BATTLE ARENA __ __/ __ / ____/ / /_ _/ \ / _ \ ____/ \ / / / /____ / __ / / / / / / ____/ / / __/ ______/______/__/ __/____/__/ __/______/______/__/ __/ for GameBoy FAQ v3.2 by Jason Chun (darshu@inreach.com) This FAQ is (c)1997,1998 Jason Chun. All rights reserved. Boy, that makes it sound serious. But at any rate, feel free to distribute this FAQ in its entirety for non-profit purposes. Contact me on use of this FAQ for some other means. ---------------------------------------------- | TABLE OF CONTENTS | ---------------------------------------------- I. General Information - Version History - Sources - Introduction - Author's Notes About This FAQ II. Stuff Pertaining To The Game - Menus And Options - Codes And Secrets - Character Dialogue Messages - Miscellaneous Tid Bits III. Game Play - Basic Moves - More Advanced Game Mechanics - Character Specific Moves IV. Stuff That Goes At The End - Conspiracy Theory - Special Thanks - The End ---------------------------------------------- | I. GENERAL INFORMATION | ---------------------------------------------- - Version History: 1.00 - Never Existed. 1.01 - Also never existed. In fact, there have never been any versions of this FAQ from 1.0 to 3.0. 3.14 - This has been the only one. Everyone starts offs at 1.0 or some other number less than 1, so I thought I'd be original and pick some other number to start off at instead. Anyway, it feels more impressive than just plain ol' 1.0. Sounds like I put more work and revisions into it in order to reach 3.14. 3.2 - Wow. I never thought I'd ever have to make a revision, but here it is. Added the name "Igoukinai" to Gaia II's move. Added Ellis' infinite combo. Added stage select to the Micellaneous Tid Bits. Tidied up some of the text. Changed my e-mail address. - Sources: + Battle Arena Toshinden manuals for the PSX, Saturn, and GameBoy. + Battle Arena Toshinden 2 manual for the PSX. + Numerous FAQs from the net that I don't recall specifically, but I'm sure much of my BAT knowledge came from reading them. - Introduction: Well, I'd imagine most people who are playing the GameBoy version of Battle Arena Toshinden have played the 32-bit versions or have at least heard about them and are familiar with the story. So there. But just in case... Toshin Daibukai is a tourament held every few years and is arranged by a shadowy underworld organization. Only fighters who were sent letters of invitation are allowed to participate. Who's in the organization, and why were the fighters selected? As usual, no one knows, and the character endings don't help too much either. =) Speaking of which... In the booklet, the reason why each fighter chose to enter the tournament is the same as the other versions of Toshinden (Eiji wants to find his brother, Kayin is looking for revenge, Sofia is searching for her background, etc...). However, in the game itself, the reasons are completely different, and in most cases, usually wacky and twisted. (check out Fo's ending. What a perv... =) - Author's Notes About This FAQ: This is my first attempt at writing a FAQ. Why did I pick to do BAT for GameBoy? Probably because nobody else has done it. Cuts down on the competition. Another reason why I'm writing this FAQ is to put into print the 20+ hit combos I've found in the game which, contrary to the easy comboability of the game mechanics, are quite difficult to do IMHO. I'd usually just post something like that on USENET, but since I don't hang out in the GameBoy/Nintendo newsgroups, I'm not really sure where the appropriate place to post them would be. Therefore, I'm writing an entire FAQ just to put down a couple of combos. But they're really *cool* combos if you can get them off! =) If you have any info that I left out of this FAQ, or if you've found an error, I can be contacted via e-mail at: darshu@inreach.com ---------------------------------------------- | II. STUFF PERTAINING TO THE GAME | ---------------------------------------------- - Menus And Options: From the title screen, you have four selections: 1P Game, VS CPU, VS Human, and Options. + 1P Game: Story mode. Each character (including the bosses) has a unique story explaining his of her involvement in the tournament. A difficulty of Normal and above will give you the "good" ending, but each difficulty setting has a different code that would be revealed at the end. + VS CPU: One-on-one fight with the CPU opponent of your choice. If you win, the game goes back to the Character Select screen to let you choose another CPU opponent. If you lose, you get the CONTINUE? message, which would bring you to the Character Select screen to let you choose your character, and then the CPU's. This is mainly a training and practice mode. + VS Human: One-on-one