Waku Waku 7

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Waku Waku 7

Developer(s)	SUNSOFT
Publisher(s)	SUNSOFT
Release date(s)	1996
Genre(s)	Versus fighting
Mode(s)	Up to 2 players simultaneiously
Platform(s)	Arcade, Sega Saturn
Arcade cabinet	Upright
Arcade system(s)	Neo-Geo
Arcade display	Raster 320 x 224 pixels (Horizontal), 4096 colors

Waku Waku 7 is a SUNSOFT fighting game initially released as an arcade game for the MVS / Neo Geo system in 1996. It was later ported to the Sega Saturn. The game is not a sequel; it is instead named after its seven main characters. It remains the first and so far only Waku Waku game.

1 Plot
2 Gameplay
3 Characters
4 External links

[edit] Plot

"It is said that the person who collects all sevens of the legendary WakuWaku balls will have their dearest wish granted. Those who find one of the balls become obsessed with the ruthless desire to obtain the others, who will be victorious in the bitter battle to become the owner of all the balls. Victory or defeat - it all lies in your hand."

[edit] Gameplay

Waku Waku 7 has an irregular feature set for a fighting game of its time, and includes features common to SNK fighting games (four basic attacks, screens zooming, etc.).

The game has a roster of nine characters (Two of which were available only in the Versus mode of the console ports). Each has a significantly different playstyle and parodies a well-known character from another game.

Each character has a powerful special move (Referred to as the Harahara movement, or Harahara motion). They had several factors that made them unique, including:
- They were easy to execute;
- They needed to be charged. (during which the character concentrates, says something, strikes a pose or blows a fanfare)
- They were unblockable and difficult to dodge, but could be interrupted while charging.
- While charging, the game flashes a warning and sounds an alarm.

Characters could be launched through the screen to hit the other corner, and attacked while on the ground; but could also dodge or attack while getting up.

[edit] Characters

Loading screen portraying the seven player characters (arcade / Neo Geo version)

Arina: Full name Arina Makihara, she is a young girl with bunny ears clad in leotard and a jacket. She is said to have learned to fight in an extracurricular compulsory class in high school. She is often seen with her friends and little brother.

Arina is often compared to Ryu or Ken Masters, although some moves seem inspired by Athena Asamiya / Mai Shiranui. Her appearance and position as 'main character' mirrors Rai's.

Dandy-J: A treasure hunter, who is after the Waku Waku balls solely because was hired to go after its treasure. In this quest, he's accompanied by his daughter Natsumi and pet cat 'Rampoo' (sometimes mentioned as Ramp or Rump; maybe is another demonstration of engrish). Dandy-J uses a whip in his battles, with Natsumi and Rump sometimes making single attacks at the opponent. If anything, his use of the whip and appearance make it possible he was inspired by Indiana Jones.

Many of Dandy-J's attacks work better at very close range -- one of his attacks with the whip consists on pulling the opponent to a closer range. Additionally, most of his moves can only be activated at the end of another move, making him similar to some versions of Kyo Kusanagi.

Mauru: 'Marurun' in the Japanese version, is a purple forest creature resembling Totoro. He carries with him Mugi, a lost little girl.

Gameplay-wise, Mauru is similar to Darkstalkers' Sasquatch, with many moves mimicking near-verbatim.

Politank Z: Politank-Z is a tank-mecha of the police department. It is piloted by the Chief and his trusty sidekick, the Mechanic, who is a dog. It comes equipped with a wide array of weapons, including bombs, spikes, drills, and mines.

The Politank is large and slow, making it easy to hit; but is able to deal large amounts of damage with small combos.

Rai: Full name Rai Bakuoh, he's convinced he's the hero. He behaves like a cocky anime protagonist. In his stage, is seen practicing BMX tricks.

More than once Rai has been compared to Terry Bogard. Most, if not all his special moves use some sort of dark electric power. He is able to jump very high, and even double-jump.

Slash: Slash fits the stereotype of a 'cool bishounen'. He's a calm and collected elf, with light green hair and blue trenchcoat.

Slash battles with a laser sword, in a manner similar to Strider, although he is sometimes compared to characters from Samurai Shodown in gameplay mechanics. Most of his moves involve swipes and energy waves of some sort.

Tesse: The seventh robot built by Dr. Lombrozo, Tesse was made to cook and keep the house clean. She leaves after the Waku Waku gems to achieve her dream of becoming human.

Tesse has an unorthodox playstyle with a limited array of attacks. She fights using an assorted array of cleaning utensils, electricity attacks, syringes. By using weaponry hidden in hammerspace, she seems to lampoon Hsien-Ko from the Darkstalkers series.

Selectable only in the versus mode:

Bonus Kun: A living punching bag, of looks and motives that directly lampoon Ryu from Street Fighter. His origins lie in Galaxy Fight; he was Rouwe's (the game's boss) punching bag, until became alive and was then trained by him.

Bonus-kun and Fernandez poised, ready to fight.

Being a clear parody, Bonus Kun's attacks and moves are direct adaptations of Ryu's, including a version for each of his attacks such as Bonus Kun's Kou Shuu Tan, which parodies the popular Hadouken. His victory poses mimic those of Ryu's. Like Ryu he turns while his headband blows in the wind and his smile is similar to Ryu's smile and raised arm victory pose. Due to lack of limbs, he cannot crouch or grab opponents.

Fernandez: Full name 'Makaitaitei Fernandez' (also known as Fernandeath), he's best described as a black sphere with stubby arms, legs and wings, a large grin and an irritating modulated voice. Fernandez is the game's last boss. He is as tall as a skyscraper. Through a variety of magical means the other characters are enlarged so as to fight him on equal terms.

Fernandez lampoons many SNK bosses. He is large, but still agile, and deals high damage. Most of his moves are simple attacks by using his oversized hands, the rest being more comical.