Eternal Champions (USA)
Eternal Champions (USA) on Genesis
Eternal Champions (USA) hit the SEGA Genesis in 1993, a one-on-one fighting game published by Sega. The premise is unusual for the genre: nine warriors who were important to humanity's future were all killed prematurely, so they now battle in an ethereal tournament to earn a second chance at life. It's a straight-up fighter that tries to stand out with its story-driven setup, though the execution still revolves around traditional arcade-style combat.
Players pick one of the nine fighters, each with their own backstory and fighting style, then face the others in a series of rounds. Each battle uses health bars and timed rounds, with the goal being to knock out your opponent twice. The game includes special moves triggered by directional inputs and button presses, along with a few environmental hazards on certain stages. Winning the tournament lets your character earn a new life, which is shown through a brief cinematic.
For retro fighting fans, Eternal Champions is an interesting footnote in the Genesis library. It arrived during the fighting game boom of the early '90s, bringing a novel story concept that gave context to the battles. The character designs are memorable and the combat is competent, though it doesn't have the polish of Capcom or SNK titles. It's worth a look if you want a 16-bit fighter with a unique flavor and a single-player story that actually tries to motivate the fights.
How to Play Eternal Champions (USA) Online
Getting Started
After pressing Start to get past the title screen, you'll see a character select screen. Choose one of nine warriors using the D-Pad and confirm with the A button (X key). The story is that each fighter died before fulfilling their destiny, and winning the tournament gives them a second chance at life. The game then throws you into the first match against an AI opponent.
The core loop is simple: fight through each opponent in a best-of-three-rounds format. Each round ends when a fighter's health bar is fully depleted. You have a basic attack with the B button (S key), a kick with the Y button (Z key), and special moves that require specific directional inputs plus a button. Block by holding back (away from the opponent). There is no save function, so you'll need to beat the game in one sitting if you want to see the ending.
New players should experiment with different characters to find one whose moves feel natural. The game's AI can be aggressive, so learning to block and time your attacks is crucial. Each character has a unique special move - try quarter-circle or charge motions. If you lose, you can continue with a limited number of credits. The ultimate goal is to defeat all eight opponents and then the final boss to witness your character's revived fate.
Eternal Champions (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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