Fans of classic `90s fighting games, rejoice! Capcom`s cult-classic brawler, Darkstalkers, received its own animated series decades ago, much like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. This adaptation, which has been notoriously difficult to find, is now being brought to Blu-ray by distributor Discotek. The complete series is set for release on October 28, and you can currently preorder it for a discounted price of $33 (originally $40) at Amazon. Preorders are also available at Crunchyroll for $40.
Darkstalkers: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
Price: $33 (was $40) | Release Date: October 28
This Blu-ray compilation features all 13 episodes of the show, presented in 480i standard definition, with a total runtime of 325 minutes. While extensive bonus materials are not included, fans can look forward to on-disc extras such as a series trailer, original promotional bumpers and credits, select commentary tracks, and a video compiling popular memes from the show. The cover artwork pays homage to the original video game source material, drawing inspiration from the art of the Sega Saturn game releases.
Darkstalkers: The Complete Series Special Features
- Series trailer
- Commentary tracks
- Meme compilation video
- Promotional bumpers and credits
The animated series loosely adapts the video game lore, centering on the perpetual conflict between monsters. The vampiric lord Dimitri leads his forces in a campaign of terror on behalf of his master, the cosmic entity Pyron. Opposing him are various Night Warriors, alongside their human ally, forming the last line of defense against Pyron and his minions.
Darkstalkers: The Complete OVA Collection
Price: $24 (was $30) | Availability: Now available
This is not the franchise`s sole animated venture. A four-episode Original Video Animation (OVA) series, animated by the renowned Madhouse Studios (known for `90s hits like Trigun and Cardcaptor Sakura), aired from 1997-1998. This OVA offered a much more faithful adaptation of the games and was critically acclaimed for its high-quality animation.
Released in 2022, this OVA Blu-ray presents the episodes remastered in 1080p, maintaining their original 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio. Audio options are robust, including Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. A music-only DTS-HD Master Audio option is also available. Bonus features comprise promotional materials, sequences without credits text, and art galleries.
Darkstalkers: The Complete OVA Collection Special Features
- Original and remastered trailers and TV spots
- Promotional videos for various Darkstalkers video games
- Epilogue without title text
- Ending without text
- Alternate Japanese ending credits sequence
- Vintage English opening and ending sequences
- `The Trouble Man` music video
- Art galleries
For those interested in collecting more classic animated show Blu-rays, Discotek offers a wide range. A significant upcoming release is Mega Man: The Complete Series, featuring all 27 episodes from its 1994-96 run. This new Blu-ray, retailing for $38 (was $50), is available for preorder at Amazon and Crunchyroll ahead of its October 28 release. It includes archival content, TV commercials, and new commentary tracks from Ian James Corlett, Mega Man`s US voice actor.
Additionally, you can acquire Street Fighter: The Animated Series, a delightfully cheesy `90s adaptation of Capcom`s fighting game. Its new Blu-ray features commentary tracks by popular Fighting Game Community streamers like Matt McMuscles and Maximillian Dood. The Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie is also available on 4K Blu-ray, packed with extras such as clean credit sequences, archival promotional materials, production art, an isolated score, and various English and Japanese cuts of the film.
Sega enthusiasts can purchase all 78 episodes of Sonic X on Blu-ray, available in both original Japanese and English dubbed versions, as well as Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva, in anticipation of the new game in the series next year. We`ve compiled a list of further animated video game adaptations available on Blu-ray from Discotek below.
More Discotek Blu-rays based on video games
- Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Series — $60
- Darkstalkers: The Complete Animated Series — $33 (
$40) | Releases October 28 - Darkstalkers: The Complete OVA Series — $24 (
$30) - Digimon Adventure: The Complete Series — $64 (
$80) - Digimon Adventure 02: The Complete Series — $64 (
$80) - Digimon: The Movies 1-3 Collection — $24
- Fatal Fury — $30
- Fist of the North Star: The Complete Series — $90
- Fist of the North Star: The Movie — $24 (
$30) - Fist of the North Star: Legend of Kenshiro — $30
- Fist of the North Star: Legend of Raoh — $30
- Mega Man: The Complete Series — $38 (
$50) | Releases October 28 - Monster Rancher: The Complete Series — $48 (
$60) - Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva — $20 (
$25) - Sonic X: The Complete Series (English Dub) — $56
- Sonic X: The Complete Series (Japanese Dub) — $42 (
$60) - Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie (4K) — $28
- Street Fighter: The Animated Series — $39.35
- Virtua Fighter: The Animated Series — Sold out