Top Ten Rivalries 

If anyone wants the song that premiered the video, it's right here! thefieryjoker.bandcamp.com/track/ice-and-flame-ninja

"When did I become the Weird Al of videogames" - great line

"Ok when did I become the Weird Al of videogames?" Hey I ain't stopping you. That song was *fire* (and ice).

Josh: It's little like diet Dante and Virgil. Me: Speaking of Dante and Virgil. 😆

Alright Josh and Jasper. That Mr. White Christmas and Mr. Green Christmas parody for Subzero and Scorpion was absolutely wonderful.

A reminder that Shadow is actually way more than just "an edgy, grim anti-hero with no friends" (like some, shallow recent depictions although funny enough Prime Shadow was the best depiction in years). Also Sonic has so many rivals, one for each subtype (Friendly rival = Knuckles, Serious rival = Shadow, Clone rival = Metal Sonic, Meta rival = Mario, etc).

Bit of a backstory about the song - originally I was just gonna make a quick Snow Miser and Heat Miser comparison between Sub-Zero and Scorpion, then Josh mentioned the idea of a song parody.... and then the rest was history :3

You missed You missed the perfect transition for number 1 "And speaking of the devil." It was right there, man

25:52 Ah yes. Phoenix and Edgeworth. My favorite Megaman characters.

What I really like about Shadow is that with anyone else, he’d be able to keep his usual stoic and aloof aura. They could accuse him of the most awful thing and he’d simply shrug it off because who cares what they think, he’s the ultimate life form. But Sonic could say something stupid like “hey can you do a handstand?” And Shadow would be left seething for no reason but because Sonic gets under his skin.

I feel like the rival trope is honestly one of the best video game storytelling devices of all time. Sora vs Riku, Roxas/Sora vs Axel, Sonic vs Shadow, Megaman X vs Zero, Raiden vs Jetsream Sam, Sol Badguy vs Ky Kiske, Ragna vs Jin, Dante vs Vergil, Travis Touchdown vs Henry Cooldown and so many more. The way rivals can be worked in the story of games is honestly unrivaled compared to other forms of media in my opinion.

What's more impressive from Ky and Sol's rivalry is that Ky still treats all his fights with Sol as honorable duels, cuz if he REALLY wanted to hurt or outright off him, Sol wouldn't even had the chance to react, and Sol knows this but never called out Ky for that because he respects Ky's way of doing things, the only instance where he pushed Ky ruthlessness is to make sure Dizzy would be in good care at the end of Xrd Rev 2

Of course you use the trailer image from Sonic X Shadow Generations, it makes too much sense.

*As Josh's wife crashes headfirst through the window* ....."Wait, don't you live here?"

Half of this list is either geeking out over the music or Josh singing. I am here for it.

The Snow/Heat Ninja song was on point! Don't stop! And props to whoever animated your character singing during #1!

Josh: And number one is Dante and Vergil... But you already knew that.

Dante and virgil in their heads when referencing each other:I respect this man

Wait, ARI BEAT ANSEMIFIED RIKU FIRST GO!? Guess that makes up for Josh beating that Spongebob Squarepants: BFB puzzle the second time

For those wondering, the number transition song is "Rivals" by Rockit Music. The song was too perfect not to use lol.

I just had a weird revelation about Vergil. -His past causes him to seek power while not caring how his actions affect others. -He has a rivalry that starts off violently but the two form a grudging respect that gets more friendly over time. -He's played by Daniel Southworth. He's basically Eric from Power Rangers: Time Force! On a slightly less jokey note, I'm really liking how it looks like this is going to be Shadow's year. Coming off Sonic Prime's great portrayal of him (even if the show was a mixed bag overall) we're getting two pieces of Shadow focused media later this year. Yes please!

I really enjoyed that Miser Brothers song parody for Scorpion & Sub Zero. It really put a smile to my face

Oh no, Dante and Vergil aren't trapped in hell. Hell is trapped with them.

10. Gotta have a kingdom hearts spot here. Also ari has my respect for wreaking ansum riku on the first try! 9. Some one needs a chill pill. 8. Fire and lightning. Ok, that actually pretty sick! 7. So basically a role swap of sonic and metal sonic's rivalry. 6. A mortal kombat musical? Ok then. 5. Of course mega man and proto man. But I was not this version of them. 4. Of course it had to be blue for the pokemon rep. Smell you later! 3. Oh the list would be incomplete without the ultimate lifeform! 2. Not even surprised at all. 1. Is it ironic that I downloaded this song yesterday? Seriously great choice for rivals! 27:46

