Guest Characters - ONE'S WORST ENEMY APPEARED

TRUE BEHIND-THE-SCENES TRIVIA - I thought I could get away with not having captions on this page. A Twitter follower spotted their absence right away. LOOKS LIKE I'M RESIGNED TO MY DESTINY (jus' kiddin', we've put these here just for you lovely readers <3)

Gaming Things We Think Are Cool!! - Games that have 'special appearances' from other game characters.

That's what this page is about.

Rules for inclusion on this page:
#1 - Only cases where the guest character is either a playable character, or an enemy, boss or interactable opponent, count. No straight-up cameos, such as background appearances, costumes, as shopkeepers, quest-givers, etc..
#2 - They must be from separate series- Ryo Sakazaki in Fatal Fury Special counts, for instance, but Hibachi in DoDonPachi Resurrection doesn't.
However, it's OK if they're in the same story continuity but originate from different series (like Street Fighter and Final Fight).
#3 - Games that are crossover games to begin with (Fighters Megamix, Super Smash Bros, etc.) don't count, unless the crossover game is between one particular company or series and other companies / series are represented, such as guests in Smash Bros., Cole in Street Fighter x Tekken, and so on.
#4 - NO MOBILE GAMES. No exceptions.
#5 - Ultimately... I make the final say on whether it ends up on this page or not. Please understand.

Rules for page presentation::
#1 - English titles first, Japanese titles second.
#2 - Presented in chronological order, except when dealing with a series (i.e. Oneechabara / Aero Fighters)
We'll run through all remaining titles in that series, then go back to year order.
#3 - We'll only be listing initial / relevant release platforms and years, for space concerns.
#4 - We've divided things into 1980-1994, 1995-1996, 1997-1999, (this page) 2000-2009 and 2010-Present.
Click the links to skip around!

Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness
(Saturn / Playstation, 1997, Capcom)

AWWWW SHIT PRINCESS DEVILOTTE DE DEATHSATAN IX IN THE HOUSE

Making his fireball a missile is a nice little touch, I think.

Zero-Gouki
based on Akuma / Gouki from Super Street Fighter II Turbo / Super Street Fighter II X - Grand Master Challenge - Arcade, 1994, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Saturn / Playstation versions only!
Beat Arcade Mode on any difficulty with any pilot / VA combination from Difficulty 4 upwards without continuing.
(GameFAQs says that beating Arcade Mode 99 times will work too, but also says you have to unlock the other secret VAs first which does not appear to be necessary, it's just easier with Warlock.) [Source]
Zero-Gouki will appear at the bottom of the Machine Select screen as part of the list of secret VAs.
Additionally, there is a random chance that Princess Devilotte de DeathSatan IX's first opponent in Arcade Mode, Lord DeathSatan, will pilot Zero-Gouki instead of Warlock.
Although technically not a guest character as such- aside from an appearance as a card in Cardfighter's Clash he hasn't appeared in any other games- he's very obviously supposed to be Akuma / Gouki and even plays like him (dude, Raging Demon's totally in this game) so... It counts, I guess?

Zero-Gouki is not in the later modern console ports (either in Capcom Arcade Stadium or Capcom Fighting Collection) as these are based on the arcade game and not these home console versions.

Diddy Kong Racing
(Nintendo 64, 1997, Rareware)

oh, in more innocent times

I NEVER BEAT THIS GAME BECAUSE I AM NOT A MACHINE

Banjo & Conker
from Banjo-Kazooie (Banjo) - Nintendo 64, 1998, Rare
& Twelve Tales: Conker 64 (Conker) - Announced at E3 1997, altered to become Conker's Bad Fur Day - Nintendo 64, 2001, Rare

How to Unlock / Notes:
Banjo and Conker are available from the start.
Both these characters appeared in this game before their own games were released!
Both of them were removed from the Nintendo DS port of the game, replaced by Tiny Kong and Dixie Kong.

