Author: Casey "Waveflame" Rinaldi

With its official release in North America merely a day away, the hype for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 has reached a fever pitch. To keep the train of excitement rolling into the station, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe has continued its series of gameplay trailer releases, focusing on a quartet of combatants from various eras of the Dragon Ball universe.

First up, we have the Masked Saiyan, a warrior who is under the control of the villainous Towa and Mira. With the symbol of the Time Breakers on the forehead of the mask, who debuted in Dragon Ball Online and Dragon Ball Heroes, this evil Saiyan is returning from the first Xenoverse. He also bears a familiar resemblance to a certain legendary Saiyan. You can see him dominating Super Saiyan 3 Goku on the World Martial Arts Tournament stage, with a variety of speedy melee attacks, including his signature “Self-Destruct,” below.

Next up, we have Metal Cooler, making his Xenoverse debut. This alternate form of Frieza’s brother first appeared in the film Return of Cooler and is the result of the tyrant’s remains being forcibly merged with the Big Gete Star, which allowed him to mass-produce a myriad of clones in order to take over New Namek. He possesses versions of the Cooler Supernova as his Ultimate and the Death Laser, shared with his flesh incarnation, as well as a smaller version of the Supernova he can use as a regular Ki Attack. In addition, he has his unique Lock-On Buster, which allows him to fire an invisible beam at his opponent.

We keep things going with Nail, one of the most powerful Warrior-class Namekians, who will also be making his first appearance in Xenoverse, after last being playable in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Raging Blast 2. Using his Mystic Attack, Mystic Flasher and Super Explosive Wave, he looks to get revenge in a rematch with Frieza below.

Finally, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe provides us with our first look at Future Trunks, who is an Early Access character who comes with the game’s Deluxe Edition. This is a second version of the character, based off of his most recent appearance in the “Future Trunks” arc currently going on in Dragon Ball Super, with blue hair and eyebrows. He will utilize different sword attacks than his Z counterpart, and will also have his own version of the Final Flash, as well as a Double Masenko and a Super Sayian 2 transformation. You can see him deliver some justice to Goku Black below.

What did you think of these trailers? Who will you be maining in Xenoverse 2 if you plan on picking it up? Let us know in the comments!

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will be releases on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One today–October 25th–in North America, October 28th in Europe, and November 2nd in Japan. It will also be released worldwide on Steam on October 27th.

Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe

While Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 fans are eagerly buzzing about the recently-announced inclusion of Dragon Ball Super’s Hit, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe has shifted the spotlight to two of the most heinous villains in the Dragon Ball Universe, the tyrannical Cooler and Frieza.

One of the biggest selling points of Xenoverse 2’s expanded roster is the inclusion of characters from the Dragon Ball movies, including Frieza’s older brother Cooler, who has previously seen playable action in past titles such as Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, Budokai Tenkaichi 2 and 3, Raging Blast 2 and Infinite World. The newest gameplay trailer highlights his Final Form, which he utilized against Goku in Cooler’s Revenge. On display are the Galactic Overlord’s Death Ball, Death Beam and, his Ultimate attack, the Supernova Cooler, as he battles Super Saiyan Goku. You can view his Trailer below.

Next up, is a gameplay trailer for his younger brother, Frieza!

Arguably the most infamous antagonist in the Dragon Ball franchise, who needs no introduction, Frieza returns to Xenoverse 2 with all of his signature abilities in tact, such as his Death Beam, Death Ball, a throw with his tail wrapped around his opponent’s neck, which he used against Goku on Namek.  There is unfortunately no footage of Golden Frieza, despite the video’s thumbnail, sadly.

Do you look forward to using either of these icy galactic despots in Xenoverse 2?  Especially with Frieza’s Universe 6 equivalent, Frost, set to join the roster as part of the game’s first DLC Pack?

Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe

In the past, Capcom’s CFN Portal has released a series of concept art pieces providing us with a look at potential alternate costumes that inevitably met with the cutting room floor during Street Fighter V’s development. There have been superhero costumes, zombie costumes and various other outfits. This time, the theme is “Heroes & History,” featuring Balrog, Zangief, Chun-Li and Urien paying homage to various famous heroes and figures throughout the annals of time and legend. The website states that ” unlike the zombie costumes, these alts may be considered for production if there is a lot of hope and requests for them!” You can view concept art of each of these costumes below, with a brief description of how each one was created, and what they represent.

Balrog

“Those iron ball gloves equipped to his arm look painful! We imagined him in the image of a Gladiator. It’s got a good feeling, right?”

Zangief

“His horns and the cloak are gorgeous. Exactly like a hero! He feels like he’d likely say, ‘Speak up, I can’t hear you!’, huh?”

Chun-Li

“We modeled her roughly after the image of much of 12th Century China. She feels like she’s something that came out of that classic novel ‘Water Margin’. That’s a meat bun in her hand.”

Urien

“He’s completely a Persian king. And very cinematic. A skinheaded Excellency feels like a fresh novelty.”

“And that’s what we’ve got! Such is the feeling! We quite liked the concept of heroes and history, but, if at all possible, I think I want to associate the costumes to famous heroes from each character’s respective country of origin.”

(This time in charge: Zhongshan)

Lastly, we’ve got a special bonus for you: an additional superhero secret costume that was added to the site’s post after our initial coverage. What follows is a supervillain outfit for Juri Han, that allows the Spider to give off a strong Rita Repulsa vibe.

Evil Storm

“The mysterious woman who manipulates the sinister wind. She doesn’t belong to any organization, but the mysterious warrior enjoys battle. ….Apparently a mysterious energy material is hidden underneath her eyepatch.”

What do you think of these rejected, secret costume concepts?  Are there any that you would like to see make it to the game for real in the future?  If so, let us know in the comments below! Stay tuned to Shoryuken, where we’ll provide you with more coverage of secret costumes if they’re released.

Source: CFN Portal

Earlier this week, Bandai Namco Entertainment dropped a bombshell on us when they revealed that Hit from Dragon Ball Super would be joining the launch roster of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, with a quick trailer reenacting a scene from his battle with Super Saiyan Blue Goku from the Universe 6 Saga. While that short tease surely wet the appetites of many fans, we now have a gameplay trailer, showing the Legendary Hitman doing what he does best: battering Goku around the World Martial Arts Tournament stage with a variety of melee attacks and counters, as well as showcasing his impressive speed and signature Time Skip and Vital Point Attack abilities.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America also uploaded a “Full Character Trailer,” for Hit, with an extra two seconds of footage, showing what happens after Hit’s punch connects with Goku’s face.

Lastly, Thundershot69 has provided us with a brief breakdown of Hit’s gameplay trailer, comparing his abilities to those he displays in the anime, in addition to speculating how his attacks will function within Xenoverse 2’s gameplay engine, based off of limited play time with him at the Bandai Namco Entertainment headquarters.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in North America on October 25th, October 28th in Europe and Australia, and November 2nd in Japan. The game will also see a worldwide release on Steam on October 27th.

Sources: Bandai Namco Entertainment America; Thundershot69

As we’ve been reporting, the CFN Portal site has been frequently uploading character profiles of the Street Fighter EX characters, courtesy of the research found in the Shadaloo Activity Reports. With the entirely of the original EX1 cast covered, it’s time to move on to the first characters that debuted in EX2, starting with the third “Sibling of Destiny,” Nanase! As always, NIN returns to provide his insight–as a “Senior Officer of Shadaloo”–to Private Nakagawa in profiling these characters.

Private Nakagawa: The younger sister of the heir of Mizukami style ancient martial arts, Hokuto. She doesn’t only use ancient martial arts, but an amazing staff that can lengthen itself.

