History VideoGame / BattleArenaToshinden

''Battle Arena Toshinden'' (simply titled ''Toshinden'' in Japan) is ''the'' first 3D {{fighting game}} franchise where every character toted a weapon of some sort (the first series to do it in 2D was ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown''). It was considered a KillerApp when it was released as a PlayStation launch title, and Sony promoted it heavily. However, as the years passed by, it got left in the dust, upstaged by other such 3D fighting game franchises as ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', the ''[[SoulSeries Soul]]'' series, and ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', who continued to innovate and refine their gameplay while ''Toshinden'' remained stagnant. Not quite as fondly remembered as it was back then, but still worth a look.

The story of ''Battle Arena Toshinden'' revolves around a secret fighting tournament known only as the Toshindaibukai and that those who are deemed worthy of participating in it are handed invites by a [[NebulousEvilOrganisation secret group]] known only as the Himitsu Kessha (Secret Society in the English translation).

The third game in the series would center around a new antagonist group known as the Soshiki (Organization in the English translation) and their leader, a power-hungry megalomaniac named Abel. In order to bring a [[GodOfEvil destructive fighting god]] named Agon Teos into the world, Abel and his minions must gather the [[ThePowerOFBlood blood]] of the strongest warriors and targets the Toshinden fighters as their [[HumanSacrifice sacrifices]]. Hunting them down mercilessly with underhanded ways, and hiring assassins and enemies that could bring them in, he then gives the fighters an ultimatum: Participation in the third tournament to corner them and settle things face to face in the ring, or forever find themselves and their loved ones chased down and victimized until they surrender or die trying to escape their grasp.

The series also has a 2D [[{{Game Boy}} Game Boy port]]. Unlike [[PortingDisaster other fighting game ports was released on the Game Boy]], it's [[PolishedPort actually quite good and entertaining]]. It includes all the 8 playable characters from the first game and 4 bosses (Gaia, Gaia II, Sho, and Uranus). [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The background music is also outstanding to say the least]]. One weird fact that distinguish it from other 2D fighting games is that keeps its ''Ring Out'' feature from the 3D games, but it's made in such a way it doesn't break the game balance (you've a 3-points ''Ring Out'' meter; until it gets emptied you don't fall). If you have time in your hands, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8pxUyuwrW4 give it a look]], it's worth it.

In 2009, the series had gotten a SpiritualSuccessor for the Nintendo Wii in the form of ''War Budokai'' (often called "''Toshinden Wii''" by publications), a weapons-based arena fighter with heavy anime influences which also incorporate skills such as SummonMagic.

[[TheAnimeOfTheGame The original games were also adapted into a 2-part OVA anime in 1996]], directed by Masami Obari (who also directed the ''[[FatalFury Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture]]''). It was the first anime DVD released by CentralParkMedia in the Western market (and possibly the first Western market anime DVD period).

* BottomlessMagazines: Played straight with Vermilion in ''Toshinden 2'', which did not have any ammunition meters to the point that he was a literal GameBreaker. However, this trope was subverted in ''Toshinden 3''. Nagisa, Adam, and Vermilion all use firearms, but have to reload them occasionally. Vermilion has to do so constantly, because his regular weapon attacks rely exclusively on them. David has six shots in his pistol, but he can't reload it at all.
* CaptainErsatz: Judgment ([[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]]), Zola (ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}) and Ten Count (MichaelJackson).

* DefeatMeansPlayable: Everyone's {{Evil Counterpart}}s in ''Toshinden 3''.

* EvilCounterpart: All of the main characters had one, and they were introduced as {{Sub Boss}}es in ''Toshinden 3''. Look closer, and [[Analysis/BattleArenaToshinden you'll see that they all share special themes in relation to each other.]]

* KillerApp: Seen as this when it first came out, though the series later fell into decline. ''GamePlayersMagazine'' promoted it as the "Best Brawler EVER!" on one cover, giving it 98% (the only other games that were previously given this score were ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' and the SNES port of ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterII Super Street Fighter II]]''), over ''{{Tekken}}'' and ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', to whom it was a major competitor. This seems quite HilariousInHindsight once the other series came to far surpass it, while ''Toshinden'' is nowadays considered a joke.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Ten Count, one of the "evil" characters in ''Toshinden 3'', looks, sounds and moves suspiciously like [[MichaelJackson a certain gloved pop singer]]... His taunt (the infamous "crotch grab" part of you-know-who's dance routine) will instantly max out the opponent's Overdrive gauge when performed.

