A comprehensive Japanese blogpost for the niche beat-em-up translated to English

January 31, 2024

The following is translated from Lazy_35P’s blog post which I found from Twitter detailing useful information and strategies about the arcade game SpikeOut, done after the recent re-release of this game for the first time in modern platforms as part of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, known in Japan as Ryu ga Gotoku 8. You can check the original untranslated blogpost here, and don’t forget to drop a like on Geometric18’s post sharing this as a thank you to their in-depth explanation of this niche (outside of Japan) arcade beat-em-up.

All of the information here is translated with the assistance of DeepL and Google Translate along with some rewriting by hand to read less awkwardly, but there are some additional notes from me to complement the information that I’ll always mark as such (whenever you see [EDITOR’S NOTE] or [EDITOR], that’s my extra info or comment).

Otherwise, pictures and structure are taken from the website, and since this is still a work in progress, apologies if there’s some stuff that hasn’t been brought over yet or reads a bit awkwardly due to the translation. I also have to mention that any mentions of RGG8 were changed to Infinite Wealth as it is the international name, but otherwise I haven’t changed much. Any mention of “zakos” are normal enemies (zako in Japanese means small fry), and any mention of “linking” is playing in multiplayer, with the context of how SpikeOut multiplayer was done with multiple cabinets linked together and could join in anytime to other player sessions.

If you are interested in learning SpikeOut techniques with visual references from in-game footage or if it is the first time you’re playing it and feel like you wouldn’t get to wrap your head around things with just text, then there’s this video that also covers the basics and has English text accompanying the Japanese descriptions.

In any case, translating this has actually been interesting so far with how there’s certainly a handful of facts that you definitely wouldn’t be able to know unless you have an expert source…and with how obscure the game is outside of Japan, only a post like this written in Japanese would be able to give this much insight into the game. So huge credits to Lazy_35P for writing all of this in the first place!

Last update of the original blogpost: February 4, 2024
Last update of this translation: February 6, 2024 - Cleaned up some sections to read better.

PS5 version of Spikeout FE (Final Edition).
This is a strategy article for beginners!

🐰Information source: LAZY DAISY

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SpikeOut can now be played in the Game Center within “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth”!
Unfortunately, it is not available as a stand-alone item, so you will need to purchase that game to play it.

Basic information about “Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth”

Official website: Click here
Release date: January 26, 2024 (Friday)

Where to buy Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth

Downloadable version on Steam
PS4 & PS5 download version
Amazon PS4 disc version
Amazon PS5 disc version

How did SpikeOut suddenly become playable?

One genius programmer used his spare time to create a MODEL3 emulator, and as a result, SpikeOut is now playable!

The tool was originally created as a project to run the arcade game “Virtua Fighter 3tb” (2023).

You can check the development history of MODEL3 emulator in this article.
⇒ 4Gamer.net [Interview] “Virtua Fighter 3tb” Returns to the Arcade. Background of the APM3 version and the future of “Virtua Fighter esports”

⇒ Report: “Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth” test play report and interview with Hiroyuki Sakamoto: The new play spot “Dondoko Island,” where you can even create a downtown area, is too addictive.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: If you don’t know Japanese, you’ll need a translator ready to read these.]

How are the difficulty settings?

There are Spikeout cabinets with different difficulty levels at various arcade locations you can choose from.

This one for example is a Normal difficulty cabinet.

What is the level of completion like?

It is an emulation of the original game instead of a port, so the basics are exactly the same as the arcade version. However, there are a few places where the textures are not reproduced due to a glitch on the emulator side (such as the roof of Linda’s bed) but are small parts of the game.
The color of the Red Cross on the health recovery items has been changed from red to green. This is because there are laws and ordinances that prohibit the use of the Red Cross without permission, even in cartoons, games, and illustrations.
(To avoid losing the original meaning by using them unnecessarily, or in case of emergency, to avoid the situation that they are not real but cosplay).

How long does it take to play the game?

• You can go to the first arcade in about 30 minutes.
• There are two types of cabinets: Easy and Normal.

Can I play offline multiplayer?

⇒Yes, you can. 4 players can play by split-screen.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Check the multiplayer mini-game menu after unlocking the game to play with two to four players.]

Can I play online multiplayer?

⇒ The game itself does not support online multiplayer. However, it is exceptionally possible to play online through using the features of the platform of your choice.

