Blood Storm (v2.22) - MAME machine

Arcade Video game published 30 years ago:

Blood Storm © 1994 Strata.

Blood Storm is considered by many as a quasi-'sequel' to Time Killers. The game had a rather dark storyline as there were few ambiguously good characters as the other ranged from being sociopathically insane or deceptive folk.

Blood Storm was dubbed as a possible 'MK-killer' in an attempt to surpass rival Midway's success with Mortal Kombat, though it did not prevail. It was the last game Strata produced before the company went out of business.

As with its predecessor Time Killers, Blood Storm features many of the aspects carried down from it, such as the removal of an opponent's arms and an ‘instant kill’ attack, as well as a Special Death Move. The button layout is virtually the same. They are labeled as "back leg", "front leg", "back arm" and "front arm" respectively. A button in the center is used to make the character block. As one would suspect, if a particular limb is lost in combat, its corresponding button is rendered useless.

Blood Storm is also a weapons-based fighter, though it differs from Time Killers in that the characters use weapons called 'Gauntlets' that also allow them to use particular powers and attacks with them. Other than being able to bash off an opponent’s arms, a technique called a ‘Sunder’ is also in the game. If executed when an opponent is stunned, it will destroy their lower body. The character will not be able to jump or use kicks, but can still move back and forth a little with the leg buttons.

Even after a successful Sunder attack, the fight can still go on, if the character’s life bar is not totally drained yet. However, if both limbs are lost afterwards (if they weren't already torn off prior to the Sunder attack) then s/he is almost completely helpless. (There are a few special moves that don't require arms or legs, and those can still be performed). Characters are restored back to normal form after a round is over much like Time Killers as well.

A notable feature in the game is that when an opponent is defeated, the player gains a ‘passable power’ much like in a style akin to the Mega Man series. These powers or weapons can be used at any time to give the player a further advantage. Also, players can save their progress in a game with a password feature by pressing buttons during the player select screen. However, since the data was saved only until the machine was turned off, it was less than beneficial unless used to pick the game back up where it ended.

TECHNICAL
Main CPU: Motorola 68000 (@ 12 Mhz), M6809 (@ 2 Mhz)
Sound Chips: ES5506 (@ 16 Mhz)

Players: 2
Control: 8-way joystick
Buttons: 5
→ Back Arm, Front Arm, Block, Back Leg, Front Leg

TRIVIA
Daniel Pesina of Mortal Kombat fame was fired from Midway in 1994 after appearing in an ad for Blood Storm dressed as Johnny Cage. The ad first appeared in the debut issue of the now-defunct EGM2 magazine.

Senator Joe Lieberman, a long-time opponent of violent video games, appears in one of several of the game's 'big head' codes as a way to poke fun at him for his stance on video game censorship. One of the taunt codes clearly addresses him as well (Hello, Senator).

The game, along with Mortal Kombat, was parodied on The Simpsons episode 'Marge Be Not Proud', which aired on December 17, 1995.

A sequel, BloodStorm II - Nekron Strikes Back, was planned but cancelled.

UPDATES
Revision 1:

• First release.
• Software version: 1.04.

Revision 2:

• Software version: 1.10.

Revision 3:

• Software version: 2.10.
• Added ability to perform 'Trash Talk codes' (see 'Tips And Tricks' section).

Revision 4:

• Software version: 2.20.
• Added ability to perform codes to select 'Blood', 'Gargoyle' and 'Nekron'.

Revision 5:

• Software version: 2.21.

Revision 6:

• Software version: 2.22.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• Play as Secret Characters:

At the character select screen, choose any character and enter these codes...
Dementia - Hold Up and press Back Leg(x3), [Back Arm+Back Leg].
Golem - Hold Up and press Back Arm(x3), [Back Arm+Back Leg].
Wraith - Hold Up and press Back Leg(x3), [Back Leg+Front Arm].
Sin - Hold Up and press Front Arm(x3), [Front Arm+Front Leg].
Craniac - Hold Up and press Front Leg(x3), [Front Leg+Front Arm].
Ratchet - Hold Up and press Back Arm(x3), Front Leg.
Blood (rev 2.20) - Hold Left and press Front Arm, Back Arm, Back Leg, Front Leg.
Gargoyle (rev 2.20) - Hold Right and press Back Arm, Back Leg, Front Leg, Front Arm.
Nekron (rev 2.20) - [Back Arm+Front Arm], [Back Arm+Back Leg], [Front Arm+Front Leg], [Back Leg+Front Leg], [Back Arm+Front Arm], [Back Arm+Back Leg], [Front Arm+Front Leg], [Back Leg+Front Leg].

