MegaWare Clash

MegaWare Clash (激闘メガウェア) is an action RPG video game developed by Burst Arts and published by Namco. It focuses on a group of young people using the virtual reality hardware, MegaWare, saving the virtual world from certain viruses. Released in May 27, 2010, It was exclusive only to the PlayStation 3.

Setting
The year is 20XX, where technological advancements have led to the discovery of an alternate virtual reality. Thanks to the invention of equipment known as MegaWare, people are able to enter this digital world and travel here like they do in the real world. But not everything is without flaws, as the introduction of viruses led to rising concern regarding the VR world. As a response, dozens of companies (most of which are known for creating gaming hardware) have decided to create avatars that are capable of defeating these viruses, as well as corrupt avatars that would rather place the virtual world in chaos.

Plot
Pence Shinka Enomoto is a boy who loves to visit the virtual world. Witnessing those who put an end to the ongoing viruses, he wishes he could do the same despite possessing an avatar not suitable for combat. However, after fighting off several viruses surrounding his friend, Madao Domon, he comes across an official from Harley Soft, Turbo Gunner, who grants him special updates for his avatar from the company themselves. Later, Pence receives a code which leads his avatar to a special server where young avatars are being taught the basics of accessing the virtual world and how to deal with constant threats. Now teaming up with these future cyber saviors, Pence will show what it takes to battle viruses, as well as antagonistic avatars.

Characters
Pence Shinka Enomoto: The lead protagonist of the game. Pence is a young teenager who enjoys visiting the virtual world. He wishes to fight the viruses that often invade the world, but because of his basic-looking avatar, he was often ridiculed by other stronger avatars. But when he saved his friend Madao from viruses, he was granted a second chance by Turbo Gunner and was offered his new avatar skin. Now Pence trains with other young avatars as he learns the dangers of the virtual world and how to put a stop to it. His avatar is the PC Element, based on the NEC PC-Engine.

Turbo Gunner: An avatar official working for Harley Soft. Like all of the other officials, his task is to prevent viruses and threatening avatars from causing any harm in the virtual world, as well as passing down new avatars for the visitors. When he witnessed Pence successfully defeating the virus that attacked Madao, he admired his selfless bravery and offered him his new avatar skin from the company he's working for. Later it is revealed that his real-life identity is Terrence Griffon, a former programmer who worked with the others to help form the virtual world. Turbo Gunner is named after the Turbografx-16, the overseas counterpart of the PC-Engine.

Madao Domon: Pence's friend turned rival since childhood. When he first got his own MegaWare equipment, he bragged about how he will be the top "Virus Slayer" in all of the digital world. Above all else, the one thing he dislikes is being inferior, which causes a huge change on his ego when he witnessed his rival Pence possessing PC Element and nearly excelling in lessons. Madao aims to be placed back on top, even if it means resorting to more violent measures. Madao's avatar is known as the Mad Driver, based on the Sega Mega Drive, a.k.a the Sega Genesis.

Pascal Saito: A troubled teenager from France. He was forced by his father to endure several painful virus-eradicating sessions as a means for creating the "perfect virtual savior." Worried about his safety, he moved with his mother to Japan, where they would have been safe if his father did not arrived. After a fight that placed his mother in the hospital, Pascal refused to become the soulless fighting machine his father wants him to be and instead opted for some natural training in the virtual world. Pascal's avatar is the Platinum Samurai MkII, named after the PlayStation 2.

Sumire Fuchizaki: A kind-hearted girl who is the only daughter of a former police officer. Saddened to hear that the rise of virtual crime has led to the stress that caused him to resign, she aims on making her father proud by trying to take down the viruses herself. Much like the other young avatars, she is learning on how to make the virtual world a better place. During her lessons, Sumire has taken a liking to Pence, believing that he possesses more potential than he could ever think of. Sumire's avatar is the Special Falcon, named after the Super Famicom, or the SNES.

Fuuka Nekotani: A lazy girl who has been raised by scientists. Since she was watched over by them, she was always the subject for their new inventions, most of which where she has been successful. When she first got her new avatar from Nesterno, the scientists offered her a job to promote their inventions throughout the virtual world in addition to participating in virtual lessons. However, she preferred living a normal life without being treated as a test subject. Fuuka's avatar is the Fantasia, named after the Famicom, a.k.a. the NES.

