Line #40 VideoGame/SonicTheFighters


1	%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1618527831042776000
2	%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.
3	%%
4	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sonic_the_fighters.png]]
5	[[caption-width-right:300:[[TagLine Who will save the world?!]]]]
6	%%
7
8	''Sonic the Fighters'', also known as ''Sonic Championship'', is a [[TheNineties 1996]] [[UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame arcade]] {{fighting game}} starring [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog the ever-lovin' cobalt-furred insectivore and his pals]].
9
10	Detective Espio sends a message to Tails detailing mad scientist [[BigBad Dr. Eggman]]'s new plan to TakeOverTheWorld: launching a robot invasion on the earth, via his newly constructed super weapon, the [[KillSat Death Egg II]]. Fortunately, Sonic and Tails have built a one-seater rocket that will take them directly to the Death Egg II. There's just one problem -- it needs ''[[SeriesContinuityError eight]]'' Chaos Emeralds to power it. The emeralds are scattered around the world, guarded by Sonic and his friends (with the exception of [[TheGunSlinger Fang the Sniper]], who stole his emerald from one of those guards). A fighting tournament is started to determine who gets to fly the rocket and save the world.
11
12	The game, made by Sega [=AM2=], is more-or-less a stripped-down and very goofy DolledUpInstallment version of ''VideoGame/FightingVipers''. For years, it remained an obscurity, as it was only widely released in Japan with a very limited overseas release, with Bean and Bark also being included as bonus fighters in ''VideoGame/FightersMegamix'' on the Platform/SegaSaturn. Fortunately, a direct home port of the game made it onto ''Sonic Gems Collection'' in 2005. In late 2012, the game received an UpdatedRerelease on Platform/{{PlayStation Network}} and Platform/XboxLiveArcade with online play, as well as the ability to play as the previously DummiedOut [[GuestFighter Honey the Cat]], alongside bosses Metal Sonic and Robotnik, for $5 as part of Sega's ''[=Model2=] Collection'' series of games. It is also a playable GameWithinAGame in ''VideoGame/LostJudgment'' (as part of ''Sonic'''s [[MilestoneCelebration 30th anniversary]]) and ''VideoGame/LikeADragonGaidenTheManWhoErasedHisName'', using the same version from ''[=Model2=] Collection''.
13
14	----
15	!!This game provides examples of:
16
17	* EleventhHourSuperpower: Two variations:
18	** Super Sonic, assuming the conditions[[note]]As Sonic, beat the first eight fighters without losing a single round. Beat Metal Sonic in Round 1, and then at the start of Round 2, press Back, Punch and Kick -- the usual input for Hyper Mode -- to become Super Sonic.[[/note]] are met, is only usable during the second round with Metal Sonic and against Dr. Eggman.
19	** Hyper Mode is permanently enabled for the final fight against Dr. Eggman.
20	* AchievementMockery: The PSN/XBLA versions give you a trophy/achievement just for being SquashedFlat.
21	* AgonyOfTheFeet: One of the attacks many of the fighters have is a foot stomp.
22	* AllInTheManual: The game's [[http://info.sonicretro.org/Sonic_the_Fighters#Story story]] is described in detail in issue 173 of the Japanese gaming magazine ''Gamest''.
23	* AmbidextrousSprite: Cleanly averted by Fang, whose characteristic fang is only visible when he's facing left. Otherwise, it uses the 3D [[InvokedTrope invoked]] variation; the characters' {{Cheeky Mouth}}s always appear on the side closer to the camera.
24	* AmusingInjuries: The violence of the game is very lighthearted and cartoony, with lots of slapstick attacks.
25	* AssKicksYou:
26	** Amy makes use of this a little, and Honey, being a MovesetClone of her, does much of the same.
27	** Bark has a variation of his jumping attack where he butt-stomps the opponent.
28	* AttractMode: Wait a moment after the intro and you'll see a short match with the computer.
29	* BeakAttack: Bean the Dynamite can dash forward to jab his opponents with his rather pointy-looking bill.
30	* BearsAreBadNews: Bark the Polar Bear, who can be quite ferocious in the arena. Subverted personality-wise, though, as his character profile says he's a [[GentleGiant shy and gentle fellow]].