• BIG HEAD Codes:

Benjamin Ditton - Select Talon and press quickly Down(x5), block(Hold), Front Arm(Hold).
Don't release 'Block and Front Arm' until the big head of Benjamin appear.
Christopher Ditton - Select Talon and press quickly Up, Down, Block(Hold), Back Leg, Back Arm, release Block.
Elaine Ditton - Select Tempest and press quickly Up(x3), Back Arm, Up(x3), Front Arm.
Richard A. Ditton - Select Talon and press quickly Right(x4), Back Leg, Front Leg.
Scott Morisson - Select Heelhound and press quickly Block(Hold), Back Leg(x2), Up(Hold).
Don't release 'Block and Up' until the big head of Scoot appear.
Scott Morrison Jr - Select Talon and press quickly Up, Down, Up, Down, Block, Up, Down.
Jeff Morrison - Select Fallout and press quickly Up, Down, Right, Left, Right, Left, Block.
Dale Kerkman - Select Razor and press quickly Block, Right, Left, Block, Up, Down, Block.
Ralph Melgosa - Select Freon and press quickly Up, Down, Block, Front Arm, Front Leg, Back Leg, Back Arm.
Kyle Johnson - Select Fallout and press quickly Block(x6), Front Arm(x2).
Kelley Marwede - Select Mirage and press quickly Down(x4), Block, [Back Arm+Front Arm](Hold).
Don't release 'Back Arm and Front Arm' until the big head of Kelley appear.
Leif Pran Marwede - Select Tremor and press quickly Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Leg, Back Arm(Hold), Front Arm(Hold), release all and press and hold [Back Leg+Front Leg].
Don't release 'Back Leg and Front Leg' until the big head of Leif Pran appear.
Alan Noon - Select Talon and press quickly Block(Hold), Up(x4).
Bob Nagel - Select Fallout and press quickly [Front Arm+Front Leg], [Back Arm+Back Leg], Up, Down, Up, Down, Block.
Orion Derose - Select Razor and press quiclky Back Arm, Back Leg(Hold), Back Arm(Hold), release all, Front Arm, Front Leg(Hold), Front Arm(Hold), release all, Block(x2).
Senator Lieberman - Select Hellhound and press quickly Left(x7), Block.

• All Power Granted:

At the end of any battle press quickly Up, Right, Down, Left, Down, Right, Up, Block. If done correctly, 'ALL POWER GRANTED' appears.

• The Famous TRASH TALK Codes:

At the 'Final Round / end' of any battle, when the fighter dies, make quickly these codes to release these sentences...

-- 2 Buttons + Block:
Up(x2), Block - BLOODSTORM HANDBOOK SEND $2.00 AND SASE TO STRATA HANDBOOK 4010 WINNETKA AVENUE, ROLLING MEADOWS IL 60008
Down(x2), Block - PUT TRASH IN ITS PLACE
Left(x2), Block - WHO CONTROLS NEKRON
Right(x2), Block - PUCKER UP YOUR CHEEKS AND BLOW
Front Leg(x2), Block - RADEAD WILL GET YOU
Front Arm(x2), Block - PRESS YOUR LIPS HERE
Back Leg(x2), Block - I AM THE GREATEST BLOODSTORM CHAMPION THAT EVER LIVED
Back Arm(x2), Block - EAT IT RAW

-- 3 Buttons + Block:
Back Leg(x2), Front Arm, Block - IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE FOR ME?
Back Leg(x2), Back Arm, Block - NEXT TIME TRY OPENING YOUR EYES
Back Leg(x3), Block - YOU AINT NOTHING BUT A PUNK!
Back Leg(x2), Front Leg, Block - SORRY BUDDY THIS IS A REAL FIGHTING GAME
Front Leg(x2), Front Arm, Block - OH BY THE WAY YOU JUST LOST...BAD
Front Leg(x2), Back Arm, Block - YOU REALLY GEORGED THAT ROUND
Front Leg(x2), Back Leg, Block - WAS YOUR JOYSTICK WORKING... I COULDNT TELL

