Rival Schools! - Why It NEEDS To Return!

In today's video, we look at Rival Schools, a classic Capcom fighting game franchise that deserves to make a return in 2023. Let's look at the history of this series and what it brought to the table.
#streetfighter #fightinggames #rivalschools
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Additional Gameplay Sources
Blizzaro13 - Star Gladiator - • Star Gladiator - Episo...
X Edge - Rival Schools Arcade - • Rival Schools [Arcade]...
ShinMamoruX2k4 - Rival Schools Arcade - • Rival Schools: United ...
Kyobin - Rival Schools Arcade - Hinata - • [MAME] Rivals School H...
Krizalid99v2 - Rival Schools Arcade - • Rival Schools [Arcade]...
Games Fan - Rival Schools PS1 - • Rival Schools Hayato ...
DeNice1776 - Rival Schools 2 - • Shiritsu Justice Gakue...

[@SAPProd]

Instant thumbs up for the title alone! Darkstalkers is always the one I want to see come back, but Rival Schools is definitely a close second. We SHOULD have received a complete comprehensive collection after the announcement of Akira in SFV Season V, but I’d be down for one any time now! Even if it’ll be some time before a proper new Rival Schools, we need the history of this franchise to be readily available!

[@Bangcat]

Same. I saw the title and stopped what I was doing to stop in.

[@unknwngamer1]

Rival Schools > Darkstalkers

[@Iqzzy-KO]

Rivals Schools & Darkstalkers deffo need to come back, I love the Taiyo High School theme, one of my fav fighting game songs of all time! :)

[@SAPProd]

@@Iqzzy-KO That theme is such a banger! I had wished it had been a choice when SFV brought in Akira (despite knowing she doesn't go to Taiyo High). I will give SFV this: having the Rival Schools theme play in the latter half of a round was ingenious. Played Akira's stage often because of that.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@Iqzzy-KO Wish granted

[@EpicLebaneseNerd]

The dreamcast version is always one of my favorite fighters of all time, the sequel i mean, superb game.

[@Vic4vendetta]

Project justice is one of the underrated goats

[@TheBlackOtaku]

Power Stone, DarkStalkers,Tech Romancer, Rival School and Star gladiator they deserve a comeback 😭

[@franktruth9639]

Especially Power Stone,......the more I think about it, it almost plays like a cross between a 3D arena Arcade Fighter and SMASH BROS. Underrated classic.....the Dreamcast had so many gems 🥲

[@JohnyLim6393]

YESS, especially tech romancer, the truly unique and like no other fighting games. The games deserve more love. Many doesn't about the games because of Dreamcast short life

[@Dzzy123]

Power Stone got leaked. It's coming at some point.

[@Commonsenseisntcommon34]

@Dzzy123 no are you serious?

[@Dzzy123]

@@Commonsenseisntcommon34 It was more than a year ago. Someone hacked into Capcom's database and found their upcoming projects. This leak also mentioned RE8 and Dragon's Dogma 2 before they were officially announced, I think.

[@sieman78]

Can we get a damn petition going for Rival Schools next installment!? I'm in and will forge signatures

[@brichan1851]

Hell YES!!!! Bring back Rival Schools! I loved this game and it’s sequels, Rival Schools 2 and Project Justice. Mad love!!!!❤❤ Thanks for another Gem (Fighters) video and Happy New Year to you and your lovely wife and family!

[@orangeslash1667]

Wish granted

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Rival Schools NEEDS TO RETURN! Just an awesome and exciting fighting game of exaggerated super moves and depth defying super jumps! The roster could be expanded even further and the combination of students/ teacher teams could be monstrous! Imagine the wrestling team, archery team battle a psychic math teacher with the Manga club using Mechs! The possibilities are endless!

[@orangeslash1667]

Wish granted

[@mr.checkyourself4672]

We ain't ever getting another Rival Schools game just like Final Fight Capcom want Street Fighter to be their only main fighting game Rival Schools and Final Fight characters live on in the Street Fighter stories.

[@CappuccinO80]

You said it, SF is their main series... if SF6 does well I do see a small window of opportunity for lesser known Capcom fighting franchises to make a return as lower budget (than SF6) games

[@Eyes-Scream0213]

To be honest I'm OK with SF as the main game but they should at least put old Rival School character on SF roster. I'm so happy that they added Akira on SF5 and I'm hoping at least Batsu will be available on SF6 later as DLC character

[@OldChanCharlie]

Yeah I think it’s best if capcom just merges it with street fighter just like they did with final fight.

[@taurussho86]

I don't see why, ppl who like SF will still or always buy SF. Bringing this out is just more options. The money will either be spread or increase.

