Fighters Megamix 2 – The Dream Cast

Fighters Megamix 2 – The Dream Cast

With the Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown news this week, fans of the series have been wondering whether this is the start of a full on revival for the franchise. Many, including myself, have been calling for Virtua Fighter 6. But I’d also love to imagine that one day, it may lead to a sequel to Fighters Megamix.

Fighters Megamix is one of the most fondly remembered fighters of its time, which is no small feat given how it remains a Saturn exclusive and as such boasts sales lower than many other fighters of the era.

The game beat Nintendo’s Smash Bros. to the punch in the terms of inter-franchise fisticuff madness. While not the first crossover fighter – that honour falls to The King of Fighters 94 – it did bring the sort of madness and fan service that Nintendo’s franchise is known for, as opposed to the more serious SNK offering.

Yes, the original appeal is pitting Virtua Fighters against Fighting Vipers characters, but once the wider cast is unlocked, the game becomes a different beast, with characters such as Virtua Cop’s Janet and Rentahero joining the fray, until soon you’re a Daytona Hornet fighting the AM2 Palm Tree while the Afterburner jet flies overhead.

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Similar to Smash, matches could end with you using a powered attack to send your opponent flying across the screen, though victory was more defined by the standard fighting game trope of depleting your opponents energy bar for the inevitable KO. Fighters Megamix was, in fact, a very respectable beat-em-up sharing the same well regarded mechanics as the Virtua Fighter series.

So here’s the thing. Fighters Megamix holds near legendary status among Sega fans and amongst the gaming community as a whole. Its more traditional fighting premise would be welcomed as a cross company fighter in the present day. With Virtua Fighter on the cusp of a return following the Virtua Fighter x eSports announcement, surely now would be an ideal time to bring on a sequel?

I believe that a Fighters Megamix sequel would do brilliantly, both critically and commercially, so long as it got everything right. Chief among what would be needed is a solid selection of fighters.

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And that’s what the title alludes to, not a Dreamcast sequel (though how amazing would that be?) but outlining what would be my dream cast of characters for a Megamix return.

Without further ado, here are my picks for the perfect Fighters Megamix sequel

1. The Virtua Fighter cast

A must have and a no brainer. Virtua Fighter is still a respected and revered franchise, even while it has sat dormant for the best part of a decade. The worlds first polygonal fighter evolved into one of the premier franchises in the genre thanks to a gameplay loop and depth that made it a balletic art form.

Long-time listeners of the SegaGuys podcast will know how much we love the series, so whether it’s the gang from the golden age of 2 or the larger cast from 5, its representation is absolutely necessary.

2. The Fighting Vipers

Similar to the above. Fighters Megamix started life as VF vs FV (always liked how the initials where reverse of each other). Once again, whether its from the original or the sequel, the Vipers are mandatory for any Megamix sequel.

Not only do we need Bahn, Raxel and Honey (and Pepsiman, if this is truly a dream list) but the armour breaking, wall destroying Fighting Vipers mechanics are part of the foundations for the original games’ madness.

3. The Last Bronx Crew

AM3’s own 3D fighter was very successful in Japan, but failed to catch fire in the west. Still, the game boasts a smaller but more relatable cast than AM2’s offerings, with a far deeper story behind it all.

Their weapons based gameplay would add another dimension to proceedings, while the typical PGK setup makes them the perfect fit.

4. The Eternal Champions

In 1993, Sega had two fighting games that captured the imagination of gamers. Virtua Fighter was one, Eternal Champions was the other. Unfortunately, the latter’s success was its downfall as Sega Japan purposely demoted it so that it wouldn’t affect the success of Virtua Fighter.

28 years on, its time for the Champions to make a comeback. The cast was rich and interesting with some excellent backstories. It would take some work to get the mechanics to fit the Megamix template, but surely its time for the Eternal Champions to lay their hands on their Virtua Fighter rivals.

5. Sonic the Fighters

In the original Megamix, Bean and Bark from Sonic the Fighters made their appearance, Bean even fighting out of Sonic’s Green Hill Zone. It feels natural for members of the Sonic series to return, but with the A team of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and co in their stead.

In 1996 a Sonic the Fighters port was still in development for the Saturn, so it seemed AM2 didn’t want to overshadow anyone with Sega’s premier mascot. Now it feels the right time for Sonic to enter the fight.