31	* CartoonBomb: Bean's Cherry Bombs, of which he can pull out and throw an unlimited number of while fighting. A certain throw lets you use them against him -- [[FeedItABomb by way of stuffing one in his beak]] -- however.
32	* CharacterSelectForcing: In a roundabout way, at least; though you can pick any of the game's eight characters (plus Honey in the HD release) to tackle the campaign, the clear intention is to play as Sonic, since he's the final opponent before facing the Death Egg II and he can use his GoldenSuperMode at the game's climax, while every other character just enters their Hyper Mode state instead.
33	* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: This was the last game appearance of Fang the Sniper and only game appearance of Bark the Polar Bear and Bean the Dynamite in the ''Sonic'' series for over 20 years, other than their cameos on wanted posters in ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''.[[note]]Although they immigrated into the ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'' series as comedic antagonists.[[/note]] Bean and Bark resurfaced in the crossover fighting game, ''VideoGame/FightersMegamix'' as the sole playable ''Sonic'' characters before disappearing altogether. Eventually, the three of them finally resurfaced in ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' [[spoiler:as illusions created by the [[EliteMook Heavy Magician]]]]. Fang would later appear in ''VideoGame/SonicSuperstars'', now going by the title of Fang the Hunter.
34	* CollapsingLair: The Death Egg II, which apparently is set to self-destruct just because Metal Sonic was defeated in Death Egg's Eye.
35	* {{Combos}}: Each character has wide array of moves and combos you can perform.
36	* ComebackMechanic: The game has a balancing mechanic colloquially referred to as "catchup", which increases the damage of a losing player's moves the further behind in health they are, which is intended to give struggling players a fair shake. At maximum effect, some of [[MightyGlacier Bark]]'s moves can KO in two hits.
37	* CoolPlane:
38	** A brief glimpse of Tails' Tornado plane in the opening.
39	** Sonic's stage, Giant Wing, takes place on one.
40	* DiscOneNuke: Sonic's Spin Dash. It's a very fast, hard fitting, rapid fire attack that literally knocks enemies right off their feet and delivers a large chunk of damage each time, it can mow right through several opponent shields at a time, and it even deflect Fang's popgun corks. And it's a ''default move''.
41	* DolledUpInstallment: This game is essentially ''VideoGame/FightingVipers'' with ''Sonic'' characters. It actually started life as one of the designers placing Sonic and Tails in ''Fighting Vipers'' as a joke before it became a full-fledged game of its own.
42	* ExcusePlot: The plot makes little sense whatsoever when you try to analyze it. It's really just a way of giving Sonic and company a reason to fight each other.
43	* {{Expy}}:
44	** Bean the Dynamite is based on Bin from ''VideoGame/DynamiteDux''. Officially, they're father and son which also means they have a StrongFamilyResemblance as well.
45	** Honey the Cat is a FunnyAnimal version of the ''Fighting Vipers'' character Honey (also known as Candy). She was dummied out of the initial release before being reinstated in the HD version.
46	* FamilyFriendlyFirearms: Fang the Sniper's cork-guns.
47	* FamilyThemeNaming: Bean's character profile for ''Fighters Megamix'' confirms that he's the son of Bin from ''VideoGame/DynamiteDux''.
48	* FightingClown: Amy uses a [[HyperspaceMallet hammer toy]] as her weapon of choice, can drop items like hamburgers and ice cream cones onto her opponents to [[SquashedFlat squash them flat]], can make horse kicks and [[AssKicksYou ass kicks]], and she can distract her enemies simply by [[LookBehindYou pointing her finger]].
49	* FungusHumongous: Espio's stage, Mushroom Hill, takes place in a forest of massive fungi.
50	* FunnyBackgroundEvent: In the Magic Carpet stage, there's a Sphinx that inexplicably has Sonic's face carved onto it, as well as vending machines in the oasis below.
51	* GentleGiant: Bark is described as this in his official bios.
52	* GoingCommando: Unlike in later games, Amy doesn't wear anything underneath her skirt; but since she's a FunnyAnimal, it's not sexual or comedic. The same goes for Honey in the UpdatedRerelease.
