Unless players were keen arcade patrons, Neo Geo enthusiasts, or had a Japanese Dreamcast, they likely missed Breakers and its update Breaker’s Revenge. Neither game got a re-release over the past 20+ years, making them cult classics among fighting game fans. Their only hopes were emulation or getting enough money to import Neo Geo AES cartridges. That is, until now.
Thanks to QUByte Interactive, both of the Breakers games are available in the Breakers Collection for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Now SNK connoisseurs and newbies alike can get a taste of what Visco Games' fighters were like. But what should those newbies watch out for? Here are some beginner tips for them to take heed of.
6 Understand The Differences Between The Games
First off, what separates Breakers from its Revenge? Not too much, surprisingly enough. Revenge’s changes are largely cosmetic, with a few visual and gameplay tweaks here and there.
The second game does add an extra new character in the sword-slinging ninja Saizo, and it makes the final boss Bai-Hu playable. As such, it’s the definitive game of the collection. Its AI also offers less mercy, living up to SNK’s standard for hard bosses. So, it might help to give regular Breakers a try too for some relief, especially when players are just starting out.
5 In Terms Of Controls, It Plays Like Fatal Fury...
Given that the Breakers games were made on Neo Geo hardware, they had to be tailored for its standard arcade layout. As such, they play quite a lot like the early Fatal Fury and King of Fighters games with their four attack buttons: light and hard punch, light and hard kick.
These buttons will produce the characters’ normal attacks, which can be done while crouching, standing, or jumping. Players can also do special moves when they combine directional inputs with the attack buttons. Then, to defend against attacks, they hold back to block high and middle attacks, or down-back to block low attacks and sweeps.
4 ...And Street Fighter
Despite the fairly basic controls, Fatal Fury’s directional moves could be weird and complex, like the infamous Pretzel Motion. Luckily, Breakers’ commands are more like Street Fighter. Players use the the standard Quarter Circles or Charge Motions (hold back then forwards, or down then up), and add Attack to perform special moves.
The same goes for the super moves. Players can fill up a meter that will let them do one super per level, with a maximum of 3 levels. These are done with double Quarter Circles plus Attack for most characters. However, some of the harder ones require 720° motions (spin the stick twice) or Triangle Motions (down-back, down-forward, down-back, up-forward) to pull them off.
3 Get To Know The Unique Touches
Even if players are familiar with how Street Fighter and Fatal Fury work, Breakers has a few techniques of its own. Some are cosmetic, like mirror match opponents having different names (Tia becomes Shelly, Sho becomes Jin, etc.).
Others, though, are more interesting. For example, every character has their own dash, some of which can dodge projectiles. Characters can also move when getting up from the floor, which can help them get around wakeup attacks. Then, when the character’s health bar is flashing, they can do as many super moves as they like to try and turn the tide of the fight.
2 There Must Be a Winner!
Breakers doesn’t want the players to draw. In every match, either someone wins, or everyone loses. For example, if there’s a double KO in the final round, or no definite winner, the players get to fight again. Double KOs and the like are rare enough, so there’s bound to be a winner on a rematch.
But if there’s somehow another indefinite end to the round...the game just ends. There are no bonus points, no retries. Players just have to start a new fight and hope this rare occurrence doesn’t happen again. It’s not the biggest deal, since each game doesn’t cost a quarter or so per match like they did in the arcade days, but it’s an odd quirk either way.
1 Train And Spar
The Breakers Collection offers plenty of ways for players to brush up their skills. There’s a standard Practice mode to help new players get to grips with each character’s quirks and combos. It’s not as technical as newer games, but it will help out anyone starting the game for the first time.
For those who prefer to learn while they play, they can challenge the computer in Arcade Mode, or their friends in local Vs matches. Otherwise, they can take their chances with casual and ranked online play. While it’s a harder way to learn, the online play is smooth and silky thanks to its rollback netcode.
Breakers Collection is out now for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.