World Heroes 2

World Heroes 2[lower-alpha 3] is a 1993 fighting arcade game developed and published by ADK with the assistance of SNK. It was originally released for the Neo Geo MVS arcade cabinet on April 26, 1993.[1] It is the sequel to the 1992 fighting arcade game World Heroes, as well as the second title of the World Heroes series. It was even the first game with the "ADK" logo labeled within the game after the developer changed from its previous name "Alpha Denshi"; however, the "Alpha" logo was last used on one of the arcade flyers of World Heroes 2.

World Heroes 2
Developer(s)Alpha Denshi[lower-alpha 1]
Agenda[lower-alpha 2]
(PC Engine Arcade CD-ROM²)
Saurus (SNES)
Publisher(s)
Alpha Denshi
  • Hudson Soft
    (PC Engine Arcade CD-ROM²) Super NES
    ADK (Neo Geo CD)
Director(s)Akira Ushizawa
Producer(s)Kenji Sawatari
Designer(s)Kimitoshi Yokoo
Programmer(s)Yuji Noguchi
Artist(s)Hiroyuki Ryū
Composer(s)Hideki Yamamoto
Hiroaki Shimizu
Yuka Watanabe
SeriesWorld Heroes
Platform(s)
Release
  • Arcade
    • WW: 26 April 1993
    Neo Geo AES
    • WW: 4 June 1993
    PC Engine Arcade CD-ROM²
    Super NES
    • JP: 1 July 1994
    • NA: September 1994
    Neo Geo CD
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)
Arcade systemNeo Geo MVS

It was followed by a sequel released just a year later titled World Heroes 2 Jet.

Gameplay
Gameplay screenshot showcasing a match between Kotaro Fūma and Ryoko Izumo.

World Heroes 2 uses most of the elements of its predecessor, such as the same three out of four button layout, movements and motion commands performed using an 8-way joystick, and the "Normal Game" and "Death Match" modes. However, the "C" button can either be used to throw when close enough to the opponent, or taunt against the opponent. New additions include six new characters, new and modified moves and fighting statistics added to the original eight playable characters returning from the first World Heroes, projectile-reflecting, counter-grabbing and a slightly faster movement. There are fourteen playable characters in all.

In "Normal Game" mode, the object is to first defeat all six playable characters introduced in World Heroes 2, then defeat four of the original eight characters introduced in the original World Heroes chosen by the game randomly. After that, the player must defeat the two bosses, Neo Geegus and Dio to win the game. The rule in each battle against a character, like in most fighting games at the time of its release, requires the players to win two-of three rounds to completely win against the opponent. If the timer runs out before anyone is knocked out, the one with the most health in his/her lifebars wins.

In "Death Match" mode, the object of this mode is the same as "Normal Game" mode, but with new stages that feature new environmental hazards and a unique lifebar called the "seesaw lifebar". Unlike most fighting games at the time, the seesaw lifebar in "Death Match" mode has a different rule. If the player hits his or her opponent, the arrow on the lifebar will move toward the opponent's side at a distance depending on certain moves performed against the opponent. If the arrow scrolls at the end of the opponent's side, he/she will have to constantly press any button to stand up as fast as possible before the referee counts to ten. If the arrow is perfectly in the middle with the time running out, the battle becomes a draw game.

Plot

One year ago, Dr. Brown had created the World Heroes tournament in order to find out on who the strongest fighter of history is, but because of the unexpected arrival and interference of Geegus, Dr. Brown was unable to get his answer. Now Dr. Brown is prepared to hold the tournament once again, not only having to invite the eight original fighters back for a second round, but also having to bring forth six new fighters as well, each and every one of them seeking to prove themselves in being the strongest fighter of history. Dr. Brown hopes that this time around, a definite winner will truly come out of the World Heroes tournament and emerge as the strongest fighter of history without interference from Geegus or other threats.

Characters

Returning Characters

1) Hanzou Hattori (Profession/Country: Iga Ninja/Japan)

  • Quotes

"I do not refuse challenges. I take on all, even a loser such as yourself."

"To reach the top, I seek the strongest in the world. You don't even rank in the weenie category."

  • Epilogue

"The battle is over, and again I am the strongest. Yet the world is wide, so my voyage continues. Later, dudes..."[2]

2) Kotaro Fuuma (Profession/Country: Fuuma-Ryu Ninja/Japan)

  • Quotes

"Duwaaah! Your punches don't hurt, don't tickle; my 90-year-old grandmother, who's bedridden, fights better than you."

"With my ninja training, a maggot like you had no chance."

  • Epilogue

(at Fuuma's Martial Arts Emporium in America)

CUTE STUDENT: "B-But..."

FUUMA: Hey, my little cream-wad; how about a cup of tea after practice?"