NFL Blitz
(Arcade / Playstation / N64, 1997, Midway)

Raiden & Shinnok
from Mortal Kombat - Arcade, 1992, Midway
& Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (Shinnok) - Playstation / Nintendo 64, 1997, Midway Games / Avalanche Software

How to Unlock / Notes:
To play as Raiden, enter RAIDEN as your player name and enter the PIN 3691.
To play as Shinnok, enter SHINOK as your player name and enter the PIN 8337. [Source]
Shinnok's appearance is based on his true form at the end of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, and the game predates his appearance in Mortal Kombat 4 by about half a month.

Money Puzzle Exchanger
Money Idol Exchanger
(Neo Geo, 1997, FACE)

hany have mony

Hany
from Hany in the Sky - TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine, 1989, Sankindo

How to Unlock / Notes:
Hany can only be used in the Solo Mode and the code is slightly different depending on whether the How to Play screen is enabled or not.
If the How to Play screen is enabled, select Solo Mode, hold 1P Start, press A to skip the screen when it appears and keep 1P Start held until the game starts.
If the How to Play screen is disabled, hold 1P Start, press A to select Solo Mode and keep 1P Start held until the game starts.
Your character at the bottom of the screen will be replaced with Hany if done correctly.

Flying Dragon
Hiryu no Ken Twin
(Nintendo 64, 1997 / 1998 / 1999, Culture Brain)

Yes, you'd better believe I kept typing in Flying Warriors instead of Flying Dragon for this. That happened a lot.

Yes, you'd better believe I kept typing in Flying Warriors instead of Flying Dragon for this. That happened a lot.

Robo no Hana & Bokuchin
from Super Chinese Fighter (Robo no Hana) - NES, 1995, Culture Brain
& Super Chinese 3 (Bokuchin) - NES, 1991, Culture Brain

How to Unlock / Notes:
Robo no Hana is available from the start in SD Mode only.
Either beat him in any game mode, or enter the password VITUKOB from the Treasure List Status screen to unlock Bokuchin in SD Mode only.
Both would appear in the update / sequel S.D. Hiryu no Ken Densetsu.

S.D. Hiryu no Ken Densetsu
(Nintendo 64, 1999, Culture Brain)

Jack, Ryu and Golfire
from Little Ninja Bros. / Super Chinese 2 (Jack & Ryu) - NES, 1989 / 1990 / 1991, Culture Brain
& Super Chinese Fighter (Gofire) - NES, 1995, Culture Brain

How to Unlock / Notes:
Jack, Ryu and Gofire are available from the start.

Puchi Carat
(Arcade / Playstation / Game Boy Color, 1997, Taito)

AWWWWWW YEEEEEAAAHHH, PATORACO GON' MESS YOU UP IN THIS BREAKOUT CLONE, YO

Patoraco / Patrako
from Cleopatra Fortune - Arcade, 1996, Natsume/Taito

How to Unlock / Notes:
In the arcade version, when you insert a coin, press the action button 3 times then press Start on the How to Play tutorial. Patoraco will be at the top of the character select screen. [Source] In this version, she;s called Patoraco.
In the Playstation port, either beat Story Mode in Arcade Mode in under 7 minutes using less than 5 continues with Game Level and Ball Speed set to Arcade, or enter the Options menu then exit it, and repeat 13 times (this method won't save to a Memory Card). [Source] In this version, she's called Patrako... Most of the time.
In the Game Boy Color port, beat Story Mode with all twelve characters to unlock Patoraco.
Unlike the other characters, her paddle is carried by two mummy servants.

Heaven's Gate
(Arcade / Playstation, 1997, Racdym)

NATIONALITY: MIRACLE WORLD

SPOILER: I actually prefer Kurara's future daughter, Popura, as seen in Groove on Foght. Mostly because she twats people with a giant pole and huge spurts of blood come out.

Kurara Hananokoji
from Power Instinct 2 / Gouketsuji Ichizoku 2 - Arcade, 1994, Atlus

How to Unlock / Notes:
Playstation version only!
In Arcade Mode, highlight Nanase and press Select, Up, Down, Down, L1 + L2, Start to select Kurara. [Source]

Tobal 2
(Playstation, 1997, DreamFactory / SquareSoft)

KWEH?