-- 4 Buttons + Block:
Front Arm, Back Leg, Back Arm, Front Leg, Block - SUSHI-X RULES THIS GAME!
Front Leg(x2), Front Arm, Back Arm, Block - I AM GOING TO CRUMPLE YOU LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER
Front Leg(x2), Front Arm, Back Leg, Block - GET WITH IT, STRATA IS THE NEW KING OF FIGHTING GAMES
Front Leg(x2), Front Arm, Front Leg, Block - YOU ROT LIKE TEN YEARS OF TRASH
Front Leg(x2), Front Arm(x2), Block - I WILL GIVE YOU A HINT... THE BLOCK BUTTON IS THE ONE IN THE CENTER
Front Leg(x2), Back Arm(x2), Block - GO CRY SOMEWHERE ELSE... THIS IS A GAME FOR A MAN
Front Leg(x2), Back Arm, Back Leg, Block - I WOULD TRASH TALK YOU BUT YOU CANT HEAR ME SINCE YOU ARE DEAD
Front Leg(x2), Back Arm, Front Leg, Block - MOST PATHETIC
Front Leg(x2), Back Arm, Front Arm, Block - IT TAKES A BIG MAN TO RUN LIKE A LITTLE GIRL
Front Leg, Front Arm, Back Arm, Back Leg, Block - I WILL BURY YOU EVERY TIME
Right, Down, Left, Up, Block - YOU BARF BAG
Front Arm(x2), Front Leg(x2), Block - CHOKE CITY
Back Arm, Right(x2), Back Arm, Block - I AM A LION YOU ARE A MONKEY
Back Left, Back Arm, Front Arm, Front Leg, Block - YOUR TECHNIQUE IS WEAK
Front Arm, Back Leg, Front Leg, Front Arm, Block - EAT FIST
Front Leg, Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Leg, Block - YOU ARE TOAST
Left, Right, Back Arm, Front Arm, Block - ANDREW S. IS THE TKBSC PREZ
Back Leg(x2), Front Arm, Back Arm, Block - GET OFF ME!
Back Leg(x2), Front Arm, Back Leg, Block - ALL TOO EASY
Back Leg(x2), Front Arm, Front Leg, Block - STEP OFF PUNK
Back Leg(x2), Front Arm(x2), Block - MOST IMPRESSIVE ... NOT
Back Leg(x2), Back Arm(x2), Block - IT IS USELESS TO RESIST ME
Back Leg(x2), Back Arm(x2), Back Leg, Block - GET BENT!
Back Leg(x2), Back Arm(x2), Front Leg, Block - WHILE YOURE DOWN THERE LICK MY SHOES DOG-BOY
Back Leg(x2), Back Arm, Front Arm, Block - FIRST TIME ON A FIGHTING GAME?
Back Leg(x2), Front Leg(x2), Block - NEXT TIME TRY LOOKING AT THE SCREEN AND NOT YOUR HANDS
Back Leg(x2), Front Leg, Front Arm, Block - YEAH RIGHT...NEXT
Back Leg(x2), Front Leg, Back Arm, Block - MAN, I BET THAT HURT!
Back Leg(x2), Front Leg, Back Leg, Block - WE HAVE A WORD FOR DEFEAT AROUND HERE....HA!
Front Leg(x4), Block - OH...WAIT...LET ME REATTACH YOUR BRAIN
Front Leg(x3), Front Arm, Block - LEIF DID THIS
Front Leg(x3), Back Arm, Block - JUST DIE!
Front Leg(x3), Back Leg, Block - YOU ROT!
Left(x2), Up, Back Leg, Block - BLOODSTORM RULES
Left(x2), Down, Front Arm, Block - NEKRON AWAITS
Left, Right, Left, Back Leg, Block - BLOOD CAN BE ANYWHERE
Right(x3), Front Arm, Block - ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR
Down(x3), Back Arm, Block - WHO CARES WHERE GORO IS?
Down(x3), Front Leg, Block - BEATING YOU BLOODY IS COOL
Left(x3), Front Arm, Block - I AM WAY COOL AND YOU SUCK
Down(x2), Up, Front Arm, Block - DONT TELL ANYONE THAT YOU SAW THIS MESSAGE
Down(x3), Front Arm, Block - FIND THE CHAINSAW FAMILY
Left, Down, Left, Front Leg, Block - DRUGS SUCK
Left, Down, Left, Front Arm, Block - EAT MY SHORTS

