Chicago's Famous Mystery Tournament: Viewer's Experience 2023-2025

If you've been paying attention to my activity on social media lately, you may have noticed that there's two things that I have a big passion for: Obscure games and fighting game tournaments. And naturally that drew me to the concept of Mystery Tournaments, a massive shuffle of games too niche or unconventional to be main or side tournaments at in-person fighting game events.

If you're not familiar with the idea, here's how it works. In most modern-day fighting game tournaments, you fight your way through a double-elimination bracket by running sets. Sets are decided by who wins two games in a best 2 of 3 format, which in turn are decided by who is able to successfully knock out their opponent two/three times. The tournaments that you typically see at modern day fighting game events like Frosty Faustings, Combo Breaker, and CEO are for more modern, popular titles that you can very much go out and buy at a store today. Some events will host tournaments for older fighters, especially in the case of side tournaments, though these will feature a smaller number of players for one reason or another (typically because the games require older hardware that are no longer sold in stores) and will only ever see their Top 8's or Top 6's broadcast live.

Mystery Tournaments, by their very nature, throw this out the window. While players still compete in brackets and run sets, every single set is its own game. And it's not just fighting games that appear in Mystery Tournaments. Literally any game of any genre that has a head-to-head competitive mode is eligible for Mystery Tournaments. You could be playing the VS mode of a primarily single-player action game, only to wind up in a block-dropping puzzle game. How about a racing game that then pivots directly into a rhythm game? Literally anything goes at Mystery Tournaments, and as the Mystery Tournament began to gain steam at two particular fighting game events, I would set out to begin cataloguing the various games that appear in these Mystery Tournaments on-stream from 2023 onwards. The current results of my research from binging the Mystery Tournament streams at both the past three years of Combo Breaker as well as this year's Frosty Faustings are listed below in the order of their appearance in each tournaments. This includes the 2v2 tournaments that were streamed after the main tournaments would conclude for the day, and each game is also listed alongside the console the game was played on at the event. A few of the platform listings were estimated guesses, especially with newer multiplatform games, and Neo Geo games are lumped under the "arcade" label for simplicity. Otherwise, this should be the full list for four events' worth of Mystery Tournaments.  

Combo Breaker 2023

Day 1

Singles

1. Cosmic Carnage (Sega 32X)
2. Dark Edge (Arcade)
3. Blood Warrior (Arcade)
4. Virtua Tennis 1 (Xbox One)
5. Power Quest (Game Boy Color)
6. Puzzle Bobble 3 (Arcade)
7. Bang Bead (Arcade)
8. Fighters Megamix (Saturn)
9. Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale (PSX)
10. Aah! Harimanada (Genesis)
11. Landmaker (Arcade)
12. Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars (Genesis)
13. Zusar Vasar (Dreamcast)
14. The King of Fighters 2003 (Arcade)
15. Rival Schools: United by Fate (Arcade)
16. Spectral vs Generation (PS2)
17. Battle Arena Toshinden (Game Boy)
18. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)
19. Super Mario All Stars: Super Mario Bros. 3 (SNES)
20. Dynasty Warriors (PSX)
21. Neo Bombmerman (Arcade)
22. Hyper HitBoxing (PC)
23. Savage Reign (Arcade)
24. Warpath: Jurassic Park (PSX)
25. World Heroes 2 Jet (Game Boy)
26. Ball Jacks (Genesis)
27. Eternal Champions (Sega CD)
28. Yoshi’s Cookie (SNES)
29. Heavy Metal: Geomatrix (Dreamcast)
30. Samurai Showdown II (Arcade)

Doubles

• Astro Duel Deluxe (Switch)
• Sportsfriends: BaraBariBall (PC)
• Rakugaki Showtime (PSX)

Day 2

Singles

1. Ashura Blade: Sword of Dynasty (Arcade)
2. Art of Fighting 3 (Arcade)
3. Saber Marionette J: Battle Sabers (PSX)
4. Battle Cross (SNES)
5. Super Gem Fighter Minimix (Arcade)
6. Cyberbots (Arcade)
7. Tobal 2 (PS1)
8. Groove On Fight (Arcade)
9. Battle Monsters (Saturn)
10. Battle Arena Toshinden 2 Plus (PSX)
11. Astral Bout 3 (SNES)
12. Plasma Sword (Dreamcast)
13. The Adventure of Little Ralph (PSX)
14. Rebop Blaster (PC)
15. Antinomy of Common Flowers (PC)
16. Invisigun Reloaded (PC)
17. Samurai Deeper Kyo (PSX)
18. Looptris (Neo Geo CD)
19. Slap Shot (Arcade)
20. Idol Showdown (PC)
21. Lightning Legend: Daigo no Daibouken (PSX)
22. Battle Craze!! (PC)
23. The Outfoxies (Arcade)
24. Ranma ½: Ougi Jaanken (SNES)
25. Crystal Control II (PC)
26. Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash (PC Engine CD)