Chocobo
from Final Fantasy II - NES, 1988, SquareSoft

How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat the Practice Dungeon. Chocobo can be selected by going through the red 'enemy' icon on the Character Select screen. [Source]

All Japan Pro Wrestling featuring Virtua
(Arcade / Saturn, 1997, Scarab / Sega)

Wolf Haekfield & Jeffry McWild
from Virtua Fighter - Arcade, 1993, Sega AM2

How to Unlock / Notes:
Wolf and Jeffrey are available from the start.
Wolf and Jeffrey also appear in the follow-up, Giant Gram: All Japan Pro Wrestling 2.

Giant Gram: All Japan Pro Wrestling 2
(Dreamcast, 1999, Scarab / Sega)

NINJA, READ TO RASSLE

so when he turns heel does he just take his mask off

i know wrestling terms i think

look all i have on this subject is a copy of cutie suzuki no ringside angel, gimmie a break

Kage-Maru
from Virtua Fighter - Arcade, 1993, Sega AM2

How to Unlock / Notes:
Alongside Wolf and Jeffrey from the previous game, Kage-Maru is available from the start.

Street Fighter III: Second Impact
(Arcade / Dreamcast, 1997, Capcom)

'My name is Hugo. In this fight, I'm just going to play around with you, because I just want you to feel you're doing well.'

'My name is Hugo. In this fight, I'm just going to play around with you, because I just want you to feel you're doing well.'

Hugo
from Final Fight - Arcade, 1989, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Hugo is available from the start.
Although renamed, Hugo is supposed to be the same Andore from Final Fight. Poison appears in his pre-match intros.
Hugo also appears in Ultra Street Fighter IV.

Ultra Street Fighter IV
(Arcade / Xbox 360 / Playstation 3, 2014, Capcom / Dimps)

Please note, in the US and EU versions, Poison is replaced by Billy / Syd.

SORRY THAT'S A LIE FORGIVE ME

Please note, in the US and EU versions, Poison is replaced by Billy / Syd.

SORRY THAT'S A LIE FORGIVE ME

The only problem with adding all these Final Fight characters is that now I really, REALLY wanna play Final Fight Revenge. I can't see that ending well.

Poison
from Final Fight - Arcade, 1989, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Poison is available from the start.
Poison also appears in Street Fighter V. (Screenshots provided by @Scrollboss- thanks!)

Street Fighter V
(Arcade / Playstation 4 / Windows, 2016, Capcom / Dimps)

Abigail
from Final Fight - Arcade, 1989, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, as part of the Season 2 series of updates.
His character theme is a vocal remix of Burning Cycle from Final Fight, and his home stage is the Metro City Bay Area, with a remix of Something Putrid by the Bay from Final Fight as background music.
Axl, Roxy and J, also from Final Fight, also make cameo appearances in his Prologue Story mode.

Lucia Morgan
from Final Fight 3 / Final Fight Tough - SNES, 1995 / 1996, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, as part of the Season 4 series of updates.
Her character theme is very faintly based on Explosive Situation from Final Fight 3.

Akira Kazama
from Rival Schools: United by Fate / Shiritsu Jasutisu Gakuen: Legion of Heroes - Arcade, 1997, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, as part of the Season 5 series of updates.
For her V-Trigger I, she can call in her brother Daigo to attack for her, and he appears during her Critical Art and victory pose.
Her home stage is Rival Riverside, based on a stage from Rival Schools: United by Fate.

Two-P
from Final Fight - Arcade, 1989, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Two-P is an unplayable rival who appears during the barrel bonus game in Arcade Mode's Street Fighter II route, added in the free Arcade Edition update.
He also appears as part of Lucia's intro.

Le Mans 24
(Arcade, 1997, Sega)

Sonic the Hedgehog
from Sonic the Hedgehog - Mega Drive, 1991, Sonic Team

How to Unlock / Notes:
The code is different depending on the ID of the cab, found in the Test Menu.
For an game ID of TWIN LEMANS CAB, highlight the Nismo R33, turn Left, hold the Start, Brake and VR Buttons 1 and 3, then press the Accelerate pedal.
For an game ID of TWIN NORMAL CAB, highlight the Nismo R33, turn Left, hold the Start and Zoom In buttons, then press the Accelerate pedal. [Source]
When you take the car to the Pit Lane, Sonic will be swapped out with a strange dog/rabbit creature- can you identify them?
(Screenshots and information provided by Liam Ashcroft- thanks!)

