Overview
Hat Trick Hero '93 (known in Europe as Taito Cup Finals, sometimes known in-game as Rough Fight) is a belt-scrolling soccer game developed and released by Taito for arcades (using their Taito F3 System hardware) on February 28, 1993.
The sequel to Football Champ (which is also known as Hat Trick Hero), Hat Trick Hero '93 features an updated game engine (with new graphical effects), an updated Ace Striker system (where players now choose from several before the match begins, similar to fighting games), and an optional power-up system (where players can spend additional money for in-game advantages).
The European version later received an enhanced update on January 13, 1994 as Super Cup Finals. This version, also released in cartridge form (Taito F3 Package System) adds new operator options (including the ability to enable Streaking random events), bumps up the playable team roster, removes the mini-map system, and changes the opponent team selection to a roulette wheel. This version was further updated on May 26, 1994 as both Hat Trick Hero '94 (in North America) and International Cup '94 (in Europe), both released in cartridge form. The game later received a sequel as Hat Trick Hero '95 (or Taito Power Goal).
Special Menu
New to the series is a power-up system, known as the Special Menu. At certain times in the match (usually before the ball is in play), players can use Units to purchase a special power-up that gives them an advantage (including the ability to score outright). Players start with 2 Units on each start/continue, and can purchase additional Units with real money (3 Units for the first purchase, 4 Units for each additional purchase).
This system uses its own dedicated button (the C button) to bring up the menu, select a power-up, and use it. This system can be disabled by arcade operators.
- Super Dash (1 Unit)
- Super Sliding (1 Unit)
- Over Run (2 Units)
- Super Guard (2 Units)
- Banana Shoot (3 Units)
- Super Shoot (4 Units)
- Hyper Shoot (6 Units)
Teams
Similar to the predecessor, European regions of the game have a different assortment of teams (both playable and opponent). In addition to the standard teams, most games include a fantasy "MAX" team that serves as a powered-up final boss for both '93 versions. It was later made playable (and is no longer the final boss) in the '94 versions, but was removed in Hat Trick Hero '94.
Hat Trick Hero '93
Playable
Opponent Only
Taito Cup Finals
Playable
- Belgium
- Denmark
- England
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Holland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Opponent Only
- Argentina
- Austria
- Brazil
- Cameroon
- Colombia
- Czech Republic
- Greece
- Japan
- Paraguay
- Poland
- Scotland
- Uruguay
- USA
- MAX
Super Cup Finals
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Cameroon
- Colombia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- England
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Great Britain (opponent only)
- Greece
- Holland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan (opponent only)
- Paraguay
- Poland
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Uruguay
- USA
- MAX
Hat Trick Hero '94
- Argentina
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Czech Republic
- England
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Holland
- Korea
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Uruguay
- USA
International Cup '94
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Colombia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- England
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Great Britain
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Holland
- Korea
- Mexico
- Norway
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Scotland
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- USA
- MAX