Waku Waku 7

 is a 1996 2D fighting game developed and published by Sunsoft initially as an arcade game for the Neo Geo MVS arcade system in 1996 worldwide.
A port for the Nintendo Switch, part of the Arcade Archive collection from the Japanese video game publisher Hamster Corporation, was released in March 2017. A year later the same port was released on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Gameplay.
"Waku Waku 7" has an irregular feature set for a fighting game of its time, and includes features common to SNK fighting games (such as four basic attacks and screens zooming).
The game has a roster of nine characters (two of which were available only in the Versus mode of the console ports). Each has a significantly different playstyle and parodies a well-known character from another game. Each character has a powerful special move (referred to as the Harahara movement, or Harahara motion). They have several factors that make them unique, including a need to be charged (during which the character concentrates, says something, strikes a pose or blows a fanfare) and being unblockable and difficult to dodge, but can be interrupted while charging; while charging, the game flashes a warning and sounds an alarm. Characters can be launched through the screen to hit the other corner, and attacked while on the ground; but can also dodge or attack while getting up.
Plot.
"It is said that the person who collects all seven of the legendary WakuWaku balls will have their dearest wish granted. Those who find one of the balls become obsessed with the ruthless desire to obtain the others, who will be victorious in the bitter battle to become the owner of all the balls. Victory or defeat - it all lies in your hand."
Characters.
Selectable only in the versus mode:
Development.
It was Sunsoft's third fighting game after their 1994 Super Famicom spin-off of their "Hebereke" series, "Sugoi Hebereke", and their 1995 "", their first 2D fighting game. Although numbers in titles of games and other types of media are used to tell if they are sequels, the title of the game actually refers to its seven playable characters in the roster. The word "Waku Waku" is a Japanese onomatopoeia for sounds of excitement. Two years later, Sunsoft worked with a small company SANTACLAUS in producing the 1998 airborne-based fighting game "Astra Superstars" for the Sega ST-V arcade system.
Home releases.
"Waku Waku 7" was later ported to the Neo-Geo AES home console, which features easy-to-access difficulty settings and limited credits.
A Neo-Geo CD version was in development, but was canceled due to the Neo-Geo CD failing in the market. This version was later ported to the Sega Saturn instead, but exclusively in Japan. It requires the Saturn's 1 MB RAM expansion cartridge.
In 2008, the original Neo-Geo version was included with the Neo-Geo CD version of Sunsoft's other fighting game "" in Vol.11 of the Neo Geo Online Collection series for the PlayStation 2, titled . While the Neo-Geo CD soundtrack of "Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors" was added in this version, the soundtrack of "Waku Waku 7" is completely different from the unreleased Neo-Geo CD version that was later ported to the Sega Saturn. SNK was unable to add the Neo-Geo CD / Sega Saturn version of the soundtrack because of licensing issues.
The Neo-Geo AES home console version was ported to the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on April 27, 2010.
Soundtrack.
A soundtrack album of the Neo-Geo version was released by Pony Canyon and Scitron Label on August 21, 1996 exclusively in Japan under the catalog number PCCB-00215. It contains nearly every background music, as well as sound effects and voice samples from the arcade version. It was composed and arranged by Masato Araikawa.
Reception.
"Waku Waku 7" was met with generally positive reception from critics since its initial release in arcades and other platforms. "AllGame"s Kyle Knight reviewed the AES version regarded the graphical presentation as among the best on Neo Geo, praising the audio design, unique fighting system and character roster but criticized its implementation of the power gauge mechanic. The Sega Saturn conversion was met with a more mixed response from reviewers for being a straightfoward conversion of the original arcade game. However, fan reception was positive; Readers of the Japanese "Sega Saturn Magazine" voted to give the Saturn port a 7.4692 out of 10 score, ranking at the number 527 spot below "Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors", indicating a popular following.
The Nintendo Switch re-release garnered mostly positive response from retrospective reviewers. The Switch version holds a 76.25% on the video game review aggregator "GameRankings". "Nintendo Life"s Damien McFerran commended the cartoon-style audiovisual presentation, frantic pacing and varied character roster. "Nintendo World Report"s Zachary Miller noted its diverse and bizarre character roster but criticized the initial Switch release for the "washed" color palette.
In 2012, "Complex"s Elton Jones ranked this "underrated and virtually unknown fighter" as the 12th best SNK fighting game ever made, commenting, ""Waku Waku 7" was a trip. Most of the cast was full of colorful beasts and parodies of popular fighting game characters. Mauru had to be the strangest looking creature on the roster (he was also one of the most fun guys to play with). We appreciate this game’s tight gameplay, super cheery graphics, and hilarious super moves. Do yourself a favor and import a copy of this joint." That same year, "GamesRadar"s Lucas Sullivan included "this cheery, colorful Neo Geo fighter" among the little-known classic fighting games that deserve HD remakes, adding: "Though the zany roster is only seven fighters strong (not including goofy secret characters like a sentient punching bag), Sunsoft crafted quite the fun brawler that gives you super meter and glitzy special moves as often as modern-day "Marvel Vs." games."