[@B-MoreCity]

Need to get rival schools on PS5. That game was the best. Hey they brought back River City so why not Rival Schools?

[@naturebadness1556]

We only going to see Rival Schools characters in Street Fighter or in crossovers for now on that's their exposure now.

[@Itsallsotiresome]

It had a sequel on Dreamcast called Project Justice: Rival Schools 2. It single handedly drove me to learn how to burn Dreamcast games properly to disc. It's still one of my favorite fighting games to this day.

[@everettedl]

We played this game SO much back in the day! It would be a day ONE purchase for me if Capcom ever released a collection or a remake. By the way, Kyosuke is pronounced Kee-OHs-kay. He's my favorite character in the game, but I used to absolutely butcher his name, so I had to say something for folks who don't know lol

[@kmidst_vg2996]

Aww man the song during 13:00 just brought back a flood of sweet nostalgia. This was one of my favorite games during my early years. I wish Capcom could bring it back and do it justice (haha), but I'm worried given the direction that SF6 is going.

[@EsThirt33n]

Taiyo class, taiyo school ground, and gedo riverbank hit me hard with nostalgia lol... those 3 are my favorites from the ost, but I love the whole ost!

[@tko1770]

The intro of Rival Schools we could have had a animated series but anyway Project Justice did so good and was well received surprise Capcom didn't make a third game but Street Fighter is Capcom fighting game baby so they not gonna focus on other fighting games over Street Fighter at least Namco don't make Tekken their only main fighting game and make Soul Calibur games still.

[@jerrylewis2661]

Omg YES Rival Schools should definitely Make a comeback, that and Zone of Enders!!!

[@orangeslash1667]

Wish granted

[@naenre21]

I LOVE Rival Schools. I still can recall Hyo's "team" move by cutting his friend and foe in the same hit. It was great. That's my kind of teamwork.

[@Midknyte182]

Seriously!! Amazing game that would fit perfectly in the multiplayer realm!!! Come on Capcom!!! So many memories with the PS1 multi-port controller attachment!! One of the best four controller games in a time when that wasn’t too common.

[@orangeslash1667]

Wish granted

[@nerdscore6756]

I hope Batsu, Kyosuke, Edge, Tiffany and Kyoko join the Street Fighter games in the future we have enough Final Fight characters.

[@TheBlackSeraph]

Definitely agree on Kyoko. As well as being my favourite character, I think her combination of stun/grapple and anti-air zoning would make her an interesting playstyle even if she wouldn't be able to heal anymore.

[@gerardbowrin6360]

Roy would be a great addition as well

[@anonymuswere]

Agree on Edge. he's my favorite out of the Reform Scool cast. Imagine Tiffany facing down Dudly, though!

[@robinthrush9672]

The music was really good for this series. My favorite character was actually one of the more generic extra students. He had just the right combination of moves from the main cast for my style.

[@stefcannon2580]

I love how far characters can be sent flying in this game. It’s all a pretty fluid system with the rebounding off the ground to avoid being knocked down. Great game!

[@BushinRyuCat]

I need this...and I *NEED BLOODY ROAR* to return!! The kids have no idea how deep the game mechanics were for BR from 3 and on.

[@anonymuswere]

Hudson/Eighting/Reizing is long dead. A dream match wouldn't be out of the question, with literally everybody, bringing Greg and Mitsuko out of hiding. and imagine having Fox back. they'd be a Trans icon, nowadays! I have everything but the Gamecube exclusive, but no way to play them...my consoles fried their lasers.

[@isaacturner199]

@@anonymuswere I haven't used emulators in a long time, but alot of them worked by using a virtual drive to load an iso as a fake disc, but if you put an ACTUAL game disc into the drive it, the emulator would just run it. If you really want to revisit the games you could always see if you can find an emulator to run it. You have the games physically so you'd actually be doing it the legal way.

[@anonymuswere]

@@isaacturner199 I have a potato of a computer that won't run a PC game from 2000 correctly, a heavily throttled connection due to very little choice where I live, and a peanut budget. plus, in this day and age, almost everything is of questionable legality. and when you don't know the exact rules...

[@douglassequeira5419]

Rival Schools was awesome back when I was in college. That arcade was always packed with allot of people waiting their turn to play it.

[@user-ob4kn3rp3j]

I still play it on my dreamcast. Love Rival Schools 2, my favorite fighting game, ever.

[@0errab0]

Rival Schools was a great game and should have turned into a huge series for Capcom, they dropped the ball with it.

