Dark Rift (1997). Play online

Summary

Dark Rift bursts onto the N64 with a frenzied 60‑fps sci‑fi fighter that feels surprisingly alive thanks to its fully motion‑captured animations. Eight distinct fighters (plus two hidden bosses) let me string multi‑hit combos, crunching grabs, and projectile‑fueled juggle‑breaks together, while each character sports a separate stereo track that amps up the arcade vibe. The game's three‑out‑of‑five round structure gives a gritty edge to every match, and the tournament, versus‑friend, and training modes keep the momentum steady. Critics highlighted the game’s visual polish – comparing it to Virtua Fighter 3 – even if sluggish projectiles and steep combo inputs held it back. Still, its lightning‑quick pacing and the sheer variety of combat styles make Dark Rift a standout punch‑out on the console.

Storyline

Dark Rift unfolds far in the future, picking up after the events of Criticom. The story revolves around a crystal that was the prize in Criticom; it is actually the Core Prime Element of a Master Key that can unlock every secret of the universe. Eons ago the Master Key was lodged in a spatial tear; when heroes retrieved it, the key shattered into three fragments, each slipping into a different dimension and expanding the tear into the titular Dark Rift.

Gameplay spans three realms: the Neutral Dimension, where Earth remains; the Dark Dimension, home to demonic beings; and the Light Dimension, inhabited by mysterious energy entities that are not necessarily angelic. The fractured key drives the characters to chase its pieces across these worlds, hoping to re‑assemble the Master Key and seal the rift.