I remember watching ThePJShow's analysis on Shadow and never realizing until he pointed it out that the cinematography in every scene he and Sonic inhabit was subtly meant to showcase Shadow's inherent belief of his superiority to Sonic: he believes his own hype, in other words. By contrast, at the end of each story's campaign, Sonic and Shadow are on equal footing as showcased by how they stroll down the hallway together before one final clash; this scene always gets my blood pumping for how intense it is: you can really feel the energy crackling in the air. Seriously, it's SUCH a good scene: Sonic just casually thanking Shadow for teaching him Chaos Control, Shadow genuinely shocked for the first time that Sonic could induce Chaos Control with a FAKE Emerald (side note, I love the poetry in how it's mentioned, by Tails, that the Fake Emerald has the same wavelength and properties but is less powerful than the original, further complementing Shadow's & Sonic's clashing chaotic chemistry), and Sonic just brushing off Shadow's question of "Just what ARE you, anyway?" with a confident blase answer of "What you see is what you get: just a guy that loves adventure!" AH! IT'S SO GOOD! I cannot WAIT to see what we get out of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3"! :D Interesting side note: When Shadow thinks Sonic is the copycat, he's not entirely wrong; in the early comics, there's a version of Sonic that was a simple lab assistant to a Dr. Ovi Kintobor, but a Dr. Fly-esque experiment involving Chaos Energy turned that ordinary hedgehog in to the blue blur, and Dr. Ovi Kintobor in to Dr. Ivo Robotnik. In other words, Sonic IS a copy, from a later generation of Robotnik, no less. While never officially stated as canon in the games, it would most certainly add another layer of complexity to their rivalry; I wouldn't put it past SEGA or Sonic Team if they were intending that moment to subtly reference the comics. ;)

Aint that perfect timing.

25:51 Truly the best rivalry of MegaMan X6.

Gotta say, that #1 choice left me a little... MOTIVATED.

I'm glad that Fox and Wolf's rivalry got an honorable mention at the very least. That's always been one of my personal favorite rivalries, especially ever since playing Starfox Assault, where the two seem to really bond character wise and even mutually respect each other as opposed to Wolf just being "evil fox." All of the missions where their teams work together are just really fun, and I wish they'd do this more often...assuming we *ever* get another Starfox game that's even half as good as Assault, or even another Starfox game EVER again. I can't deny that other fan projects also sway my love of Wolf and Fox's dynamic specifically A Fox in Space, but hey, they worked with what was given, and what was given was pretty damn cool.

"When did I become the Weird Al of video games?" Josh you became that the moment started using song parodies for your fail countdowns.

Sora and Riku/Roxas, Mario and Wario, Sonic and Shadow/Metal Sonic/Knuckles, Red/Ash and Blue/Gary, Scorpion and Sub-Zero, Ryu and Ken, Dimitri and Morrigan, Dante and Vergil, Bayonetta and Jeanne, Snake and Liquid, Raiden and Sam, Travis and Henry, Asura and Yasha, Asch and Luke, Yuri and Flynn, Sol and Ky, Kyo and Iori, Jin and Kazuya/Heihachi/Reina, Sly and Carmelita, Crash and Cortex, Ratchet and Quark/Rivet, X and Zero, Lan and Chaud, Fox and Wolf, Kirby and King Dedede/Meta Knight, Chris and Wesker, Phoenix and Edgeworth, Cloud and Sephiroth, Squall and Seifer, Zidane and Kuja, Lightning and Caius, Clive/Joshua and Dion, Pit and Dark Pit, Ike and Zelgius(The Black Knight), Alm and Berkut, Joker and Akechi, and Yu(Soji) and Adachi are my favorite video game rivalries of all time. Sadly, Spyro and a couple of other IPs like Silent Hill, Yo-Kai Watch(sometimes), Neptunia, God of War, Horizon Zero, and Zelda didn't have that many rivals compared to what I mentioned. Maybe they will after this video's release and my comment below?

That ending scene with you and Ari killed me! How much more unexpected can you be?

I LITERALLY CANNOT WAIT FOR SONIC MOVIE 3 ...apart from the fact that I know it will be worth it to wait and treat the animators and actors well and make it an actually good project

Josh needs to turn Ice Ninja/Flame Ninja into a RU-vid short.

You get a win for parodying the Heat/Cold Miser song for our favorite Mortal Kombat Bash Bros.

Was not expecting a musical number when Sub Zero and Scorpion came up. Works for me!

I'm so glad that Luke/Asch and Phoenix/Edgeworth are on the list. I agree, they're rivalry and dynamic are awesome

"Feels like diet Dante and Vergil" This is now my favorite Five-Second Foreshadowing

I do love a good Snow Miser and Heat Miser parody! How have I not thought of this for Scorpion and Sub Zero?! Especially since Mortal Kombat 1 came out last year!

