Waku Waku 7

Sometimes the best fighting game is the one that doesn't take itself seriously. Waku Waku 7 from the Sunsoft studio is exactly such a case: an exuberant, zany, and colorful game that takes the genre's conventions and turns them into a comic full of exaggerated gestures and giant attacks.

The foundation is classic — one-on-one combat — but presentation is everything. The characters are drawn in an adorable, manga-inspired style with oversized sprite animations, and the roster of seven fighters offers a colorful collection of eccentric oddballs, from the cute to the utterly crazy. The combat system works with exaggerated super moves and generous energy, so even a less experienced player will enjoy flashy pile-ups full of over-the-top explosions.

Technically, Waku Waku 7 shows what the Neo Geo could do in the field of lively, cartoon-like 2D graphics. There are lots of sprites, they're large, and they move with an exaggerated springiness that gives the whole game a cartoon energy. It's all rounded out by energetic music and sound effects that underline the lighthearted, almost parodic tone.

The game arrived at a time when the fighting-game market was oversaturated, and perhaps that's why it bet on personality instead of competitive depth. Among fans it built a cult reputation precisely thanks to its charm and unmistakable atmosphere. It's not a title chasing tournament prestige, but the sheer joy of play — and in that it's unbeatable.

Because it was a relatively less mainstream piece, Waku Waku 7 is today among the more sought-after items among collectors and Neo Geo lovers. Fortunately it has appeared in digital re-releases too, so anyone can savor its high-spirited energy.

Why play: An adorably zany fighter with a cartoon style and exaggerated attacks that bets on fun and personality instead of competitive seriousness.