[@orangeslash1667]

It's back

[@ColeFam]

I didn't know about this game until around 2008, but I really liked it! The character designs especially were great. I'd love to revisit this game sometime.

[@Analog-World]

Love the rival schools series. It would be nice to atleast get a re release with online play

[@avalon5957]

Rival Schools United by Fate was my favourite fighting game. I loved the characters, the stories and the music. Still rock to Atsui Kodou to this day, and if they ever do, do a remake or remaster, then I hope they'd keep the original soundtracks, as they were so good! 🤘🎵🎶 I haven't played the streetfighter games the last 15-20 years, so it's really nice to see that some of the RS characters have joined that game, and that at least some of the characters live on through it. But RS was the best in my opinion and I have fond memories of playing it as a kid. I honestly wouldn't mind if they made a Rival Schools anime, but god forbid they make a live action film or series. But I think Capcom still feel the sting of the atrocious "street fighter" movie featuring Jean Claude. 😅

[@christopherhall6471]

I subscribed before video even started just because of the thumbnail. First time viewer and this is one of my favorite games ever

[@360entertainment2]

I used to love seeing Rival Schools arcade cabinets at my local arcades and I really miss them. I was never able to get ahold of a copy of these games but I may have to change that, having a re release would make that so much easier!

[@NigelWatersFWA]

You should get all the likes just for the Teddy Long "Holla, holla, holla!" part! LOL

[@koby_mitchell]

Rivals Schools is one of my top most wanted game Franchises in fact here's my Top 10 1 Darkstalkers 2 Banjo Kazooie 3 Megaman X 4 Dead Or Alive 5 Castlevania 6 Viewtiful Joe 7 Catherine *8 Rival Schools* 9 Conker 10 Rumble Roses

[@maxleon61702]

Some facts.

[@closefar3195]

This was the PES of fighting games In my time. The lightning when you struck at the same time, air fighting/blocking/countering/side stepping plus the soundtrack I still play to this day. In my top 5 fighting games of all time❤️👊🏿🔥👍🏿👏🏿😁

[@wadsdiz]

was looking for this game recently... still surprise wasnt on steam yet.

[@mskiara18]

I thank you for creating this video. I wish Capcom would focus on their other games, Rival Schools and Cyberbots deserve more attention. I also want to see the Darkstalkers story continue. What happened to Donovan?

[@apollolux]

Project Justice is a pretty cleanly done sequel on Dreamcast and I'm glad to have experienced it. While it's pretty obvious that the Rival Schools games were Capcom's most popular non-Street Fighter 3D fighting games, and deservedly so, I wish more love was given to games of that time like Tech Romancer.

[@gogreengameon2146]

Omg! How could you miss including the awesome Japanese animé intro. That's probably the second best fighting game intro to the all time great that is Soul Blade/Edge (PS1)

[@jomeugene8492]

This was my favorite arcade game. ❤

[@Oinc1914]

When I was a pre-teen and talked about games with my friends, it seemed like only I knew about this game. The truth is that I was the one who was late, while they were living in the PS2 era, I was still on PS1. I simply love everything about this game, the music, the scenery, the character design, the drawings on the loading screens, the sfx, voices. i played the Rival Schools 2 on dreamcast, and liked it too, but the first one it was just better for me.

[@thetruemorg]

In 1999 I was living in China and I got a copy of the Japanese rival schools one evolution disc. I ended up playing the crap out of this game and ended up picking up every copy that I could find. I agree with what you said about the dating Sim mode it was interesting but it would have been better if my Japanese was better and it definitely would have been a hassle to translate all of that. With some of the new versions of Street fighter that have come out it would be great to see the same good work done to all these characters in a revamped version. Street fighter versus rival schools? If they had the IP it would be cool to see a marvel versus Capcom where rival schools characters played a dominant role personally.

[@mazor13]

Rival schools and Project Justice are some of my golden fighting games growing up. sf2, sfa2/3, killer instinct1/2, tekken 3, and the VS series. My favorites.

[@HelenaIsis616]

It has returned!!!

[@dotmurda]

I still have my rival schools(ps) and project justice (dc) games...fond memories of whenever I had down time

[@KamenRiderSeiryuXV0]

Shiritsu Justice Gakuen 1 and 2 were great story synopsis, mini games, soundtrack and having voice though are the best games in Playstation. While Project Justice in Project Justice adding characters but lack of something, but Three Platoon combination was the best though.

[@jayson3900]

Yasss! This was such an underrated game back in the day. I loved both discs and played the frick out of it!

[@ED13209]

Played this game heaps back in the day in the Arcade and on Playstation.

