- I'm still struggling to remember them with their non-RSS shenanigans, but a recent update on Hardcore Gaming 101 includes an excellent, in-depth look at Capcom's Darkstalkers series, one of my own personal favorite fighting game series (I used to own an arcade board of Vampire Savior 2, even.)

Anyhow, the intro handily explains: "Darkstalkers (Vampire in Japan) was Capcom's other original fighting game series. Its popularity never came anywhere near Street Fighter's, but its colorful characters, innovate gameplay elements, and quirky sense of humor earned it a cult following and heavily influenced other fighting games, including Guilty Gear and Capcom's own Marvel Vs. series. But for such a groundbreaking title, Darkstalkers gets surprisingly little recognition, especially in the States."

What the piece does a particularly good job of is rounding up the slightly confusing arcade and console sequels, as well as obscure appearances for the game's characters: "The Japanese only strategy RPG Namco X Capcom includes Demitri, Morrigan, Felicia, Lei Lei, Lilith, Lord Raptor, Huitzil and Q. Bee, as well as a few of their signature songs." Oh yeah - I have a request - Namco X Capcom localized downloadable release over PS3 E-Distribution, plz? And Segagaga, while you're at it?

The conclusion from ther HG101 crew? "So have we really seen the last of the Darkstalkers? My guess would be yes, unless Capcom decides to do a few more crossover games somewhere down the road. I would be a lot less disappointed about this if the series had gotten a better run -- the only fighting game more undeservedly overlooked than Darkstalkers is probably Last Blade. That's just the way it goes, I guess."