with a second player via GameBoy link or second controller on a SNES. The only way to quit this game mode is to reset. + Options: Let's you change the characteristics of the game. Most are self-explanatory: LEVEL = difficulty of the CPU opponents BOUT TIME = time limit per bout (round) SET POINT = Number of bouts needed to win to take the match LIFE = amount of life each player starts out with RING OUT = number of times each player is allowed to bump against the edge of the stage before falling. BGM = BackGround Music test SE = Sound Effects test - Codes And Secrets: + Gaia & Sho Code: During the Ellis demo (where she turns around and beeps), press RIGHT, LEFT, A, B. You will hear a "thump" if you performed the code correctly. + "Full Battle Mode" code: During the Ellis demo, press UP, DOWN, A, B, RIGHT, LEFT, A, B. You will hear an "explosion". This will let you play as GaiaII and Uranus, as well as Gaia and Sho. + "Scorcher Mode" code: During the Takara logo screen, press SELECT 3 times. You will hear a "swoosh". Not only can you perform Desparation moves at any time, but some characters will gain new special attacks. + "Jet Mode" code: At the title screen (where is says to press START ), press UP, UP, SELECT, A, DOWN, DOWN, SELECT, B. You will hear a "beep", and if you are playing on a Super GameBoy, the title will turn blue. The game will run at a higher speed. I believe this only works on a Super GameBoy. Verify that this code doesn't work on a standard GameBoy and get your name in the Special Thanks section! Offer valid while supplies last... + Character Dialogue code: During the Takara logo screen, press B, A, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, DOWN, UP, B, A. A new screen will open up to allow you to display all the dialogue messages seen in the game (and then some). UP and DOWN on the D-pad will scroll through the message number (0-207) and button A will display that message. Believe it or not, I actually took the time to transcribe every single message and stuck in here in this FAQ, which you can read further on. + To fight GaiaII in Story mode, you must finish 2 opponents with a Desparation or Secret move in the final bout (ie: the bout that will win the match for you). To fight Sho, you must finish 2 more opponents with a Desparation or Secret move after facing GaiaII. The only other requirement is that the difficulty level must be at Normal or above. You may use as many Continues as you like. - Character Dialogue Messages: + The dialogue messages are outlined in this way: 000-143 = Character win quotes 144-156 = Story openings (144 not an actual opening) 157-168 = Story endings 169-172 = Game codes 173-184 = Secret character moves (useless info for bosses) 185-198 = Continue? message 199-207 = Whatever else + With regards to character-related messages, the order for which they appear is as follows: Eiji, Kayin, Sofia, Rungo, Fo, Mondo, Duke, Ellis, Gaia, Sho, Uranus, and GaiaII. + In the stories sections, I've entered the names of who I thought was saying the lines (ie: >PERSON> " ... "). In the game, it is shown as straight text with no names and no quotes, which makes it confusing to figure out who's saying what (especially 158 and 159, which can be interpreted several ways). So in the stories is *my* interpretation of what exactly is being said by whom. Or you can remove all the double quotes and anything that looks like >PINKY>, and interprete the stories any way you like. =) + In the codes sections, graphical arrows are used, which I can't duplicate here. So as substitute, I'm using two methods to represent those arrows: ---+--- ---+--- The first one is for game codes; the second is for secret moves. I didn't mean to use two different methods. I only just realized that there were two methods when I had to type out this explanation just now. =) < Eiji's win quote to... > 000 "Pressure? Feeling no pressure at all before you!" Eiji 001 "Kayin! You're Weaker!" Kayin 002 "Piece of cake!" Sofia 003 "With power alone, you can't win. Use your brains!" Rungo 004 "You are too old to swing it about." Fo 005 "Not a bad weapon you have! But my 'Byakko Sword' is the strongest!" Mondo 006 "You've become stronger, haven't you?" Duke 007 "A woman is not an opponent I prefer to fight." Ellis 008 "Your armor ... !? You designed it by yourself?" Gaia 009 "Good! I did it! Did I really beat Sho?" Sho 010 "You were defeated because you are weak!" Uranus 011 "Strong! Strong enough to challenge this battle." GaiaII < Kayin's win quote to... > 012 "Eiji! Pity, I was serious!" Eiji 013 "Imitating my style doesn't work!" Kayin 014 "Mind, skill, movement... I'm superior in every point!!" Sofia 015 "Man needs speed and skill, not power." Rungo 