The History of Toshinden: From PlayStation Exclusive to Arcade Success

TLDRBattle Arena Toshinden was a PlayStation exclusive fighting game that marketed itself as the first true 3D fighting game. It gained popularity and had several sequels and spin-offs across different platforms. However, the series eventually faded due to burnout and competition from other fighting game franchises.

Key insights

🎮Battle Arena Toshinden was marketed as the first true 3D fighting game and a virtual fighter killer. It introduced a dodge mechanic and simple controls, but lacked depth compared to other fighting games of the time.

📚The series had a quick release schedule with five entries in one console generation. This resulted in burnout and apathy among players.

🌐Sony initially positioned Toshinden as a PlayStation exclusive, but it later released on other platforms, including the Sega Saturn and PC. Capcom even distributed the arcade version worldwide.

🎮Toshinden 2 improved on the first game with better graphics, faster gameplay, and additional characters. However, it was overshadowed by other fighting game franchises like Tekken and Virtua Fighter.

🎮The series continued with additional games like Battle Arena Toshinden Remix, Battle Arena Toshinden URA, and Battle Arena Toshinden 3. However, the lack of innovation and diminishing returns led to the decline of the franchise.

Q&A

What made Battle Arena Toshinden stand out?

Battle Arena Toshinden stood out with its marketing as the first true 3D fighting game and its flashy graphics and weapons. It also had a unique dodge mechanic and a simple control scheme that appealed to casual players.

How many games were released in the Battle Arena Toshinden series?

There were five main entries in the Battle Arena Toshinden series: Toshinden, Toshinden 2, Toshinden Remix, Toshinden URA, and Toshinden 3. There were also spin-offs and ports to different platforms.

What led to the decline of the Battle Arena Toshinden franchise?

The decline of the Battle Arena Toshinden franchise can be attributed to several factors. The quick release schedule resulted in burnout and apathy among players. The lack of innovation and depth compared to other fighting games, such as Tekken and Virtua Fighter, also contributed to its decline.

Which platforms were the Battle Arena Toshinden games released on?

The Battle Arena Toshinden games were primarily released on the PlayStation, but they also appeared on other platforms, including the Sega Saturn, PC, and Game Boy. The arcade version of Toshinden 2 was distributed worldwide by Capcom.

What were some notable features of the Battle Arena Toshinden series?

Some notable features of the Battle Arena Toshinden series include the dodge mechanic, simple controls, and flashy graphics. The games also featured an impressive roster of colorful characters and an amazing OST.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction and background of Battle Arena Toshinden as a PlayStation exclusive fighting game.

01:30Overview of the marketing strategy, positioning Toshinden as a virtual fighter killer and the first true 3D fighting game.

03:45Discussion on the release schedule and burnout of the series.

06:10Exploration of the platform releases, including PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and PC. Mention of Capcom distributing the arcade version.

09:30Overview of the improvements in Toshinden 2, including graphics, gameplay, and additional characters.

11:50Discussion on the subsequent games in the series and the decline of the franchise.