53	* GoldenSuperMode: [[GodMode Super Sonic]], if you make it through the game without losing a single round until the second round with Metal Sonic and ''immediately'' enter the Back+P+K commands. If you pull this off though, the rest of the game is a cakewalk.
54	* GoodVersusGood: Among Sonic's opponents are his ''own allies'', including Knuckles and Tails. The latter is particularly strange since the opening implies that Tails was already helping out with Sonic finding the emeralds.
55	* GreenHillZone: The South Island stage, which is presumably set in Green Hill Zone.
56	* GuestFighter: Honey the Cat, who is a FunnyAnimal version of Honey/Candy from ''VideoGame/FightingVipers''. She was not officially playable in the arcade version (you have to hack the game to play as her) but became a full-fledged playable character in the digital distribution re-release of the game. She went on to show up as a character in the ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'' series, and subsequently has become an official part of the "classic" ''Sonic'' canon.
57	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: One command throw for characters makes them use certain characters' weapons against them, such as bopping Amy with her own hammer, capping Fang with his own popgun, and stuffing one of Bean's own bombs in his mouth.
58	* HomeStage: In single player mode, the player always fights the same characters in the same arenas, and always in the same order.
59	** Knuckles is fought in [[GreenHillZone South Island]].
60	** Amy is fought in [[ArabianNightsDays Flying Carpet]].
61	** Bark is fought in [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Aurora Icefield]].
62	** Espio is fought in [[FungusHumongous Mushroom Hill]].
63	** Tails is fought in [[ShipLevel Canyon Cruise]].
64	** Fang is fought in [[CasinoPark Casino Night]].
65	** Bean is fought in [[EternalEngine Dynamite Plant]].
66	** Sonic is fought in [[LevelsTakeFlight Giant Wing]].
67	** Metal Sonic is fought in [[AstralFinale Death Egg]]'s Eye (though he isn't playable - the stage ''can'' be selected as an arena for player vs. player matches in the re-releases, however).
68	** Dr. Robotnik is fought in Death Egg's Hangar (again, not playable).
69	* HyperspaceMallet: Amy's weapon of choice, the Piko Piko Hammer, makes its first appearance here, along with its characteristic property of being held in hyperspace until she needs it. Other characters can even use it against her!
70	* InconsistentSpelling: The intro of the English version says the main villain is Dr. Robotonic, even though Robotnik is spelled correctly in his unused character card (underneath Dr. Eggman).
71	* TheInformant: Espio plays this role in the game's story by sending a video to Tails detailing Eggman's latest evil scheme. This makes sense considering Espio is a detective.
72	* ItsAWonderfulFailure: Fail to defeat Robotnik's E-Mech in the final battle, and you'll be treated to a cutscene of [[NonStandardGameOver the Death Egg II blowing up]]... [[TakingYouWithMe with you in it]].
73	* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: Some of the characters' moves can hit downed opponents. Some of them can home-in on them unless they recover and dodge the incoming attack.
74	* KillSat: The Death Egg II.
75	* LetsYouAndHimFight: The very modus operandi of the game. The plot doesn't remotely make sense -- the only reason this game exists is so you can have Sonic and his friends slap the shit out of each other for laughs.
76	* LoadBearingBoss: Beating Metal Sonic triggers a self-destruct countdown, which sets up the TimedMission fight against Eggman.
77	* LongSongShortScene:
78	** The Death Egg's Hangar theme isn't played in any version of the game (and even if it had would have been used in a thirty second max face-off), though it was eventually used in the pre-race cutscene of the Death Egg track in ''[[VideoGame/SegaSuperstars Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing]]''. Two other tracks (an early version of the Character Select theme and the theme for an unused stage, Sunset Town) are only heard on the OST.
79	** The theme that plays if you transform into [[EleventhHourSuperpower Super Sonic]], titled "Everything", will likely only be heard for a very short time in regular gameplay. Not only can it only ever be heard for only one round, - as Super Sonic can only be activated against the second round against Metal, if at all - Super Sonic is ''obscenely'' powerful, meaning that unless you're actively trying to listen to the theme, you'll likely [[CurbStompBattle trash Metal in no time flat]], causing the game to progress to the fight with Robotnik, which has its own music. What's more is that since Super Sonic is exclusive to the single-player mode, it's impossible to listen to it in Vs. Mode.