Armed Police BatRider
(Arcade, 1997, Raizing / Eighting)

CHITTA'S STILL THE STRONGEST, YO

Sorry the screens are a bit, uh, dull for this one. This is not a game you should see in static images, let's put it like that.

Gain, Chitta, Miyamoto, Bornnam, B. Wayne and J. Wayne
from Sorcer Striker / Mahou Daisakusen (Gain, Chitta, Miyamoto and Bornnam) - Arcade, 1993, Raizing
& Battle Garegga (B. Wayne and J. Wanye) - Arcade, 1996, Raizing/Eighting
How to Unlock / Notes:
Insert a coin, then press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Shoot, Bomb, Start- hey, it's the Konami Code again! This will unlock all the guest characters plus Car-Pet (who doesn't seem to be from any other game) for use in Team Edit/Select Player modes. [Source]
Alternatively, you can enable these secret characters with the game's dip-switches.
B. Wayne and J. Wayne are actually on the character select screen twice- they have two planes to choose from.

Xevious 3D/G+
(Playstation, 1997, Namco)

god this is silly

MAYBE VIDEO GAMES ARE ART AFTER ALL JUST LOOK AT THIS

Heihachi Mishima & Paul Phoenix
from Tekken - Arcade, 1994, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Playstation version only!
Heihachi and Paul do not appear in the arcade version of the game.
In the PS1 port's Xevious 3D/G Mode, after starting a game hold down Right + Cross + Circle + Start on Player 1's side until the Solvalou changes into Heihachi, and hold down Left + Cross + Circle + Start on Player 2's side until the Solvalou changes into Paul. Coimpleting the game with them gives a slightly different ending. [Source]

Clayfighter 63 1/3 & Clayfighter: The Sculptor's Cut
(Nintendo 64, 1997 / 1998, Interplay)

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW *NOT FUN* GETTING THESE SCREENSHOTS WAS.

the real question is, where's my gritty clayfighter reboot kickstarter? i'd back that shit.

(no i wouldn't)

Also, fuck Doug TenNapel.

Earthworm Jim & Boogerman
from Earthworm Jim (Earthworm Jim) - Mega Drive, 1994, Shiny Entertainment
& Boogerman - A Pick & Flick Adventure (Boogerman) - Mega Drive, 1994, Interplay

How to Unlock / Notes:
Clayfighter 63 1/3:
Earthworm Jim is available from the start.
To unlock Boogerman, on the Character Select screen hold L and press Up, Right, Down, Left, Right, Left. [Source]
Clayfighter: The Sculptor's Cut:
To unlock Earthworm Jim, highlight the ? on the Character Select screen, hold L and press C-Left, C-Down, C-Left, C-Right, B, A, then let go of L and press R.
To unlock Boogerman, highlight the ? on the Character Select screen, hold L and press B, B, C-Right, C-Right, C-Left, C-Right, then let go of L and press R. [Source]

(Screenshots here come from Clayfighter 63 1/3 because the Character Select screen shows them off better.)

Fighting Layer
(Arcade, 1998, Arika)

CAPCOM SHOULD S- wait, done this joke already

they should've pinched SKULLOMANIA instead

Allen Snider & Blair Dame
from Street Fighter EX - Arcade, 1996, Arika

How to Unlock / Notes:
Allen and Blair are available from the start.

Fighting EX Layer
(Playstation 4 / Steam, 2018, Arika)

Terry Bogard
from Fatal Fury: King of Fighters / Garou Densetsu: Shukumei no Tatakai - Neo Geo, 1991, SNK

How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable.

Boombots
(Playstation, 1998, The Neverhood, Inc.)

Literally never heard of this game until a Twitter user (credited at the bottom) told me about it.

I guess it's an obscure one.

Also, fuck Doug TenNapel.