Josh Scorcher: "Okay when did I become the Weird Al of video games." The Stupendium: Hey! That's my line.

25:51 Problem. The number for Phoenix and Edgeworth is labeled for Mega Man X6 and not Phoenix Wright.

I saw the Number 1 a mile away, and I don't disagree in the absolute slightest. VERGIL AND DANTE'S RELATIONSHIP IS PERFECT

A countdown so fitting, he had to update he thumbnail lol

That transition song is really cool. Imagine my shock when I find out it's from a freaking GARDEN OF BANBAN fan song.

“ Rivals, don’t tell me I got time for an eye for an eye.” From Garten of BanBan of all places! (Thanks for putting that ear worm back in my head by the way.)

20:40 Oh, don’t get me *STARTED* on THAT!

That Miser Brothers parody song is so fantastic.

For me at least, there will never be a better video game rivalry than Dante and Vergil.

Miles Edgeworth: Megaman X6. Might wanna fix that.

THIS IS SUCH A FREAKIN WELL MADE VIDEO! I mean the whole music history thing with "King of Fighters", this is exactly why you are THE video game countdowner to rule them all

I love how when Riku became a keyblade master, Riku was surprised and Sora was really really glad for him. That was a heartwarming display of how far their relationship had come.

It's always a good time when the Snow Mieser/Heat Mieser parodies come out.

The intro of the DMC entry is pretty funny.

Jin and Ragna: Feels like discount Dante and Vergil Number 1: *Plays Bury the Light*

It's basically written into the fighting game genre's very core that every fighting game must have at least ONE main rivalry, freindly or otherwise Ryu and Ken Sub Zero and Scorpion Basically the entire Mishima bloodline Ky and Sol Kyo and Iori Ragna and Jin Hyde and Seth And those are just the most memerable ones from their own games, there's so many more.

The mmbn part teared me up...ty for including it as they really are great rivals. Liked!!!!

Another amazing video as always, that ending had me laughing pretty hard 😂

5:55 Huh. Someone got their copy of Tears of the Kingdom early. Edit: 25:53 Man, I still remember when Pheonix got possessed by Sigma and Megaman had to defeat him in a lawyer-off, with Chill Penguin as the judge. Great sequence!

11:01 As soon as that instrumental came on, I started laughing because I knew exactly what you were parodying.

It's always a fun time when these lists are released.

21:35 Jet the Hawk: Hey! What about me? I even sounds like Sonic. When did Rouge became Sonic’s Counterpart? I deserve money for this!

Love the bits in this one. They were really fun. Last one had me in stitches xD

great video dude

We need a longer version of ice ninja and fire ninja

I'm surprised that Mario and Bowser didn't even get an honorable mention. But of course, "those two" are number one. And it was enjoyable hearing about all of these others; I haven't played several of these games. Of course, Number 6 is guaranteed to be the most iconic entry. All the compliments and appreciation I can give to both you, Aramau, and your editors. All 16 of them if I counted right. Looking forward to the collaboration coming up in a couple of weeks.

Good list this time. Glad you could talk about my favorite lawyer game, megaman x6

I'm a bit surprised and disappointed Mario and Bowser aren't on here not even being on the honorable mentions part. They're one of the first rivalries ever known. While battles vary from good and bad and that they don't often work together, the legacy they have and the fact that Mario also plays sports and goes karting with Bowser does show they do have a solid rivalry.

Fun fact about Chaud, apparently his name is pronounced “show,” and it’s the French word for hot. Which I guess is why his last name in the anime is Blaze. And this may a mistranslation because Chaud’s Japanese name is Enzan which means operate but might sound similar to a word that means flame mountain or something like that? The vid I watched wasn’t sure how the localizers came up with his name being fire-based but that was his best guess. (This information gleaned from KNIJohn’s battle network reviews, they’re great vids)

here we go :D, rival time

Keep it up on your work and this video and channel I love this video and channel Thanks you for your video and channel

Nice video. The rivalry between Alm & Berkut in Fire Emblem Echoes would be perfect for a list like this.

Nice to see tears of the abyss get some recognition. Still one of my all time favorite games

Whats the song used for the transitions? Edit: Never mind, Kean P. Galivan answered it for me

Vergil: Don't you dare give us less! *Joshscorcher gives Dante/Vergil #1* Vergil: ....So, you have come to your senses. Now, SHOW ME YOUR MOTIVATION, JOKER OF FIRE!