Basic Info:

Name: Nanase
Height: 165 cm
Weight: 54 kg
Blood Type: 0
Birthday: February 19th
Country of Origin: Japan
Likes: Anmitsu, Hokuto
Dislikes: Seiza [“The classic Japanese kneeling position”]

Private Nakagawa: The true sister of Kairi. Nanase doesn’t remember her brother, and is searching for her sister Hokuto, who mysteriously disappeared. She has a merry, bright and cheerful personality. Even today, we have a comment from our Senior colleague:

NIN: The collision detection of that elastic staff proved to be quite the technical problem. I struggled with the attack direction of her Kasumioroshi, [“Misty Gust from the Mountains”] too. I liked the way in which she could pierce two opponents at once with her staff in EX3.

Next, we have the son of the legendary Orochi-slaying swordsman, Hayate!

Private Nakagawa: The young man armed with a sword who hails from Kukonochi village. His father was a legendary swordsman who rid the village of the Orochi all by himself. A swordsman is an unusual character for Street Fighter.

Basic Info:

Name: Hayate
Height: 177cm
Weight: 76kg
Blood type: B
Birthday: April 5th
Home Country: Japan
Likes: Dried persimmons
Dislikes: Evil spirits

Private Nakagawa: He makes a living getting rid of mystic calamities and evil spirits. Clad in an ominous pale wave of a bluish white hadō he continues to fight every day in order to defeat the demonic people.

NIN: During development, his “Tsumuji Kagerō-Kyoku” [“Heat Haze Vortex Climax”] was called “UFO!” Since then, it is no longer seen as only a UFO, there had been a time when we couldn’t stop laughing as the system gradually came together.

That wraps up another pair of EX CFN Character Profiles. If this still hasn’t quenched your thirst for EX knowledge, you can learn about the dark pasts of Nanase’s siblings, Hokuto and Kairi, here, as well as check out the profiles of the rest of the original EX1 cast here and here. Keep your browser locked right here to Shoryuken, as we continue to bring you more CFN Portal character profiles in the future!

Source: CFN Portal; Special Thanks to Midgardsorm and bakfromon for the translations

Last week, we reported on the release trailer for the devious Goku Black, who will be bringing his unique blend of mayhem to the world of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 as a pre-order bonus character, along with Ciampa’s Universe 6 team members, Frost and Kyabe being part of the game’s first DLC pack. Well, it seems Bandai Namco isn’t through with giving fans of Super more to look forward to, as last they confirmed that Universe 6’s Legendary Hitman, Hit, will also be joining the cast of Xenoverse 2. The new trailer depicts the assassin’s arrival to the tournament grounds for the epic battle he waged with Super Saiyan Blue Goku during the Universe 6 Saga.

Though there is no gameplay to accompany this announcement, it’s been confirmed that, unlike his Universe 6 Teammates, Hit will not be a DLC Character, and will instead be a member of the game’s launch roster, readily available to use from day one, along with SSB Goku, as the developers were able to finish him at the last moment. You can see his trailer below.

While having round 2 with Goku is certainly appealing, which other fighters from across space and time from the Dragon Ball Universe are you looking forward to pitting “Hit the Infallible” up against first? Let us know in the comments!

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will be released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 25th in North America, October 27th in the EU and on November 2nd in Japan. It will also launch worldwide on Steam on October 28th.

Sources: Bandai Namco Entertainment America; NeoGAF

Stepping away from Street Fighter V for a bit, VesperArcade has continued his series of Trial walkthroughs for the King of Fighters XIV. For this walkthrough, the focus is on the mysterious sand-wielding Kukri, as well as KOF mainstays Terry and Andy Bogard.  As always, he includes a handcam, allowing viewers to see his hands performing the motions and button presses required as they are being performed on-screen in real time.

You can also check out his guides for Iori, Ramon & Nakoruru, Angel, Sie Kensou, Leona & Antonov, as well as Meitenkun, Kyo, Vice, Kula, Chang & King of Dinosaurs. Stay tuned to his channel for additional guides and content.

Source: VesperArcade

After recently chronicling Hokuto and Kairi, the CFN Portal site has resumed its coverage of the Street Fighter EX Characters by closing out the remainder of the EX1 cast. As always, NIN rejoins Private Nakagawa in the Shadaloo Activity Report to provide further insight into these characters.

