Experience the Dream Fights with One Piece Strikers Games

Introduction to One Piece Strikers

One Piece is one of the most popular manga and anime series of all time. Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates as they explore the vast ocean in search of the legendary treasure known as "One Piece" to become the next Pirate King. With over 1000 episodes, One Piece has amassed a massive fandom worldwide with its unique world, engaging story, and colorful characters.

The series has expanded into various anime films, OVAs, video games, and more. One type of One Piece video game that has garnered much popularity is the "One Piece: Strikers" series. Strikers games are third-person multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games that bring together fan-favorite One Piece characters for epic battles.

Overview of One Piece Strikers Gameplay

The One Piece Strikers games allow players to control different popular characters from the One Piece series, each with their unique moves and abilities. The games usually feature 3v3 or 4v4 team battles, with the goal of knocking out all opponents to win. Players can pick from four main character classes: Fighter, Shooter, Swordsman, and Runner.

Fighters like Luffy and Sanji specialize in close-quarters combat. Shooters like Usopp and Franky utilize long-range attacks and artillery. Swordsmen like Zoro and Brook wield powerful blades to slice up enemies. Runners like Chopper and Nami rely on speed and mobility to outmaneuver opponents.

Each character has their own normal combo attacks, special skills, and ultimate attacks based on their fighting style in the anime. Players need to work together by comboing abilities and attacking strategically to defeat the other team. Stats like attack power, defense, HP, and cooldown times must be balanced to create an optimal team.

History of the One Piece Strikers Games

The first game in the Strikers series was One Piece: Grand Battle! Rush for the Nintendo GameCube in 2005. While not officially a Strikers game, it laid down the arena battle style gameplay the series would be known for. The first true One Piece: Strikers game then released in 2011 for the Wii as One Piece: Strikers Charged Football.

One Piece: Strikers Charged Football mixed soccer/football mechanics into the MOBA gameplay as teams tried to kick a ball into the opponent's goal. It featured over 20 playable characters and multiplayer battles. The next entry, One Piece: Strikers 2012, released a year later for the Wii and PlayStation Portable. It expanded the roster to over 40 characters and added more gameplay modes.

The latest console release was One Piece: Strikers Tenkaichi in 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. With cel-shaded HD graphics, over 50 playable characters, and improved combat, it was the most polished Strikers game. The series has continued with some mobile game iterations, such as One Piece: Thousand Strikers in 2017.

Notable Playable Characters in Strikers Games

The One Piece Strikers games compile fan-favorite characters from throughout the lengthy story arcs of the anime and manga. Here are some of the most notable playable characters:

• Monkey D. Luffy - The main protagonist of One Piece, Luffy is a Fighter-class character who uses his Gum-Gum Devil Fruit abilities to take down enemies with powerful punches and pistols.
• Roronoa Zoro - The master swordsman of the Straw Hat crew, Zoro wields three swords and can unleash devastating slicing techniques as a Swordsman.
• Nami - The clever navigator of the Straw Hats, Nami utilizes her weather-controlling Clima-Tact staff and lightning attacks as a versatile Runner.
• Usopp - The sniper of the crew, Usopp bombards foes from afar with pachinko shots and explosives as a zoning Shooter.
• Sanji - Using his blazing Diable Jambe kicks, the Straw Hat's cook Sanji can combo opponents relentlessly as a close-range Fighter.
• Tony Tony Chopper - The crew's doctor Chopper is a Runner who can transform into forms like Heavy Point and Horn Point to enhance his abilities.
• Nico Robin - Utilizing her Flower-Flower Fruit powers, the archaeologist Robin can sprout limbs to grab and slam enemies from a distance.
• Franky - The shipwright Franky can shoot lasers and explosives while riding his motorcycle, making him excellent at controlling areas.
• Brook - The undead but soulful musician Brook uses icy sword skills and speedy dashes to cut up foes.
• Jinbe - As a Fishman Karate master, Jinbe pounds enemies with heavy close-range punches and water attacks.

These are just a sample of the diverse and powerful characters that players can control in the One Piece Strikers games. The huge roster collects allies and villains from all over the anime's world for epic dream team matchups.