80	** Dynamite Plant seems to be this in the ''Sonic Gems Collections'' version. Because they used the music from the soundtrack CD instead of taking the truncated versions from the arcade release, it takes nearly 30 seconds for Dynamite Plant's BGM to get to the good part where it ''started'' playing originally. Rounds in this game (by default) last no more than 30 seconds, so if you're whooping Bean's ass, the music will never really have a chance to pick up the slack.
81	** A similar timing issue affected the intro music in ''Sonic Gems Collection'', whereas on the arcade version, everything that was happening was mostly synced up to the music.
82	** The UpdatedRerelease for Xbox Live Arcade and [=PlayStation=] Network allows you to select any song as the Main Menu theme with the Left and Right triggers, including the unused tracks.
83	* LookBehindYou: One of Amy's special attacks, which can confuse your character momentarily.
84	* MagicCarpet: Amy's stage, the Flying Carpet, naturally takes place on one.
85	* MascotFighter: A prototypical instance, predating the TropeCodifier ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros64'' by three years.
86	* MechaMook: Eggman launches an invasion of earth by sending a fleet of them from the Death Egg II, but they're only very briefly seen in the opening. You don't get to fight them at all.
87	* MightyGlacier: Bark is pretty much the game's equivalent to [[VideoGame/VirtuaFighter Jeffry]] or [[VideoGame/FightingVipers Sanman]], since he's slow, but packs a punch.
88	* MiniMecha: Dr. Eggman uses one as a boss character.
89	* MirrorMatch: Whenever two of the same character fight, the second player controls a grayscale PaletteSwap. In Arcade Mode, Dr. Eggman appears and creates an EvilKnockoff to be fought by player 1, save for Honey in ''[=Model2=] Collection'' re-release, since she is never fought in any of the eight stages. Honey's second player palette isn't grayscale, but rather references her human counterpart's alternate color scheme in ''Fighting Vipers''.
90	* MovesetClone: The bosses and Honey, after some close examination:
91	** Metal Sonic naturally borrows some of Sonic's moves, as well as one of Tails' throws.
92	** Dr. Eggman has some of Bark's moves and Bean's bomb attacks.
93	** Honey the Cat takes most of her moves from Knuckles and mixes in a few from Amy.
94	* NoCampaignForTheWicked: In the [=Model2=] re-release, while you ''can'' play as Metal Sonic and Eggman in multiplayer mode, they're not allowed in single player mode, as they're the final two bosses (as well as [[NoFairCheating their movesets being ridiculously powerful]]).
95	* NoDamageRun: Transforming into Super Sonic requires first making it to the second round against Metal Sonic without losing a single round. While you haven't ''strictly'' finished the game at this point, there is very little left, particularly considering that [[PurposelyOverpowered Super Sonic is immune to damage and has endless Hyper Mode]].
96	* NonStandardCharacterDesign: Honey the Cat is the only character in the ''Sonic'' series who has a FurryFemaleMane as opposed to a TuftOfHeadFur. This is likely due to her being an anthropomorphization of Honey from ''Fighting Vipers''.
97	* OffstageVillainy: Aside from a very brief glimpse at Eggman's monitor in the opening, we don't see any of Eggman's robot invasion.
98	* OriginalGeneration: Bark the Polar Bear and Bean the Dynamite are original to this game, and the only ''Sonic'' characters to be creations of [=AM2=]. This is reflected in their playstyles: Bark is a heavyweight grappler akin to Sanman from ''VideoGame/FightingVipers'', while Bean has a knack for explosive projectiles due to being based upon Bin from ''VideoGame/DynamiteDux''. Also original to this game is the secret fighter Honey the Cat, a ''Sonic'' version of Honey/Candy from ''Fighting Vipers''.
99	* PerpetualFrowner: Espio and Bark both rarely smile.
100	* PoweredArmor: The E-Mech, a human-sized robotic suit which Eggman uses in the final battle.
