It's been awhile since I done my last series thread. I decided to do one just now for the Strider series.
The original Arcade version of Strider Hiryuu was Capcom's third CPS1 game and one of their first noteworthy games and for a reason. The game had plenty of style (what other game had a first level boss which consisted of a bunch of Russians turning into a giant snake with sickle and hammer like the communist flag?).
However, believe or not, Hiryuu did not have his beginnings at the Arcades, but rather at the black and white pages of a manga anthology.
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ha/kouji-s/Cst.jpg
The original Strider Hiryuu manga was serialized between May and October 1988 issues of the Monthly Comp Comics and was illustrated by Tatsumi Wada (an alias of Strider's creator, Moto Kikaku or perhaps the other way around). Capcom was heavily involved in the production of the manga, which led to the creation to the later CPS game.
The manga told the story of former Strider, Hiryuu, who retired after killing his older sister, Mariya, who went insane for some mysterious reasons. A few years since the incident, Hiryuu is forced out of retirement by Strider director Matic when he tells the news of Kain's capture by enemy forces.
CPS - Strider Hiryuu (March 1989)
http://acorn.cybervillage.co.uk/emul...de/strider.gif
The Strider Hiryuu arcade game was released shortly after the manga finished it's run, although the game barely has anything to do with the plot of the manga. Instead, Hiryuu fought agaisnt the dark wizard Meio. As mentioned above, Strider Hiryuu was a game with style. Hiryuu himself was a kickass ninja, able to climb walls and ceilings. His cypher kicked ass too. It may not sound like much today
The Arcade version of Strider Hiryuu was ported to a few platforms. Most notably on the Sega Genesis and PlayStation. NEC Avenue released a Duo version which added a new stage to the game and a couple of cut-scenes.
NES - Strider Hiryuu (July 1989)
http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~mx-5/sub...r/strider2.png
Three months after the Arcade version, came the NES version of the game. The NES version was a totally different beast from it's Arcade counterpart. It only played vaguely like the Arcade game and had an adventure element to it. However, if there is one thing noteworthy about the NES was the fact that it's plot was based on the original Strider manga.
Oddly enough, Capcom never released the Famicom counterpart in Japan, even though they issued a flyer of the game there.
http://www.gamejiten.jpn.org/tirasi/fc00017.html
Genesis- Journey from Darkness, Strider Returns (1994)
http://www.classicgaming.com/reviews...s/strid2-1.gif
Developed by Tiertex, this US Gold-published game was Strider in Name Only. The game is nothing more than a generic European title with the main character's graphics ripped from the original game. This game is just the total opposite of Strider. It wouldn't be until a few more years when Hiryuu would make a triumphant return.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of the Super Heroes (January 23, 1998)
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (March 2000)
http://dcmedia.ign.com/media/preview.../mvsc/stri.jpg
(Sorry for the crappy image, but I couldn't find a decent in-game screenshot of Hiryuu from either game.)
Although it's been years since Hiryuu started in a new game, Hiryuu was still very recognized by gamers who playyed the Arcade original (and to a lesser extend, the NES game), that Capcom opted to use him in thei Marvel-related crossover fighting games. Hiryuu received a new look specifically for the game, which would become his standard look for the subsequent game.
Strider Hiryuu 2 (December 13, 1999)
http://mysite.verizon.net/res20spc/_...s/strider2.jpg
After ten long years, the Strider arcade received it's first true sequel. Combining Capcom's trademarked hand-drawn sprites (with Hiryuu sporting his new MvC look) and 3D backgrounds, the PS was a hit for Strider fans, despite the criticism for the game's unlimited amount of continues.
Who knows what Capcom holds for Strider in the future? Hopefully, we don't have wait for ten years to find out.
Some of the info/images ripped from The Light Sword Cypher Mainframe and Strider Honbu. Check them out!
http://lscmainframe.topcities.com/
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ha/kouji-s/hiryuu.htm