CUTE STUDENT: That's cream-puff, idiot. And the answer is no!

FUUMA: Yeeeeow! Of all the mysteries in the universe, there is none more perplexing than that of Western women.[3]

3) Kim Dragon (Profession/Country: Martial Artist/South Korea)

  • Quotes

"Ha-cho! Did you really think you had a chance?"

"Hoh! After this fight, you can call me master!"

"Ya-chaah! To call me strong would be an understatement. Titan would be a fair description."

  • Epilogue

KIM: Yes. Victorious again.

EARL (ROCKER): Hey, you. Your hot voice sends me gyrating. How about debuting with me as the next hit-making duo, Dragon and Earl?

KIM: Sounds interesting. I'll give it a shot.

NARRATOR: Disenchanted with motion pictures, Dragon enters the singing business. Will he, at last, find happiness...?" [4]

4) Janne D'Arc (Profession/Country: Fencer/France)

  • Quotes

"Oh-ho-ho-ho. A natural outcome."

"Oh-ho-ho-ho. If you kneel before me and propose, I just my let you win."

"Oh-ho-ho-ho. Just call me the most beautiful sword-master in the universe. Or, for that matter, just call me."

  • Epilogue

JANNE: Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho...as I'd expected I would, again, I emerge triumphant. Triumphant but, sadly, still single...Will I ever find a suitable life-partner? Eureka! If I conquer the world...Yeah, I could have any man I wanted...But is that worth such?"

NARRATION: Conscience doth make bachelors and spinsters of us all.[5]

5) Julius Carn (Profession/Country: Marauder/Mongolia)

  • Quotes

"Ga-ha-ha. It seems I have won again. I'm too much."

"With my strength of 1000 men, your defeat was a foregone conclusion."

  • Epilogue

J. CARN: Oh, gosh; is it over already? Geez, back to my old boring job of ruling over the world.

NARRATION: For some, life is never enough.[6]

6) Muscle Power (Profession/Country: Wrestler/USA)

  • Quotes

"Simply, with my awesome body, challenging me was insane."

  • Epilogue

MUSCLE POWER: (to the other 13 World Heroes) The battle is over. Face it: we're all dumb, brawny warriors in a post-Cold War society. So how do we make a living?

ANNOUNCER: Here now; those pro-fighting champions, the World Heroes, live at the Megadome for one night only. Seats are just $24.95! The brutality...the bad blood...the excitement. Don't miss it! [7]

7) Brocken (Profession/Country: Military Officer/Germany)

  • Quotes

"Invincible am I, who threw my life away to become a cyborg gladiator! Invincible, but somewhat lonely."

"You fight well, but you are no match for a superhuman cyborg like myself."

  • Epilogue

SCIENTIST: Mein mechanoid mensch, well done! To celebrate your victory, I will present you with a new body.

BROCKEN: The honor is uniquely mine, Herr Doctor! ...What in the realm of Himmel is this?

SCIENTIST: This body is a thousand times more powerful than the last.

BROCKEN: Powerful, maybe. Presentable, never! What would my cyborg sweetie say? (Indeed, his new body looks ridiculous) [8]

8) Rasputin (Profession/Country: Sorcerer/Russia)

  • Quotes

"Don't make me angry. If I get angry, I might hug you to death."

"My magic of brotherhood is inescapable in its power."

  • Epilogue

RASPUTIN: My wretched flock, I have come to deliver you from your basest instincts.

NARRATION: Rasputin opens the Church of Love and Humanity.

GUY #1: "Chew glass, pal!"

GUY #2: "Go play in traffic!"

NARRATION: Alas, the world seems unprepared for his teachings.[9]

New Characters

9) Captain Kidd (Profession/Country: Pirate/Edwardian England)

  • Quotes

"A sublime scrap, my friend. I hope we shall meet again."

"What, over so soon? You sadden me."

  • Epilogue

CAPTAIN KIDD: At last, I have found the treasure of Diego del Feugo Gonzales! Load it onto the ship; be quick, ye swabs!

SWABBY: Aye, your Saltiness.

CAPTAIN KIDD: To sea, me hearties! (The ship sinks) What? Me treasure...! [10]

10) Ryoko Izumo (Profession/Country: Judo-Queen/Japan)

  • Quotes

"Wow, you were tough. I like that in a man."

"Yes! Can I kick butt or can I kick butt!"

  • Epilogue

RYOKO: Hyaaah!

NARRATION: Since her return to Japan, Ryoko has been bouncing bodies on the mats of judo-gyms all over the country.

RYOKO: That's my win. I'll take my money now.

