History VideoGame / ArcanaHeart

The series has had various publishers: AQ Interactive (''1'' & ''2'', JP), Creator/{{Atlus}} (''1'', NA), [[Creator/ArcSystemWorks Arc System Works/Aksys Games]] (''3'' & ''LOVE MAX!!!!!'', JP & NA), Zen United (''3'', EU), and [[Creator/NipponIchi NIS America]] (''LOVE MAX!!!!!'', EU).

The original ''Arcana Heart'' was released in arcades and for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2. Apart from the roster of characters, this game's play mechanics are similar in some respects to ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'', with their emphasis on speed and combos, and the ability to take battles really high into the air. Each character is actually divided into two parts: The fighter herself and her Arcana, who each have their own moves and techniques. Though each character has one canonically set to her in the story, the game allows you to choose whichever one you want when you play.

''Arcana Heart 3'' was released December 2009. It was ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and UsefulNotes/Xbox360. The game was published by Creator/ArcSystemWorks. The game is only available in North America through the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Network}}, while it received a physical release in Europe. The Japanese arcade version saw an UpdatedRerelease with ''Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!'', which is mostly about rebalancing issues and a cosmetic update. ''LOVE MAX!!!!!'' was ported to the [=PS3=] and UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} with extra features such as an After Story scenario and Trial Mode. Another update, titled ''Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX SIX STARS!!!!!!'', was released for Japanese arcades in Winter 2014. It features a new character, Minori, and a new Arcana (the Arcana of Blood). As of September 2015, ''LOVE MAX!!!!!'' has received a PC port from Creator/ArcSystemWorks, and is available in North America on {{UsefulNotes/Steam}}. After initial problems of trying to bring ''SIX STARS!!!!!!'' into retail, [[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/99831120/arcana-heart-3-love-max-six-stars-2d-fighting-game/ a Kickstarter]] was made to bring the game to Steam. The Kickstarter succeeded while also bringing Parace L'Sia back as a usable Arcana and introduced two new playable characters, Pistrix and Dark Heart. ''SIX STARS!!!!!!'' was released on Steam on December 12, 2017.

* BorderOccupyingDecorations: ''3'' was one of the last fighting games designed for a 4:3 aspect ratio SD display. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 releases added animated sidebars to preserve this aspect ration when playing on a widescreen HD display, along with a trophy for seeing all possible variants of the sidebar animations. This is averted in the UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} release, which was rebalanced for widescreen play.

* BorderOccupyingDecorations: ''3'' was one of the last fighting games designed for a 4:3 aspect ratio SD display. The UsefulNotes/Playstation3 releases added animated sidebars to preserve this aspect ration when playing on a widescreen HD display, along with a trophy for seeing all possible variants of the sidebar animations. Averted in the eventual UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} release, which was instead rebalanced for widescreen play.

* ExcitedShowTitle:
** ''Arcana Heart FULL!''
** ''Suggoi! Arcana Heart 2''
** ''Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!''
** ''Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX SIX STARS!!!!!!''

* FiveManBand: [[TheLeader Heart]], [[TheLancer Saki]], [[TheBigGuy Maori]], [[TheSmartGuy Yoriko]] and [[TheChick Lilica]]: as seen in Heart's ending and their dialogues, they are all classmates and great friends among each other.

* BustChart: The various booklets have included bust charts of the playable characters and other characters such as Mildred, Parace L'Sia and Maori's sisters, with it being updated with each game. Humorously the one featuring base ''3''[='s=] cast has [[PaperPeople Kazu]] in it, who outranks even Mei-Fang due to how his body curves.

* RapunzelHair: Yoriko, Kamui, Mildred, Weib, Scharlachrot, Petra, Clarice, Angelia, Saki, and Maori.

* PantyShot: Surprisingly, for a fighting game like this, it's almost completely averted. The sole exception being one of Petra's supers, with the appropriate LampshadeHanging from Petra herself.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/arcanaheart.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:This is not the cover of a dating sim.[[note]]Clockwise from top: [[FishOutOfTemporalWater Kamui]], [[RobotGirl Mei-Fang]], [[{{Miko}} Maori]], [[EnfantTerrible Lieselotte]], [[HalfHumanHybrid Lilica]], [[BrattyHalfPint Kira]], [[HighlyVisibleNinja Konoha]], [[IJustWantToBeNormal Fiona]], [[BadPowersGoodPeople Yoriko]]. Center: [[KickChick Saki]] and [[ThePowerOfLove Heart]].[[/note]]]]