-- 5 Buttons + Block:
Left, Down, Left(x2), Back Arm, Block - FIND THE BIGHEADS
Left(x3), Down, Up, Block - EVIL HIDES IN THE CATWALKS
Down, Left, Right(x2), Front Arm, Block - DONT FEED THE GONION
Back Arm(x4) Back Leg, Block - HI TRACEY
Right, Left, Down, Left, Back Leg, Block - KISS MY BUTT CHEEKS
Left(x4), Back Arm, Block - YOU ARE SUCH A TOTAL WUSS
Down, Right, Left, Down, Front Arm, Block - DONT WIZZ ON THE ELECTRIC FENCE
Right(x3), Left, Front Arm, Block - I LIKE IT WHEN YOU PLAY WITH MY BUTTONS
Right(x2), Up(x2), Front Leg, Block - ASSMUNCH
Back Arm, Back Leg(x3), Back Arm, Block - STOP CRYING AND FIGHT ME AGAIN
Front Leg(x3), Back Arm, Block - YOU DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT THIS GAME...GO BUY EGM

-- 6 Buttons + Block:
Up, Down, Up, Down, Front Arm, Front Leg, Block - ALAN BOB DALE RALPH SCOTT KYLE LEIF RICHARD
Front Leg(x3), Back Arm(x3), Block - FLICK YOU

-- 8 Buttons + Block:
Up, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Block - I TRASHED YOU DILWEED
Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Right, Down, Left, Block - WHAT A BUTTWIPE
Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Block - HELLO SENATOR
Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Block - I AM ONE BAD ASS MUTHUH
Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Block - I LOVE IT WHEN YOU DIE
Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Block - THIS IS A SECRET MESSAGE
Down, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Block - THE JET PACK IS MISSING
Down, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Block - FIND THE MACHINE GUN
Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Block - I SPIT DOWN YOUR WINDPIPE
Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Block - USE THE GAUNTLET OF NEKRON
Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Block - FIND THE VULGARITIES
Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Block - PLAY ALL NIGHT
Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Block - I KICKED YOUR ASS
Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Left, Back Leg, Block - IF YOU CAN READ THIS YOU ARE TOO CLOSE
Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Up, Back Leg, Block - IS THAT A ROLL OF COINS IN YOUR POCKET OR ARE YOU JUST HAPPY TO SEE ME
Right, Back Leg, Right, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Down, Back Leg, Block - YOU BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF HIM
Up(x4), Back Leg(x4), Block - HE DESERVED IT
Back Leg(x4), Up(x4), Block - JOHN CASSIDAY IS A SPAZZ
Back Leg(x4), Back Arm(x4), Block - JERKWEED
Back Leg, Front Leg, Back Leg, Front Leg, Back Leg, Front Leg, Back Leg, Front Leg, Block - BOOT LICKER
Back Leg, Front Arm, Back Leg, Front Arm, Back Leg, Front Arm, Back Leg, Front Arm, Block - I FART IN YOUR GENERAL DIRECTION
Back Leg, Back Arm, Back Leg, Back Arm, Back Leg, Back Arm, Back Leg, Back Arm, Block - GO PLAY POCKET POOL
Back Arm(x4), Back Leg(x4), Block - TRY IT AGAIN LOSER
Back Leg(x4), Front Arm(x4), Block - I SMELL A WUSS
Back Leg(x4), Front Leg(x4), Block - FLONQ YOU
Front Leg(x4), Back Leg(x4), Block - ROTFLMAO
Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Arm, Front Arm, Block - HEY ZIT FOR BRAINS
Back Arm, Front Leg, Back Arm, Front Leg, Back Arm, Front Leg, Back Arm, Front Leg, Block - WHAT A PUSS WAD
Front Arm, Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Arm, Front Arm, Back Arm, Block - LICK MY WHIP
Front Arm, Back Leg, Front Arm, Back Leg, Front Arm, Back Leg, Front Arm, Back Leg, Block - DO THE NASTY
Front Arm, Front Leg, Front Arm, Front Leg, Front Arm, Front Leg, Front Arm, Front Leg, Block - STUPID PUNK
Front Leg, Back Leg, Front Leg, Back Leg, Front Leg, Back Leg, Front Leg, Back Leg, Block - I AINT GOT TIME TO BLEED
Front Leg, Back Arm, Front Leg, Back Arm, Front Leg, Back Arm, Front Leg, Back Arm, Block - UP YOURS
Front Leg, Front Arm, Front Leg, Front Arm, Front Leg, Front Arm, Front Leg, Front Arm, Block - GRONK YOU
Front Leg(x8), Block - I AM THE UNDISPUTED RULER OF THE UNIVERSE
Front Arm(x8), Block - JUST CHOP IT
Back Arm(x8), Block - LEIF STINKS AND THEN YOU DIE
Back Leg(x8), Block - PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Back Arm(x2), Back Leg(x2), Front Arm(x2), Front Leg(x2), Block - DIAL 911
Front Leg, Front Arm(x7), Block - YOU WILL NEVER CHALLENGE ME AGAIN
Back Leg, Back Arm(x7), Block - NO STYLE NO CLASS
Front Arm, Front Leg(x7), Block - YOU SHOW LITTLE PROMISE
Back Arm, Back Leg(x7), Block - I AM STILL BETTER THAN YOU
Back Arm, Front Arm(x7), Block - I WILL KNOCK YOU BACK INTO YOUR MOTHER
Back Arm, Front Leg(x7), Block - MESS WITH THE BEST DIE LIKE THE REST
Back Arm, Front Arm(x7), Block - YOU WILL ALWAYS LOSE AND I WILL ALWAYS WIN
Back Leg, Front Leg(x7), Block - MY GRANDMA COULD BEAT YOU
Front Arm, Back Arm(x7), Block - IF YOU LIVE IN FEAR YOU WILL DIE IN PAIN
Front Arm, Down(x7), Block - ONLY FOOLS MAKE WRONG DECISIONS
Front Arm, Back Leg(x7), Block - BEWARE THE STORM MY POWER REIGNS
Front Leg, Back Arm(x7), Block - USE YOUR HEAD OR YOU WILL BE DEAD
Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down, Block - BLOODSTORM VERSION X.XX