016 "It's time for you to retire." Fo 017 "Do you know storm? You better. Storm defeated you!" Mondo 018 "Hey, you look cool! But, too straight to be popular." Duke 019 "No time to play with kids." Ellis 020 "If you're a fighter, improve your skill, not your appearance." Gaia 021 "I beat my teacher! To be a champion, I must work harder." Sho 022 "You can fly. What of it?" Uranus 023 "I can beat any enemy with my sword!" GaiaII < Sofia's win quote to... > 024 "You are fighting well, but I don't like your hairstyle." Eiji 025 "Handsome, but weak." Kayin 026 "Stop imitating me! I'm prettier!" Sofia 027 "There is no way you can escape my whip!" Rungo 028 "Don't even think about touching me!" Fo 029 "You're good, but I'm better!" Mondo 030 "This whipping is too strong for you?" Duke 031 "This is not a place for kids." Ellis 032 "Is your face hidden behind your armor because of no confidence?" Gaia 033 "You are strong! Nice guy!" Sho 034 "Hey! Give me that feather!" Uranus 035 "No need of a weak man! Get out of here at once!" GaiaII < Rungo's win quote to... > 036 "How can you be so lazy?" Eiji 037 "Have you brought your kid here? Leave your sword. If you die, that kid will be sad." Kayin 038 "Are you OK? Coming here was reckless." Sofia 039 "Your ability is not high enough to defeat them." Rungo 040 "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! You dropped your false teeth!" Fo 041 "You have a sturdy build. You must work in out mine." Mondo 042 "You are quite skillful, but not enough to beat me!" Duke 043 "Hey, girl! Lend me a fairy tale book if you have one." Ellis 044 "I'll take your armor." Gaia 045 "That sword looks very sharp." Sho 046 "I'll never overlook anybody who is in my way, even if it is an angel." Uranus 047 "The earth is my weapon, my guard." GaiaII < Fo's win quote to... > 048 "Look! I won't be second to you!" Eiji 049 "So you're storm? Your strength is just a rumor!" Kayin 050 "Nice shape you have. I like it." Sofia 051 "I lost my false teeth." Rungo 052 "You may be as good as me in 100 years." Fo 053 "I failed once. I must not overlook you." Mondo 054 "I don't like that long hair. How can you imitate me?" Duke 055 "90 years younger? I'm getting old!" Ellis 056 "Are you dressed in such clothes everyday?" Gaia 057 "If I can't beat you, I may as well give up!" Sho 058 "It's too early for me to be welcomed by an angel." Uranus 059 "To survive in this world, you must be able to beat anybody!" GaiaII < Mondo's win quote to... > 060 "You look too young to use that sword!" Eiji 061 "Don't rely on force and weapons. You need the strong mind to win." Kayin 062 "Let me have a better look at you." Sofia 063 "With that costume on, you can't win." Rungo 064 "You are destined to be beaten by me!" Fo 065 "I hate the vulgarian." Mondo 066 "Chivalry isn't great, is it?" Duke 067 "Won't you give me that costume?" Ellis 068 "I'll not be beaten by anybody that relies on arms." Gaia 069 "Your skill is excellent!" Sho 070 "It's nice that I beat you." Uranus 071 "Very funny to pretend to faint." GaiaII < Duke's win quote to... > 072 "Eiji! I may accept your challenge again." Eiji 073 "It was a good fight!" Kayin 074 "I don't always like to fight a woman." Sofia 075 "How can you win a fight with those weapons!" Rungo 076 "Sorry! I fight without mercy!" Fo 077 "A natural result!" Mondo 078 "You have the same troubles as me, don't you?" Duke 079 "I never dreamed that I should fight a kid." Ellis 080 "You needn't use that weapon." Gaia 081 "This feeling. Like Eiji!" Sho 082 "You use those wings too flee, don't you?" Uranus 083 "Looking forward to fighting you again!" GaiaII < Ellis' win quote to... > 084 "Wake! Don't sleep while dancing!" Eiji 085 "You look cool. Is it only appearance?" Kayin 086 "The young always win!" Sofia 087 "I won't be defeated by big men, either." Rungo 088 "Don't touch me while fighting!" Fo 089 "I still can't find my father, but I'm happy that I saw something fun." Mondo 090 "Ask me about love." Duke 091 "Why do you lie on the ground?" Ellis 092 "Your armor is great! But, it's only the armor that is great." Gaia 093 "He is beautiful." Sho 094 "Why do you think you were beaten? It's the youth that beat you." Uranus 095 "My dear! I remember this odor." GaiaII < Gaia's win quote to... > 096 "You are just like an ant in front of this armor." Eiji 097 "Is that really storm?" Kayin 098 "This armor is not at all affected by your whip." Sofia 099 "Why don't you work with me?" Rungo 100 "Old man! Give me that claw." Fo 101 "You accepted a request again?" Mondo 102 "This armor can't be torn by such a small sword." Duke 103 "With this armor on, I'm matchless." Ellis 104 "I don't understand why you want to put on this armor." Gaia 105 "Ho, ho, ho, ... Nothing