6. Yakuza

This started out initially as just Kazuma Kiryu, who would warrant an inclusion himself. Yes, Toshihiro Nagoshi would need to accept that the hero would be striking women in this fighter (which has stopped him from a Smash appearance), but at this point he would be essential to any Sega crossover fighter.

But you can’t stop at Kiryu, surely you need Ichiban Kasuga and Goro Majima too? Imagine Majima crossing bats with Last Bronx’s Toru Kurosawa…

7. Ryo Hazuki and Lan Di

Of course you have to have Shenmue. How could you not? Originally conceived as a Virtua Fighter RPG, Ryo very much needs a showdown with his would be echo fighter Akira Yuki.

And you can’t just have Ryo, Lan Di needs to also be present, to demonstrate what an absolute badass he is.

8. Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding

With Streets of Rage 4 a resounding success, the two main cast members of the series are must haves. After all, surely they could trade punches with the best of them?

Funnily enough, the Streets of Rage formula should translate well to a Megamix control set up, making Axel and Blaze solid inclusions.

9. Gillius Thunderhead

Golden Axe is as iconic as Streets of Rage, perhaps more so. Personally, this cast is already looking huge, and while Ax and Tyris are archetypes probably best reflected by other franchises, Gillius remains unique and still Golden Axe’s most iconic character.

His stout stature and giant axe would certainly make him an interesting addition, and if his magic could be integrated he’d be a blast to play as.

10. Ristar

Were now venturing into the realm of the oddballs, starting with Ristar. I’ve spoken many times about how much I love this game and the Shooting Star has achieved near cult status over the years.

His stretchy limbs could well make him the Dhalsim of the game, adding a unique and fresh dimension to the Megamix foray.

11. Ulala

As iconic as many others on the list, Space Channel 5’s premier pink-haired presenter would be amazing in the crossover fighter.

Decking her adversaries with her dance moves as she yells “Chu chu Chu!” is something we all need, surely.

12. Janet of Virtua Cop 2

A surprise inclusion in the original, Janet borrowed Aoi’s moveset from Virtua Fighter 3 and added a gun and armour breaking abilities.

I feel its imperative she returns, even if it is at the expense of her VF3 counterpart.

13. The Opa Opa

Fighters Megamix had the Daytona Car, the sequel should have the little ship that served as Sega’s mascot for a period in the 80’s. At least the Opa Opa has limbs!

Seeing the Opa-Opa kick, shoot and peck at the young whippersnapper franchises that came after feels like a no-brainer.

14. Alex Kidd

Another mascot of yesteryear. The Kidd has fighting talent, having gone through his games punching people to death.

Even better, throw in references to his Shinobi World look and moves, add some Rock Paper Scissors elements to his move set and maybe introduce the bike and it’s surely a winner?

15. Gum from Jet Set Radio

Spray painting and rollerblading into the arena, Gun would bring Jet Set Radio’s trademark colour and fun to the Megamix brawl.

Sure, she’d clash with Fighting Vipers’ Grace in terms of set up, but much like Janetl and Aoi, I’d sacrifice Grace over Gum’s inclusion.

16. The Daytona Hornet

I mean, it has to be in here, right? The most ludicrous fighting character ever underlines the playful silliness that Megamix brought to the table.

With an expanded moves list and deeper mechanics behind its ability to shed all of its armour, this would be a fan favourite for many!

The final line up:

Taking everyone on this list, there are over 60 characters here. That’s a ludicrous amount and would almost certainly not be feasible. Yes this is a “dream cast” but I’d still like to hope that there could be some genuine possibility behind its creation.

The fighting franchises at the start of this list include around 50 characters alone, so it’s in those that I’d make the initial cuts, retaining only the most iconic and unique fighters from each.

That brings me an initial line up as follows:

That’s a roster I feel represents Sega on many levels, primarily it’s fighting history, but with guest characters that not only reflect Sega’s rich history, but are fitting with the Megamix feel. At 41 fighters it feels realistic too, similar in size to the original Megamix.

Of course, there’s the possibility of DLC and Fighter Passes too, so Sega could bring in fighters from all areas. Maybe the rest of the Virtua Fighters, maybe Fuku-san and Ren in a Shenmue pack… the possibilities are endless.

But right now, this remains simply a dream…