Klaymen
from The Neverhood / Klaymen Klaymen - Windows / Playstation, 1996, The Neverhood, Inc.

How to Unlock / Notes:
On the Character Select screen, press Square, Square, Square, Square, Circle, Circle, Circle, Circle, Square, Square, Square, Square, Select, Select, Select. [Source]
His home stage is the Neverhood, unlocked with the same code.

Blazing Star
(Neo Geo, 1998, Yumekobo)

Should we really count this one? Well, what I say goes, so...

we nearly went with a shot that had YOU FAIL IT on but didn't have the heart to in the end.

Kaoru Yamazaki & Dino 246
from Pulstar - Neo Geo, 1995, Aicom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Kaoru Yamazaki is available from the start.
She pilots the Dino 246, the same ship from Pulstar.
While Blazing Star is technically a sequel to Pulstar anyway, it's easy to miss she's supposed to be from that game, and the game was developed by Yumekobo instead of Aicom, so... We're counting it?

Fever S.O.S.
Dangun Feveron
(Arcade, 1998, Cave)

It was way harder than it looks to get both these characters to show up. Please, appreciate.

Uotaro & Poko
from Uo Poko - Arcade, 1998, Cave

How to Unlock / Notes:
After inserting a coin, quickly enter Down, Up, Right, Left, Up, Down, Left, Right, then Start. You have to enter it again when continuing. [Source]

Ehrgeiz
(Playstation, 1998, DreamFactory / SquareSoft)

FUN FACT: I once saw an Ehrgeiz arcade cabinet. However, the arcade operators hadn't set the screen correctly... So the title screen read 'OD BLESS THE RING'. Ha.

FUN FACT: I once saw an Ehrgeiz arcade cabinet. However, the arcade operators hadn't set the screen correctly... So the title screen read 'OD BLESS THE RING'. Ha.

FURTHER FUN FACTS: Because Final Fantasy VII is an RPG, here is the full, unabridged list of RPGs I've completed:
Final Fantasy VII
Pokémon Blue
Earthbound (SNES)
Earthbound (NES)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Skies
Undertale

I AM BAD AT RPGS

Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockheart, Yuffie Kisaragi, Vincent Valentine, Sephiroth & Zack Fair
from Final Fantasy VII - Playstation, 1997, SquareSoft

How to Unlock / Notes:
In the arcade version, only Cloud and Tifa are available.
To fight Cloud & Tifa, defeat 8 CPU characters within 8 minutes 40 seconds.
They are unlocked to play as after the machine has been on for 30 days (Cloud) and 50 days (Tifa) [Source]
In the Playstation port, Cloud, Tifa and Sephiroth are unlocked from the start.
To unlock Yuffie Kisaragi, beat the game with Cloud.
To unlock Vincent Valentine, beat the game with Tifa.
To unlock Zack, beat the game with all the other Final Fantasy VII characters. [Source]

Anna Kournikova's Smash Court Tennis
Smash Court 2
(Playstation, 1998, NowProduction / Namco)

FUN FACT: This is one of those games where I'd heard a lot about the guest characters, but had never actually seen them. I think it might be because this one apparently never got a US release?

FUN FACT: This is one of those games where I'd heard a lot about the guest characters, but had never actually seen them. I think it might be because this one apparently never got a US release?

NOT PICTURED: the Splatterhouse and Point Blank attractions on the Theme Park court.

Richard Miller, Sherudo Garo, Heihachi Mishima, Yoshimitsu, Eddie Gordo, Reiko Nagase & Pac-Man
from Time Crisis (Richard & Sherudo) - Arcade, 1995, Namco
Tekken (Heihachi & Yoshimitsu) - Arcade, 1994, Namco
Tekken 3 (Eddy) - Arcade, 1996, Namco
Ridge Racer Type 4 (Reiko) - Playstation, 1998 / 1999, Namco
& Pac-Man (Pac-Man) - Arcade, 1980, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
These characters are unlocked by beating specific Street Tournaments in Tournamen Mode several times:
Asaksa Temple: 6 Times (Heihachi)
Time Square: 4 Times (Eddy), 5 Times (Reiko), 6 Times (Pac-Man)
Osaka Bridge: 5 Times (Richard)
Theme Park: 5 Times (Yoshimitsu), 6 Times (Sherudo) [Source]
Heihachi and Yoshimitsu are based on their Tekken 3 appearances.

