I speak mainly of the one-on-one beat-em-ups (Street Fighter, Samurai Showdown, Mortal Kombat, etc.) and brawlers (Final Fight, Streets of Rage, etc.). Reasons why certain characters can be considered "the best" are many, and most are valid in their own way.
You could say Eddy Gordo is the best because anyone with blunt objects capable of hitting buttons fast enough can pull of a nearly endless stream of fluid motion enough to set the most dedicated players to shame. Or Mai Shiranui is the best for reasons obvious to anyone who enjoys round, bouncy objects. Go for it.
My focus is on the creative and technical aspects of what makes an interesting personality and a superior fighter, hopefully combined.
The characters generally have a two line backstory describing why they're kicking specified asses, but not much more. Opportunities for true originality are shoehorned into a very limited arena. Though the genre of fighting games has given birth to some of the biggest wanks to ever grace an arcade, a few had that something extra that made him/her the bad-ass of choice.
Which brings me to my choice for the best: Basara from Samurai Showdown 3. First off, he was a pipe-hitter like no other. His technique could span the entire field, Shadow Feints could reduce defense options to a 50/50 chance, and he made the streets flow with the blood of his competitors.
On top of that, his design was unique (ignoring the influence of Ninja Scroll). His weapon was a tri-blade on a chain, and he could melt into shadows, and he looked like he probably weighed 100 pounds soaking wet. But what made him truly intriguing was the ghost that haunted him, merely hinted at through gameplay. The scream that was ripped from his throat as she dissolved in his arms made me feel, and wonder what in the hell this guy's deal was. The scream was washed out in later sequels, that's why I specify SS3. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.
The worst - that's always easier. You don't have to justify them. In most cases they speak for themselves. Let's start with Dhalsim. Enough said. T-Hawk from the same series - all of his punches come out as tomahawk chops. That would only be worth a chuckle the first time from the biggest racists. And don't get me started on Greek guy with the olive oil fetish. Capcom and Street Fighter have officially jumped the shark. But the true loser has got to be that robot/ kung-fu master thing in Streets of Rage 3. Really, Sega? I know by that time you were trying to pump out money-making drivel like Nintendo, but come on -- have a little self-respect.
(Funny side note: Spell check underlines Sega, but not Nintendo ... hmmm)
What have you got to say?
You could say Eddy Gordo is the best because anyone with blunt objects capable of hitting buttons fast enough can pull of a nearly endless stream of fluid motion enough to set the most dedicated players to shame. Or Mai Shiranui is the best for reasons obvious to anyone who enjoys round, bouncy objects. Go for it.
My focus is on the creative and technical aspects of what makes an interesting personality and a superior fighter, hopefully combined.
The characters generally have a two line backstory describing why they're kicking specified asses, but not much more. Opportunities for true originality are shoehorned into a very limited arena. Though the genre of fighting games has given birth to some of the biggest wanks to ever grace an arcade, a few had that something extra that made him/her the bad-ass of choice.
Which brings me to my choice for the best: Basara from Samurai Showdown 3. First off, he was a pipe-hitter like no other. His technique could span the entire field, Shadow Feints could reduce defense options to a 50/50 chance, and he made the streets flow with the blood of his competitors.
On top of that, his design was unique (ignoring the influence of Ninja Scroll). His weapon was a tri-blade on a chain, and he could melt into shadows, and he looked like he probably weighed 100 pounds soaking wet. But what made him truly intriguing was the ghost that haunted him, merely hinted at through gameplay. The scream that was ripped from his throat as she dissolved in his arms made me feel, and wonder what in the hell this guy's deal was. The scream was washed out in later sequels, that's why I specify SS3. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.
The worst - that's always easier. You don't have to justify them. In most cases they speak for themselves. Let's start with Dhalsim. Enough said. T-Hawk from the same series - all of his punches come out as tomahawk chops. That would only be worth a chuckle the first time from the biggest racists. And don't get me started on Greek guy with the olive oil fetish. Capcom and Street Fighter have officially jumped the shark. But the true loser has got to be that robot/ kung-fu master thing in Streets of Rage 3. Really, Sega? I know by that time you were trying to pump out money-making drivel like Nintendo, but come on -- have a little self-respect.
(Funny side note: Spell check underlines Sega, but not Nintendo ... hmmm)
What have you got to say?