• Fight Against Hidden Agents:

1) GOLEM: In Subterra (the background with the cliffs on either side), there is a spike hanging down from the ceiling, suspended over the cliff. If you can knock down the spike, it falls into the pit. Then you just jump into the pit and you will not get spiked, you will stand on top of the fallen spike and enter through the door! To knock down the spike, you need to hit it twice with either your gauntlet or a projectile. Simply jump into the air and do the normal gauntlet throw move or whatever your projectile move is.
2) DIMENTHIA: In the Obsel desert, on the ground, amidst all those symbols, there is a circular figure with five lines in it, like dividing a pie into five even wedges. Once the round begins, throw your gauntlet. You can jump and ditch it away, even. You won't need it. Move to the circular figure and do the move to pick up the gauntlet. The character will bend down and touch the ground. When the character touches the circular figure, a portal is activated and the character is transported to Triax, to fight Dimentia.
3) CRANIAC: You get to him from the Black Armada background (This background is the one with a catwalk in the distance). Getting to the back platform is the key. Hold Block and move Up 2 or 3 times to jump back to the far away platform. Moving left or right makes you switch sides, down keeps you still and up or center makes you come right back to the front. To get to Craniac, jump back to the platform 3 times and hold down each time you get back there, in order to get as much time back there as possible. 5 seconds after returning from the third trip, a small Craniac will fly onto the platform. While he is there, jump back there again to be with him, holding down to wait there. The game will freeze and a message will come up stating that you will fight Craniac!
4) WRAITH: he is found from the Scorch HQ background. You get to Wraith by entering a 'trash talk' password after you win a match on this background. The password is UP(x3), Block. If it done correctly, 'WRAITH SUMMONED' appears on the screen.
5) RATCHET: On Nimbus, note the far left side of the platform... there is a line that separates the small edge part from the rest of the platform. This is the key. On the winning round, you must defeat the opponent so that either you or your opponent stays fully to the left of the line, in the edge part. Then, you enter a 'trash-talk' code: Hold Left, then Front Leg(x4), Block.
6) SHADOW: Beat your opponent 2-0 from any background (no round 3 allowed, folks....without using the Block button in any match and do the fatality on BOTH rounds).
7) BLOOD: Blood, like Shadow, can be found from any background. To fight Blood, you need to have a perfect round and then win the match. Note that if you get a Perfect in the first round, Blood will not appear until the match (win 2 out of 3) is over. If you do this, the dead opponent explodes and Blood comes alive!
8) SIN: Beat all of the 8 regular fighters.

• SPECIAL Ending:

When you have beaten all of the regular fighters and all of the hidden agents, you will get to see the credits and at the end of the credits, a code and a telephone number is given to you:).

SERIES

• Time Killers (1992)
• Blood Storm (1994)

STAFF
Developed by Incredible Technologies, Inc.
Executive Producer: Elaine Ditton
Project Manager: Leif Marwede
Art Director: Ralph Melgosa
Designer: Chris Oberth
Composer: Leif Marwede

PORTS

• Consoles:

Sony PlayStation: planned but canceled within a few weeks, so prototypes are not likely exist.
Sega Saturn: planned but canceled within a few weeks, so prototypes are not likely exist.
Sega 32X: planned but canceled within a few weeks, so prototypes are not likely exist.

CONTRIBUTE
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