"The franchise ends with the best game in the series, bar none"

World Heroes Perfect was the final game released in the World Heroes series, a series that I consider underrated and under appreciated.

There are 19 fighters to pick from in this 2D fighter. They range from the serious (Hanzou -- a ninja who fights for the battle) to the silly (Mudman -- a shaman with funny attacks). The game has a perfect (no pun intended) balance between serious and goofy.

You get Arcade mode, VS. mode, and a CPU VS. mode. The CPU VS. mode is a real gem, and a mode that I wish was included in EVERY fighting game. Basically it works like this: you pick any one of the 19 fighters, then you pick the CPU opponent from any of the 19 fighters, and then you pick any of the 12 stages to battle on.
This mode is fantastic for a quick fix, or to experiment with different fighters. Whereas the Arcade mode forces you to use one fighter until you lose, the CPU VS. mode allows you to change your character after every match and the opponent you face, if you want. It's brilliant and only adds to the game's replay value.

Another extra in this game -- artwork from all 4 World Heroes games. It's a treat for both the longtime fan and the newcomer.

So what makes World Heroes Perfect the best game in the franchise? Improved gameplay, improved control, and improved format. WHP debuts a six button layout (think Street Fighter II) and a new HERO bar, which acts as a super special bar. Also new are Desperation Moves, moves which you can pull off once your energy is flashing red. If you do a Desperation Move with the HERO bar full, get ready for an all-out eye thrill!

Here is a quick look at the 19 fighters:

-Hanzou
Blue ninja who fights for the battle. He may be a blatant Ryu clone, but I believe he's one of the better clones of all time. Hanzou has his own qualities (i.e. teleport) and his Dragon Punch is the most gorgeous variation of the move in any fighter.

-Fuuma
Red ninja whose rival is Hanzou. Think Ken. Watch out for that Flaming Dragon Punch... ''ORA!!''

-Dragon
BEFORE there was Capcom's Fei-Long, there was ADK's Kim Dragon. A skilled player who can learn to utilize Dragon to the best of his ability is certainly one to be feared. Dragon strikes hard and strikes fast. Beware the Dragon Kick. ''HA-CHU!''

-J. Carn
Bulky short man with bad attitude. Fun to use once you learn his moveset. I personally love his ''Fire Blast'' HERO super special.

-Janne
Swords woman with charge commands. Another fighter that is fun to control.

-Brocken
Think M. Bison meets Dhalsim, this cyborg is equipped with enough firepower to light up Yankee Stadium.

-Rasputin
Flame attacks, electric shocks, freezing antics, this creepy Russian magician knows all the tricks in the book. And wait til you see his Desperation HERO super special... I guarantee you that you won't believe your eyes..

-Muscle Power
A Hulk Hogan-type wrestler with dropkicks, spinning back breakers and giant swings. ''Numbah Wahn!''

-Captain Kidd
Ahhh, in my book he's one of the more cool character designs of ALL time. This pirate has all the bumps, the thumps, which makes him perfect for both beginners and experts. Offensively, terrific...

-Ryoko
Judo teenager who is infatuated with Hanzou. She's difficult to use, but will pay dividends if you learn how to... she's such a small target to hit!

-Erick
Huge Viking who carries a mean axe. His special moves are fun to inflict upon.

-Johnny Maximum
Football Ghost who has one absolutely devastating super special!

-Shura
This Muay Thai master is slow and has charge moves. However, if you play him right you will lull your opponent into thinking it's an easy victory. Prove him wrong!

-Mudman
Funny shaman who wears a big green mask. Summons little spirit buddies to help him out in battle. Mudman's tougher to get use to, he's for the intermediate player.

-Jack
This is ADK's version of ''Jack the Ripper.'' This Jack is more goofy than he is scary, but his mix of quickness, range and power make him a good fighter.

-Ryofu
Big and slow. But carries a big stick.

-Gokuu
This monkey fighter will take a lot of patience and practice to perfect, but I have seen players chain some sweet combos with Gokuu. He's another tiny target to hit and he is for the advanced player.

-Zeus
The biggest fighter in this game, he is incredibly cheap. He holds claim to the cheapest special move in the history of video games. You'll see...

-Dio
This is the final boss. What a monster he is. He is quick, lanky and powerful. Difficult to beat when controlled by someone who knows what he's doing.

The loading in WHP is the icing on the cake. Anywhere from .5-3 seconds. Talk about fast!

The fighting roster is deep as it is fun. If you want a 2D fighting game with some serious mixed with some goofiness, World Heroes Perfect is well worth a look. The controls are responsive, there is no slowdown whatsoever and the game's a blast to play.

Graphics: 8
Music/Sound: 8
Replay: 9
Control: 9
Gameplay: 9

I highly recommend World Heroes Perfect. Just be open-minded and don't judge too quickly. I think you will enjoy it. It's a worthy addition to any 2D fighting fan's library.

Overall: 9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/05/02, Updated 08/05/02