Released in 1994 by Capcom, Darkstalkers wasn't just another fighting game trying to ride the Street Fighter II wave. Oh no, it brought its own unique brand of monster mash mayhem to the arcade scene. Forget your standard martial artists – we're talking vampires, werewolves, succubi, zombies, and all sorts of creatures ripped straight from your favorite horror flicks!

Darkstalkers isn't just about cool character designs, though. It introduced innovative mechanics like air blocking, chain combos (before they were commonplace!), and the quirky yet strategic "ES" moves that consumed Super Meter power for enhanced attacks. The game was fast, flashy, and frantic, a total departure from the more grounded feel of other fighters at the time.