Sakigake Otokojuku

* There are 8 playable characters in the beginning but another 13 fighters may be unlocked as they're encountered and beaten during the course of the game. The fighting mode is like KOF where one chooses three fighters and then battles against another trio. The order of each fighter on your team is chosen by pressing the button that corresponds to whom you want to fight first and second. Third place is then filled automatically. Before each bout, the fighters talk trash and have a little dialogue. To change fighters during a match, tap the L2 button and the next fighter will literally fly into battle. The action is above par with every character able to pull off a wide array of moves and block attacks.

* The temple level features a gang of monks seated to the left and right of the screen along with a huge human who is seated in the center. It's wise to keep an opponent in front of the giant's legs since he'll swiftly kick out either leg towards a fighter that's standing in front of them to do some damage.

* There's a level where fighters are battling on a platform with ledges on either end. If you knock an opponent off the ledge, he won't ring out. He'll hang by both hands and eventually jump back up. If you're quick enough, you can stomp on his fingers but NCS testers were never able to get him to fall. His other hand kept grabbing the ledge and he eventually sprung back on the platform.

* After fighting a bunch of normal characters, you'll eventually face off against a godlike opponent who is capable of destroying one of your fighters if he pulls off his special laser beam attack. The strategy is to constantly alternate your fighters to keep him off guard. The added wrinkle on the godling's level are the spikes that pop up from the ground intermittently which cause damage to whomever is standing over a spike hole.

* Sakigake!! Otokojuku was designed by Tamsoft of Toshinden game fame. With the D3 label slapped on the cover, we were wary of the quality. However, since it was designed by Tamsoft, our fears lessened and we enjoyed the release. It's a well done 2D fighting game that plays well and has a large amount of fighters to compete against. The team battle concept is tried and true per the success of the KOF games and Sakigake!! Otokojuku pulls off the concept clonage in acceptable fashion.

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