Waku Waku 7
 

 
ABOUT:  Waku Waku 7 is a 2D fighting game developed by Sunsoft. Waku Waku 7 initially released as arcade game for the Neo Geo MVS arcade system in 1996. It was Sunsoft's second 2D fighting game following their 1994 Super Famicom spin-off of their Hebereke series, Sugoi Hebereke, and Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors (1995), their first 2D fighting game. The "7" in the game's title refers to the seven main playable characters of Waku Waku 7. The game also features two boss characters who became playable in the home version. An arcade-perfect port is included in the 2008 PlayStation 2 release, Sunsoft Collection.
  

Waku Waku 7 features a total roster of 9 characters (two of which available only in the Versus mode of the console ports). Each fighter a uniquely different play-style and parodies a well-known character from another game. Each character has a powerful special move (referred to as the Harahara movement, or Harahara motion). Harahara techniques are easy to perform and are unblockable, but require a character to "charge" them which can take a few seconds (during this time, they can be interrupted). Characters can also be launched through the screen to hit the opposite corner, and be attacked while on the ground, but can also dodge or attack while getting up.

 
Waku Waku 7 is an underrated and obscure fighting game in more ways than one. The traditional 2D gameplay feels familiar to other traditional 2D fighters of the era and feels mostly solid. While the roster of Waku Waku 7 is small and a bit lonely, the way the game's colorful cast parodies other characters is pretty entertaining. Waku Waku 7's stages feature several different versions at different times of day. A comical sub-boss named Bonus-Kun, who also appears in Galaxy Fight, returns in Waku Waku 7 as a sub-boss.