Waku Waku 7

Waku Waku 7 is a humorous fighting game released in 1996 by Sunsoft for Neo-Geo MVS arcade systems. Players choose from seven distinct characters and battle each other before facing off against a challenging boss. The gameplay revolves around classic versus fighter mechanics, utilizing an eight-way joystick and four attack buttons – quick punch, quick kick, strong punch, and strong kick – to execute various moves and combos. The game’s charm lies in its playful parody of anime tropes and video game conventions, evident in the exaggerated character designs and comedic dialogue. A particularly amusing bonus stage pits players against Bonus Kun, a punching bag that mimics the signature moves of famous fighting game characters. Beyond the core gameplay, Waku Waku 7 offers several unlockable secrets like alternate color schemes for characters and altered winning marks, accessible through specific button combinations during character selection. A soundtrack album accompanied the release, showcasing the unique musical style of the game, which includes parodies of recognizable themes from other fighting games. The "waku waku" in the title is a Japanese expression signifying excitement and perfectly encapsulates the lighthearted and energetic nature of this unusual arcade fighter.