* ShoutOut: In ''Toshinden 2'', Chaos had some secret moves via SomeDexterityRequired commands that are blatant references to other fighting games, usually something made by {{SNK}} (the specific special moves that Chaos does includes [[VideoGame/FatalFury Terry Bogard's]] Power Geyser, [[VideoGame/ArtOfFighting Ryo Sakazaki's]] Haoh Shoko Ken, [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Kyo Kusanagi's]] Serpent Wave, and [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Iori Yagami's]] Dark Thrust). As a more blatant example, selecting one of Adam's alternate costumes in ''Toshinden 3'' gives him a human, [[StreetFighter Zangief-like]] head.

* TheWikiRule: [[http://battlearenatoshinden.wikia.com/wiki/Battle_Arena_Toshinden_Wiki Yep]]
* UpdatedRerelease

* GuestFighter: VideoGame/EarthwormJim in the PC version of the first game.

* CaptainErsatz: Judgment ([[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]]) and Zola (ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}).

* RyuAndKen: Eiji and Kayin have the same basic moveset (Rekku [=Zan/Sonic Slash=] and [=Hishouzan/Deadly Raise=]) although with a few differences. Sho functions as the "Akuma" character, with more powerful versions of all of both characters' moves.

* AllThereInTheManual: Concerning the series' own world and information, much of it is HUGELY contained in the many Japanese only development books and strategy guides.

* KillerApp: Seen as this when it first came out, though the series later fell into decline. ''GamePlayersMagazine'' promoted it as the "Best Brawler EVER!" on one cover, giving it 98% (the only other games that were previously given this score were ''FinalFantasyVI'' and the SNES port of ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterII Super Street Fighter II]]''), over ''{{Tekken}}'' and ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', to whom it was a major competitor. This seems quite HilariousInHindsight once the other series came to far surpass it, while ''Toshinden'' is nowadays considered a joke.

* NamesTheSame: [[GunsAkimbo This Vermilion]] [[AxCrazy is]] [[PsychoForHire definitely]] [[EvilLaugh not]] [[FourEyesZeroSoul related to]] [[BlazBlue Noel Vermilion]].

* GunsAkimbo: Vermilion, proud owner of a Peacemaker and a ''[[SawedOffShotgun shotgun]]''.

* ShoutOut: In ''Toshinden 2'', Chaos had some secret moves via SomeDexterityRequired commands that are references to other fighters, usually something made by SNK. As a more blatant example, selecting one of Adam's alternate costumes in ''Toshinden 3'' gives him a human, [[StreetFighter Zangief-like]] torso.
* SinisterScythe: Chaos and his EvilCounterpart Schultz.

** ''Toshinden URA'' is often mistaken for a port of ''Toshinden 2'', but it's actually a different game with a different fighting system and roster (Gaia, Chaos, Uranus, and Master were replaced by Replicant, Wolf, Ronron, and Ripper). It also had a different story from ''Toshinden 2's'' own, which revolved around a mysterious traveling fighter named Ripper, seeking out his missing sister (who happens to be [[spoiler:Cupido]]) and the theft of an advanced fighting robot.

* AloofBigBrother: Sho Shinjo.

* AmazonianBeauty: Rachael.
* AxCrazy: Chaos, Fo Fai, Judgment, Schultz, Vermilion.
* BadassGrandpa: Fo Fai. For a 100+ year old man, he's one sadistic bastard.
* BadassLongcoat: Vermilion.
* {{BFS}}: Duke, Balga, Gaia and Tau.
* BladeOnAStick: Mondo has one that extends for some attacks. Toujin in the third game.
* BottomlessMagazines: Subverted in ''Toshinden 3''. Nagisa and Vermilion all use firearms, but have to reload them occasionally. Vermilion has to do so constantly, because his regular weapon attacks rely exclusively on them. Played straight with Verm in ''Toshinden 2'', which did not have ammunition meters. David has six shots in his pistol, but he can't reload it at all.
* BoobsOfSteel: Rachael.

