Update: January 12, 2007
«©NCSX» Yusuke Urameshi and Kazuma Kuwabara lead a cast of 19 characters in a 2D fighting game that features 3D evasive maneuvers. Originally released in Japanese arcades in September 2006, the game makes a hurried conversion to the PS2 at a fraction of the coin-op kit's cost. Note that operators had to pony up about US$2500 for this System-258 kit and many are still trying to recoup that investment... The PS2 port of The Battle of Yu Yu Hakushou features the standard Battle Mode from the arcade version and also throws in a Story Mode, Versus Mode, Survival Mode, Training Mode and Special Mode. If you've a hankering for viewing Yu Yu Hakusho artwork and listening to voice samples at the same time, the Special Mode is where it's at. As mentioned earlier, TBoYYH is a 2D fighting game that set against the backdrop of the Dark Tournament. Cel-shaded combatants face off against each other on a platform and kick, punch, and throw off spirit attacks that crackle on screen. At the outset, a total of 15 fighters are selectable from the roster menu but an additional 4 brawlers may be unlocked to join in on the action. The d-pad is used for movement and pushing the face buttons triggers punches, kicks, blocks, and spirit power. Jan Code: 4983164735819 View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.
NCS Game Synopsis
» Dimps developed the game for Bandai. » In the intro to the game, the camera swoops downwards on a stone platform before rising up to take in Yusuke. The other main cast members are presented with their names in English followed by short fighting sequences and the occasional clowning. The art style is cel-shaded with crisp definition and a catchy theme song where a gal bellows out the words. » Press START and the following selections pop up: BATTLE MODE
Select a character from a roster of 15 fighters and battle it out with other characters controlled by the COM in 1-on-1 bouts which last 3 rounds each. Player has to win 3 rounds against each challenger before proceeding to the next battle. STORY MODE
Watch the story of Yu Yu Hakusho play out across 14 chapters and engage in attendant battles associated with each chapter. Yusuke's adventure starts with a moment of bravery and sacrifice where he saves a young boy from certain death. The intro summarizes the early portion of the Yu Yu Hakusho animation with cinema sequences which are accompanied by a voice over which details the key points of the story. In the first battle, the hero fights a brown-skinned horned demon with 8-pack abs in a forest. Each match lasts 1 minute and 1 round only. You're given the chance to save your progress to memory card after each match. The story continues after each match until you've gone through the entire Dark Tournament storyline. The next match is against Hiei who has big spiky hair.
After finishing each chapter in STORY MODE, you may view the cinemas for that section in the second option listed under the STORY MODE section. VERSUS MODE
Go head to head against a 2-P or a COM-controlled fighter. If you're the spectator type, you can set both combatants to COM and watch them fight it out in automatic mode. Before the match, players may set the handicap and choose a stage from 10 possible locations to fight upon. SURVIVAL MODE
Battle against fighters one by one until you falter. The battles last for 1 round only before moving on to the next challenger. Your health bar also does not recover after each round and you'll have to make it through with skill and moxie. TRAINING MODE
Select a fighter from 15 possible combatants and test your skills against a dummy opponent. A historical record on the left side of the screen keeps track of every button press and directional pad movement that you perform. On the right side of the screen, an overlay menu keeps track of the following : FRAME, DAMAGE, COMBO DAMAGE, HIT FRAME, FREEZE, ATTACK TYPE, and COMBO. SPECIAL MODE
1) View 44 pieces of artwork accompanied by your choice of 21 possible voice samples [all unlocked] 2) View 17 cinemas from the game - all must be unlocked before viewable 3) Character gallery which contains portraits for 43 characters, 15 of which are immediately viewable with the rest being unlockable. When viewing a particular character, the disc loads for a few seconds and you're brought to a screen where a 3D model of the fighter is shown. To focus in and out, press the R1 or R2 trigger. To rotate the subject, move the L-analog and to trigger a special spirit animation, press the O button. OPTIONS
Set difficulty level, match length, adjust sound volumes, set button config, load/save data
» In the character select screen, animations of the fighter are shown in action instead of a singular character form. 15 fighters are available at the outset but others are unlockable. » Before each battle, the fighters talk a bit before the battle commences. Battle of Yu Yu Hakusho looks like a 3D fighter but we'd describe it as more of a pseudo 3D fighter since the battle takes place on a 2D plane but the fighters can sidestep in 3D to avoid attacks and to maneuver strategically. » Although the fighting takes place on a ring with visible edges, there's no way to ring-out an opponent. As you push and knock the opponent around, the fighting platform sort of rotates with your movement so that there's no way to ring anyone out. To circle around an opponent to dodge blows and move strategically, push up or down twice in quick succession on the D-pad. » Analog movement is not supported in the game. » About 45 minutes worth of footage from the animation series is featured in the game to tell the tale of Yu Yu Hakusho. » A victory screen is shown after each match with some gesticulating by the winner. » The game keeps track of hit combos as they're doled out. This document is ©NCSX 2007. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.
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