can break this armor." Sho 106 "You have wings?" Uranus 107 "Without this armor on, you can do nothing!" GaiaII < Sho's win quote to... > 108 "Eiji! You forgot what I taught you?" Eiji 109 "Kayin! You have a long way to go." Kayin 110 "Not as skillful as rumored." Sofia 111 "Worthless!" Rungo 112 "You are mentally weak.Aren't you ashamed of it?" Fo 113 "Go home quickly!" Mondo 114 "Huh! I don't like a boy like you." Duke 115 "You should thak me!" Ellis 116 "You're great, Gaia! Looking forward to the next fight." Gaia 117 "You are very weak. With that poor skill, don't use my name." Sho 118 "Good fight, Uranus!" Uranus 119 "Only with your armor off can you beat me." GaiaII < Uranus' win quote to... > 120 "You are weak. Expectations too high?" Eiji 121 "Weak! Too weak!" Kayin 122 "Women should be more than pretty." Sofia 123 "The weak were not asked to join this battle." Rungo 124 "Quickly disappear! A real angel may come and see you!" Fo 125 "You look a little older!" Mondo 126 "I could fight a tough opponent after a long time." Duke 127 "I wasn't too hard on you. Are you OK?" Ellis 128 "You don't have a perfect command of that armor." Gaia 129 "Sho, you are becoming stronger as you fight." Sho 130 "Everybody can only imitate the style." Uranus 131 "I am really strong!" GaiaII < GaiaII's win quote to... > 132 "He is weak. I expected more." Eiji 133 "Bounty hunter? Why do you hesitate? Beat me now!" Kayin 134 "I'll beat anyone who gets in my way." Sofia 135 "You are not quite as good as you look." Rungo 136 "Did it end already?" Fo 137 "You shouldn't have come here!" Mondo 138 "Can this one take part in this battle?" Duke 139 "You lost. Go home now!" Ellis 140 "You can't use that armor as your command." Gaia 141 "This is what my ability is!" Sho 142 "What's wrong, Uranus? Why aren't you serious?" Uranus 143 "When we fight, the highest weapon is the brains." GaiaII < Story Openings > 144 Opening 145 >EMI> "Eiji, a letter for you." >EIJI> "Thank you, Emi. Oh! This letter!" >EMI> "Eiji, are you going again?" >EIJI> "Sorry!" Eiji ran away, holding a letter of invitation to the tournament in his hand. Emi's voice echoes in the dusk. >EMI> "Eiji, you silly!!" 146 >KAYIN> "I want to stop looking after my daughter and have some fun. If I win the tournament, all the girls will come to me." Motivated by that thought, Kayin headed for the tournament. 147 >SOFIA> "I am so unhappy. I have no boyfriend! I must capture fighting men." Holding her whip and the letter, Sofia left Russia for the tournament. 148 >RUNGO> "They are here again. I won't tolerate them anymore!! Hey, you!!" >MAN> "Oh, Mr. Rungo. Good morning! This letter arrived for you." >RUNGO> "Shut up! Where are my wife and daughter?" >MAN> "Both are OK. See you later." The car speed (sic) away. Rungo stood there alone. His iron body began to heat up with anger. He became more and more furious. 149 >MAN> "Mr. Fo!" >FO> "What do you want? Are you eager to beaten?" >MAN> "Not at all, sir. They say Uranus began to move again." >FO> "Hum! One more pleasure for me." Fo resumed drinking, thinking how he could beat Uranus. 150 Mondo was wondering. He didn't know why that letter was sent to him. On the back of the letter, the address read, 'To Mr. G.' Early the next morning, Mondo left his village holding that letter in his hand. 151 >DUKE> "Look here! A letter of invitation! Finally, a change (sic) to fight Eiji again!" In order to defeat Eiji, Duke improved his fighting skill. Convinced he will be victorious, he headed for the tournament. 152 >ELLIS> "Everything is dull these days! Nobody wants to play, and I still can't find my father." Ellis received a letter of invitation. >ELLIS> "If I go to the arena, I may be able to find father! I'm going to the tournament!" 153 >URANUS> "You may use this armor. You should beat weak warriors for me." >GAIA> "Yes, sir. Please trust me." >URANUS> " With that armor on, you can win any fight. Strong fighters may enter the tournament. Be careful!" >GAIA> "Yes, sir. I'll be careful." 154 The wind has moved again. The wind decides his path. The wind blew in the direction of the arena. He began to walk towards the arena. 155 >URANUS> "If I miss this chance, there won't be a next chance. Gaia, I have something to tell you." >GAIA> "What is it?" >URANUS> "Well, I want to tell you that..." >GAIA> "What is it? What do you want to say?" >URANUS> "It's ... No, not now. Later!" Suddenly, Uranus began to run. Gaia could not understand her and kept standing there until he was late for his match. 156 >GAIA> "Uranus wants to fight in the tournament again? What's in her head? I'll discipline her." < Story Endings > 157 >EMI> "Eiji! I caught you here!" >EIJI> "Sorry, Emi, but I can't live without fighting." >EMI> "Yes, I know. I won't wait for you anymore. From now on, I will go with you." >EIJI> "What? No kidding!" 