Doubles

• Stardust Vanguards (PC)
• Sportsfriends: Hokra (PC)
• Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen (Genesis)

Day 3

Singles

1. Goiken Mayo II (PSX)
2. Hellish Quart (PC)
3. Resistance 204X (PC)
4. Rakugaki Showtime (PSX)
5. Spiderheck (PC)
6. Witchball (PC)
7. Sonic Bash! (Genesis)
8. Sokonuke Taisen (Arcade)

Doubles

• Birdsketball (PC)
• Wrestledunk Sports: Megatonk (PC)
• Oxyjet (PC)
• KungFu Kickball (PC)
• Toasterball (PC)
• Virtua Tennis 2 (Dreamcast)

Combo Breaker 2024

Day 1

Singles

1. Twinkle Star Sprites (PS2)
2. Taotaido (Arcade)
3. Stone Ball (Arcade)
4. Perfect Dark (N64)
5. The Rumble Fish (PS2)
6. Crash Nitro Kart (Xbox)
7. Arcana Heart 2 (PS2)
8. Daraku Tenshi (Arcade)
9. Twin Qix (Arcade)
10. Transformers: Beast Wars (N64)
11. Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer (PS2)
12. Mario Kart 64 (N64)
13. Dunk Stars (Arcade)
14. Fuuka-Taisen (PC)
15. Atari Anthology (PS2) (Combat)
16. The Killing Blade (Arcade)
17. Road Rash (64)
18. 2 on 2 Ice Challenge (Arcade)
19. Clayfighter 63 1/3 (N64)
20. Burnout Revenge (PS2)
21. Fist of the North Star (PS2)
22. All-Star Fighters (PS2)
23. Pokémon Stadium (N64)
24. Botolo (PC)
25. Battle K-Road (Arcade)

Doubles

• Wand Wars (PC)
• Kraken Smash (PC)
• Skyhook (Switch)
• Marvel vs. Capcom (Arcade)
• Pac-Man Museum (PC) (Pac-Man Battle Royale)
• Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! (Switch)
• Streets of Fury EX (PC)

Day 2

Singles

1. Bloody Roar 3 (PS2)
2. Yojimbrawl (PC)
3. Deroon Derodero (Arcade)
4. Turok: Rage Wars (N64)
5. Power Stone 2 (Dreamcast)
6. Crusin Exotica (N64)
7. King of Fighters 2001 (PS2)
8. Mighty Warriors (Arcade)
9. Gururin (Arcade)
10. Psychic Force 2012 (Dreamcast)
11. Multi-Bowl (Various)
12. Spectral vs. Generation (PS2)
13. Blood Wake (Xbox)
14. War Gods (N64)
15. Mighty Fight Generation (PC)
16. Cachat/Tube-It (Arcade)
17. Iggy’s Reckin’ Balls (N64)
18. Zoids Struggle (PS2)
19. Pulsar Crash (PC)
20. Super UFO Fighter (Switch)
21. Heavenly Parasite (PC)
22. Punch A Bunch (Switch)
23. Kombate Mexicano Elexiones (PC)
24. Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers (SNES)
25. Zatch Bell! Mamodo Battles (Gamecube)
26. Ring King (NES)
27. Merfight (PC)

Doubles

• Toasterball (PC)
• Mr. Driller: Drill Land (PC)
• Nice Disc: the Last Hot Blood (Switch)
• Trailblazers (Switch)
• Birdsketball (PC)
• Brawlout (Switch)
• Hamster Scramble (PC)

Day 3

Singles

1. 2XKO (PC)
2. Golden Knight Garo (PS2)
3. Babel Sword (PC)
4. Gauntlet 4 (Genesis)
5. Test 1: Densha de Battle! (PS2)
6. Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball (PC)
7. Nintendo Switch Sports (Switch) (Chambara)

Doubles

• Power Stone 2 (Dreamcast)
• Towerfall: Dark World (PC)
• Sportsfriends (PC)
• Hyper Gunsport (PC)
• Astro Duel II (PC)

Frosty Faustings 2025

Day 1

1. SNK Gals Fighters (Neo Geo Pocket Color)
2. Chipmonk! (Switch)
3. Battle Arena Nitoshinden (PS1)
4. UFO 50: Attactics (PC)
5. Paddle Fighter (Genesis)
6. Million Arthur: Arcana Blood (PC)
7. Destrega (PS1)
8. Super Ultimate Fighters (Switch)
9. Choky! Choky! (Arcade)
10. Nightmare Kart (PC)
11. Croket! Kinda no Kinka Box (PS1)
12. Koutetsu Reiki: Steeldom (PS1)
13. Street Fighter Alpha (PS1)