Hot Shots Golf 2
Everybody's Golf 2
(Playstation, 1998, Clap Hanz)

THAT'S RIGHT, GEX, GET OUTTA HERE

sweet tooth had to dress smart for his trip to the links.

i've not played any of these games by the way. I AM GUD GAME PLAYER.

Gex, Sweet Tooth & Sir Daniel Fortesque
from Gex (Gex) - 3D0 / Playstation / Saturn / PC, 1994, Crystal Dynamics
Twisted Metal (Sweet Tooth) - Playstation, 1995, SingleTrac
& Medevil (Sir Daniel Fortesque) - Playstation, 1998, SCE Studio Cambridge

How to Unlock / Notes:
American / European versions only!
Play through the Vs. Mode to unlock more characters- these three are the last ones you will fight and unlock. [Source]
Alternatively, start a new game and enter the name 2gsh to unlock everything from the start.[Source]

Hot Shots Golf Fore!
Everybody's Golf
(Playstation 2, 2004, Clap Hanz)

Jak & Daxter and Rachet & Clank
from Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (Jak & Daxter) - Playstation 2, 2001, Naughty Dog
& Ratchet & Clank (Ratchet & Clank) - Playstation 2, 2002, Insomniac

How to Unlock / Notes:
American / European versions only!
Play through the Vs. Mode and defeat these characters to unlock them.
Alternatively, use these passwords:
XCQGWJ - Unlock Clank
WSIKIN - Unlock Daxter
REZTWS - Unlock all golfers [Source]
(Screenshots and information provided by LanceBoyle94- thanks!)

Fighter Maker
3D Kakutou Tsukuru
(Playstation, 1998 / 1999, ASCII Soft)

BELIEVE IN YOUR SKULLODREAMS

BE STRONG! BECAUSE SKULLOMANIA BELIEVES IN YOU!!

Skullomania
from Street Fighter EX - Arcade, 1996, Arika

How to Unlock / Notes:
Japanese version only!
Skullomania is included as a default fighter to create your fighting game with.

Battle Tryst
(Arcade, 1999, Konami)

We knew about Pastel for years, but Elaine is from such an obscure game I didn't realise she was a guest! They don't even have a flyer I can link to on the Arcade Flyers Archive! The only English guide for Gaiapolis is for ~the pirate NES port~!

We knew about Pastel for years, but Elaine is from such an obscure game I didn't realise she was a guest! They don't even have a flyer I can link to on the Arcade Flyers Archive! The only English guide for Gaiapolis is for ~the pirate NES port~!

Pastel & Elaine
from Detana!! TwinBee (Pastel) - Arcade, 1991, Konami
& Gaiapolis (Elaine) - Arcade, 1993, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Pastel and Elaine are unlocked through the game's time-release system. [Source]
(Screenshots scanned from Gamest #221, provided by Ragey- thanks!)

Jet Force Gemini
(Nintendo 64, 1999, Rareware)

Mr. Pants
from Rareware's old website as Mr. Pants the Survey Man

How to Encounter / Notes:
Decapitate and claim 300 Ant Heads to unlock the 'Ants as Pants' cheat mode, accessible from the pause menu. All standard blue ant enemies will be replaced with Mr. Pants. [Source]

Rakugaki Showtime
(Playstation, 1999, Treasure)

it's your green-haired girl marina, waiting for her rerelease

Marina Liteyears / Marina=Nugget
from Mischief Makers / Yuke Yuke!! Trouble Makers - Nitnendo 64, 1997 / 1998, Treasure

How to Unlock / Notes:
5 characters can be unlocked by beating Easy, 6 can be unlocked by beating Normal, and 2 more are unlocked by beating Hard (the difficulty is assigned based on your performance in the first 5 stages). Marina is one of those characters.
She can also be an opponent on Stage 7 of the Normal Mode. [Source]
Alternatively, hold Left, Triangle, Cross, L1, R2 and Select on the title screen until you hear an explosion, then hold L2 and Select until you hear a throwing sound- this unlocks every character, including Marina. [Code Source]
Yes, she can Shake Shake in this game too.

