Breakers Collection Review

Initial release date: January 13, 2023

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Publisher: QUByte Interactive

Developers: QUByte Interactive, Visco Corporation

Genres: Fighting game, Action game, Casual game

"Review Copy Provided By QUByte Interactive"

Visco Corporation may not be well-known as an arcade developer from the 1990s, but they made a name for themselves with some third-party offerings for SNK's Neo Geo hardware. One of their most notable titles was the isometric racing game Neo Drift Out: New Technology. However, they also attempted to capitalize on the popularity of one-on-one fighting games with Breakers, a game that was released in 1996 and didn't stand out from the competition. While it never left Japan and may not be familiar to many Western players, the Breakers Collection compilation is worth checking out as it showcases the game's hidden strengths. Breakers was later revamped in 1998 in Breakers Revenge. Breakers Collection is a compilation of two Neo Geo fighting games, Breakers and Breakers Revenge, which were originally released in 1996 and 1998 respectively. These games were never released outside of Japan, so this is an opportunity for players to experience them for the first time. The compilation offers players the opportunity to play the games with decent emulation, visual filters, and bonus features. The most important aspect of this release is the solid online play, which includes the rollback netcode functionality for smoother and fairer fights. This allows players to enjoy the game in its intended head-to-head versus play mode. Overall, the collection is a great way for players to experience these classic games legally and with added features for a more modern experience.

Developer QUByte Interactive has re-released the two games in the Breakers series, Breakers and Breakers Revenge, in a compilation called Breakers Collection. They have added new features such as cross-platform online capabilities, Team Battle, and Training modes. While the original Breakers game is still a fun and competent effort, it is made obsolete by the inclusion of its sequel, which includes a new character and the ability to play as the boss from the first game. The characters in the game are well-designed, but they are derivative and their inspiration can be traced back to more popular games. The characters include a Native American wrestler, a character with stretchy limbs, and a monstrous hellcat from Brazil.

The gameplay in Breakers Collection is smooth, with aerial supers and ground-slamming grab attacks that flow seamlessly from tap-combos. The game offers a wide range of options for approach and combo building, making it both deep and engaging for players. The game also comes with a variety of features such as screen filters, wallpapers, art galleries, training modes, full move lists, leaderboards, and options to adjust speeds and difficulty levels. QUByte Interactive has also added an all-new Team Battle Mode, which is similar to the King of Fighters series, allowing players to select a team of fighters and rotate through them as they are defeated. This mode is well-designed and makes the most of the diverse and interesting moves of the game's characters. However, players may feel that the ten-character roster is slightly limited compared to modern fighting games.

One unique aspect of Breakers is that it gives separate identities and backstories to duplicate characters in mirror matches, which adds unexpected comedy to the game. For example, the flamboyant Italian character Pielle has a French counterpart named George who is said to consume Italians after being robbed on a trip to Italy. This level of creativity is not present in other fighting games like Street Fighter II.

The gameplay of Breakers may seem simple at first glance, but it's actually quite complex, thanks to the ability to cancel super moves into a chain, and some unusual juggling potential. It's fast-paced and satisfying to play, and its visuals hold up well even today. The new team mode is similar to the King of Fighters series and allows players to regain a small amount of vitality after each win.

The online crossplay and rollback netcode features in Breakers Collection are crucial aspects of the release, and have been implemented well. Players can also see ping and connection speed information, participate in ranked versus match-ups and download replays of their victories. The game's destiny was always in head-to-head versus play, and now with the opportunity to play online, it's time for players to get their fighting sticks ready.

Although there are only ten characters available, none of them are locked behind DLC paywalls. Everything is included in the game from the start. The package may only consist of 1.5 games, but they are considered some of the best non-SNK fighting games in the Neo Geo library. QUByte Interactive delayed the release for several years, postponing it since 2019 to polish the game to a high level. It was worth the wait.

Graphically, Breakers Collection is excellent, featuring large, bold sprites, smooth animation, and bright, colorful backgrounds that take place in various locations around the world. The game's design is heavily influenced by Street Fighter, but the characters have their own unique styles and combo opportunities. For example, Condor is a strong grab character, Alsion III is a stretchy-limbed Egyptian god, and Pielle is a French-sounding Italian fencer. The game also features characters armed with weapons such as Sheik Maherl who wields a scimitar, and Tia, a spritely kickboxer from Thailand. The game's cast is well balanced and easy to pick up, but also offers a lot of depth for players to master over time.

Although fun, the Breakers roster may be too small for the team mode in terms of variety and options. Online, the rollback netcode ensures smooth, lag-free battles, though the player may not be successful. The package may not have a lot of content, but it is as complete as it can be and is enjoyable to play. In retrospect, it is considered one of the best non-SNK fighting games released for the Neo Geo. Additionally, it is now more affordable to play the game with arcade-perfect quality. In conclusion, Breakers Collection feels like a passion project. It delivers a game that still feels modern and visceral to a new era of players. New players will be surprised by the high level of Visco's work, and the level of thought that went into its modernization with crucial up-to-date features is commendable. This kind of treatment should be standard when revisiting classic games, yet often it isn't. Breakers Collection gets it right.