158 >KAYIN> "Hum! Sofia disappeared with him, taking no notice of me! Something wrong with her?" >ELLIS> "Don't get a big head!" >KAYIN> "Ellis, why are you here? You don't know how cool I am." >ELLIS> "Get out of my sight!" Kiss!! >ELLIS> "Stop it, you! If you love me, just say so!" >KAYIN> "I can't. I have a daughter." Ellis just wanted to celebrate Kayin's victory. 159 >SOFIA> "No Handsome men at all." >MASTER> "What made you so sad?" >SOFIA> "Ough! It's Master!" >MASTER> "Why are you here?" >SOFIA> "O.K. I'll go around with you." >MASTER> "What do you mean?" >SOFIA> "Shut up! I'll go home. Come with me." 160 >RUNGO> "Why are you here? Weren't you kidnapped?" >WIFE> "Nonsense!! You can't join the landlord's party!" >CHILD> "Papa, you called the landlord wicked?" >WIFE> "The landlord is angry!" >RUNGO> "Party? So, this is ...?" Yes, it was not a letter to the tournament, but to a party. 161 >FO> "Uranus! You look good!!" Ho ho ho...Nothing can stop that old man... 162 >MONDO> "Something strange. This fight does not seem to be related to me at all. What? Humm...To Mr. Gaia. So it was delivered to a false address? Nothing more to do, then. I'll go home." 163 >EIJI> "Congratulations on your victory!! >DUKE> "We should fight again real soon." >EIJI> "Next time I'll be the victor." 164 >ELLIS> "I'm so bored! These opponents are no match for me. My father wears a strange costume, but I won't give up until I find him." Keep standing firm, Ellis. 165 >GAIA> "These fighters were so weak! I am the great Gaia! Oh no! I can't get the armor off!" 166 >SHO> "Ough! This seems to be the last. I can't hope for a peaceful journey. I have no destination. I'm a free traveller." 167 >URANUS> "Alone at last. Listen to me. Since you left, I haven't been the same. I have thought over and over about this. I love you." >GAIA> "Stop it! I hate you!" After Gaia fainted, Uranus stood alone. 168 >GAIA> "Now that I've beaten Uranus, I'll go home." >ELLIS> "Father! You are my father!" >GAIA> "I am not! (That's Ellis! I should not have been wandering around here.)" >ELLIS> "Yes, you are! Uranus said that Gaia is my father!" >GAIA> "Good bye, Ellis." Ellis was sad, but she didn't cry. Gaia left because he was ashamed of his costume. < Game Codes > 169 The tournament is over. Who was the true sponsor of this battle? Good news! Press (( AB while Ellis appears in the demo to select Gaia and Sho!)) 170 Great News! Press select three times while the Takara logo is displayed. You'll find a new special attack added, or you can play the game in 'Scorcher Mode,' which lets you use hidden special attacks any time! Scorcher Mode Press select three times while the Takara logo is displayed. Then, press select A and select B on the title screen with the Super Game Boy. This lets you play in 'Jet Mode.' Chraacters move at high speed. Jet-Mode Press select A and select B on the title screen. 171 Excellent News! Press B AB when Ellis appears to (note: the 1st select Gaia, Sho, Gaia2 and Uranus!! code's a typo) Full Battle Mode Press AB AB when Ellis apears in the demo. 172 Fantastic news! Press BABABA when the Takara logo appears to view character dialogue. < Secret Moves > 173 In Scorcher Mode, you can use a new special attack, [Jigokumon]!! See you again!! [Jigokumon], in Scorcher Mode. Press *AB 174 Yeah! In Scorcher Mode, you can use a cute special attack, [Hells Gate] See you again! [Hells Gate], in Scorcher Mode press *AB 175 I'll reveal three fantastic moves to you [Thunder Ring (jump)] [Thunder Ring (air)] [Jewelry Shower] Play with me again! New attacks in Scorcher Mode [Thunder Ring (jump)] *B while jumping [Thunder Ring (air)] *B [Jewelry Shower] *A 176 Now, I've been give a new force! I name it [Hyper Batter Up]! In Scorcher Mode, press *AB. Keep pressing for a while, then release it. 177 I won't still be second to none of the young. Listen! I've worked out super attacks!! They are named as [Ren-Fo][Chi-Fo][Ten-Fo] Try them! New attacks in Scorcher Mode [Ren-Fo] *A [Chi-Fo] *B while hitting [Ren-Fo] [Ten-Fo] *AB while hitting [Chi-Fo] 178 I'll initiate you into my secrets [Raijin Shoheki] [Goriki Senpujin] So long! New attacks in Scorcher Mode. [Raijin Shoheki] *A [Goriki Senpujin] *AB 179 Humph! A natural result! Then, I'll teach new moves to you [Grand Cross] [Roses Coffin] New attacks in Scorcher Mode. [Grand Cross] *AB [Roses Coffin] *A You can continuously enter up to three times. 180 I'll reveal my best attack to you. It is [Pretty Dance]. See you again! [Pretty Dance] in Scorcher Mode. Press *B close to your opponent. 