* ChainsawGood: David and Judgment use this as their primary weapons.

* DropTheHammer: Rungo.
* DualWielding: Several characters (Tracy and Rachael with their [[DualTonfas tonfas]], Ellis with her daggers, and the below-mentioned Vermilion).

* EvilLaugh: Mondo gives a good one during certain victory poses, as does Vermilion.
* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: After Fo's death following ''Toshinden 2'', he was replaced in the roster by a humanoid-like monkey named Bayhou, who carries Fo's [[{{Squick}} desiccated head]] on his back at all times.
* EverythingsBetterWithSparkles: Ellis' special moves.
* FairCop: Tracy.
* {{Fartillery}}: Fo and Bayhou.

* {{Homage}}: Nagisa, a ShoutOutInNameOnly to Nagisa Oshima.

* LethalJokeCharacter: Naru from the third game. She's short and her special attacks take a while to hit, but her small frame forces enemies to attack low.
* LetsFightLikeGentlemen: Duke, a knight, does not have a [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown "down attack"]], because he considers such tactics "dishonorable". Instead, he [[IShallTauntYou taunts the enemy]] and lowers their [[LimitBreak Overdrive]] meter a bit.
* LukeIAmYourFather: Gaia is actually Ellis' father, thus making her Japanese, not Turkish as [[RetCon previously stated in the first game]]. Despite this, she's the only Japanese character with an English voice track in ''Toshinden 3''.

* {{Ninja}}: Mondo

* NoblewomansLaugh: Sofia.
* {{Pirate}}: Leon.
* PowerFist: Abel/Veil from ''Toshinden 3''.
* ProfessionalKiller: Mondo.
* PsychoForHire: Chaos.
* PsychicPowers: Master, the BigBad of ''Toshinden 2''.

* ShoutOut: In most of the games he appears in, Chaos has several moves with SomeDexterityRequired commands that are references to other fighters, usually something made by SNK. As a more blatant example, selecting one of Adam's alternate costumes in ''Toshinden 3'' gives him a human, [[StreetFighter Zangief-like]] torso.

* SlasherSmile: Chaos has one of these on ''all the time''. He's not all there in the head. Fo Fai also qualifies, given his backstory.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Fo is replaced by Bayhou as a playable character in ''Toshinden 3'', following the former's death.

** ''Toshinden URA'' is often mistaken for a port of ''Toshinden 2'', but it's actually a different game with a different fighting system and roster (Gaia, Chaos, Uranus, and Master were replaced by Replicant, Wolf, Ronron, and Ripper).
* WhipItGood: Sofia and Zola.
* WolverineClaws: Fo, Bayhou and Cuiling.

** The Sega Saturn received a port of the first game titled ''Toshinden Remix'' (''Toshinden S'' in Japan), which added an extra character named Cupido to the roster. It was so graphically worse then the PS version, that it virtually proved the Saturn was the weaker machine overnight -- a ''really'' bad move for Sega (as better looking 3D fighting games, such as ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter 2'' and ''VideoGame/FightingVipers'' were later released).

* EvilCounterpart: All of the main characters had one, and they were introduced as {{Sub Boss}}es in ''Toshinden 3''. Look closer, and you'll see that they all share special themes in relation to each other.

* CaptainErsatz: Judgment ([[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]]) and Zola ({{Catwoman}}).

The third game in the series would center around a new antagonist group known as the Soshiki (Organization in the English translation) and their leader, a power-hungry megalomaniac named Abel. In order to bring a [[GodOfEvil destructive fighting god]] named Agon Teos into the world, Abel and his minions must gather the [[ThePowerOFBlood blood]] of the strongest warriors and targets the Toshinden fighters as their [[HumanSacrifice sacrifices]]. Hunting them down mercilessly and with underhanded ways, he then gives the fighters an ultimatum of participating in the third tournament to corner them and settle things face to face, or forever find themselves and their loved ones chased down and victimized until they surrender or die trying to escape their grasp.