101	* PunchedAcrossTheRoom: Some particularly hard-hitting moves are capable of doing this.
102	* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: Pretty much everyone that isn't [[KillerRobot Metal Sonic]] and [[BigBad Eggman]], though [[CheerfulChild Tails]], Amy, and Honey all stand out especially.
103	* RingOut: Downplayed example. Although you can't do it while they still have health left -- they'll just bounce back in off the fence if they do -- you can launch your opponent out of the ring altogether if you finish them with a move that throws them particularly high, such as Sonic's Ballet Toss or Knuckles' [[{{Shoryuken}} Rising Uppercut]].
104	* TheRival: Sonic and Knuckles to each other; [[https://youtu.be/1vtzePkLpsQ a unique theme]] plays if the two are fighting.
105	* SceneryPorn: The stages themselves look particularly nice for the era, with plenty of bright colors, sprawling views and classic ''Sonic''-esque things to see. Standouts include South Island, Canyon Cruise and Giant Wing.
106	* SecretCharacter: Depending on which version of the game you're playing, this is either {{downplayed\|Trope}} or played straight:
107	** If you're playing the original, it's downplayed. Super Sonic can be considered a secret character, as nothing hints at him being in the game, but he can only be used in the final stretch of the single-player mode. Additionally, he's more of a variation of Sonic [[ShapedLikeItself (naturally)]] than his own character, so he's more of an EleventhHourSuperpower than an actual secret character.
108	** If you're playing the HD re-release, this is played straight, as the previously unused Honey the Cat and AI-only characters Metal Sonic and Eggman are all playable by pressing the start button on certain characters[[note]]Amy, Sonic, and Bark, respectively[[/note]]. Only Honey can be used in single-player, however.
109	* SendInTheClones: Depending on who you play as (save for Honey in the ''[=Model2=] Collection'' re-release), Eggman will create monochromatic clone doppelgängers in their respective levels to fight you.
110	* SeriesContinuityError: Eight Chaos Emeralds instead of the series standard of seven? Oddities like this and "Dr. Robotonic" can be explained by the game being developed by Sega's arcade division, [=AM2=], rather than Sonic Team.
111	* {{Shoryuken}}: Knuckles' and Honey's Rising Uppercut move.
112	* ShoutOut: Bark has one of [[VideoGame/FightingVipers Sanman's]] throwing moves where he rolls his opponent like a bowling ball, although in Bark's case, he causes bowling pins fly out when they hit the wall along with the sound effect.
113	* {{Slapstick}}: The cartoon violence pulls no punches for any playable fighter, and that includes Amy and Honey in the UpdatedRerelease.
114	* SNKBoss: Metal Sonic. He has many cheap attacks which shred through your health, even more so when he's low on health thanks to the game's "payback" system, recovers incredibly fast, and he has the [[ComputersAreFast quickest reaction time of any fighter]]. Break all his shields? [[TurnsRed He flips his shit]] and starts using his ''unblockable'' corkscrew attack, which hurts like hell. Even on the easiest difficulty, he's a major pain in the ass. That said, if you manage to fulfill the conditions to use Super Sonic, then the tables flip and ''you'' [[CurbStompBattle become the boss]].
115	* SpinAttack:
116	** Sonic's signature Spin Dash is an extremely powerful attack. He also has the most techniques that involve spinning.
117	** Like Sonic, Tails and Knuckles have the Spin Dash.
118	** Espio has his horizontal variant of the Spin Dash from ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix''.
119	** Amy and Bark are equipped with a spinning hammer attack and a spinning lariat, respectively.
120	* TheStoic: Super Sonic, [[EleventhHourSuperpower in what little screen time he has]]. During the cutscene in which the player is lowered into the Death Egg Hangar, every other character will show surprise on their faces, what with WideEyesAndShrunkenIrises. Super Sonic, on the other hand, retains the same serious look on his face for the cutscene.
121	* SuperMode:
122	** Hyper Mode, in which one barrier is expended for temporary increased attack speed and access to unique moves.
123	** Sonic also has exclusive access to his GoldenSuperMode by meeting certain conditions[[note]]get up to the second round against Metal Sonic without losing once, then press punch, kick, and back at the beginning of the round[[/note]]. Super Sonic retains all of his usual moves and becomes completely invincible, staying that way until the end of the game.
