World Heroes (ALM-005)

Eight heroes plucked from different eras collide in World Heroes, a fast-paced fighting game for two players. Developed by Alpha Denshi and released in 1992 on SNK’s Neo-Geo MVS hardware, the game pits these diverse characters—inspired by figures ranging from Bruce Lee to Genghis Khan—against each other to ultimately thwart the plans of an evil alien named Geegus. Players utilize a traditional joystick and three buttons mapped to punch, kick, and throw attacks in intense one-on-one battles. The gameplay is straightforward yet satisfying, encouraging quick reflexes and strategic use of character-specific moves. A unique and popular "Death Match" mode offers an alternative to the story-driven encounters, providing a chaotic free-for-all experience where survival is key. World Heroes marked Alpha Denshi’s entry into the fighting game genre and served as a precursor to a successful franchise. The game's soundtrack and character designs were crafted by a large team of artists and programmers, with the intro sequence featuring a memorable scientist inspired by Back to the Future. Later entries in the series would modify some aspects of the gameplay, but the original’s Death Match mode remains a fondly remembered feature.