Chocobo Racing
(Playstation, 1999, SquareSoft)

not even on the character select scree. WHAT KIND OF WELCOME IS THAT FOR A GUEST

no seriously this is what this guy looks like in-game

Jack
from The 3-D Battles of WorldRunner / Tobidase Daisakusen - NES / Famicom Disk System, 1987, SquareSoft

How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat the Story Mode 10 times, then hold the L2 and R2 buttons while the cursor is on Squall on the Character Select screen to select Jack. [Source]

The Grid
(Arcade, 1999, Midway)

Scorpion, Sub-Zero & Noob Saibot
from Mortal Kombat (Scorpion & Sub-Zero) - Arcade, 1992, Midway
& Mortal Kombat II (Noob Saibot) - Arcade, 1993, Midway

How to Unlock / Notes:
To play as Scorpion, reach a total of 1,000 (v1.0) or 2,400 Points (v1.2), then enter the code SCO# (726#) on the character select screen.
To play as Sub-Zero, reach a total of 3,000 (v1.0) or 4,500 Points (v1.2), then enter the code SUB# (782#) on the character select screen.
To play as Noob Saibot, beat Single Player mode once (v1.2 only), then enter the code PNS# (767#) on the character select screen. [Source]

Planet Harriers
(Arcade, 1999, Sega / Amusement Vision)

Opa-Opa
from Fantasy Zone - Arcade, 1986, Sega

How to Unlock / Notes:
On the Character Select screen, move the stick Right, Up, Left, Down, Left, Up, Left, Down, Right, Left, Down... Although, because this game uses a flight stick, you'll see the cursor move Down when you go Up and so on. In an emulator, switch the inputs for Up and Down to make this easier for you. However you do it, when time runs out Opa-Opa will appear. [Source]
Selecting Opa-Opa will also change the Star Shop's music to Shop-A from Fantasy Zone

Sen-Know
(Arcade, 1999, Kaneko)

At least this clears up who owns the rights to Edward Randy, right?

also you don't know how much my inner data east fan is fawning right now. it's embarassing.

Edward Randy
from Edward Randy: The Cliffhanger - Arcade, 1990, Data East

How to Encounter / Notes:
Select the green fellow above in Vs. Character's mode. His first opponent will be Edward Randy, who isn't normally selectable / playable. [Source]

Last Legion UX
(Nintendo 64, 1999, Yuke's / Hudson Soft)

teeny, tiny bomberman

Bomberon piloted by Black Bomberman / Kuro Bom
from Bomberman II - NES, 1991, Hudson Soft

How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat Story Mode with 6 different characters.
Alternatively, unlock everything in the game by holding the L and R buttons and rotating the control stick clockwise on the main nenu until you hear a noise. This can't be undone!
Although Bomberon itself is not from the Bomberman series, it's clearly being piloted by Black Bomberman.
(Information provided by Jake, extra info and screenshot provided by mi-com- thanks!)

International Track & Field 2000
(Konami/KCE Tokyo) (PS1, 1999)

Konami Man
Company mascot, first seen in Road Fighter - Arcade, 1984, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
On the Event Selection screen, input the Konami Code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Circle, Cross) Your athlete will be replaced with Konami Man (but not in women's events)
(Screenshots and information provided by LanceBoyle94- thanks!)

Trick'N Snowboarder
Tricky Sliders
(Playstation, 1999, CAVE)

MEEESTER KENNEDY (likes to drop sick tricks on the slopes)

on his way to rescue the president's daughter

There was a joke here about how Claire didn't do anything post-Veronica, that was very much before Revelations 2. The Claire and Barry team-up I'd always wanted.