[@B8GViews]

Let me tell you, this game holds a special place in my heart. I played it like crazy on my PSone as a teen, and was captivated by the branching storyline based on winning or losing critical battles. I made the mistake of letting a friend borrow it, who put a nice crack in it somehow. I was super bummed. I'd like to add it to my collection again some day. It's cool that Akira was brought back in SF5, but I doubt Capcom will put out any fighter outside of SF or MvC these days.

[@hgh8848]

That's the reason why you don't borrow such gems. No matter how good of a friend they are

[@wallcity318]

Power Stone has the potential to catch a smash type fanbase with that button mashy style. Rival Schools if done right could fill that MvC void because streamers would play it and get that casual fanbase.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@wallcity318 Wish granted

[@blackhorsegaming393]

I remember this game because of tthe dude with the soccer ball. I lived in Jamaica at the time and Japanese fighting games that weren't translated was all we had at one point

[@wanderingidiot9742]

I had this for the PS back when it came out and my friends and I would battle for hours. Bring it back on steam! It was a lot of fun. Maybe include a mashup of all kinds of Capcom characters from MegaMan, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Xmen, Final Fight, all of them! Bet it would be insanely popular.

[@rezm1r]

Would love a retrospective of the star gladiator series. Was one of the hidden surprises I found last year. Great atmosphere and music!

[@wallcity318]

Shoma/Batsu was my team i miss this game so much i still have it on my ps3

[@eyang7]

I was wondering what happened to rival schools. That was actually the best versus game back then.

[@lissandrodanny6709]

I loved Rival Schools as a kid, I always hoped this and Last Bronx would get newer versions/remakes

[@maxleon61702]

Yep.

[@orenmontgomery8250]

I totally forgot about rival schools until this week. Obviously, I clicked that link because this showed up in my suggestions.

[@thadexverse2259]

I believe rival are one those games that should get a return

[@evanevelasquez01]

Akira,Gan,Edge we're my best team!! I had the Ps 1st game and the 2nd one on DC,easily on my top 10 fighting games! Shoma,Roberto,and Natsu we're my 2nd best team ♥️ man I wanna dust my Dreamcast off now😂

[@stephenfogarty2209]

Its surprised me even to this day how this never got a re-release, even on the Capcom Arcade collections, I loved this game and its soundtrack

[@orangeslash1667]

Wish granted

[@floydwilliams2414]

Bloody Roar also needs to return!!

[@Durahan82]

There was a sequel on SEGA Dreamcast.

[@DaffyGunnzTGD]

I rarely was able to play it due to arcades being non-existing in my neighborhood but when i played the cabinet when able I loved every minute of it. Just as how i feel about Powerstone, BOTH NEED TO BE RELAUNCHED, COMEBACK and Loved AGAIN!!!

[@MuJoNeSs]

2:11. Producer BR!! hahahaha xD Valeu Noritaki. Tamo junto.

[@burningphoneix]

Such a nostalgia hit this game is. I loved it as a kid because you just needed to tap R1 to launch a super move 😅

[@187Blackheart]

I don't remember if I put my list in your top 10 fighting games video but this and bloody roar are on my list.

[@jordiix]

Agreed 100% one of my favourite and most underrated game ever. I have both of them the dreamcast and ps1 deffo needs a new game or a remake or something music was awesome gameplay is awesome. Such quintessential 90s to me i remeber getting these games. 😍

[@timogul]

Rival Schools came out during a period when I was heavily pirating Japanese Playstation games, so I was able to play the version with the character creator mode, and it was fun as hell to build your own fighter. I don't know if they need to fully bring Rival Schools back, but I would love to see more of the characters appearing in SF6 or other future projects. I also think it'd be neat if they could just add some of their moves to the "create a character" mode as options.

[@reggiecarter7167]

Project justice for Dreamcast was pretty dope too! With the triple team tag team account

[@echsIncognito]

I don't even need to watch the video to say I agree wholeheartedly! But there is also one other Capcom Franchise that needs a revival and that is Power Stone!

[@inujoshwa89]

This is cool.. I love games especially fighting games.. but I don't think I've ever heard of this one..this looks good to play today

[@slightlyloyal1442]

It’s sequel Project Justice was on the SEGA Dreamcast. Still own a PAL copy of it.

[@Flashshadow]

Rival Schools, Star Gladiator, Tech Romancer, and(if we’re lucky) Power Stone… What do you suppose it would take for Capcom to get their 3-D fighters on a collection. Even if it were just the first of each title? 🤔

[@midwestmonster9886]

I've always said that more fighting games need dating sim elements in them. Bicycle riding with Chun-Li in Street Fighter. Ice skating with Sheeva in Mortal Kombat. Bringing Vertigo a large pterodactyl carcass and performing the ritual allosaurus mating call in Primal Rage.