The Steam version can be used with the remote play application “Parsec” to play online.

PS5 version can use “Share Play”. Two player multiplaer is possible for one hour only! This is due to the limitation that you can only invite one visitor at a time and that the game is forced to terminate after one hour!

By the way, the longest route of this game takes 2 hours,
(There is a shorter route, so it is possible to complete the game if you choose the right route.)

[EDITOR’S NOTE: And…only if both of you are GOOD at this game.]

If you want to play with 4-Player link with online multiplayer, it is best to buy the Steam version. If you want to play with your family or play solo, it is better to buy the PS5 version which you can play on the big screen of your TV.

About the PS5 Version Controller

When playing Spikeout for PS4 on PS5, you can use the PS4 Arcade Controller (DUALSHOCK4), but if you want to play Spikeout for PS5 on PS5, you cannot use the “PS4 Arcade Controller DUALSHOCK4”,
If you want to play local multiplayer with split screen, you will need to purchase a PS5-specific arcade controllers for the number of players, which will cost you a lot of money.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The post always refers to these controllers as arcade controllers, but it could be possible to assume that this could also apply to standard Dualshock controllers: DS4 on PS4 version should work but DS4 on PS5 might or does not work.]

If you want to use your previous generation arcade stick you will need to buy the PS4 disc.

If you want to use the previous generation arcade stick, it is better to buy the PS4 disc or the downloadable version that includes both PS4 and PS5. You will save money later on.

About the speed

The original game runs at 57.5 fps, but there is a high possibility that the Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth version is running at 60 fps.
There are quite a few people who say that the timing of the charge is uncomfortable, so you may have to wait for an update.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: That 57.5fps is what the original arcade board used, and apparently the speed in Daytona 2 for Gaiden was adjusted to match that instead of feeling faster as if you were playing Supermodel…but it seems odd that there was no speed adjustment for this game from what is mentioned]

■SPIKEOUT DIGITAL BATTLE ONLINE (Arcade 1998)

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The screenshot seems to be from Final Edition; Digital Battle Online has a different colored timer and silver nametags for player characters, but otherwise doesn’t look different]

This is the first version of the game, Digital Battle Online, also known as “DBO”.

Compared to the second one, Final Edition, this one is missing a few things:

• Spikers Camp (first stage in FE) and Ship Yard are missing.
• The only appeal available is “Thanks”.
• If you run away from enemies, they will attack with a dashing slide, and you can’t shift to avoid those.
• No Linda Special, and no increase of enemy’s attack power whenever you have more KOs.
• Some system voices don’t exist. [EDIT: One such voice would be the HERE COMES THE BOSS clip.]
• There are differences such as almost never being returned even if you go out due to a bug.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Unsure if this one is translated properly, I’ll need some context or verifying with a player if this means that you won’t respawn/reappear back on stage if you go out of bounds, which is likely the meaning here.]

■ SPIKEOUT FINAL EDITION (Arcade 1999)

This is the second version, Final Edition, also known as “FE”.

• It is an “upgrade”, so it looks almost the same as DBO. [EDIT: But you can tell which version is which by looking at your nametag and the timer’s color]
• The system in general is easier to play, and it is called a “god game” among god games.
• The number of used boards is very few, and even in its heyday, it was difficult to obtain. It was so popular that there was a waiting list at PCB shops. Also, the boards are fragile and have been leaked to foreign countries by foreign collectors. It is difficult to obtain the board nowadays.
• In the heyday when arcades were in operation, Shinjuku was considered a sacred place. Almost all of its arcades, including privately owned ones, had Spikeout cabinets in stock.
• There always were two or three people on standby for multiple machines that filled the entire floor, and it was common for people who did not know each other to link up during the game. It was commonplace for strangers to link up in the middle of a game.

■ Rent-A-Hero No. 1 (Dreamcast, May 2000)

A loose action RPG in a silly world. Uses the same motion moves/animations as Spikeout here and there, though. It is a game that emphasizes adventure (exploration of the town), and the action elements are only for funsies.

■ SLASH OUT (Arcade, July 2000)

This is a game that uses the system of “Spikeout” and rewrites it in a fantasy world.