NARRATION: Sixteen and a judo-hustler. What has become of the world's youth in these difficult times? [11]

11) Mudman (Profession/Country: Spirit Warrior/Papua New Guinea)

  • Quotes

"The Holy Spirit courses through my mass. I will absorb any attack."

"You're strong. But I, the mucky messenger of God, was stronger."

  • Epilogue

MUDMAN: Lord, I have rid the world of the evil Dio.

THE GREAT MOVER: Well done, my pious clod of swamp-slime. For your efforts, I invite you to Heaven...

NARRATION: And so, Mudman rose to the heights of the Eternal Kingdom...a slimy servant to the will of the Great Mover.[12]

12) Erick (Profession/Country: Viking/Norway)

  • Quotes

"Be courageous! To know fear and to run away are two completely different things."

"Don't stop the fight yet. You have courage and strength, but you fight like a geek."

"I'm dedicating this fight to my wonderful wife, Leia. Honey, this head is for you."

  • Epilogue

ERICK: Honey, I'm home...

LEIA: Erick. My great horned one!

LEIF: Papa. You're back!

ERICK: What about my back? Oh, yeah...Anyway, that little girl with the red shoes, whom I met during my journey, was right about one thing...There's no place like home. Ha-ha-ha...[13]

13) Shura Nai Khanomtom (Profession/Country: Muay Thai/Thailand)

  • Quotes

"I haven't begun to use my full power. Come on, you pansy!"

"To avenge my brother, I must fight on!"

  • Epilogue

SHURA: Oh, brother...I have, at long last, avenged your foul murder. Rest in tranquility, my dear brother...

BROTHER: Shura! What in the name of God are you talking about? I'm not dead, I never was, and I don't plan on dying for a great while. So whatever have you been doing for all this time?

SHURA: ...I've been fighting my way to the title of number one in the world...

BROTHER: Oh, shut up; enough of these childish fantasies. Let's get back home, and quick. Mom's having coronaries wondering where you've gone! (drags Shura off) [14]

14) Johnny Maximum (Profession/Country: Quarterback/USA)

  • Quotes

"Don't think of me as a football-player. Think of me as a bloodthirsty beast with a hunger for you!"

"In any circumstances, the strong always survive. Just call me strong."

"Live, my child, so I may smack you around again someday!"

  • Epilogue

"The fourth quarter is over. Yet for me...wherever people are banging their heads together, wherever fingers are being snapped like pretzels over a glass of beer, wherever the crowd roars at a lineman's body being rent in two...I'll be there, protecting my reputation as the number-one master of mayhem! Goodbye for now, my fans...until the play-by-play begins again." (he trips and falls down) [15]

Bosses (Country: Italy)

15) Neo-Geegus (Morphoid)

  • Quotes

"The strong rule, and victory is justice. That's my belief. But then again, I think the Democrats can save America!"

"There can, at any one time, be just one ultimate warrior. Sadly, you are not it."

16) Dio ("The Ultimate")

  • Quotes

"Had enough? Or have you come here to die like a dog?"

"No, no. You, simply, are too weak. Now go back home and become a good little couch potato."

"Scum. Did you actually think you could even stand in opposition to me? You make me sad."

  • Epilogue

"A fake Neo-Dio...Must be a remnant of DAMN'D. If you challenge me, DAMN'D, you will regret it! They are just ants! I will squash them once again! Ke-ke-ke! What fun! Whoopee...!" [17]

Development

According to ADK World, other famous people considered for the cast included Yagyu Jubei, Siegfried Fischbacher, Vlad Dracula, Sindbad the Sailor, Ramesses III, and Gors who was the female version of Geegus, intended sub-boss, she was scrapped due to animation issues. Other characters who didn't make the cut were an Aztec hero who's motions are that of an animal, a European fencer who rivals Jeanne D'Arc, a Native-American tribal warrioress, and a Mexican professional-wrestler who was served as the basis for Muscle Power.

Erick was conceived due to two scrapped world heroines named Ellis and Musha; One was a young Valkyrie and the other was a "Western fantasy" based character, both of them wielded blunt melee weapons. Much like the Musashi Miyamoto-based character Haohmaru who was also scrapped in the original game, Yagyu Jubei on the other hand would also later go on to also become a playable character in Samurai Shodown (1993).