124	* {{Teleportation}}: Espio and Bean gain the ability to warp when in Hyper Mode.
125	* ThemeMusicPowerUp: Transforming into Super Sonic in the fight with Metal Sonic replaces the background music with a unique theme, simply known as "Everything".
126	* TimeLimitBoss: Dr. Eggman in his E-Mech in the Death Egg's Hangar. You've got fifteen seconds to beat him, lest the Death Egg II explode while you're still on it.
127	* TurnsRed:
128	** The game has a sort of "payback" system that causes damage to increase based on one character's remaining health relative to their opponent's. For example, if player 1 knocks off about 75% of player 2's health to start, player 2's attacks will be stronger and they can cut player 1's health down to half in as few as ''two hits'' depending on the character and attack used. It's meant to make comebacks more feasible and keep the dominant player on their toes. At the maximum difference, some of [[MightyGlacier Bark]]'s moves come close to [[OneHitKill one-hit KOs]].
129	** Metal Sonic is known to do this as well; get his health down below 50% without getting hit and not only will he begin spamming his best moves, but his next attack can take your health down by about half in one hit.
130	* TheTwelvePrinciplesOfAnimation: Lots of exaggerated squash and stretch is displayed in the game.
131	* UpdatedRerelease: The ''[=Model2=] Collection'' re-release has enhanced HD visuals, selectable Arcade difficulty, online multiplayer, three of the dummied out characters (Honey, Metal Sonic, and Dr. Eggman) as playable characters, and a sound test feature in the main menu that lets you listen to the game's music by pressing the trigger buttons. This version of the game would be playable in both ''VideoGame/LostJudgment'' and ''VideoGame/LikeADragonGaidenTheManWhoErasedHisName''.
132	* VideoGameCrueltyPotential:
133	** By making use of the aforementioned RingOut trick, you can launch your beaten opponent out of the arena. Not so bad if it's got a visible floor outside, but if it's very high up (Flying Carpet, Giant Wing) or surrounded by water (Canyon Cruise, South Island)? Then yup, [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown it's a perfect extra bit of humiliation]] for the unlucky loser.
134	** With a special command throw, you can [[UseTheirOwnWeaponAgainstThem take certain characters' weapons and use them against them]], complete with them [[OhCrap panicking in humorous ways]]. This includes [[{{Slapstick}} bashing Amy over the head with her own hammer]], shooting Fang in the head with his own popgun, [[TongueTrauma pulling on Espio's tongue and snapping it back in his face]] like a rubber band, and [[FeedItABomb stuffing one of Bean's own Bombs in his mouth]].
135	* WakeUpCallBoss:
136	** Amy is the second opponent of the game and marks where the game's difficulty really starts to rack up. While not as brutal as the later opponents, she knows how to use barriers, she can distract your character to combo it, and she can still pack a nasty punch for those who are unprepared.
137	** If you manage to get past her without much trouble, Bark will force you to be more strategic, as he's even better to defend himself than Amy, won't miss any opportunity to grab and slam your character, and he only needs one hit to reverse the battle at his advantage.
138	* WarmUpBoss: Knuckles, the first opponent of the game, is basically the game's equivalent of [[VideoGame/PunchOut Glass Joe]]. It is very easy to get Perfect rounds against him, and it is entirely possible, even on the hardest difficulty, to take him down ''before'' he even has the chance to attack you.
139	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Whatever happened to the Rocket Metal Sonic from the opening? Looking through the game's files seems to indicate that he was playable/intended to be fought at some point (he even has a unique name card, unlike other characters who just default to Dr. Eggman), but was cut for whatever reason.
140	* WingdingEyes: Characters attacked by Sonic's Dizzy Spin move will get spiral eyes, indicating dizziness. This is averted by Metal Sonic, whose pupils are replaced with the word "'''[-DAMAGE-]'''" when beaten down.
141	* YourSizeMayVary: During the final battle against him, Eggman is inexplicably ''smaller'' than Sonic.

Context VideoGame / SonicTheFighters