[@adrianjordan8222]

This game was a classic in the hood. My friends wouldn't play the 2d fighters but they'd play the hell out of this with me

[@walterlucero5757]

I remember buying Rival Schools BEFORE I bought my PlayStation! I had to play it at my friends house until I could buy the system. With all the fan translations of video games out on the net, why hasn't anybody tried to translate the dating simulator on the evolution disk? If I knew how to, I'd give it a shot for kicks and giggles!

[@goldpieceleo]

Capcom said they don't have a quality 3D technology at that time but they have Resident Evil back then, given it has a pre rendered background but its polygonal characters are pretty good at that time.

[@Bangcat]

If Capcom only knew what it was to be wise enough to bring back a creative license to let a brand rest. As it is they been riding their fall back pony Resident Evil so hard and long now, when both SF and RE fall in numbers, they're gonna have trouble again when the time comes next. And that time always comes back around for CAPCOM. They don't know how to release a good old title that hasn't had several re releases already.

[@tehf00n]

I only caught this game via emulation. It was pretty damn good that it left an impression.

[@LongForgottenOne]

Somehow I feel that a Rival Schools VS Darkstalkers makes a good mix.

[@shinbakihanma2749]

NOW is the perfect time for a JUSTICE GAKUEN 3 release.

[@geese4123]

key oh sue key lmao ...its key oh skay ...they say the names of the characters on the game i never understand how people pronounce the names wrong when they say them out loud but great video man i love your content you are one of the goats thank you for all your hard work

[@brittislove]

Top Hat Man always making quality content

[@luongvuong7982]

Please cover Fighting Layers. Love this video 😍

[@wernervanhorenbeeck2483]

Totally agree. I mostly enjoyed the many mini games in this game.

[@GetChalkedUp]

LOVED this game, which is also why I loved MVC3

[@Praisestothemosthigh369]

Playing rival schools rn on my tv thru my abernic 353 m still one of my favs

[@mikkunmikkichi3762]

i see rival schools. i click like. it was ny favorite fighting gane in the ps1 because it was pretty unique for ne.

[@ZimProductionsPhilly]

I love Rival Schools. Shame they didn't make more or re-release it to the current systems. I had to get it back from a friend of mine who wanted to keep it 😅. I am glad I own both part 1 and 2. Great game

[@hotrodgo4it55]

This game was dope... they need to bring it back for the one time only,

[@2Dee4ever]

Sees title.. Yes 🙌🏾

[@siontoh8392]

I really enjoyed Rival School and i really hope they re-release them on pc and newer consoles or even make a new one.

[@knoble1985]

I miss that double disc case....I remember wondering what happened to the character creation mode

[@knoble1985]

This game has one of the best opening themes besides soul blade & other classic game intros....That i always try to sing even tho i don't know what is being said but its so dang catchy 😅

[@julesbailey6770]

I love old-skool Capcom; top tier fighting games

[@marcc5768]

I loved this game when it was out. One of my top 5 capcom fighters that wasn't street fighter

[@chrischristensen6779]

One of my core games growing up.

[@carlosfelipe2988]

Rival Schools, Battle Arena Toshinden and Bloody Roar needs yo back🤩🤗😎!!!

[@TheHellboy1980]

we need a remake it was and awesome game and story! also we need the original on arcade1up

[@craigford33]

My all time favorite fighting game.

[@MrGeyon1977]

I wish Capcom would do a Capcom fighting collection 2 with capcom's 3d fighters! Rival schools Rival school 2 Star gladiator Star gladiator 2 SF ex SF ex 2 SF ex3 Powerstone Powerstone 2 and maybe the final fight fighting game to make it a even 10 games!

[@maxleon61702]

Yep.

[@nathanc6516]

Looks like a great fighting game for back then. Maybe what Capcom meant by 3d games not being good for the genre is that so far other 3d fighters weren't able to make the gameplay as fast and fluid as 2d fighters, but it seems like Capcom nailed it with this effort.

[@partofthetribe3277]

Yes! This game was amazing!

[@nekou_tora]

I agree 100%. It is way overdue.

[@orangeslash1667]

Wish granted

[@St.CourtsWilliams]

Edge was my favorite, no slander on his name.

[@SizzlingOne]

Thanks for showing me just how good Rival Schools really is! I'd never experienced it for all these years, but had heard incredibly positive word of mouth about it. Even the way the gameplay flows simply looks amazing to me, yet this is an early effort at a 3D fighting game circa 1997. Quite literally too far ahead of its time this one.