Software:Gekido
| Gekido: Urban Fighters | |
|---|---|
European cover art | |
| Developer(s) | NAPS team |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Beat 'em up, Fighting |
| Mode(s) | Players: 1-4 |
Gekido (released as Gekido: Urban Fighters in NA and PAL regions) is a beat 'em up video game for the PlayStation console, created by Italian studio NAPS Team. The game uses a fast-paced beat 'em up system and a 3D side scrolling gameplay, with many bosses and a colorful design in terms of graphics. The game features the music of Fatboy Slim and Apartment 26. Marvel comic book artist Joe Madureira also contributed. Versions of Gekido were also planned for the Game Boy Color and N-Gage but were never released. NAPS team released the prototype of the Game Boy Color game on February 13, 2017.
It was later followed by a GBA sequel called Gekido Advance, which was re-released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows in 2018. A second sequel, entitled Gekido: The Dark Angel, was cancelled.[2]
Story
In a time where there is great corruption and terror, a young girl named Angela has been kidnapped. Rumor has it that Kintaro has made a deal with the devil. Angela's parents hire Travis, a private detective, to investigate the crime boss Kintaro and retrieve Angela. Knowing that the mission to rescue Angela will not be easy, he is aided by three sidekicks, Michelle, Ushi, and Tetsuo.
Game modes and gameplay

In the game you defeat enemies using combos and weapons. You also have a Rage Meter which builds up, allowing you to perform special attacks and gain abilities, and a Wipeout Meter which fills up, allowing you to perform a powerful attack.
- Urban Fighters - The Story Mode the players are found in a 3D side-scrolling adventure. The gameplay derives from classics such as Streets of Rage and Double Dragon, in which you are given a certain amount of time to defeat enemies and proceed to the next level, except in a 3D environment.
- Arena Battle - A two to four player versus fighting mode.
Unlockable modes
- Shadow Fighter (Unlocked by beating Urban Fighters mode once) - Plays much like a standard fighting game. You fight enemies one or two at a time and you must defeat them in 2 out of 3 rounds.
- Survivor (Unlocked by beating Urban Fighters mode twice) - Same as Shadow Fighter except that you only have one round within which to fight and can't lose.
- Team Battle (Unlocked by beating Urban Fighters mode three times) - Same as Arena Battle except you can group players into teams.
- Street Gang Battle (Unlocked by beating Urban Fighters mode with Kintaro, Angela, or Akujin) - A one-on-one fighting mode where players fight with the help of CPU allies.
Playable characters
- Travis (Street Fighting)
- Michelle (Military)
- Ushi (Brute Force)
- Tetsuo (Martial Arts)
Unlockable characters
- Kobuchi - (Unlocked by beating Urban Fighters mode with Tetsuo and Ushi)
- Gorilla - (Unlocked by beating Urban Fighters mode with Travis and Michelle)
- Kintaro - (Beat Urban Fighters mode with Gorilla to unlock Kintaro in all modes except Urban Fighters mode. Beat Urban Fighters mode on the hard difficulty setting to unlock Kintaro in Urban Fighters mode)
- Angela - (Beat Urban Fighters mode with Kobuchi to unlock Angela in all modes except Urban Fighters mode. Beat Urban Fighters mode on the hard difficulty setting to unlock Angela in Urban Fighters mode)
- Akujin - (Unlocked by beating Urban Fighters mode on the hard difficulty setting)
Reception
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The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[3] Daniel Erickson of NextGen said, "It's hardly revolutionary, but Gekido's the best beat 'em up in a long time on the PlayStation, and [it] comes with a fun fighting mode to boot."[14]
Sequels
Gekido Advance: Kintaro's Revenge
A sequel to the game, Gekido Advance, was released for the Game Boy Advance. On March 22, 2018, Gekido: Kintaro's Revenge was re-released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.[16][17]
Gekido: The Dark Angel
The developer, NAPS Team, announced that a second sequel was in development for the PlayStation Portable titled Gekido: The Dark Angel. A few screenshots and a trailer were released. The release date was projected to be December 2006. The teaser trailer for Gekido: The Dark Angel resembles anime-like characters and a character named Samuel with looks that seem to have been inspired by Dante from Capcom's Devil May Cry. The gameplay seems to take place in a stunning 3D world with vast environments. The interview provided by PSMania that can be found on IGN stated that the developer moved the environment in the game from Japan to Italy.[citation needed]
References
- ↑ "Gekido Bursts Onto the Scene With Mass Market Appeal". Yahoo, Inc.. June 2, 2000. Archived from the original on June 20, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000620163139/http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/000602/ca_interpl.html. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ↑ U64 staff (December 20, 2016). "Unseen Interview: Domenico Barba (Naps Team)". https://www.unseen64.net/2016/12/20/interview-domenico-barba-naps-team/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Gekido for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501155717/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197435-gekido/index.html. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ↑ Woods, Nick. "Gekido: Urban Fighters - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116083628/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23471&tab=review. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (July 7, 2000). "Gekido: Urban Fighters [Incomplete"]. CNET. Archived from the original on August 18, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000818085318/http://www.gamecenter.com/Psx/Reviews/Gekido/. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ↑ EGM staff (July 2000). "Gekido". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (132).
- ↑ "Gekido: Urban Fighters". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (87). July 2000.
- ↑ Higgins, Geoff "The Judge" (August 2000). "Gekido". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (8): 92. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_08/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Van Stone, Matt "Kodomo" (August 2000). "Gekido". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (8): 12. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_08/page/n13/mode/2up. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (May 29, 2000). "Gekido Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on March 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050312211902/http://gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/5717.shtml. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ↑ Provo, Frank (May 31, 2000). "Gekido Review". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gekido-review/1900-2580048/. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ↑ Zdyrko, David (June 2, 2000). "Gekido". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/03/gekido. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ↑ Pseudo supprimé (May 26, 2000). "Test: Gekido" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000667_test.htm. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Erickson, Daniel (July 2000). "Gekido". NextGen (Imagine Media) (67): 92. https://archive.org/details/NextGen67Jul2000/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ↑ "Gekido". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (10). July 2000.
- ↑ "⭐️Preorder: 8 March 2018 ⭐️Release : 22 March 2018". Twitter. https://twitter.com/NapsTeam/status/970967968262766597. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
- ↑ "Review: Gekido Kintaro's Revenge (Switch eShop)". 23 March 2018. http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/gekido_kintaros_revenge.
External links
- NAPS TEAM Official Website
- MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.
Features
Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]
Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.
History

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]
In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]
On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]
In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]
On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]
See also
- IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/.
- ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
- ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
- ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521.
- ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
- ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned.
- ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner.
- ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames.
- ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
- ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/.
- ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/.
- ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/.
- ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
- ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
- ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.
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