• The system board was changed from MODEL 3 to NAOMI, and most game arcades used it in place of the Final Edition.
• Compared to the Final Edition, the system in general was simplified. The bottom of the combo is shallow, and if you don’t play quickly, there will be fewer route branches.
  [EDITOR’S NOTE: Some alternate stages are only accessible if you complete the one before under a certain time.]
• The level-up system made it difficult to keep up with the game if you joined in the middle of the game. Most users gave up or returned to SpikeOut after about a month of operation.

■ Dynasty Warriors 2 (PS2, August 2000)
Although the development was not related to SEGA at all, the general gameplay system was taken from Spikeout, wasn’t it? It is an unspoken agreement that the game is a rip-off of Spike-Out.
[EDIT: This is a funny comment to read out of context, but I guess that this game looking like a stiff 3D beat-em-up against swarms of enemies, just like Spikeout, being released as the sequel of a fighting game two years after Spikeout became a success in Japan…I guess there’s merit on that assumption even if the game doesn’t seem to play on the same controls.]

■ SPIKERS BATTLE (Arcade 2001)

This is a sequel to “Spikers Battle” in which the four members of “Team Alberto” became the main characters.

• The system is no longer even a cooperative game, as four players start at the same time in a small space as a battle royale where you had to kill everyone to clear the stage.
• However, the game was so shitty that most stores had to remove it before the hidden element was unlocked.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: There exists a video of this aforementioned hidden element, which is playing as boss characters and seems to be triggered by tapping outside of your character’s box 11 times before selecting a character. However, the unlock conditions are unknown to this day, and doing the command without it only hides the character name as if something were to happen.]

■ SPIKEOUT BATTLE STREET (Xbox, March 2005)

A port of FE to the first generation Xbox.

• Compared to the second Final Edition, this one starts from an original coastal area instead of Spikers Camp.
• Four new characters have been added, all of whom can use the same techniques as those of Team Alberto in Spikers Battle.
• The system is quite mild, and the position of the foot when performing a combo does not matter.
• The level of perfection is low compared to FE.
• All boss characters can be used as player characters.
• The balance of the game was broken because some characters were too strong or too weak.
• At that time, there was a trend that if you used a boss in a room other than the boss room, you would be kicked.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This is likely referring to kicking players in online play, as this game supported Xbox Live multiplayer and strangers joining sessions between stages.]

■ Yakuza / Ryu ga Gotoku (PS2, December 2005)
The game that Toshihiro Nagoshi, the creator of “SpikeOut,” steered the game to focus on the story. The staff is the same and some animations are used in the game.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: And 13 years later, the franchise that superseded SpikeOut would finally give back something to it with the Infinite Wealth port.]

■ Arcade Button Layout
The number of buttons used is four, side by side in a straight line by default.
　From left to right: Shift, Beat, Charge, Jump,
　
When you play with an arcade stick, it is better to change the order of the buttons:

• Weak Kick to Shift button.
• Weak Punch to Beat button
• Medium Punch to Charge button
• Large Punch to Jump button

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This refers to mapping the buttons when playing on an Arcade Stick to be as close to the original button layout]

■ Map Switching Button

• When the Start button is pressed, the map displayed in the lower right corner of the screen can be switched between an enlarged map that shows only the area around your character (left image) and a reduced map that shows the entire area (right image).
• For example, if two allies are in separate and distant positions, it is possible to use the map to determine which one needs your help, and if a recovery item appears to have been left behind without being taken, for example. The more skillful you are, the more often you need to check the map.
• It can also be used to confirm guidance when a boss appears.

■ Check the number of specials on your side
You can check the number of specials by pressing the Shift + Start button.
You can also check the number of specials of your teammates by pressing Shift + Start button again while the menu is displayed.

■ Shift movement
When you press and hold the Shift button, you can strafe while looking forward. It is the most important button, and it is good to keep it pressed all the time during battle.

■ BBBBBB Beat
Also known as Punch, B button, etc. Equivalent to the “A” series in “Final Fight”. The enemy will be sent flying away on the 6th hit.
　
■ C button long press Charge

Also known as C attack, C button, etc. This is the most important attack, and what it does depends of how long you hold it, so I will explain it in detail:

C1:
Short press without pause to launch a single attack. Up to 3 attacks can be made in a row, and C1 is almost never used as a single attack. BBBCC is used to dispose of zakos as a combo with few gaps.

C2:
A move that launches the enemy when the button is released after a short pause of about 0.5 seconds. It is almost never used for direct hits, but is used to relaunch downed enemies.

