Fighting Vipers 3: Third Bite

Fighting Vipers 3 (ファイティングバイパーズ) is a 3D fighting video game developed by Mad Man Ninja Studios and Sega AM2. It uses the same game engine as AM2's Virtua Fighter 5 but features enclosed arenas and an armor mechanic, using a U.S. setting and more freeform styles of martial arts. The game was released in 2022 to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Zeo, Microsoft Windows and Xbox One. It was one of the most high-profile games in the 2022 holiday lineup, and was met with positive reviews.

Gameplay
Fighting Vipers 3: Third Bite incorporates a faster, more fluid fighting system, improved graphics and returning characters. New to Vipers is the crush system which affects the vulnerability of a character while they attack. For example, a move with jumping properties, such as a hopkick, will be completely invulnerable during most of its animation time to all of an opponent's low attacks.

It also retains its wall juggling concept from Fighting Viper 2, but the element is effectively less easy to abuse and easier to defend against. Fighting Viper 3 also allowed players to customize their fighter for the first time, allowing them to change the colors of their outfits, buy additional costumes (only available to a few characters), and equip them with items by using money gained from playing the Story, Survival, Time Attack and Arcade Battle modes.

The gameplay throughout each stage is generally similar, aside from wall placements. The design team returned to the style of stages from previous games by having some stages without barriers by allowing them to be infinitely scrolling. For walled stages, the fights take place in fairly symmetrical boxes without any uneven walls. Floors could also crack after one of the characters hit it hard enough. Only one part of a stage can be cracked at a time, however.

Characters
Bahn: despite being a 21-year-old adventurer, Bahn is a powerful and imposing fighter in a long coat and hat. He has declared himself 'Gengis Bahn III'.

Candy (or Honey): a 21-year-old fashion stylist with a pleasant nature, Candy designed her own trademark plastic fairy costume herself, and has once again entered the tournament to promote her original fashion line.

Grace: a 23-year-old African-American born in Armstone City whose armor is themed after the protective gear for inline skating, including the skates themselves. Grace is making her living as a fashion model.

Siba: a 21-year-old Middle-Eastern fighter wearing a white and purple keffiyeh-armor, a white shirt, a purple sash; green Arabian-style pants; and red sandals.

Raxel: the narcissistic lead singer and guitarist for a hair metal band called 'Death Crunch' with KISS-styled armor and carrying a red Gibson Flying-V electric guitar, Raxel is the son of an Armstone City councilman, a drop out who left home after a fight with his father. Raxel has simply entered the tournament to heighten his own profile and become more famous.

Tokio: a 21-year-old pretty boy rebelling against a strict kabuki actor's household. Tokio is back as the leader of a street gang called 'Black Thunder'. He has entered the tournament for a challenge and for thrills.

Sanman: a mysterious fat man about whom nothing is known, other than his birthday (3 March) and an obsession with the number 3, hence his name (san is Japanese for "three"). Sanman drives a large customized scooter.

Jeff: a 25-year-old military character who wears camo gear, a hat, and shades, of which the latter two can be knocked off in a fight.

Jane: a butch and muscled 18-year-old part-time construction worker, Jane trained her whole life to join the Navy, but did not make it past training. She was discharged after repeatedly losing control of herself during fights and injuring fellow seamen. Jane now wants to test just how tough she is, hence entering the Fighting Vipers tournament.

Goldor: a 19-year-old punk, with a careless attitude and a beautiful face, he is a muscular and powerful fighter. He has entered the Fighting Vipers tournament in order to impress Candy and prevent his rival, Picky, from winning.

Picky: a 18-year-old stereotypical skateboarder Picky's armor is styled after protective gear for skateboarders. He carries his skateboard on his back, and hits opponents with it. Picky began skateboarding to impress his first love, but later on he left her for Candy.

Mahler: a mysterious 24-year-old with a grudge against the Mayor of Armstone City (who has organised the tournament) wearing poisonous armor resembling a snake.

Kumachan: a 10-year-old smiling bear character wearing an orange hat. It is based on the giant floating balloon mascot seen in the Old Armstone Town stage.

Victor: a 45-year-old man with a trenchcoat and gloves. He is the father of Bahn.

Taro*: Taro Yamada lives in Armstone City with his mother, eccentric father and younger sister Alyssa; the family moved there after his father changed jobs. He received his Combat Armor by accident during their house-warming party, when he ordered pizza from 'Sensational Cafeteria' or SECA and instead received the suit. After realizing the suit gave him incredible strength and that he is required to pay for the armor, Taro decides to enter the tournament.

Pai Chan*: was born May 17, in Hong Kong. She is a martial arts action movie star in her hometown, and her fighting style is Mizongyi (pronounced "Ensei-Ken" in Japanese). It is revealed that her favourite hobby is dancing. Pai is a leading star in Hong Kong action films and entered the tournament invited by her friend, Candy.

Pepsiman: the Japanese mascot of Pepsi who only appears in the Japanese version of the game as an unlockable character.

* Guest characters.