The 90’s were a magical time in terms of arcade fighting games. This was when Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat were at their peak, but also the Neo Geo fighting games such as Fatal Fury and Samurai Shodown. One Neo Geo fighting game that sadly does not get enough credit is Breakers and its Update, Breakers Revenge. This week marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Breakers Revenge and I feel it important to give the game some attention on this occasion.
Breakers Revenge was like many 90’s games and yet not. It had all the high points of the genre, but it also felt like a street fighter game done in the Neo Geo style, rather than a typical SNK fighter, or perhaps a fusion of the two styles. It may not have been the most revolutionary fighting game, but definitely felt like a change of pace.
Breakers Revenge had some amazing visuals for the Neo Geo, although some feel they are too derivative. I disagree and feel that these graphics are perfect with the fast paced actions done. Speaking of fast paced, Breakers Revenge is one of the faster fighting games I have ever played. It felt more intense to play than a typical Neo Geo fighting game, and had a lot more to offer.
Breakers Revenge was unique in another way as well. The game did not limit you to set combos for characters but allowed you to innovate your own ideas and come up with incredible combos to use in fights. Breaker’s Revenge was a fighting game of contradictions that broke the mold, and the fact that it is not that well known is very upsetting to me. Gamers constantly say they want innovation in gaming and different experiences. Yet this game gave what the players asked for and was still ignored. A re-release of the game to new audiences would allow gamers today to appreciate what was here.