Toshinden 1 (JPN) [PS1] - play as Gaia

This is a playthrough using Gaia in the PS1 Japanese version of Battle Arena Toshinden 1. Read on below for more information...
Gaia is the main final boss in 1P Game mode, and he is an unlockable playable character.
===== HOW TO UNLOCK GAIA =====
1) Whenever you get to a situation where the title screen appears and the menu words scroll in, use Controller 1 and enter the motion: Down, Down-Right, Right + Square (or D, DF, F + Weak Slash) like a special move during the scrolling words. If you've done it correctly you'll hear a voice. You will also find that the colour of the menu text has changed.
2) On the character select screen, highlight Eiji, hold Up and press any attack button to select Gaia.
Remember, these codes are different to the Western versions of the game!
===== GAIA MOVES =====
Key: S = any Slash; K = any Kick; HS = Heavy slash; QCF = Quarter Circle Forward; QCB = Quarter Circle Back; DP = Dragon Punch motion; N = Neutral
SPECIAL MOVES
- Fire Wave: QCF +S
- Sea Slash: DP + S
- Hand Energy: QCB + K
DESPERATION MOVE (requires flashing red gauge)
- Energy Blast: F, D, F + HS
SECRET MOVE (can be done anytime)
- Next!: DF, D, DB, D, DF, N, B, F, D + HS + HK
===== ABOUT GAIA =====
In Toshinden 1 and Remix, he is a monstrous warlord-type boss wearing the armour of Basara. He is a very powerful character albeit with a glaring weakness - his slow speed and his jumps. It takes forever for him to land from his jumps, and there is a lot of recovery delay in his heavy basic moves. He is the sponsor of the first tournament and is the father of Ellis.
===== GAME TRIVIA ======
---- On the character select screen, he has no icon and no image portrait.
===== DIFFERENCES IN THE JAPANESE VERSION =====
There are some differences in this when compared to the USA/EUR versions of the game... the significant difference is that most of the character music tracks are different. It seems that the West/Europe went to change/improve the music for the Western version of the game. (in the same way on how the SNES fighting game Tuff E Nuff improved the music over the Japanese version of the game, called Dead Dance)
The voices for most of the characters are also different as well. One example of this is Kayin's voice, in this version of the game he has a distinct American accent (despite him being Scottish)... whereas in the Western version he had a Scottish accent.
===== CHAPTERS =====
00:00 - Title, Character Select
00:23 - Regular fights
15:13 - vs. Gaia (main boss)
16:20 - vs. Sho (secret final boss)
17:55 - Ending
18:03 - Staff/credits
18:56 - Super Attack
19:21 - BONUS: Gaia Time Over Draw pose

[@Rangaisia]

I played BAT2 before the first game, and was taken by surprise when I first saw Gaia's name pop up, accompanied with that slightly creepy blood red portrait. Playing games out of order can certainly make that Early Installment Weirdness stand out more.

[@PAINNN666]

Exactly. I have same experience

[@Sannidor]

I appreciate every moment spent with this game, such a gem!

[@PAINNN666]

2 is better

[@Sannidor]

@@PAINNN666 I like both 1 and 2 for different reasons. Did you know there are also two different versions of Toshinden2?
The changes are not huge but it's amazing they put so much effort into polishing at that time. There's also Saturn port - somewhat weird take but has unique characters. Cheers.

[@Krizalid99v2]

The franchise is definitely worth a comeback... would be amazing to see the characters using the modern graphics technology we have today, such as Sofia. Get Yasuhiro Nakano, Fumio Tanabe, Akihi Motoyama, etc. to compose the music again. The gameplay would have to be made to be really good with some innovation because there's fierce competition in the fighting game scene these days. However I do think that right now there is an "opening" for a 3D weapons fighter that is set in modern times... Star Gladiator/Plasma Sword did fairly okay but never really got anywhere major.

[@PAINNN666]

@@Sannidor Of course I know.

[@PAINNN666]

Not many games have an ending for secret character. I know it's just 3-4 lines but it's better than nothing

[@PAINNN666]

NEXT!