Fighting games are one of the most popular genres in the gaming world, and one of the reasons this genre attracts a large number of players is due to its incredibly distinctive characters. Some characters not only look great, but their outfits are also designed to match the moves that character uses.
Sol Badguy – Guilty Gear
Contrary to his English name, Sol Badguy is not a bad or evil character in Guilty Gear; rather, he is a main character who considers being “bad” to be very cool. Sol ignites himself in some of his attacks, and he also shouts names like “Volcanic Viper” and “Napalm Death” when he performs them.
Creator Daisuke Ishiwatari designed Sol as a character that serves as a sort of alter ego for himself, even providing the voice for Sol in the game. However, the voice actor for the story mode of Guilty Gear X2 is Hikaru Hanada. Daisuke Ishiwatari’s favorite band is Queen, and he also noted in Sol’s bio that he is a fan of Queen. Hence, the name Sol Badguy (real name Frederick) is derived from Freddie Mercury’s nickname “Mr. Bad Guy.”
Sub-Zero – Mortal Kombat
Fans of Scorpion may not like hearing this, but Sub-Zero is a character with a more cohesive design. Sub-Zero’s ice powers look “real” and of high quality, and his outfit surpasses the top ninja archetype of the 90s.
Without Sub-Zero’s calm and cool demeanor to contrast with Scorpion’s flamboyance and fiery nature, this character might not be as special and standout as he is. Incorporating Sub-Zero into the Mortal Kombat fighting game not only creates an engaging storyline but also represents a thoughtful design choice.
Bonus-Kun – Waku Waku 7
From Dan Hibiki to Mr. Satan, there are many characters with humorous designs in fighting games. Many players even use these characters to showcase their skills against less experienced players. In the case of Bonus-Kun, just imagine the feeling of being laughed at when you are defeated by a literal punching bag.
Bonus-Kun is a character from Waku Waku 7, a fighting game designed as a parody of the entire genre. From the storyline to the appearance, it is clear that Bonus-Kun was created with the intention of mocking Ryu from Street Fighter. This punching bag was designed five years before Masahiro Sakurai created Sandbag in Super Smash Bros. Melee, so we don’t need to question whether Bonus-Kun was design-influenced.
Law – Tekken
At first glance, you might notice that Law is a character in the fighting game Tekken designed based on the legendary Bruce Lee. If you pay attention, Law’s original outfit looks quite similar to the one Bruce Lee wore in the films “The Way of the Dragon” (1973) and “Game of Death” (1978).
Law even possesses most of Bruce Lee’s signature moves and uses them as his own special techniques, such as flip kicks, flying kicks, and even the legendary one-inch punch. Essentially, when you look at Law, you immediately see the image of Bruce Lee in him.
Arizona – Them’s Fightin Herds
When players choose Arizona, they will notice that she is a cowgirl who can throw a lasso to bind her opponents. To put it simply, in Them’s Fightin Herds, Arizona is a hybrid character between a human and a cow. Therefore, just a quick glance will reveal that Arizona is a very violent, aggressive character, ready to give her enemies a beating.
Arizona is also symbolic of the origins of Them’s Fightin Herds. Them’s Fightin Herds was originally a fan-developed fighting game based on My Little Pony. Those who have played this version will notice the similarities in design between Applejack and Arizona. Many times, this is even the only fighting game character inspired by cowboys.
According to GVN360