World Heroes 2 was later ported to the Neo Geo AES in both Japan and North America on June 4, 1993, which is identical to the Neo Geo MVS version, but designed for home gaming, just like nearly every AES versions of Neo Geo titles. World Heroes 2 was later ported to the Neo Geo CD exclusively in Japan by ADK on April 14, 1995, which everything in it is identical to the MVS and AES versions, but with arranged background music. Outside of SNK's platforms, it was first ported by Agenda with graphics handled by ADS and published by Hudson Soft to the PC-Engine Super CD-ROM² exclusively in Japan on June 4, 1994, as part of a series of titles that use the Arcade Card expansion for the PC-Engine Super CD-ROM² along with three Neo Geo titles also equally ported by Hudson Soft: Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury 2 and Fatal Fury Special. It features a mixture of arranged and chiptune BGM (different compared to the Neo-Geo CD version's BGM), as well as nearly identical graphics, sound effects and voice samples to the original Neo Geo versions. Later, World Heroes 2 was ported and published by Saurus to the SNES in Japan on July 1, 1994, while this specific port was later published in North America by Takara in September 1994. This port, unlike the other versions, allows players to choose the boss characters with a secret code.[18]

On October 18, 2007, SNK Playmore added it along with its predecessor and successors to the arcade game compilation World Heroes Gorgeous: Neo Geo Online Collection Vol. 9 (ワールドヒーローズ ゴージャス) in Japan for the PlayStation 2. It was later published in North America on March 11, 2008, and on November 7, 2008, both titled as World Heroes Anthology. This compilation was reprinted as part of a series of best-sellers subtitled "The Best" in Japan on June 18, 2009. The Neo Geo AES version was later re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on November 15, 2011.

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed World Heroes 2 on their June 1, 1993 issue as being the most-successful table arcade unit of the month.[25] In North America, RePlay reported World Heroes 2 to be the fifth most-popular arcade game in May 1993,[26] and Play Meter listed World Heroes 2 as the nineteenth most-popular arcade game in June 1993.[27] RePlay later listed World Heroes 2 as America's top-grossing arcade software kit in July 1993.[28]

On release, Famicom Tsūshin's four reviewers scored the Neo Geo version of the game a 25 out of 40.[21] GameFan's four reviewers scored the Neo Geo version 349 out of 400 (average 87.25%), stating that SNK has come "closer in their quest for fighting perfection" and concluding that it is "the best Neo Geo fighting game next to Fatal Fury 2" and "is as good as SF2."[22]

GamePro applauded the SNES version for its massive size (24 megabits) and accurate translation of the arcade game, commenting that "WH 2 is so faithful to the arcade graphics that you have to look closely to see what (if anything) was lost in the conversion." They additionally praised the game for its large selection of characters and options.[24] Electronic Gaming Monthly's five reviews scored it 37 out of 50 (average 7.4 out of 10), calling it "another excellent conversion of an arcade game to the Super NES platform." They cited the ability to play as the boss characters and the speed settings as good bonuses.[20]

Notes
  1. Additional work by SNK
  2. Additional work by ADS
  3. Japanese: ワールド・ヒーローズ 2, Hepburn: Wārudo Hīrōzu Tsū

References
  1. "Oh! Neo Geo Vol. 11 - ワールドヒーローズ2". Beep! MegaDrive (in Japanese). No. 46. SoftBank Creative. July 1993. p. 142.
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_ZogqYV9pw&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=1
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfQIawvyf5k&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=2
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Tls6wGdjE&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=3
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znnbvV-T2OY&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=6
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0DYMrwXwCI&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=4
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8upZ6NSgvA&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=8
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfmmu6hEx6I&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=7
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc7Vlb-Lil8&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=5
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evIa6rC9J7Y&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=9
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDyl5fBn_2Y&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=11
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LPwqC_IE44&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=13
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnzobXS7loo&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=10
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPBufZJwhiQ&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=12
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If2zBQnv2PY&list=PLMHR2xnx8VCr-HvsHsgAATW4Vy_HAqKKp&index=14
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oASiPGhmWpY
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcArA0qXmeg
  18. "World Heroes 2 Cheats, Codes, and Secrets for Super Nintendo - GameFAQs".
  19. "World Heroes 2 (Neo Geo) Review". Archived from the original on 16 November 2014.
  20. "Review Crew: World Heroes 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 61. EGM Media, LLC. August 1994. p. 32.
  21. NEO GEO GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ワールドヒーローズ2. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.332. Pg.26. 28 April 1995.
  22. GameFan, volume 1, issue 9 (August 1993), pages 11 & 90-91
  23. GameFan, volume 2, issue 8 (July 1994), page 31
  24. "ProReview: World Heroes 2". GamePro. No. 62. IDG. September 1994. p. 94.
  25. "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 450. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 June 1993. p. 25.
  26. "The Player's Choice - Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Video Software". RePlay. Vol. 18, no. 8. RePlay Publishing, Inc. May 1993. p. 4.
  27. "Equipment Poll - Video & Pinball Combined". Play Meter. Vol. 19, no. 7. Skybird Publishing. June 1993. p. 8.
  28. "Top Coin-Ops of July 1993". Electronic Games. Vol. 1, no. 12 (September 1993). August 24, 1993. p. 14.
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