Day 2

1. Blue Breaker Burst (PS1)
2. Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Puzzle-Dama (Saturn)
3. Megatudo 2096
4. Super Volleyball (Arcade)
5. Fighting Vipers (Saturn)
6. Arctic Thunder (Xbox)
7. Kirby Fighters 2 (Switch)
8. Kamen Rider V3 (PS1)
9. UFO 50: Waldorf’s Journey (PC)
10. Ichigeki: Hagane no Hito (PS1)
11. ARMS (Switch)
12. Sakura Clash (PC)
13. Fight’n Jokes (PC)
14. Pop’n Tanks! (PS1)
15. Kunio no Nekketsu School Fighters (Genesis)
16. Touhou Spell Bubble (Switch)
17. Circus Maximus (PS2)
18. 1, 2, Switch! (Switch)
19. Cricket through the Ages (Switch)
20. Toobin’ (Arcade)

(yes, Toobin' was their big finale game)

Combo Breaker 2025

Day 1

Singles

1. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S (3DO)
2. UFO 50: Paint Chase (PC)
3. Kill la Kill: if (PC)
4. Slam N Jam ’95 (3DO)
5. Ballz: The Director’s Cut (3DO)
6. Monster Slider (Arcade)
7. Way of the Warrior (3DO)
8. Indoor Kickball (PC)
9. Capcom Sports Club (Arcade)
10. Q*Bert (Dreamcast)
11. Tech Romancer (Dreamcast)
12. Hyper Jam (PC)
13. Tetris Forever (PC)
14. Ultimate Fighting Championship (Dreamcast)
15. Propeller Arena (Dreamcast)
16. Boomerang Fu (Switch)
17. Lastfight (Switch)
18. Critical Zone (Switch)
19. Wetrix (N64)
20. Sega vs. Capcom: the Next Level (PC)
21. Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Switch)
22. Super Smash Remix (N64)
23. Robo Pit (Saturn)

Doubles

• Pin Puck (PC)
• Sportsfriends (PC)
• INVERSUS (PC)
• Danghost (PC)
• Capsule Force (PC)
• Groove On Fight (Arcade)
• Kirby Battle Blitz! (PC)
• Wrestledunk Sports (PC)

Day 2

Singles

1. Rivals of Aether (PC)
2. Kamen Rider V3 (PS1)
3. Toobin! (Arcade)
4. Jet Moto 2 (PS1)
5. AA Harimanada (Genesis)
6. UFO 50: Hyper Contender (PC)
7. Kunio no Nekketsu School Fighters (Genesis)
8. Sakura X Clash: Last Millennial Spring (PC)
9. SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy (Switch)
10. Dr. Robotnik’s Ring Racers (PC)
11. Notebook Artillery (Switch)
12. Versus (PS1)
13. Touhou Hyouibana: Antinomy of Common Flowers(Switch)
14. Blades of Glory (PC)
15. Mega Man Arena (PC)
16. Urban Street Fighting (Switch)
17. Kirby’s Dream Buffet (Switch)
18. Mortal Kombat (Genesis)
19. Mario Party Superstars (Switch)
20. Armed Fighter (PS1)
21. Mofumofu Sense (Switch)
22. Penguin Wars (Switch)
23. Ice Hockey (A2600)
24. Fight of Steel: Infinity Warrior (Switch)
25. San Francisco Rush 2049 (N64)
26. Dan Dan Z (GB)
27. Ms Pac-Man (Genesis)

Doubles

• Fatal Fury vs. Street Fighter (PC)
• Guts ’N Goals (PC)
• Fling to the Finish (PC)
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (PC)
• Sportsfriends (PC)
• GigaBash (PC)
• Guilty Gear Isuka (PS2)
• M.U.G.E.N. (PC)
• VIDEOBALL (PC)
• Fight of Animals: Arena (PC)
• Aloof (PC)
• Jumpala (PC)
• Toasterball (PC)
• Striker’s Edge (PC)

Day 3

Singles

1. Nine Sentai Hurricaneger (PS1)
2. Blade Arcus from Shining (PC)
3. Circle of Sumo (PC)
4. Ribbit! (Arcade)
5. EXOA II: Warroid (Sharp X1)
6. Star Control II (DOS)
7. Rose & Camellia: The Legendary Rose Bride (Switch)
8. Toridama 2: Brave Challenge (Switch)

Doubles

• Stardust Vanguards (PC)
• Shovel Knight Showdown (PC)
• Treadnauts (PC)
• Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (Switch)
• Riposte! (PC)
• Hoops ‘96 (Arcade)
• Ninza (PC)
• Impossiball (PC)