Mario and Bowser is literally THE video game rivalry and it’s not even mentioned? Those 2 have been going at it for almost 40 years at this point

Actually, a little addition to the Sonic/Shadow rivalry, and I might need fact checking here...but Shadow was literally created in Sonic's image by Gerald Robotnik. As in, Gerald managed to find the Hidden Palace zone/area, and found that mural, the one depicting Super Sonic battling Eggman. In the same place he found the ancient Gizoid tech we know as Emerl from Sonic Battle. So with no context and the Biolizard prototype coming up bupkes, he made the next stage of Project Shadow based on what he considered the ultimate life-form. The rest is 50 years of history. And Black Arms aliens.

16:30 this will forever be one of my favorite scenes

Love your song parodies. Don't ever stop. Maybe Ryu/Ken is too friendly, but Sagat began as the boss of the original game, only losing because of Ryu tasting the power of the dark Hadou (Akuma's thing) for the first time and giving Sagat his enormous chest scar. Which resulted in Sagat falling from grace and working for Bison's Shadaloo syndicate for revenge, only to realize what a prick Bison is and switch sides to save Ryu in his time of need. From then on they have been constantly trying to surpass each other, always promising to meet again and have another fight. - This and others such as Phoenix/Edgeworth exemplify how the natural long-term progression for a rival can interfere with that role. The more of a friend a rival becomes, the less of a proper rival they feel like, especially if they lose too often. I do however like where a rival changes their stance from open hostility to 'The only one allowed to defeat you is me! Don't you DARE lose to anyone else or I'll NEVER forgive you!'.

God, I'm SO MAD I missed this countdown! This was a DAMN good video! BURY THE LIGHT DEEP WITHIN!!! Also, nice shout-out to the Mishimas, especially since Tekken 8 has just come out and IT IS AMAZING!!! (I haven't played it, I saw Maximilian Dood play the story mode, but DAYUM I need to get into Tekken now!)

Thanks for introducing me to that scene in Guilty Gear. Their screams were great.

Ok I excepted scorpion and subzero to be on here, but that ice mister and heat mister reference thru me way off, in a good way of course

Shadow the Edgehog really got me for some reason😂

Here are my honerable mentions; -Shovel Knight and Black Knight: Nice to see a romantic rival not join the dark side -Terry and Andy Bogard: Like Ryu and Ken iconic, but friendly sparring. -The Mario Bros. and the Waduo (Wario and Waluigi): Polar opposites that are immortal by popularity and memes. -Liu Kang (Vanilla) Kung Lao: Thier brotherly banter in uping one another was always entertaining even if the Fire and Ice pair are more iconic.

THANK YOU!

Loved the Snow Miser and Heat Miser song!

good list couldn't have been another #1.

OH GOD THE SUB ZERO AND SCORPION SECTION!!! HAHAHAHAHAH I LOVE THAT SONG!!!

I love the way DMC5 wraps up Dante and Vergil's rivalry (at least, the killing aspect). They both adopt part of the other's philosophy (Dante embraces the power of his demon lineage while Vergil embraces the emotion of his human lineage), and you can tell they're both happy they have each other, even if they're trapped in the demon world: Dante has his brother back and Vergil has someone to protect now, finally able to use all that power he gained for his original intention.

I'm Mr. *GET OVER HERE!* absolutely perfection, instant classic!!

Great video Josh. I always enjoy listening to your thoughts on your opinions. By the way how come you stopped posting on FOB Equestria? I really liked your review videos of episodes.

“Basically a diet Dante vs Vergil.” My mind inserted “Speaking of”, because o was surprised he didn’t say it.

I haven't laughed as hard as I did at your "weird al moment" in a VERY long time.

When I heard the intro of playground rivals, I immediately thought about Mario and Wario. There was an old official comic where their rivalry, albeit all on Wario's side, was when they were growing up yet Mario was unaware. Though that rivalry did get going during a follow-up when both tried to one-up each other in getting a Samus Doll that Peach had her eye on for her birthday.

12:04 when you made 4 bangers for each yesr fails list

"Don't you say it! Jackpot!"

Okay, you get a like just for that song. That was inspired.

Hm, nice list and topic, I wonder what you do next? Also, how about doing Nemesis's next, at some point? By the why, why was Rogue in that lineup you showed in the Sonic/Shadow Segment?

As a person who’s favorite game ever is tales of the abyss I’m so happy to see Luke and Asch here! Their relationship is one of the best parts of the game to me and seeing how they both suffer because the person they are is someone else is such an amazing conflict, specially on Luke’s arc from act II to act III where you see how much learning that he is replica has hurt him and so then having to re learn his value as a person outside of who he thought he was, learning now who he is

Ngl, I joined in with that segment of Bury the Light.

Number 7 was definitely one of my favorites!