"For my 100th review, I pay homage to the game in which I debuted!"

I'm already at 100 reviews? Man, I'm losing count faster than I can keep up! Oh well, since reaching 100 reviews is such a big event, I feel that it's only fair that I use this to pay homage to the game in which I made my triumphant debut into this world: Eternal Champions!

Although it wasn't the next biggest fighting craze, it did have a unique fighting system, eleven unique characters battling for a second chance at life, and some really gruesome death scenes! It was definitely a game worthy of the title 'Eternal!'

Graphics: 10/10
The backgrounds are nothing short of amazing. From the temple in which Jetta fights in, to the movie theater which I enjoy taking on any persons who think they can defeat me outside of, they're very well detailed, even for a Genesis game. As for character animations and details, they're actually very smooth and well drawn. You can even see facial expressions very clearly! How often do you see that in a fighting game from that era? Also, remember how I said the death scenes (Overkills) are gruesome? Believe me, even though they're not always bloody, they're very graphically detailed, and not for the faint of heart!

Sounds: 10/10
Each background theme perfectly fits the environment perfectly. The movie theater, the rooftop, the temple, every one of them. You'll find yourself humming them once you hear them. Each punch and kick connects in full bone crunching glory, meaning you'll be able to savor every blow with your ears as well as your eyes! Plus, each fighter has the ability to taunt their opponent, complete with a short voiceover. Although it is a bit grainy, they are well acted! (And I'm not saying that just because I felt I did a good job!)

Controls: 10/10
Street Fighter-style controls are the fare for this game. You can throw three types of punches and three types of kicks. You also have your standard assortment of special moves, plus get this. You also have an inner strength meter which determines how often and when you can do your special moves. When it reaches zero, you must back off and let it recharge. Taunting your opponent can reduce their power, but it also uses yours as well, meaning that you should only use it when necessary. This gives the battles something that most fighting games lack: Balance!

Story: 10/10
All of the warriors, including myself, were all victims of an untimely fate one way or another, each in our own time period. The Eternal Champion saw this, and has taken us to his own world, where our worlds merge as one. The Champion has now told us of his fighting tournament, where the winner would get a chance to battle him. If the winner defeated him, they would get a chance to go back in time just before they were killed, giving them a second chance, and the ability to rewrite history! Of course, the losers would face the fate they had originally!

Replay: 10/10
There's a one-on-one mode, a multiplayer tournament mode, and several methods of practicing your fighting moves, including hitting flying targets, practicing on a holographic image, and even practicing in a room customizable with different hazards you choose from. Also, the game is rather tough, so be prepared to spend long sessions playing!

Overall: 10/10
My 100th review. Man, things were going so well, first on Genesis, then on Sega CD. We then were going to move to Saturn, but then the project got scrapped, and we all lost our jobs (don't even mention Chicago Syndicate!) To think I almost became a- Oops, this is a review not an interview! *ahem* Basically, if you're a fighting game lover, and you have a Genesis, this game is definitely worth training for championship status within!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/13/01, Updated 07/16/01