Dark Edge

Dark Edge was an arcade fighting game released in 1993. It was one of the first attempts to create a 3D fighting game, but used Sega's Sprite Scaling technology rather than polygons.

Plot
In the 25th century, human beings are only allowed to live in a unified world controlled by a super computer. They are little more than living batteries for the machine.

A few tough individuals manage to escape the control of this super computer, now living to follow their own desires and ambitions and free humanity from their enslavement.

The super computer, in response to this threat to its perfect world, has sent assassins after these heroes. They must take down the assassins, destroy the computer and regain freedom for humanity.

Gameplay
Dark Edge is a fighting game with a twist. Not only can players fight each other on a horizontal plane, but they can enter the background and foreground, allowing eight directions to fight from.

In arcade mode players must fight all six of the playable characters including a doppleganger of their chosen individual, before entering a Space Harrier style bonus game where they must shoot at drones before coming to the mini boss, RAM-X, a missile-firing black and red robot who guards the super computer.

After taking RAM-X down, the player will fight against the computer itself, RULER, a blue static organic computer monster who fires projectiles from every angle and the player must rotate around in order to avoid its attacks and deliver their own.

Two players can also fight one another in a standard versus mode. All fights are best of three.

Characters

 * Thud: An American samurai wearing sunglasses that dual wields two blades. He can control thunder.
 * Genie: A female martial artist. Genie wears a Gymnastic Battle Suit that enhances her natural agility.
 * M.E.K: A European Mechanical Enhanced Kommando who lost his limbs on the battlefield. He wishes for revenge on the man who sent him onto the battlefield.
 * Goliath: A giant laborer wearing a power suit made from construction equipment. Slow but powerful.
 * Yeager: A cyborg who used to be a German fighter pilot. He is capable of striking from the air.
 * Blood: A bio-monster man who has an elasticated body, sharp fins and can release poisonous liquid.

Trivia

 * Dark Edge was one of the first attempts at a 3D fighter by SEGA alongside Holosseum.
 * Dark Edge is the first fighting game with eight way movement.
 * Genie appears as a scorecard girl in SEGA AGES.
 * The Astro City Mini marks the first time this game has come to international shores.