Darkstalkers: Capcom's Forgotten Gem That Influenced the Fighting Game Genre

In the early 90s, the arcade fighting game scene was dominated by two titans: Capcom's Street Fighter II and Midway's Mortal Kombat. However, amidst the chaos, another Capcom fighter, Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors, quietly made its mark, offering a unique and visually stunning take on the genre. Though it never reached the same level of success as its more famous counterparts, Darkstalkers has remained a beloved series among fans, and its influence can still be felt in the Street Fighter franchise and beyond.

Unleashing the Supernatural: Darkstalkers' Captivating Premise

The Merging of Realms and the Rise of the Darkstalkers

Darkstalkers' premise is a captivating one, with the Earth on the verge of merging with the demon realm of Makai. This cataclysmic event gives rise to the eponymous Darkstalkers – a diverse cast of supernatural beings, each with their own unique backstories and motivations. From the vampire lord Demitri Maximoff to the catwoman Felicia, the Darkstalkers roster is a veritable who's who of mythical and legendary creatures, all vying for dominance in this eternal war for the night.

The Mysterious Origins of Darkstalkers

The origins of Darkstalkers are shrouded in a bit of mystery, with various accounts of how the concept came to be. According to Darkstalkers art director Akira Yasuda, the idea for a fighting game involving monsters was proposed by a colleague named Akitomo, which was then further developed by designer Junichi Ohno. However, Ohno himself stated that the concept emerged from a Capcom brainstorming session, where Japanese yokai monsters would battle it out. Another possible origin story comes from Capcom USA producer Alex Jimenez, who claimed the game started as a Universal Monsters project, but was ultimately turned into an original Capcom creation when Universal refused to license their characters.

Showcasing the Power of the CPS-II Board

Regardless of its origins, Capcom saw Darkstalkers as an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of their new CPS-II arcade board, which had previously been tested with Super Street Fighter II Turbo. The goal was to create a fighting game that visually broke away from the norm, with each character and stage having its own unique designer. The result was a roster of characters whose looks and animations not only set them apart from other fighting games of the time, but also conveyed a distinct personality for each individual.

Darkstalkers' Influence on the Street Fighter Series

While Darkstalkers may not have achieved the same level of mainstream success as Street Fighter II, its influence on the Street Fighter series is undeniable. The more comic book-inspired art style and character designs of Darkstalkers can be seen as a precursor to the Street Fighter Alpha series, with the character of Rose being a prime example of this aesthetic crossover. Additionally, Darkstalkers introduced several gameplay mechanics, such as air blocking and chain combos, that would later be incorporated into the Street Fighter franchise.

Captivating Animations and Unique Personalities

One of the standout features of Darkstalkers is the sheer amount of animation and attention to detail that went into each character. From their basic attacks to the unique animations for being cut in two, burned, frozen, cursed, or poisoned, the Darkstalkers roster displayed a level of animation that was truly impressive for the time. This attention to detail, combined with the characters' distinct personalities and backstories, helped to set Darkstalkers apart from the more grounded and "serious" fighting games of the era.

The Darkstalkers Roster: A Diverse Cast of Supernatural Beings

The Darkstalkers roster is a diverse and captivating collection of supernatural beings, each with their own unique backstories and motivations. From the vampire lord Demitri Maximoff and the succubus Morrigan Aensland to the werewolf Jon Talbain and the zombified Australian rockstar Lord Raptor, the Darkstalkers cast is a veritable who's who of mythical and legendary creatures. The development team, led by Jimenez and his team, put a great deal of thought and care into crafting the individual stories and personalities of each character, further enhancing the game's appeal and depth.

Gameplay Innovations and Unique Mechanics

Darkstalkers brought with it a number of gameplay innovations that set it apart from its contemporaries. Utilizing the same six-button system as Street Fighter II, Darkstalkers introduced unique mechanics such as crouch walking, air hovering, air blocking, and chain combos. The game also featured a Super Combo gauge, known as the Special meter, which allowed players to unleash powerful ES attacks or EX variants of their special moves. These mechanics, along with the game's adjustable speed settings, contributed to a learning curve that was more challenging than other fighting games of the time, but also offered a deeper and more rewarding experience for skilled players.

Merchandising and Adaptations: Darkstalkers' Lasting Legacy

Recognizing the potential of the Darkstalkers franchise, Capcom pushed hard to capitalize on its success through various merchandising and adaptations. This included a wealth of manga and comic book releases, as well as a 13-episode cartoon series (though the quality of the latter was questionable, at best). The series also spawned a line of action figures, courtesy of ToyBiz, though these didn't arrive until 1999, well after the game's initial release.

The Unfortunate Decline and Uncertain Future of Darkstalkers

Despite its unique charm and innovative gameplay, Darkstalkers never quite reached the same level of popularity as Street Fighter II. The reasons for this are varied, with some speculating that Capcom's focus on the Street Fighter franchise, as well as the "upgrade syndrome" that plagued the Darkstalkers series in Japan, may have contributed to its relative obscurity. Since the 2005 release of Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower, the series has largely been relegated to cameo appearances and collections of the original games, with no new original entries since 1999's Darkstalkers 3.While the lack of new Darkstalkers content in recent years is certainly disappointing for fans, the series' unique charm and influence on the fighting game genre remain undeniable. For those who have yet to experience the thrill of pitting a zombified rock musician against a nunchaku-wielding werewolf, the Darkstalkers series is a must-play, offering a visually stunning and mechanically engaging alternative to the more mainstream fighting game offerings. With any luck, Capcom will one day revisit this beloved franchise and give it the attention and recognition it so rightfully deserves.