The strongest move was also the riskiest — and that choice is what made it mean something.
WAKU WAKU 7 gave each fighter an unblockable super move — devastating if it landed, but you had to charge it first. The game warned your opponent the moment you started: a siren blared, the screen flashed, and you stood there, open. Any quick jab would break the charge and leave you at their mercy. The strongest move in the game came with the highest price: total commitment. That tension — the hesitation before you decided to risk everything on one strike — is what gave the move weight. You weren't just pressing a button. You were making a choice and living with it. That kind of risk isn't balanced in a spreadsheet. It's balanced in the moment when you decide whether to take it.
— inspired by Game design philosophy
About this game
Released in June 1997 for Sega Saturn exclusively in Japan, WAKU WAKU 7 is a comical 2D fighting game that began as a planned sequel to Galaxy Fight before shifting to a lighter, more playful tone. The Saturn port requires a 1MB RAM expansion cartridge to run — this version includes the cartridge. Nine characters, each parodying anime archetypes, battle with traditional four-button controls and a distinctive charged super move system called 'Harahara motion' — unblockable but interruptible during the charge-up animation.
The Story Behind
Originally planned as a direct sequel to Sunsoft's Galaxy Fight, WAKU WAKU 7 was redirected during development into a more comical, lighthearted fighting game. The arcade version debuted in November 1996, with the Sega Saturn port following in June 1997 as a Japan-exclusive release. Director Yuichi Ueda, designers Atsuki Matsui, Kazuhito Terada, and Koki Kita shaped the game's playful character roster and anime-inspired aesthetic. The Saturn version required a 1MB RAM cartridge for the expanded animation frames — this package includes that cartridge. The music was composed by Masato Araikawa, who had previously scored Sunsoft's Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors. A soundtrack was released exclusively in Japan on May 7, 1996 through Pony Canyon's Scitron label.
Tricks & Tales
Each of the nine characters parodies a well-known anime archetype or fighting game character. The 'Harahara motion' charged super moves are unblockable and devastating — but opponents can interrupt the charge animation with a quick attack, creating a high-stakes mind game. Two characters were available only in the Versus mode of the Saturn port. The game's lighthearted tone was a deliberate departure from Galaxy Fight's more serious space-opera setting. The arcade version was released on Neo Geo MVS in November 1996, while the official soundtrack predated the arcade release by six months, arriving in May 1996. The Saturn port received full-voiced endings not present in the arcade original.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The Sega Saturn enforces a strict regional lockout in hardware. A Japanese NTSC-J console will not boot PAL or NTSC-U discs, and vice versa. To play import software you need one of three solutions: a mod chip soldered to the board, a cartridge that plugs into the expansion slot and overrides the region check (such as an Action Replay or dedicated region-free cart), or a replacement region-free BIOS chip. Note that region unlocking alone does not change the video refresh rate — a PAL console playing an NTSC-J disc will still run at 50 Hz unless a separate frequency mod is also applied.
Maintenance Tips
The Sega Saturn reads GD-style discs but uses a standard CD-ROM drive, so lens care is the same as any optical drive: keep discs clean, handle them by the edges, and store them in cases. The more well-known maintenance issue is the internal CR2032 battery that backs the SRAM save memory and the real-time clock. This battery was typically rated for one to two years of standby use; on any console manufactured in the 1990s, it has long since expired. The first symptom is the system asking for the date and time at every boot. If that prompt appears, replace the battery promptly — save data corruption or total loss follows shortly. The battery can be swapped while the console is powered on (hot-swap) to avoid losing existing saves.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese WAKU WAKU 7 (w/ RAM Cartridge) copies regularly.
Does this version come with the RAM cartridge needed to play?
Yes. This is the 'w/ RAM Cartridge' edition — the 1MB expansion cartridge is included. WAKU WAKU 7 cannot run on a Sega Saturn without that cartridge, and not all Saturn RAM carts are compatible. The one bundled here is the correct match for the game, so you can play it immediately without hunting for a separate expansion.
Is WAKU WAKU 7 region-locked to Japan?
Yes. This is a Japan-exclusive release (NTSC-J), and the Sega Saturn enforces region locking. A Japanese Saturn console is required to play this game. Region-modded or region-free Saturn consoles will also work, but a stock North American or European Saturn will not recognize the disc.
Can I use a different RAM cartridge with this game?
In practice, no. While WAKU WAKU 7 requires a standard 1MB RAM expansion, some players have reported compatibility issues with RAM carts from other games (for example, the King of Fighters '95 cart did not work). The safest approach is to use the RAM cartridge bundled with this edition — it is confirmed compatible and tested with this specific game.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy WAKU WAKU 7 (w/ RAM Cartridge)
A short checklist for buying a used Sega Saturn disc wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Check the disc for scratches
Deep scratches on the playing surface cause freezes and read errors. Light surface marks are usually fine.
Ask for a clear photo of the disc's underside. A seller who tested it will confirm it loads and plays through.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese Saturn disc. The Saturn is region-locked, so a Japanese disc needs a Japanese console or a region workaround.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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Saturn saves rely on a console battery
The Saturn keeps internal saves on a CR2032 battery in the console (not the disc). A dead console battery loses internal saves and resets the clock.
This is about your console, not the disc — but worth knowing so saves aren't lost.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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Rooms this game lives in
Wander deeper — explore the themed rooms where WAKU WAKU 7 (w/ RAM Cartridge) sits alongside its kin.
Memories from around the world
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