bohi
+K during diagonal jump
Anakaris transforms the bottom of his body into a pyramid and drops to the ground.
Ooinaru Bohi
+K during diagonal jump
Anakaris transforms the bottom of his body into a pyramid and dives diagonally down.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Miira Drop
P
Anakaris reaches his hands through a hole and attempts to grab his opponent a set distance away. If he succeeds, he wraps the opponent like a mummy and slams them against the ground.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Naraku Ana
+ two K simultaneously
Anakaris drops his opponent through a hole in the ground, causing them to fall back down from the top of the screen.
Pharaoh Magic
MK LP LK MP
Anakaris curses his opponent, freezing them, then drops a giant sarcophagus on them.
Pharoah Split
LP LP MK HK
Anakaris separates his waist and legs from the rest of his body, which can both be controlled to attack his opponent (with P attacking with the top half and K attacking with the bottom half).
Felicia rolls along the ground in a ball. She damages and bounces off her opponent on collision. She can follow up this move with an uppercut by pressing P.
Rolling Scratch
P
Felicia rolls into a ball and bounces on the ground while moving forward. If she lands on her opponent from above, she can follow up this move with scratches by pressing P.
Sand Splash
K
Felicia kicks dirt off the ground at her opponent.
Delta Kick (guard counter)
K
Felicia jumps into the air, attacking with her knee, then dives diagonally downward with her clawed foot first.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Wall Jump
Hold when jumping onto the edge of the screen
Felicia can jump off the side of the screen.
EX Charge
+ two K simultaneously
Felicia increases her Special meter for as long as the K buttons are held, though she is vulnerable to attack while doing this.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Hell Cat
MK or HK (close)
Felicia digs her claws into her opponent and spins around them before throwing them.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Dancing Flash
+ two P simultaneously
Felicia rolls forward and then pummels her opponent with a series of slashes and kicks.
Please Help Me!
+ two K simultaneously (half screen away or closer)
Felicia cries for help, and a group of other catwomen pounce her opponent.
A ghostly Japanese samurai who wears a cursed suit of armor.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Iaigiri
Hold for 2 seconds, then +P or K
Bishamon swings his sword in a wide slash. He swings high with P and low with K.
Karame Dama
P in midair
Bishamon swings his sword and shoots a fireball diagonally downward while airborne.
Hane Ha
P
Bishamon throws his sword at his opponent, which then returns to him. While the sword is in his opponent, he can pull both the sword and the opponent towards him with +P or he can dash forward, pull the sword out, and dash back with P.
Kaeshi Ha
+P after Hane Ha
After performing the Hane Ha, while the sword is in his opponent, Bishamon can pull both the sword and the opponent back towards him with +P or he can dash forward, pull the sword out, and dash back with P.
Tsuji Hayate
P after Hane Ha
After performing the Hane Ha, while the sword is in his opponent, Bishamon can dash forward, pull the sword out, and dash back.
Kien Zan (guard counter)
P while blocking
Bishamon jumps high while uppercutting with his sword. This move can only be performed as a reversal or after performing the Kaeshi Ha.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Alternate Attacks
+P or K
All of Bishamon's standing punches and kicks have alternate forms with longer reach when combined with .
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Kirisute Gomen
D-Pad in a 360° rotation, then MP or HP (close)
Bishamon pulls his opponent toward him, then slashes upward with his sword.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Oni Kubi Hineri
+ two P simultaneously (close)
Bishamon releases a giant hand from his chest that grabs and squeezes his opponent.
Tsurane Giri
+ two K simultaneously
Bishamon summons five ghostly samurai, who slash their swords down in sequence.
A merman living in Brazil's Amazon River and the sole survivor of a colossal earthquake that demolished his underwater empire.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Sonic Wave (guard counter)
P
Rikuo emits damaging sound waves in front of him, which does a light amount of damage but momentarily stuns his opponent.
Poison Breath
K
Rikuo releases a poison gas, which does a light amount of damage but momentarily stuns his opponent.
Screw Shot
P
Rikuo shoots himself at his opponent like a torpedo.
Trick Fish
K
Rikuo jumps diagonally into the air feet first from a retreating dash.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Spinning Current
HP while dashing
Rikuo turns into a giant shell and drills his opponent while dashing.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Crystal Lancer
MP or HP (close)
Rikuo jumps into the air while holding his opponent with his tongue, then attacks and slams his opponent.
Gem's Anger
MK or HK (close)
Rikuo lifts and body slams his opponent.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Aqua Spread
+ two P or K simultaneously
Rikuo calls a burst of water from the ground in front of him.
Sea Rage
+ two P simultaneously
Rikuo calls forth a flood.
Water Jail
+ two P simultaneously
Rikuo creates a giant bubble that can capture his opponent.
Direct Scissors
+ two P simultaneously (close)
Rikuo crouches and pinches with his arms, which become lobster claws. This move can only be performed if Rikuo is selected using his original color (green, selected with HK ).
A dhamphir (a cross between a vampire and a human) of unknown origin who watches over a young and emotionless girl named Anita.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Killshread
P and K of the same strength
Donovan plants his sword into the ground. While the sword is planted, he can summon it back to him by again pressing a P and K of the same strength (which can be done in midair), causing it to attack opponents on the ground as it returns. Donovan's standing normal punches are changed and he cannot perform any moves that use his sword until he summons it back to him.
Ifrit Sword (guard counter)
P
Donovan summons a fire spirit, which slashes a fiery sword upward.
Blizzard Sword
P
Donovan summons an ice spirit, which tosses a large snowflake downward.