Eishun Bandai: A teenage boy with a quiet-minded and peaceful personality. His twin brother, Seishi Bandai, was funded by Macroware to be their official as his avatar, X-Battler. Wishing to follow in his brother's footsteps, Eishun decides to create his own avatar from the same company and train with the other young avatars. What he did not expect is when the time would come for him to put aside his optimistic tendencies and actually participate in a fight that could determine the virtual world's fate. Eishun's avatar is the Cross-Blaster 360, named after the Xbox 360.

Chizuru Daiho: A teenage girl from a high-class wealthy family. Since the family was in a partnership with the company Gandas, she was offered her avatar from them at a young age. While her parents continue to expect a lot from her, she feels she is not completely at her peak. To make up for this, she chooses to take virus-fighting classes so she could improve herself. Chizuru feels she is lacking in many areas, but thanks to the support of her friends, she continues to be determined. Chizuru's avatar is the Dream's Core, named after the Sega Dreamcast.

Nankichi Jinmei: A tough teenager with a passion for fighting. He believed that real-world training could have a strong effect in virtual combat, so he took up martial arts training. When it was revealed that his master was one of the officials of the company GLK, Neo Graver, he was inspired to train harder both physically and digitally. When the time came, he joined the other avatars in preparing for any virtual dangers. Nankichi's avatar is the Neo Grappler, named after the Neo Geo.

Geppei Akamatsu: An eccentric teenager with a tendency to analyze female avatars. To make his perverted fantasies come to fruition, he opted for a smaller avatar compared to the others. Geppei's avatar is the Go-Ball Arc, named after the Game Boy Advance.

Gekka Kyukichi: A cheerful girl who is often very affectionate towards her peers. She is capable of creating cube-shaped organisms that can be used to assist her. Gekka's avatar is the Grand Cheer, named after the Nintendo GameCube.

Wazuki Iwai: A clairvoyant young boy known by his peers as the "Digi-Wizard." His avatar can use his staff to do certain actions, such as grabbing objects, pulling them to him, and even attacking. Wazuki's avatar is the Withdrawer, named after the Nintendo Wii.

Ginko Goto: A relaxed and aloof girl who is usually seen carrying a large plush on her back. She can actually use this plush for combat purposes in the virtual world. Ginko's avatar is the Giga Gear, named after the Game Gear.

Rondo Jojima: A stoic teenage boy whose avatar resembles a bear. His avatar has a package that contains any type of weapon imaginable. Rondo's ursine avatar is the Rockin' Youth 64, named after the Nintendo 64.

Sayori Sentou: A silent girl known for avoiding any conversation. However, she is extremely talented and a skilled fighter to boot. Sayori's avatar is the Starry Saturn, named after the Sega Saturn.

Banta Panchi: A boy who is said to have lived in China. His avatar is capable of predicting the movements of his enemies and acting before they have a chance of changing their movement. Banta's avatar is the Battle Paladin, named after the Bandai Playdia.

Cassie Lainne: A teenage girl from America, who was once Pence's friend when he lived there. Her avatar can print out images of characters and have them fight for her. Cassie's avatar is the Cutie Loop, named after the Casio Loopy.

Achito Oishi: A sharp-minded teenager who plans on joining the virtual military one day. He has trained in the virtual world to be a sniper in order to fulfill his purpose. Achito's avatar is the Virtual Blaster, named after the Virtual Boy.

Pewter Sable: An English teenager who was raised by the owner of a powerful tech conglomerate. Representing the company, he joins the other young avatars in their guild. Pewter's avatar is the Power-Saber Pro, named after the PlayStation Portable.

Tenryo Hoshi: The instructor of the young avatars. Most of the time he is seen playing his video games, but he knows he has students to teach and protect, so he wastes no time helping them. Tenryo's avatar is the Power Shifter 3rd, named after the Sony PlayStation 3.

Soichiro Bessho: An eccentric man who often assists the young avatars in any virtual missions. He is widely known for his light-hearted humor and rapping rhythm. Soichiro's avatar is the Soul Booster, named after the Soulja Boy console.

Katsura Hanatomo: The main antagonist of the game. Katsura is the self-proclaimed leader of the Electro Gang. Originally an optimistic and out-going man with goals, his life changed when a powerful virus attacked him in the virtual world, thus leaving his body comatose. He was later taken in by a man who promised him greater power, and that could be achieved if he destroyed all of the officials of the virtual world, especially Turbo Gunner. To do this, he formed his own group of avatars who hold nothing but evil desires and viruses. Katsura's avatar is unnamed at the moment.