A fighting game spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog series from the studio behind the Virtua Fighter and Fighting Vipers series, Sonic the Fighters pits characters from the series (including two new ones: Bean the Dynamite and Bark the Polar Bear) in a martial arts tournament to determine who gets to claim the eight Chaos Emeralds and power Tails's single-seat ship in order to stop the plans of Dr. Eggman (who has built a new Death Egg sometime after the events of Sonic & Knuckles).Although it is the only Model 2 fighting games to not receive a home Saturn release, both Bean and Bark were made playable in the crossover fighting game Fighters Megamix as unlockables. The game also later received two home conversions: one as part of the 2005 Sonic Gems Collection compilation for the GameCube and PlayStation 2, and an updated one released digitally for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on November 28, 2012. The 360 and PS3 version features support for high-definition displays, online multiplayer, and bonus playable characters. This version was later included as a bonus mini-game in both the 2021 game Lost Judgment and the 2023 game Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.GameplaySonic the Fighters has elements from both the Virtua Fighter and Fighting Vipers series, including a three-button control scheme (Punch, Kick, and Barrier).While knocked into the air, pressing P+K+B for an air recovery.Pressing P+K+B is used for sidestepping. Doing it while up close to the opponent can be used to circle around to their back. Some attacks can be done while sidestepping.Depending on operator settings, players can choose between "Automatic" and "Manual" control layouts. While Manual plays as normal, Automatic changes the attacks to be simpler and more context-sensitive (with certain technical attacks being easier to perform).Barrier GaugeUnique to the game is the "Barrier" gauge, which can be used for one of two special gameplay mechanics:By holding down the Barrier button, players can guard against most attacks from the front (shown with a blue energy shield) to both negate damage and leave the opponent open for a counter-attack. Certain attacks, however, break the barrier and expend one Barrier from the gauge. Once the gauge is depleted, players can no longer guard.By pressing Back+P+K (or Up+P+K in mid-air), players and expend one Barrier from the gauge to enter a temporary three-second Hyper Mode buff. Activating the buff is also an attack, which launches the opponent. While the buff is active, players can cancel special attacks together and can perform a unique special attack. It has a five second cooldown before it can be activated again.The amount of Barriers each player starts with depends on the operator settings, with the default being 5. Also, depending on operator settings, the game can allow the Barrier Gauge to reset between each round and to disable Hyper Mode altogether.CharactersThe base version of the game features eight playable characters and two unplayable boss characters. While most of these characters have previously appeared in the game series, two of these characters (Bean and Bark) were created for the game.Unlike most other fighting games, mirror matches are done by having one of the characters fights their "shadow" (which is shown as a grayscale) due to Dr. Eggman's meddling.Sonic the Hedgehog - The series' main protagonist and a hedgehog who goes fast, with some of his special attacks involving his signature spin dash. Can transform into his invulnerable "Super" form in the final boss match through specific requirements.Miles "Tails" Prower - Sonic's companion and a twin-tailed fox, with some of his special attacks involving using uses his tails as a propeller for flight. He is originally from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as a deuteragonist.Knuckles the Echidna - Sonic's rival and the echidna guardian of the Master Emerald, with some of his special attacks involving his ability to glide. He is originally from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a minor antagonist.Amy Rose the Rascal - Sonic's love interest and a hedgehog who attacks with a large mallet. She is originally from Sonic CD as a damsel-in-distress and is misnamed "Amy Rosy the Rascal".Fang the Sniper - A wolf-rodent outlaw who attacks with a cork gun (along with his long and springy tail). He is originally from the handheld game Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble as a minor antagonist, where he is also known as "Nack the Weasel".Espio the Chameleon - A chameleon who, along with superhuman agility, uses his extending tongue in combat. He was originally from Knuckles' Chaotix as a deuteragonist.Bean the Dynamite - An agile woodpecker who attacks by throwing bombs. He is an original character created for the game, although he based on the protagonists of the 1989 game Dynamite Dux.Bark the Polar Bear - A polar bear of large stature, who specializes in a variety of technical punching and throwing attacks. He is an original character created for the game, and is sometimes misnamed "Bark the Polerbear".Metal Sonic (final boss) - A robotic doppelganger of Sonic. Only playable in the 360 and PS3 versions with a cheat code, although only in the game's offline Versus mode and without mirror matching.Dr. Eggman (bonus boss) - The series' main antagonist, who is only fought against in a 15-second bonus round (with him piloting his mech suit and the player in a permanent Hyper Mode). Also called "Dr. Robotonic" and "Dr. Robotnik" in-game. Only playable in the 360 and PS3 versions with a cheat code, although only in the game's offline Versus mode and without mirror matching.Honey the Cat (hidden character) - A cat modeled after Honey/Candy from Fighting Vipers. Originally a scrapped character hidden in the game's code, she was added in the 360 and PS3 versions and is playable with a cheat code, where she shares most of her moveset with Knuckles. Unlike other characters, she has an alternate two-player outfit, rather than a "shadow" version. This alternate costume is based on a doll in Sanman's introduction sequence in Fighting Vipers, which pre-dates Sonic the Fighters.In addition, the original version of the game includes incomplete characters that cannot be played or fought under any official circumstance. Along with Honey the Cat, these include characters from the game's cutscenes: Dr. Eggman (suit-less and in a UFO), one of his robot minions, and "Rocket Metal".StagesSouth IslandFlying CarpetAurora IcefieldMushroom HillCanyon CruiseCasino NightDynamite PlantGiant WingDeath Egg's Eye