The story of ''Battle Arena Toshinden'' revolves around a secret fighting tournament known only as the Toshindaibukai and that those who are deemed worthy of participating in it are handed invites by a [[NebulousEvilOrganisation secret group]] known only as the Himitsu Kessha (Secret Society in the English translation). The first game in the series has eight participants competiting in the battle, each of them having their own reasons for heading into the tournament. The second game would be much like the first, except that two new challengers would enter into the fray and that the tournament itself would be nothing more than a mere ruse in order to lure out a specific target named Gaia, who happens to be a former member of the Himitsu Kessha, marked for immediate death after illegally holding the first tournament without the consent of the Himitsu Kessha and that he had tried to start a rebellion against the organization. The third game in the series would center around a new antagonist group known as the Soshiki (Organization in the English translation) and their leader, a power-hungry megalomaniac named Abel. In order to bring a [[GodOfEvil destructive fighting god]] named Agon Teos into the world, Abel and his minions must gather the [[ThePowerOFBlood blood]] of the strongest warriors and targets the Toshinden fighters as their [[HumanSacrifice sacrifices]]. The fourth and final game in the original series would take place a few years after the events of ''Toshinden 3'' and that it would center around a young man named Subaru Shinjo (the son of [[spoiler: Sho Shinjo]] and [[spoiler: Cupido]]), who sought to find his missing uncle [[spoiler: Eiji]] while participating in a new Toshindaibukai tournament.

* DarkerAndEdgier: ''Toshinden 3'' in particular, dealing with antagonistic Organization and their interests into the occult and BloodMagic for their ends.

->''But ''all'' will do their best to be victorious in this tournament''

''Battle Arena Toshinden'' (simply titled ''Toshinden'' in Japan) is ''the'' first 3D fighting game franchise where every character toted a weapon of some sort (the first series to do it in 2D was ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown''). It was considered a KillerApp when it was released as a PlayStation launch title, and Sony promoted it heavily. However, as the years passed by, it got left in the dust, upstaged by other such 3D fighting game franchises as ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', the ''[[SoulSeries Soul]]'' series, and ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', who continued to innovate and refine their gameplay while ''Toshinden'' remained stagnant. Not quite as fondly remembered as it was back then, but still worth a look.

The series also has a 2D [[{{Game Boy}} Game Boy port]], that against [[PortingDisaster the tradition of many crappy]] FightingGame fighting games Game Boy ports, it's [[PolishedPort actually quite good and entertaining]]. It includes all the 8 playable characters from the first game and 4 bosses (Gaia, Gaia II, Sho, and Uranus). [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The background music is also outstanding to say the least]]. One weird fact that distinguish it from other 2D fighting games is that keeps it's ''Ring out'' feature from the 3D games, but it's made in such a way it doesn't break the game balance (you've a 3-points ''Ring Out'' meter; until it gets emptied you don't fall). If you have time in your hands, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8pxUyuwrW4 give it a look]], it's worth it.

In 2009, the series had gotten a SpiritualSuccessor for the Nintendo Wii in the form of ''War Budokai'' (often called "Toshinden Wii" by publications), a weapons-based arena fighter with heavy anime influences which also incorporate skills such as SummonMagic.

There is also evidence of a long deserted plan for a [[http://www.mmcafe.com/archive/news35.htm Toshinden prequel]], through the pictures found in ''Toshinden Card Quest'', now long known as ''Toshinden Next''. As it stands, ''Next'' was supposed to have delved deeper into the affairs of the Four Executives of the ''Toshinden'' games, being Gaia, Cupido, Uranus, and Chaos, before what would lead into Gaia's mutiny, and as well into supporting characters mentioned and hinted to in the main series, with the Secret Society's own influences affecting them all as well.

* FairCop: Tracy

* LukeIAmYourFather: Gaia is actually Ellis' father, thus making her Japanese, not Turkish as [[RetCon previously told in the first game]]. Despite this, she's the only Japanese character with an English voice track in ''Toshinden 3''.

