Arina
A cheerful magical girl who fights with a large yo-yo and fast, playful attacks.
Documented for this version
Joystick LeftJoystick Right | Move horizontally |
|---|---|
Joystick Up | Jump |
Joystick Down | Crouch |
Joystick direction toward opponent | Block Block by holding away from the opponent. |
A | Light punch |
B | Light kick |
C | Heavy punch |
D | Heavy kick |
Arcade control panels may label the joystick and buttons differently.
Special moves and super attacks use character-specific joystick motions combined with attack buttons.
How it plays
Matches use a two-dimensional side view and are fought as best-of-three rounds. Players move, jump, crouch, block, attack, throw opponents, and perform character-specific special and super moves.
The main objective is to defeat the opposing fighter before the timer expires. Winning matches advances the player through the arcade ladder toward the final encounters, while the life bar and round timer determine the immediate pace of every battle. Air movement and rapid attacks give the game a notably lively feel.
Plan your run
Learn the normal attacks and special-move ranges of one fighter before trying to memorize the entire roster. Use jumps and quick attacks to approach, but avoid repeatedly attacking from predictable distances.
Save the super meter for confirmed hits or situations where a reversal is safe. Against larger characters, attack from outside their strongest range and punish missed heavy moves. In arcade mode, prioritize survival: blocking and waiting for a clear opening is often more reliable than constant pressure.
Meet the cast
A cheerful magical girl who fights with a large yo-yo and fast, playful attacks.
A young martial artist whose balanced techniques make him an accessible all-rounder.
A small robot maid who uses mechanical attacks and unusual movement options.
A round, powerful creature that relies on strength and distinctive body-based attacks.
A sword-wielding fighter with long-reaching attacks and a serious demeanor.
A heavily armed tank-like combatant built around armor and explosive firepower.
A stylish gentleman fighter with acrobatic attacks and a flamboyant presentation.
A hidden boss associated with the magical-ball storyline and the game's final battles.
Before you begin
Practice one character's special moves until they can be performed consistently.
Watch the round timer and avoid trading life unnecessarily when ahead.
Use the training or versus-style practice opportunities available in the arcade version to learn spacing.
Waku Waku 7 is a colorful one-on-one fighting game developed and published by Sunsoft for arcade systems in 1996. Its premise centers on seven magical balls that can grant a wish, drawing a varied group of fighters into a tournament. The game combines traditional round-based combat with exaggerated anime-inspired character designs, large personalities, and fast, highly mobile matches. Each fighter has distinct special moves, super attacks, and a different approach to controlling space. Waku Waku 7 remained a niche arcade release, but it earned a positive reputation among fighting-game enthusiasts for its expressive presentation, unusual roster, and energetic combat. Its limited availability helped make it a particularly recognizable cult title.
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