C3:
Hold for a second and then release to for an attack that stuns the enemy on-hit. If you are playing linked with others, approach the boss from behind and hit him with C3 to make your friends happy.

If you are fighting zakos, it is common to use a combo of starting a charge, hitting them with a Beat combo and then release the C3 attack to stun them.

• BBB > C3 combo
  　If you can’t charge in time
• BB > BBB > C3

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The BBB > C3 is the most reliable way to stun normal enemies with how its guaranteed as long as you hit the enemies with the basic string and time your charge properly to land the C3.

I love the way the “C3 behind boss in linked to make friends happy” is worded because it is true- stunning bosses alone is very difficult, so this is likely the only way you can reliably stun a boss to beat it down or hit it with a C4. And speaking of which…]

C4:
Hold for 2 seconds and release to perform a big move that knocks the enemy flying away. It doesn’t matter if it’s a normal enemy or a boss, it always knocks down, so it’s no exaggeration to say that it’s the most exhilarating part of this game!

It’s more powerful when you get close to the enemy, so if you can afford it, get close to them and shoot them! If you play linked, another player can be waiting at the end of the target to blow it further away.

The most common strategy is to use a “trick combo” where you drive them into a corner and then keep hitting them with C4 alternately.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: I can picture the sight of pummeling a boss through charged attacks at the corner being not only amusing and awesome, but also extremely useful to bring its health down.]

■ J Jump
A short press will give you a low jump, but you will almost never use it. You’ll instead want to be using the long press jump.

■ BB Ascending Kick while Jumping

• A kick delivered while ascending in a jump is called an Ascending Kick (or Ascent Kick). A kick delivered while jumping down is called a Descending Kick. The timing of the two kicks is important because it determines the success or failure of the combo.
• The kick that is delivered twice while ascending is called nobori-keri-keri (or climbing kick) or Nobori-Shori (昇り昇り), etc. A kick staggered in ascending and descending is called “Nobori-ori-keri”.
• The kick from a small jump is not usable at all, so it is called “Shobo Kick” and is sometimes used as a lick.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Sorry but I actually thought on “devious lick” when I read using an useless kick as “a lick”- this note will be gone whenever I confirm what “used as a lick” really meant here lol]

■ B+C+J Special
A.K.A. SP, Mega Clash, Emergency Evasion, Invincible, etc. By consuming one of the lightning bolt symbols, you can perform an “invincible” move.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Useful to get off too many enemies swarming you, occasionally breaking off boss throws if they didn’t start the animation, or even comboing sometimes a juggled enemy. Just like old beat-em-up special moves, except here they’re stock limited instead of using up your health.]
　
■Grabbing an enemy and throwing with the B+C+J Special
Press B+C+J while holding on to an enemy to perform a spinning throw with a longer invincibility time than a single throw.
When linked, if allies grab each other and then press B+C+J, a combined spinning throw is possible. It is effective when waiting for the boss to appear.
　
■ Appeal command

• Turn the lever clockwise and press B to say “Thanks”.
• Turn the lever counterclockwise once and press B to say “Sorry”.
• Rotate the lever clockwise once and press B+C for “Help”.
• All of them have 1-dot attack judges and can be used in combos. You can even defeat the last boss with “Thank you”, or try and be killed by a counterattack.

It’s a game for advanced players, so it’s a good idea to remember it.
　
[EDITOR’S NOTE: These are intended to be used when playing with others, likely as you would be playing away from other cabinets or without talking, so you could communicate through these. And yep, it seems you can hit any enemy or boss with the Sean/Dudley’s one-point-of-damage taunt special if you are that lucky and bold to even try it.]

■ Special appeal command
Turn the lever clockwise and then press B+C+J for “Special Appeal” (SP consumption).
At first glance, it may look like a joke, but it has the longest invincibility time, so it can be used in various ways.

• To buy time when you have to wait for your allies to come to your rescue.
• When cutting off an ally who is being hit by a theater boss’s piledriver at the drop point
• When you use a dash kick or a single SP, you may be hit or miss.
• When the remaining time is 0 seconds and you want to avoid time death. If an ally opens the gate during the time the special appeal is active, running out of time and dying from it can be avoided.

■ B+C > B sweep + follow-up attack
It is an easy-to-use technique that can “roll a zako with a single blow”. It is also effective against some bosses.