181-184 'while life gauge flickering' should be changed to 'while life gauge is flickering.' 185-198 Continue? 9 ........ 0 (countdown from 9 to 0) Game Over 199-205 Let's play next level 206 Hear (sic) comes a new challenger 207 Thank you for playing - Miscellaneous Tid Bits: + To select the alternate color of a character, press START instead of the A or B button. Of course, this being a GameBoy game, the "alternate" color is just the darker shade. + In a 2-player game, the stage you will play on will be the stage of the first character to be selected. + The combo counter is a bit sloppy in displaying two consecutive combos one right after another in that the new number is just overlayed on top of the old one. This usually isn't a problem (and it doesn't affect the game), but in certain cases, incorrect infomation about the hit count will be displayed. If the first combo is greater than 9 (ex: "12 beats!"), and the next combo is 9 or less (ex: "5 beats!"), then the game will just overlay the 5 on top of the 12. This would replace the "2", but the "1" would still remain, causing the counter to read "15 beats!" even though it was just a 5-hit combo. + When the counter counts down during the Continue? message, you can speed up the counter by rapidly pressing a button. However, it's not worth the effort to speed up the counter unless you have an auto-fire IMHO since you really have to lay into the button-jamming to get a noticable change in countdown speed. + The game is Super GameBoy enhanced, so you will get full color and a neat Toshinden custom border when played on a SNES. ---------------------------------------------- | III. GAME PLAY | ---------------------------------------------- - Basic Moves: I'm sure you're all familiar with standard fighting game mechanics: UP to jump, DOWN to crouch, relative BACK to block, etc... Here are some other basic stuff you should know about the game: Abbreviation guide: [a] ... tap A button quickly ub u uf [b] ... tap B button quickly | (facing right) [ab] ... tap both A and B quickly b ---+--- f [A] ... press A button | [B] ... press B button db d df [AB] ... press both A and B Tapping the button(s) quickly means to press and then release the button(s) fast enough to register the "weak" version of the attack. Pressing the button(s) means to hold the button(s) a bit longer just until the "hard" version is registered. f,f = forward dash b,b = backward dash d,d = side step [ab] = side step [b] = weak slash [a] = weak kick [B] = hard slash [A] = hard kick [AB] = knockdown attack d+[ab] = taunt f or b+[B]or[A] = throw (close to opponent) - More Advanced Game Mechanics: + Chain combos are highly supported in this game. This means that normal slash/kick attacks can be interrupted by another normal attack. In fact, hard attacks can often be interrupted by weak attacks. And as usual, most normal attacks can be interrupted by a special move. Because of all this, practically an unlimited number of combos can be generated and as such, I won't bother trying to list them here except in unique circumstances (ie: cool combos that are out of the ordinary). + The game supports limited air juggling. After some attacks, it is possible to hit the opponent again in mid-air for additional damage and extend the combo a bit further. + Special moves can be performed and buffered in a dash so that they come out immediately after your dash is complete. However, moves that are performed using the [ab]/[AB] shortcuts come out immediately, effectively interrupting the remainder of your dash. This can lead to some neat tricks: + Forward dash, and when your opponent counters with an attack, interrupt with a nigh-invulnerable special. + Side-stepping while dashing imparts some forward/backward momentum to the side-step (this only works if you side-step with [ab], not d,d). Thus, you can forward dash and side-step a fireball easier. Also, using this technique at point blank range from your opponent allows you to actually pass *though* your opponent, allowing you to go around the other player and possibly attack from behind. + Dash and interrupt with a taunt. This serves no purpose other than earning style points IMHO. =) + In regards to moves that are performed by direction+[ab] (such as taunting), I personally find them easier to do by quickly tapping A and B, and then holding the direction immediately afterwards as opposed to doing the D-pad and [ab] at the same time. - Character Specific Moves: = Desparation Move = Scorcher Mode only = Secret Move Most special moves have a weak and hard version, so if I list a move as being performed by d,df,f + [B], you can also use [b] as well. Special moves that are performed in the air with the "d+[AB]" shortcut can be performed with any D-pad direction with [AB]. *** Eiji Shinjo ***************** Shortcut Rekkuuzan: d,df,f + [B] f+[AB] Hishouzan: f,d,df + [B] d+[AB] Ryuseikyaku: (in air) d,db,b + [A] [AB] Shugekidan: df + [A] b+[AB] Hyakki Moshuu Ken: f,df,d,db,b,db,d,df,f + [B] u+[AB] Enjin Shuraha: u,d,f,b + [AB] u+[ab] Jigokumon: d,df,f,df,f + [AB] 20-hit combo: Enjin Shuraha -> jump attack + 4-hit chain -> Jigokumon After Enjin Shuraha, you have lots of time to dash in (if needed) to do the jump attack. The 4-hit chain can be whatever, but what works for me is { air [A] -> close[B],[b],[b], far[B] }. If that's too hard, you can substitute a 3-hit combo. Going from the 4-hit chain to the Jigokumon is a bastard, but it can be done. You can replace the Jigokumon with the HyakkiMoshuuKen, which only hits 7 times instead of 10, but it's lots easier (since you can shortcut it) and it does more damage. NOTE: this was the first majorly long combo I saw, and it occurred when the CPU did a 19-hit variation of it against me. I just dropped my jaw and laughed at the fact that the CPU actually pulled a huge combo like that against me. =) *** Kayin Amoh ****************** Shortcut Sonic Slash: d,df,f + [B] f+[AB] Deadly Rays: f,d,df + [B] d+[AB] Scottish Moon: (in air) d,db,b + [A] [AB] Leg Crush: d,db,b + [A] b+[AB] Hell's Inferno: f,df,d,db,b,db,d,df,f + [B] u+[AB] Rainbow Splash: f,df,d,db,b,f,b + [B] u+[ab] Hell's Gate: d,df,f,df,f + [AB] *** Sofia *********************** Shortcut Thunder Ring: d,db,b + [B] f+[AB] Thunder Ring(jump): (in air) d,db,b + [B] [AB] Thunder Ring(air): f,d,df + [B] Aurora Revolution: f,df,d,db,b + [B] d+[AB] Rattlesnake: d,df,f + [B] b+[AB] Call Me Queen: f,b,f,b + [B] u+[AB] Salamander: df,db,df,b,f + [AB] u+[ab] Jewelry Shower: b,db,d,df,f + [A] *** Rungo Iron ****************** Shortcut Fire Wave: d,df,f + [B] f+[AB] Power Thrust: f,d,df + [A] d+[AB] Batter up: f,df,d,db,b + [B] Fire Strike: d,df,f,b + [B] b+[AB] Mega Fire Strike: b,db,d,df,f,df,d,db,b + [B] u+[AB] Mega Brutal Stomper: u,ub,b,db,d,df,f + [AB] u+[ab] Hyper Batter Up: b,d,db + [AB] (hold...release) *** Fo Fai ********************** Shortcut Mystic Sphere: f,df,d,db,b + [B] f+[AB] Pagoda Kick: d,db,b + [A] d+[AB] Sphere Burst: (in air) f,df,d,db,b + [B] [AB] Travelling Sphere: b,d,df + [B] b+[AB] Claw Attack: f,d,df + [B] Wind Breaker: f,uf,u,fb,b + [AB] Mystic Sphere Burst: f,b,db,d,df,f,b + [B] u+[AB] Ultra Wind Breaker: b,f,b,f + [AB] u+[ab] (3-parter) Ren-Fo: d,df,f + [A] (...then) Chi-Fo: ...d,df,f + [B] (...then) Ten-Fo: ...d,df,f + [AB] *** Mondo *********************** Shortcut Goriki Tenbu: f,d,df + [B] f+[AB] Goriki Fujin: b,db,d,df,f + [B] d+[AB] Goriki Raijin: (in air) d,df,f + [B] [AB] Shippu Tsuki (hi): d,df,f + [B] b+[AB] Shippu Tsuki (lo): d,db,b + [B] Choriki Daibutsumetsu: d,df,f,d,df,f,b + [B] u+[AB] Kyoriki Jakouretsubu: f,uf,u,ub,b,f,df,d + [AB] u+[ab] Raijin Shoheki: b,db,d,df,f + [A] Goriki Senpujin: d,db,b,db,b + [AB] *** Duke B. Rambert ************* Shortcut Southern Cross: b,f,df,d + [B] b+[AB] Cyclone: d,df,f + [B] f+[AB] Head Crush: (in air) d,df,f + [B] [AB] Knight Strike: f,db,d,df + [B] d+[AB] The End: db,d,df,f,b + [B] u+[AB] La Fin: df,db,df,b,f + [AB] u+[ab] Grand Cross: d,df,f,df,f + [AB] Roses Coffin: d,df,f + [A] x3 *** Ellis *********************** Shortcut Tornado: d,db,b + [A] f+[AB] Flaming Crescent: f,d,df + [B] d+[AB] Arc Slash: (in air) d,db,b + [B] d+[AB] Arc Dance: (in air) d,db,b + [A] [AB] Ribbon Toss: f,uf,u,ub,b + [AB] b+[AB] French Kiss: f,b,f,b + [B] u+[AB] Stardust Night: df,db,df,b,f + [AB] u+[ab] Pretty Dance: (close to opp.) b,db,d,df,f + [A] 21-hit combo: jump[B] -> 7-hit combo -> Pretty Dance -> jump[B] (juggle) -> jump[B] (juggle) -> Flaming Crescent (juggle) My 7-hit combo is this: close[B],close[B],far[B] (hits 2x),low[a] (hits 3x). The three [B]'s are easy-to-do chain hits. The tricky part is connecting the low[a], which doesn't chain, but it is fast enough that if you do it EXACTLY when the far[B] ends, it *will* combo. Do it too fast, the low[a] won't register. Too slow, and your opponent will be able to block. I time the two air[B]'s this way: 1st air[B] at peak of jump, 2nd air[B] immediately upon take-off. This only works in the corner. In the open, I do a jump[B] (juggle), then standing[B]. You only get a 2-hit Flaming Crescent juggle instead of the 3 that you'd get in the corner, though. "Pretty Infinite" corner combo (submitted by yo aZn bRo~): jump[B] -> close[B],close[B] -> Pretty Dance -> Pretty Dance (juggle) -> Pretty Dance (juggle) -> etc... In the Options Menu, RING OUT should be set to infinite. This combo works best against large characters like Duke and Rungo. The idea is to have the Pretty Dance juggle and launch your opponent into the air so