Features of Latest Game: One Piece Strikers Tenkaichi

As the latest console release, 2015's One Piece: Strikers Tenkaichi represents the most full-fledged One Piece Strikers experience. Here are some of its key features:

• Over 50 playable characters spanning the entire anime up through the Dressrosa arc
• Cel-shaded HD graphics that capture the look and feel of the One Piece anime
• 4v4 team battles with up to 8 players online
• Unique combo mechanics for each character based on their skills
• Awakening mode that unlocks super-powered moves when a meter fills up
• Stage hazards like tidal waves and falling rocks that can damage players
• Various gameplay modes like Story, Survival, and Boss Rush
• Customizable Pirate Flags and bounties that get higher the more you win
• Unlockable support characters like Sabo and Vivi that can assist you in battle
• Dozens of costumes and color swaps for each character

With so many characters, abilities, combos, and modes to master, One Piece: Strikers Tenkaichi offers endless hours of anime battle action for fans to enjoy recreating their dream fights.

One Piece Strikers Gameplay Tips

For those new to the One Piece Strikers games, here are some helpful tips to get better at the combat gameplay:

Learn Combo Strings and Skills

Each character has their own combo attacks and special skills to suit their fighting style. Practice performing full combo strings against training dummies to optimize damage. Also learn the input commands for specials so you can easily utilize them in battle when needed.

Use Skills Strategically

Don't just spam skills randomly. Analyze the situation to use skills effectively. For example, save long cooldown ultimate attacks for opportune ambush moments. Use skills to disrupt or punish enemy actions. Coordinate team skill usage for potent combos.

Master Dodging and Blocking

Dodging and blocking are crucial defensive tools to avoid taking big damage. Time dodges properly to pass through enemy attacks unharmed. Powerful blocks can nullify attacks and leave the attacker vulnerable to counters.

Control Zones of the Map

Learn how to control and dominate certain zones of the stage to gain positional advantage. Use long range attacks or area denial moves to secure locations. Hold vantage points like high platforms to control the fight.

Assist and Coordinate with Teammates

Combos and attacks will be much more potent when synchronized with your teammates. Launch enemies towards teammates to extend combos. Use skills to cover a teammate while they charge up. Coordinate your team composition and actions.

punish Stun and Restrict Movement

Keep enemies stun-locked by chaining combos before they can recover. Inflict status effects like freeze or shock to immobilize foes. Knock them into obstacles. Use snares, binds, and more to restrict opponent mobility.

Mastering these gameplay elements will ensure you utilize each character effectively and maximize your advantage in every Strikers matchup.

The Future of One Piece Strikers

With over 20 years of manga content continuing to this day, One Piece offers an incredibly deep well of characters and abilities to pull from for future Strikers game rosters. Here is what fans hope to see in the future from the One Piece Strikers game series:

• New entries that cover characters from recent arcs like Whole Cake Island, Wano Country, and beyond
• Larger multiplayer battles like 5v5 or 6v6 players
• More gameplay modes and challenge events to test skills
• Expanded customization with unlockable costumes, accessories, taunts, etc.
• Crossover battles with other Shonen Jump series like Dragon Ball and Naruto
• Console releases on next-gen platforms with cutting-edge graphics and netcode
• Unique stages based on fan-favorite locations from the anime
• Balanced roster representing heroes and villains from throughout the entire series

The One Piece Strikers formula has huge potential for growth as long as the anime continues running. Fans hope the developer Omega Force keeps striving to represent the full scope of the One Piece universe while improving the Striker gameplay mechanics in new ways. With over 1000 beloved characters to draw inspiration from, the series could see many more amazing dream team matchups for years to come.

FAQs

What game modes are available in One Piece Strikers?

Most One Piece Strikers games feature a Story Mode, Versus Mode, Survival Mode, and Online Multiplayer. Some entries also have Boss Rush, Horde Mode, Training Mode, and various mini-games.

How many players can battle in One Piece Strikers?

Earlier games supported up to 4 players locally. Current gen consoles like One Piece Strikers Tenkaichi can allow up to 8 players to battle online or offline.

What systems have One Piece Strikers games released on?

The series has seen entries on Nintendo platforms like GameCube and Wii, Sony platforms like PlayStation 4, and even mobile platforms. The latest console game was on PS4 and Xbox One.

Do One Piece Strikers games cover the whole anime story?

The roster tries to represent most story arcs up until the latest anime content. For example, One Piece Strikers Tenkaichi has characters up through the Dressrosa Saga.

Are One Piece Strikers games canon to the anime?

No, as fighting games, the Strikers series offers non-canon dream matchups solely for gameplay enjoyment. However, characters use their authentic abilities from the anime.