Poor Zombie. He's got the worst stats of the lot.

mrrrrrr braaaaains and sick triiiiiickz mrrrrrr

Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield & Zombie Cop
from Resident Evil 2 - Playstation, 1998, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
On the title screen, press Triangle, Triangle, Cross, Cross, Square, Circle, Square, Circle. On the Character Select screen, press L2 or R2 to select these three characters. [Source]

Gunbird 2
(Arcade / Dreamcast, 1999, Psikyo / Capcom)

We had to move this one from the 2000+ page as including the arcade version moved it back, but hey, now you can see Gunbird 2 returned the favour it owed to Sengoku Blade!

We had to move this one from the 2000+ page as including the arcade version moved it back, but hey, now you can see Gunbird 2 returned the favour it owed to Sengoku Blade!

Aine
from Tengai / Sengoku Blade: Sengoku Ace Episode II - Arcade, 1996, Psikyo

How to Unlock / Notes:
In the arcade version, enter Test Mode, go to the Maintenance Code entry screen and enter 5-1-0-2-4. 'AINE OK' will appear. From now on, highlight the ? on the Character Select screen and press Down to select Aine.
Alternatively, entering 5-3-7-6-5 will not unlock Aine, but add him to the roulette for the ? icon on the Character Select screen. [Source]
In the Dreamcast version, Aine is selected in the same way but without any code entry required.

It probably says something about Morrigan's appearance in this game that I completely forgot she was in this port at all until someone reminded me. Like, completely.

It probably says something about Morrigan's appearance in this game that I completely forgot she was in this port at all until someone reminded me. Like, completely.

THIS GAME HAS *REALLY* SMALL SPRITES (morrigan's somewhere to the right, keep looking).

Morrigan
from Darkstalkers / Vampire: The Night Warriors - Arcade, 1994, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Dreamcast version only!
Morrigan appears in the Dreamcast port as it was published by Capcom in Japan and the US (Virgin Interactive in Europe).
Highlight the ? on the Character Select screen and press Up to select Morrigan. [Source]

Dog
from Taisen Hot Gimmick - Arcade, 1997, Psikyo

How to Encounter / Notes:
Dreamcast / Switch / Steam versions only!
Dog replaces the final boss of the game in the Dreamcast version, possibly because the original orange elephant boss closely resembles Sato-Chan, a pharmaceutical company mascot in Japan. In the Switch and Steam versions, you can switch between 'Original' and 'New' final bosses in the options menu.
This character does not appear to have an official name- images of him on official Taisen Hot Gimmick websites refer to it as either 'dog' or 'inu' (TL note: inu is Japanese for dog).

Advance to 2000-2009!

Obviously, we can't take credit for spotting all these. So credits for powerful readers go here!

Itallics means they gave us info, Bold means they gave a screenshot, Both means they gave both.

davZZGndm: Rondo of Swords / Rondo of Deception
HokutoNoShock: Puzzle Bobble 3, Elevator Action Deluxe
inobscurity: Windy x Windam, Gunbird 2
Motherplayer: Boombots
Scrollboss: Ultra Street Fighter IV
Kimimi: Lost Planet 2
Liam Ashcroft: Virtua Striker 2003, Sonic Riders, Le Mans 24
Kroogah: Super Meat Boy, Spelunky
Jake: Fighter Maker, Monster Maulers, Battle Garegga, Giant Gram: All Japan Pro Wrestling 2, Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium, Last Legion UX, Xevious 3D/G+, Fever S.O.S.
Ragey: Battle Tryst
LanceBoyle94: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, SKATE 3, Fight Night Round 2, International Track & Field 2000, Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2, MotoGP, MotoGP 3, Urban Reign, Evolution Skateboarding, MLB Slugfest 20-04, NBA Street V3, SSX On Tour, Arkanoid DS, Renegade Ops
Matt: Motor Mayhem, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict, Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Crush Crush
mi-com: Last Legion UX
A. Calder: Kirby's Dream Land, Alleyway, Sonic 3D Blast, GORF, Bubble Bobble, Nemesis, Nemesis II, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda
GoldS: Plump Pop, Extermination
Steven W. Hunt: NFL Blitz
Flapjack Rabbit: Nano Breaker

Know any we've missed? Got screenshots for some we're missing 'em for?
Fire up your email account, type in themetalslug at gmail dot com and shout words at me to get it right!

Sigh.