you can repeat the process again. yo aZn bRo~ reports that he managed 28 beats before flubbing. *** Gaia ************************ Shortcut Red Fire: d,df,f + [B] f+[AB] Blue Water: f,d,df + [B] d+[AB] Green Wind: d,db,b + [A] b+[AB] Dark Finish: f,df,d,db,b,f + [B] u+[AB] Bad End: df,db,df,b,f + [AB] u+[ab] *** Sho Shinjo ****************** Shortcut Rekkuzan: d,df,f + [B] f+[AB] Shouzan: f,d,df + [B] d+[AB] Shishouzan: b,d,db + [B] Senkouga: d,db,b + [A] b+[AB] Suiseikyaku: (in air) d,db,b + [A] d+[AB] Gekkosa: (in air) d,u + [A] [AB] Ryugekidan: df + [A] Hyakki Moshuu ken: f,df,d,db,b,db,d,df,f + [B] u+[AB] Emma Resshusai: d,f,uf,u,ub,b,d + [AB] u+[ab] Jigokumon: d,df,f,df,f + [AB] (counter-attack): d,db,b,f + [B] *** Uranus ********************** Shortcut Angel Rage (hi): d,df,f + [B] b+[AB] Angel Rage (lo): d,df,f + [A] Swany Swap: f,d,df + [A] d+[AB] Fire Hawk: f,b,f,b + [B] f+[AB] Phoenix: d,df,f,b,db,d,df,f + [B] u+[AB] Cockatrice: d,df,f,df,f + [AB] u+[ab] *** GaiaII ********************** Shortcut Botan: b,db,d,df,f + [B] f+[AB] Ougi: d,db,b + [B] d+[AB] Tsubame: f,d,df + [B] Oboro: d,db,b + [A] b+[AB] Tsuki No Wa: b,f + [B] Maryuujin: u,ub,b,db,d,df,f + [B] u+[ab] Igarashi: u,ub,b,db,d,df,d + [A] Batsu: d,df,f,df,f + [AB] Gouka No Kurenai: f,df,d,db,b,db,d,df,f + [B] u+[AB] Igoukinai: f,b,f,b + [AB] ---------------------------------------------- | IV. STUFF THAT GOES AT THE END | ---------------------------------------------- - Conspiracy Theory: Battle Arena Toshinden for GameBoy is actually Samurai Shodown II for GameBoy in disguise! What's that? You want proof? Okay! Toshinden is programmed by Takara, who is also responsible for porting Samurai Shodown from the Neo-Geo to a number of other consoles, including the GameBoy! Okay, that one's pretty weak. But wait, there's more...! In "Scorcher" mode, some of the moves certain characters gain seem to resemble moves found in SSII. Example: + Duke's "Rose Coffin", where Duke slashes his opponent while sliding forward, resembles Genjuro's "Sanrensatsu" attack. "Rose Coffin" can be performed 3 times; "Sanrensatsu" can be performed 3 times. Each time Genjuro slashes his opponent, a hanafuda card is sliced in half. With Duke, the hanafuda card is replaced with a rose. + Fo's 3-part move, "Ren-Fo", "Chi-Fo" and Ten-Fo", is a dead ringer for Sieger's Backbreaker Combo, "Tigerkopf", "Falkennagel" and "Elefantgleid". Both have similar joystick motions (Sieger's is performed: hcf C, hcf B, hcf A) and are executed with the same moves on-screen: low slide kick -> launching punch -> mid-air catch to ground. + Sho's Counterattack has the same joystick motion as Jubei's "Yagyu Shingatoh" counter move (qcb,f + slash). Actually, to be accurate, Sho's Counterattack behaves a lot more like Bust Haohmaru's "Serene Slice" counter move in Samurai Shodown III (hold sword out; if opponent attacks with anything, perform uppercut), which also has the same joystick motion. Finally, King of Fighters 95 for Gameboy, another Takara effort, has Nakoruru in it via secret code! What does this have to do with Toshinden? Not much other than the Takara name. I thought it was just a neat code. Are these just coincidences?! Maybe, maybe not. These are just my own personal obsevations. Only *you* can decide for yourself. (I also could mention the Haohmaru/Eiji thing, but that's been done to death already... =) - Special Thanks: At this time, the author would like to thank... + Takara for making a rather surprisingly good fighting game for the GameBoy (better than some 32-bit fighters...). + The people who took the time to write a Toshinden FAQ and put it on the net. I've read a good many of them, so if you wrote one, I've probably read it and am thanking you here for it. + My friend Allen, who introduced me first to Toshinden on his PSX and getting me hooked of the series. No, wait... I think the first time I played Toshinden was at a store demo. Well, anyways, I've probably played Toshinden on his PSX more than he did, so that should count for something. + Mike. Hey, Mike! You lazy bum! Why'd you take so long to get back to me on proof-reading this FAQ! Huh?! =) + Syraxx, because after reading his FAQ, I finally found out the name for Gaia II's attack, "Igoukinai", which was the only move I couldn't find a name to attach to. + yo aZn bRo~, for submitting Ellis' infinite combo and sending e-mail praise. Yes sir, we FAQ writers sure do love them praises. Keep them coming! =) + Me. I wrote this thing. I should get *some* credit, man! And after having to re-read this FAQ for the 3.2 revision, I have to say, I can't believe I transcribed the entire Character Dialogue Messages. It must have been a slow day or something... =) - The End: The End