* NamesTheSame: [[GunsAkimbo This Vermilion]] [[AxCrazy is]] [[PsychoForHire definitely]] [[EvilLaugh not]] [[FourEyesZeroSoul related to]] [[BlazBlue Noel Vermilion]]
* NebulousEvilOrganisation: The Himitsu Kessha (literal translation: "secret society") in the first two games and The Soshiki (literal translation: "organization") in the third game.

* {{Homage}}: Nagisa, a ShoutOutInNameOnly to NagisaOshima.

''Battle Arena Toshinden'' (simply titled ''Toshinden'' in Japan) is ''the'' first 3D fighting game franchise where every character toted a weapon of some sort. (The first series to do it in 2D was ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown''). It was considered a KillerApp when it was released as a PlayStation launch title, and Sony promoted it heavily. However, as the years passed by, it got left in the dust, upstaged by other such 3D fighting game franchises as ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', the ''[[SoulSeries Soul]]'' series, and ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', who continued to innovate and refine their gameplay while ''Toshinden'' remained stagnant. Not quite as fondly remembered as it was back then, but still worth a look.

The series also has a 2D [[{{Gameboy}} gameboy port]], that against [[PortingDisaster the tradition of many crappy]] [[FightingGame fighting games]] [[{{Gameboy}} gameboy ports]], it's [[PolishedPort actually quite good and entertaining]]. It includes all the 8 playable characters from the first game and 4 bosses (Gaia, Gaia II, Sho, and Uranus). [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The background music is also outstanding to say the least]]. One weird fact that distinguish it from other 2D fighting games is that keeps it's ''Ring out'' feature from the 3D games, but it's made in such a way it doesn't break the game balance (you've a 3-points ''Ring Out'' meter; until it gets emptied you don't fall). If you have time in your hands, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8pxUyuwrW4 give it a look]], it's worth it.

[[TheAnimeOfTheGame The original games were also adapted into a 2-part OVA anime in 1996]], directed by Creator/MasamiObari (who also directed the ''FatalFury: The Motion Picture''). It was the first anime DVD released by CentralParkMedia in the Western market (and possibly the first Western market anime DVD period).

There is also evidence of a long deserted plan for a [[http://www.mmcafe.com/archive/news35.htm Toshinden Prequel]], through the pictures found in ''Toshinden Card Quest'', now long known as ''Toshinden Next''. As it stands, ''Next'' was supposed to have delved deeper into the affairs of the Four Executives of the Toshinden games, being Gaia, Cupido, Uranus, and Chaos, before what would lead into Gaia's mutiny, and as well into supporting characters mentioned and hinted to in the main series, with the Secret Society's own influences affecting them all as well.

* KillerApp: Seen as this when it first came out, though the series later fell into decline. GamePlayersMagazine promoted it as the "Best Brawler EVER!" on one cover, giving it 98% (the only other games that were previously given this score were ''FinalFantasyVI'' and the SNES port of ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterII Super Street Fighter II]]''), over ''{{Tekken}}'' and ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', to whom it was a major competitor. This seems quite HilariousInHindsight once the other series came to far surpass it, while ''Toshinden'' is nowadays considered a joke of a franchise.

* EvilCounterpart: All of the main characters had one, and they were introduced as {{Sub Boss}}es in ''Toshinden 3''.

There is also evidence of a long deserted plan for a [http://www.mmcafe.com/archive/news35.htm Toshinden Prequel], through the pictures found in ''Toshinden Card Quest'', now long known as ''Toshinden Next''. As it stands, ''Next'' was supposed to have delved deeper into the affairs of the Four Executives of the Toshinden games, being Gaia, Cupido, Uranus, and Chaos, before what would lead into Gaia's mutiny, and as well into supporting characters mentioned and hinted to in the main series, with the Secret Society's own influences affecting them all as well.

[[TheAnimeOfTheGame The original games were also adapted into a 2-part OVA anime in 1996]], directed by MasamiOhbari (who also directed the ''FatalFury: The Motion Picture''). It was the first anime DVD released by CentralParkMedia in the Western market (and possibly the first Western market anime DVD period).

* CaptainErsatz: Judgment ([[Film/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]]) and Zola ([[{{Batman}} Catwoman]]).