And just like that, the classic Battle Arena Toshinden series is emerging from its cozy little gaming grave, ready to make a scene on modern platforms! Edia, the savvy Japanese media company, has decided to throw a nostalgic party to celebrate the 30th birthday of the first Battle Arena Toshinden. And let’s face it—who doesn’t like a good nostalgia trip?
Blast from the Past: Decision Time!
Edia has dusted off its retro game licenses and announced that it will be deploying the first three titles of this legendary fighting series onto the current-gen consoles like a well-aimed projectile. Yes, folks, get ready to tackle the wonders of Toshinden, Toshinden 2, and Toshinden 3—because who doesn’t want to relive those pixelated glory days?
Now, hold onto your controller, because this isn’t just a drag-and-drop job. According to the fine print (or perhaps the fine words, thanks to a machine translation that would make a bot proud), Edia aims to give each game the royal treatment. They’ve apparently cracked the code for not just simple ports but experiences that even hardcore fans might enjoy. What a concept!
The Launch That Launched a Thousand Buttons
Throwback time! Did the first Battle Arena Toshinden hit the shelves as a launch title for the PS1 in the West? Certainly did! It swooped in like a brooding warrior a couple of months before that other legendary title from Namco made waves. Yes, it was also featured in the 2018 PlayStation Classic mini console launch lineup—because nostalgia sells like hotcakes!
A Swords and Side-steps Affair
The combat is weapons-based—because why not add a sprinkle of violence to a friendly duel? Virtua Fighter may have been the original polygonal brawler, but Toshinden bragged about that nifty 3D sidestepping long before it was cool. So, if the concept is taking two fighters, giving them swords, and letting them dance around a 3D arena, sign up a roster of characters, because things are about to get intense!
More Fighters, More Fun!
In typical sequel style, the second installment cranked things up with 12 unique characters, showcasing the kind of thoughtfulness that can make or break a fighting game. And then came the grand entry of Battle Arena Toshinden 3—it was essentially the superhero of the series, with a brand new engine and a whopping 32 fighters, making everyone else seem pitiful in comparison!
In a twist that would make any game developer proud, Toshinden 3 was one of the few games of its era to boast Performance and Quality modes. Yes, players could choose between experiencing a game that looked like art breathing life at 30 frames per second, or a speedier version at 60fps that led to some seriously pixelated graphics. Choices, choices!
What’s the Catch?
By the way, fans looking for the further adventures in this epic saga need to temper their excitement. A fourth installment, dubbed Toshinden 4, may still be out there lurking in the shadows of the PS1, but it seems like that one is not attracting Edia’s attention this time around. But who knows? Maybe it’s waiting for its moment to shine another day.
