World Heroes 2

It was followed by a sequel released a year later, titled World Heroes 2 Jet.

• Title — World Heroes 2 • Developer — ADK Agenda (PC Engine Arcade CD-ROM²) Saurus (SNES) • Publisher — Hudson Soft (PC Engine Arcade CD-ROM²) Super NES ADK (Neo Geo CD) • Director — Akira Ushizawa • Producer — Kenji Sawatari • Designer — Kimitoshi Yokoo • Programmer — Yuji Noguchi • Artist — Hiroyuki Ryū • Composer — Hideki Yamamoto Hiroaki Shimizu Yuka Watanabe • Series — World Heroes • Platforms — Arcade, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, PC Engine Arcade CD-ROM², Super NES • Released — ArcadeApril 26, 1993 Neo Geo AESJune 4, 1993 PC Engine Arcade CD-ROM²June 4, 1994 Super NES Neo Geo CD • Genre — Fighting • Modes — Single-player, multiplayer • Arcade System — Neo Geo MVS

• Illustration — Gameplay screenshot showcasing a match between Kotaro Fūma and Ryoko Izumo World Heroes 2 uses most of the elements of its predecessor, such as the same three out of four button layout, movements and motion commands performed using an 8-way joystick, and the "Normal Game" and "Death Match" modes. However, the "C" button can either be used to throw when close enough to the opponent, or taunt against the opponent. New additions include six new characters, new and modified moves and fighting statistics added to the original eight playable characters returning from the first World Heroes, projectile-reflecting, counter-grabbing and a slightly faster movement. There are fourteen playable characters in all. In "Normal Game" mode, the object is to first defeat all six playable characters introduced in World Heroes 2, then defeat four of the original eight characters introduced in the original World Heroes chosen by the game randomly. After that, the player must defeat the two bosses, Neo Geegus and Dio to win the game. The rule in each battle against a character, like in most fighting games at the time of its release, requires the players to win two-of three rounds to completely win against the opponent. If the timer runs out before anyone is knocked out, the one with the most health in his/her lifebars wins. In "Death Match" mode, the object of this mode is the same as "Normal Game" mode, but with new stages that feature new environmental hazards and a unique lifebar called the "seesaw lifebar". Unlike most fighting games at the time, the seesaw lifebar in "Death Match" mode has a different rule. If the player hits his or her opponent, the arrow on the lifebar will move toward the opponent's side at a distance depending on certain moves performed against the opponent. If the arrow scrolls at the end of the opponent's side, he/she will have to constantly press any button to stand up as fast as possible before the referee counts to ten. If the arrow is perfectly in the middle with the time running out, the battle becomes a draw game.

One year before the events of this game, Dr. Brown created the World Heroes tournament to find the strongest fighter. Due to the unexpected arrival and interference of Geegus, Dr. Brown was unable to get his answer. Now the tournament is back with six new fighters, all seeking the title of history's strongest fighter.

New characters are marked below in bold: • Brocken • Captain Kidd • Dio (final boss) • Erick • Hanzou Hattori • Jeanne D'Arc • Johnny Maximum • Julius Carn • Kim Dragon • Kotaro Fuuma • Mudman • Muscle Power • Neo-Geegus (semi-final boss) • Rasputin • Ryoko Izumo • Shura Nai Khanomtom

According to ADK World, other famous people considered for the cast included Yagyu Jubei, Siegfried Fischbacher, Vlad Dracula, Sindbad the Sailor, Ramesses III, and Gors who was the female version of Geegus, intended sub-boss, she was scrapped due to animation issues. Other characters who didn't make the cut were an Aztec hero whose motions are that of an animal, a European fencer who rivals Jeanne D'Arc, a Native-American tribal warrioress, and a Mexican professional-wrestler who was served as the basis for Muscle Power. Erick was conceived due to two scrapped world heroines named Ellis and Musha; One was a young Valkyrie and the other was a "Western fantasy" based character, both of them wielded blunt melee weapons. Much like the Musashi Miyamoto-based character Haohmaru who was also scrapped in the original game, Yagyu Jubei on the other hand would also later go on to also become a playable character in Samurai Shodown (1993).