Lightning Sword
P
Donovan summons a lightning spirit, which shoots electricity in front of them.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Killshread Surf
+ LK or MK in midair
Donovan rides his sword down from the air.
Killshread Dive
+ HK in midair
Donovan rides his sword down, which transforms to be large and anchor-shaped.
Hop Kick
+ HK
Donovan hops ahead while kicking.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Sword Grapple
P (close)
Donovan causes his opponent to levitate while his sword slashes them.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Press of Death
+ two K simultaneously
Donovan summons a giant air spirit to stomp his opponent.
Change Immortal
MP LP LK MK
Donovan transforms into a flying demonic form and attacks his opponent. He can be controlled with and in this state.
One of a legion of robots created to destroy all life on Earth, buried underground in Mexico for millions of years after an earthquake. The penultimate boss of the game.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Plasma Beam
P
Huitzil shoots a laser beam. The angle of the beam depends on the button used: LP for a crouching beam forward, MP for a standing beam forward, and HP for a beam straight above.
Might Launcher
K
Huitzil shoots a rocket across the screen, which knocks over opponents. This move can be performed in midair.
Genocide Vulcan
P
Huitzil raises its arm (which can harm nearby opponents) and shoots a laser diagonally into the air.
Reflect Wall (guard counter)
P while blocking
Huitzil generates a barrier to shield him, then pushes it (and the opponent with it) away from him. This move can be performed in midair.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Crouch Walk
or
Huitzil can walk while crouched.
Hover
, , or in midair
Huitzil hovers in the air for a duration instead of jumping.
Air Dash
or in midair
Huitzil moves horizontally in midair.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Circuit Scrapper
MP or HP (close)
Huitzil throws its opponent high into the air with giant magnets.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Final Guardian
+ two K simultaneously
Huitzil transforms into a turret and alternates between blasting its guns diagonally and straight ahead.
Erasing Sphere
+ two K simultaneously
Huitzil shoots a sphere that causes its opponent to levitate in the air.
An alien that can control fire. The final boss of the game.
Move list (Special moves)
Name
Command
Description
Sol Smasher
P
Pyron throws a large fireball. The angle of the throw depends on the button used: LP for straight ahead, MP for a middle angle, and HP for a high angle.
Sol Smasher (aerial)
P in midair
Pyron throws a large fireball downward diagonally.
Zodiac Fire (guard counter)
P
Pyron rolls across the ground like a wheel.
Orbital Blaze
K in midair
Pyron spins downward as fireballs revolve around him.
Galaxy Trip (air)
P
Pyron disappears and reappears in the air. His horizontal location depends on the button used: LP for the left side of the screen, MP for the middle, and HP for the right side of the screen.
Galaxy Trip (ground)
K
Pyron disappears and reappears on the ground. His horizontal location depends on the button used: LK for the left side of the screen, MK for the middle, and HK for the right side of the screen.
Move list (Command normals)
Name
Command
Description
Rushing Punch
+P
Pyron punches forward while moving.
Diving Punch
+P in midair
Pyron punches while diving diagonally downward.
Move list (Command throws)
Name
Command
Description
Planet Burning
MP or HP (close)
Pyron grabs his opponent, transforms into a giant sphere, and lifts them into the air and then into the ground.
Move list (EX moves)
Name
Command
Description
Cosmo Disruption
+ two P or K simultaneously
Pyron fires a series of pyrotechnics. The attack can be charged before starting by holding P or K for longer, which increases the damage dealt.
Stages
Each character has his or her own stage where matches are hosted. The stage can be manually chosen in the two-player mode.
Demitri Maximoff
John Talbain
Victor von Gerdenheim
Hsien-Ko
Lord Raptor
Morrigan Aensland
Anakaris
Felicia
Bishamon
Rikuo
Donovan Baine
Sasquatch
Huitzil
Pyron
History
Development
Night Warriors can be considered an upgrade to the original Darkstalkers rather than a sequel, since it revisits the same story and reuses many of the same assets, while refining the mechanics and adding new characters, moves, animations, and stages (similar to the relationship between Street Fighter Alpha and Street Fighter Alpha 2). There is a cheat code that unlocks the old backgrounds, music, and character palettes.
The original game had about 128 MB of character animations, while the sequel has about 256 MB, amounting to approximately 500 additional patterns per character.[9] While the original game was ported to the PlayStation by Psygnosis, Night Warriors was ported to the Saturn by Capcom themselves. However, because of difficulties encountered when producing the PlayStation version, the Saturn port of Night Warriors was released in Japan and North America about a month before the PlayStation port of its prequel.[10]
The game was included in the Darkstalkers series compilation release Vampire: Darkstalkers Collection for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. It was remastered as part of Darkstalkers Resurrection for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013. It was re-released as part of the Capcom Fighting Collection compilation for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PCs in 2022.
Versions
The Saturn version of Night Warriors is a close match to its arcade counterpart, but uses slightly fewer frames of animation during normal play. The full set of graphics do exist on the disc, however, and will be utilised if a hidden "animation mode" is set to "full". The catch is that the missing frames will only be rendered if the player and opponent are using the same character.
Loading screens are also introduced on the Saturn due to its use of disc-based media, and the game is more susceptible to slowdown in busy scenes.
Due to the differences in screen resolution between the two systems (384x224 in the arcades versus 352x224 on the Saturn), all of the Saturn's graphics are stretched slightly in the horizontal axis, and borders are added at the top and bottom. Perhaps the biggest side effect of this change is the titles and menus, where the logo does not fully fit on the screen.