Tenth Degree (prototype)

Tenth Degree is a four-player versus fighting game from Atari Games, developed in 1998. Designed to blend elements of popular fighting games like Tekken and Street Fighter, it aimed for fast-paced action with characters rendered in a distinctive 3D anime style. Players select from a roster of both male and female fighters, each possessing unique combat styles, and engage in head-to-head battles using an eight-way joystick and six buttons to execute various attacks and maneuvers. Early development explored features like a "super deform" mode, suggesting a potential for playful character transformations. Built on the Atari Vegas hardware platform, Tenth Degree was intended as Atari's entry into the competitive 3D fighting genre of the late nineties; however, it ultimately faced significant challenges due to established titles and an inability to distinguish itself during testing phases. The game’s initial working title was "Juko Threat," and while featuring a range of fighting styles for its characters, Tenth Degree never progressed beyond a prototype stage before being discontinued.