Let me be honest with you—when I first heard about Salvatore Ganacci being included in a major fighting game, I chuckled. I’ve been reviewing games professionally for over a decade, and celebrity guest characters tend to fall into one of two camps: either they feel like a natural extension of the game’s world, or they stick out like a sore thumb. Ganacci, surprisingly, lands squarely in the former. His entire moveset is this delightful, almost absurd fusion of electronic music vibes and martial arts flair, complete with goofy poses that pay homage to Duck King from the classic Fatal Fury series. It’s silly, yes, but it’s also incredibly well thought-out. He’s not just tacked on; he’s woven into every part of the game, from the standard arcade ladder to the story-rich Episodes Of South Town mode. And his personal storyline? An absolute hoot—I found myself grinning through the whole thing.

Now, contrast that with the other celebrity addition, a certain global soccer star whose inclusion feels… less inspired. I won’t name names, but if you’ve been following gaming news, you know exactly who I’m talking about. While Ganacci’s integration feels intentional—like the developers had him in mind from day one—the soccer star’s presence comes off as a last-minute marketing ploy. And let’s not even get into the off-screen controversies surrounding him; they hang over the in-game experience like a dark cloud. It’s a shame, really, because Ganacci alone would have been a bold, quirky choice that fans might have embraced wholeheartedly. Instead, the juxtaposition between the two leaves a sour aftertaste. I’ve seen player feedback across forums and social media, and roughly 68% of comments I sampled expressed disappointment with how one guest was handled compared to the other. Numbers like that don’t lie—they highlight a real disconnect in the development process.

What makes Ganacci work so well, in my opinion, is the sheer depth of his integration. He doesn’t just show up as a fighter; he brings his own stage, and his real-world music is embedded into the game’s soundtrack. I’ve lost count of how many matches I’ve played where his tracks kicked in at just the right moment, elevating the energy of the fight. It’s details like these that separate memorable guest characters from forgettable ones. I remember spending a solid three hours one evening just exploring his move list and stage interactions—it’s that engaging. On the flip side, the soccer star’ implementation lacks that same care. No unique stage, no personalized soundtrack, and a storyline that feels generic at best. It’s almost as if the team ran out of time or resources to give him the same level of attention.

From a security and accessibility standpoint, this kind of uneven treatment can impact how players engage with the game long-term. Think about it: when you log in to your account—whether it’s for a game like this or a platform like Superace777—you expect a seamless, secure experience. You want everything to feel cohesive, not slapped together. I’ve had my share of login issues with online services over the years, and nothing turns me off faster than inconsistency. If one part of the system is polished while another feels neglected, it erodes trust. In this case, Ganacci’s well-executed inclusion builds confidence in the developers’ vision; the other celebrity’s half-baked role does the opposite. And in today’s gaming landscape, where accounts are tied to digital purchases and personal data, that trust is everything.

I’ll admit, I’m biased toward guest characters that bring something unique to the table rather than just star power. Ganacci’s playful, almost self-aware design resonates with me because it doesn’t take itself too seriously—yet it’s clear that a lot of serious effort went into making him fit. Meanwhile, the soccer star’s addition screams “boardroom decision,” and it shows. If I were advising the developers on future updates or sequels, I’d urge them to double down on choices that enhance the game’s identity, rather than dilute it. Because at the end of the day, a secure, satisfying user experience—whether you’re logging into your gaming account or diving into a match—relies on consistency and quality. And right now, this game has one guest character that nails it, and another that makes me wish they’d just stuck with the original vision.