• B+C is not used in a single shot, but instead using B+C> B all the way through.
• If you are using White, when the follow-up hits, the enemy will bounce a little and C4 can be used.
• If you are using Spike, when the follow-up hits, the enemy will bounce a little, so C2 can be used.
• Tenshin’s can be used to scatter enemies as they are blown away.
• Linda can use C2 or BBB>C2 as the enemy rolls.

■ B+J Homing
A small jump attack with powerful homing performance! It knocks down with a single hit like the foot sweep, but it comes out slowly and the hit rate is high, so if you have enough energy, you can use the attack to scatter the enemy.
When you have enough energy and want to kick enemies away, use B+J>C4. Otherwise, use it to attack fleeing enemies after destroying the boss,
In other cases, it is used to avoid missing the start of a combo by launching it at a fleeing enemy after defeating a boss.

■ C+J Special Moves
The character will have an unique special move that can knock down with one hit.

• White can use a Somersault…but only use it occasionally.
• Tenshin can use C+J>C for a spinning kick.
• Linda can use C+J>C for 2 small jump kicks.
• Spike can use a knee kick to start a combo against a wall.

■ Dash attack
Press the lever twice in the same direction to dash.
While dashing, press B for a dash kick.
It is mainly used to rescue a teammate who has been hit, or to scatter enemies in a group. Be careful with this, as rolling enemies can also hit your allies.

■ Grabbing BBB
When you approach an enemy from the front, you can grab it automatically.
　Pressing the B button while holding on to an enemy will punch the enemy in the stomach, and if you do it three times, the enemy will go down.

■ Jump Throw
After grabbing the enemy from the front, press C to go behind him → Jump → Press B while jumping to throw them at the floor.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: You might want to practice the timing to the B press while jumping, or else you might miss the window and jump without throwing- mashing B as you jump doesn’t seem to work either. This will be important to learn as it will likely be one of your only reliable approaches to attack bosses alone, either by jump throwing them quickly or by jump throwing enemies into them.]

■ Various throws
You can throw the enemy to the front, side or back whenever you grab them by the front, from the side or behind them. You can also add a C button press during a grab, regardless of which side you grabbed them at, to get behind and be able to jump throw. The direction of the throw can be changed with the lever as well.

■ Shift and hold back + C button for Water Surface Kick
　(Also known as a back kick or a water surface cut)

This is a small move that can “down an enemy from behind with a single blow”. It is almost never used as a one-shot, because it is faster to escape forward by shifting,
However, the combo BBB > Back Kick can be used on rare occasions.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Could be useful to knock enemies behind you as it turns around to hit them if there are any. Can be executed by pressing forward then backwards while shifting and pressing C, even if you aren’t punching before that, but you’ll likely only want to use this after the BBB combo.]

■ Linda’s Special CCC > C
This is a special kick that only Linda can use. The timing is very strict. Press “C” 0.5 seconds after CCC, and the move will come out.
It isn’t possible to always perform it without fail, but it is enough to learn it to the level that you can perform it at least once in every three times.

You really are here to ask who am I?

Well, it does make sense that someone's first visit to a new home starts with greetings and a handshake. But if you fancy allowing more than that and care to sit down for some videogames, then I'll be glad to.

I have tried a lot of things, but most gravitate towards videogames, either writing about them or making content for one (I made a SRB2Kart track pack called ArcadePak).

Beyond my modding misadventures between SRB2Kart and some other games I had touched in the past (a sliver of Bloody Roar/GNT and a few weeks of BombSquad), most stuff I've done is either video editing on my channel and occasionally locking in with the pencil...if I'm lucky then I also move that over to the digital canvas and spend several minutes suffering in Paint Tool SAI until something I like at a minimum level comes out.

You really are here to ask who am I?

Well, it does make sense that someone's first visit to a new home starts with greetings and a handshake. But if you fancy allowing more than that and care to sit down for some videogames, then I'll be glad to.

I have tried a lot of things, but most gravitate towards videogames, either writing about them or making content for one (I made a SRB2Kart track pack called ArcadePak).

Beyond my modding misadventures between SRB2Kart and some other games I had touched in the past (a sliver of Bloody Roar/GNT and a few weeks of BombSquad), most stuff I've done is either video editing on my channel and occasionally locking in with the pencil...if I'm lucky then I also move that over to the digital canvas and spend several minutes suffering in Paint Tool SAI until something I like at a minimum level comes out.