Arcade Mode

Learn the ins and outs of Soulcalibur's Arcade Mode, including routes, difficulties, mini-bosses, and boss characters. Master every challenge and achieve the best times.

Arcade Mode is available from the start of the game and features 6 stages. The first 4 stages have random characters based on the chosen route, while the last 2 are typically a mini-boss and a final boss. Most routes offer three difficulty settings: Easy, Normal (default), and Hard. You are timed in every route and difficulty, with best times recorded separately for Easy and Hard. Only the Ranking route contributes to your overall rank, based on time. Most battles take place on the character's associated stage, featuring their theme music.

Route 1: Standard

Face any regular character. Excluded characters include Elysium, Alpha Patroklos, Pyrrha Omega, Edge Master, Algol, Ezio, Devil Jin, Cervantes, and Kilik. Dampierre's availability may depend on pre-order bonuses.

• Mini-boss: Aeon (Lizardman). Not particularly tough on Normal or Easy, but more challenging than the first four stages.
• Boss: Nightmare. Be cautious of ring-outs, as his large sword can easily push you off the edge.

Route 2: Europe

Encounter only European characters: Siegfried, Viola, Hilde, Pyrrha, Patroklos, Tira, Raphael, Ivy, Z.W.E.I., and Cervantes. Nightmare is excluded.

• Mini-boss: Z.W.E.I. Fought on a bridge stage with two sides prone to ring-outs.
• Boss: Cervantes. Takes place on a pirate ship during a storm. Ring-outs are more difficult due to railings, but characters can be knocked overboard if airborne.

Route 3: Asia

Face only Asian characters: Mitsirugi, Yoshimitsu, Leixia, Xiba, Maxi, Natsu, and Kilik.

• Mini-boss: Maxi. The battle begins on a damaged ship with railings and broken edges. After two wins, the area is destroyed, and the fight continues on a lower, walled-off section with only one edge.
• Boss: Kilik. His fighting style changes between rounds (e.g., Voldo to Raphael). The final battle occurs on a small rocky area with only one open side.

Route 4: Ranking

This route has only one difficulty: Normal. Your Arcade Mode rank is determined by your performance here.

• Mini-boss: Ezio. Can attack from any range with various weapons. Fought on a stage with no ring-outs.
• Boss: Siegfried. Fought on a bridge stage similar to Z.W.E.I.'s, with two sides allowing for ring-outs.

Route 5: Extra

Unlocked by reaching level 17. This route has 6 stages but doesn't follow the standards of other routes. You can face any character except Devil Jin (Dampierre's status is uncertain). Battles may not occur on the character's home stage. The camera behaves unusually, attempting cinematic shots as you move.

• Mini-boss: Edge Master.
• Boss: One of the following: Alpha Patroklos, Pyrrha Omega, Ezio, or Algol. Fought on Algol's stage.