We lead off with the American karateka who was based on Chuck Norris, Allen Snider!

Private Nakagawa: A good young man with trademark gigantic sideburns. Even today, he blows his opponents away with his Justice Fist, a violent straight punch!

Basic Info:

Name: Allen Snider
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 81 kg
Blood Type: 0
Birth Date: March, 21
Home Country: USA
Likes: Frogs
Dislikes: Electrical Appliances

Private Nakagawa: The former strongest karateka in the USA. However, he was eliminated in the first match of the All-American Martial Arts Tournament, though his opponent was Ken Masters. Ken said to him, “After all, you’re only a big fish in a small pond!” [Literally, “A frog in a well,” taken from the Japanese proverb, “A frog in a well does not know the great sea.” That explains his dislike of frogs, translated as “being called a big fish” in English adaptations until now.] Misinterpreting his words, Allen decided to become “The Strongest Fish in the World.” [“the strongest frog in the world.”] He’s a constantly curious and likable person. Since his loss to Ken, he pays attention to even his move’s naming. And even today, we have our Senior colleague’s comment!

NIN: Oh, sideburns! I remember I thought of making him a very aggressive projectile character. Subsequently, I thought it would be nice having a foreign karateka.

Next up, we have the Las Vegas bouncer, Cracker Jack!

Private Nakagawa: He’s the bouncer who’s confident in the abilities of his arms. He’s an enthusiastic man who is also kind and empathetic. I want to be like him when I grow up (unfortunately it’s too late for that).

Basic Info:

Name: Jack
Height: 189cm
Weight: 98kg
Blood type: B
Birthday: June 14th
Country of Origin: USA
Likes: Baseball, Soccer, Alcohol from different countries
Dislikes: Crowding together

Private Nakagawa: The Las Vegas bouncer who is said to be the number one in the organization known as the “Crackers.” In order to live a life free from fighting rivals, he disappeared from the organization. He’s currently traveling the world as a freelance bouncer. His prized possession is his wooden baseball bat.

NIN: I compare his character to a type of man’s man, I love his behavior, plus his voice, and I think he’s pretty cool. However, Mr. Nishitani, is like an endless launching uppercut combo which continues to show self-restraint … That’s me when I’m angry, LOL!

Now we move on to arguably the most popular character in the EX series. Everyone’s favorite super hero, Skullomania!

Private Nakagawa: Woooah, he’s pretty awesome! Lord F.A.N.G! We should help establish this type of mysterious man here at Shadaloo! What, he’s a hero?!

Basic Info:

Name: Skullomania
Height: 163cm
Weight: 62kg
Blood type: A
Birthday: May, 19
Home Country: Japan
Likes: Protecting his family, World peace
Dislikes: Evil, Working Overtime

Private Nakagawa: The salaryman named Saburo Nishikoyama just couldn’t find a way to get ahead in his life. During the Hero Show held for the customers at his department store, he was forcibly made to perform to attract more people’s attention. In doing so, he felt an indescribable passion which awakened a sense within him. The enthusiasm in his heart made him believe he was the one to protect the world, thus he began to compete against the top-ranked martial artists on an even playing field. After all, is that not what men of mystery are meant to do? Even today, we have a comment from our Senior colleague!

NIN: He was born of this initial desire: “Skeletons, we want a design that uses bones.” Though his original rough draft design was named “Rubberman,” maybe it was because his full bodysuit resembled rubber…?

Finally, to round out the EX1 characters, we have Garuda, who is connected to the Satsui no Hado!

Private Nakagawa: Satsui no Hado and Psycho Power are akin to each other, and the billowing energies of darkness are seemingly alive in the world.

Basic Info:

Name: Garuda
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Blood Type: Unknown
Birthday: Unknown
Country of Origin: Japan?
Likes: Unknown
Dislikes: Unknown

Private Nakagawa: A demon who is burdened by the souls of martial artists who have been absorbed by the Satsui No Hado. Negative emotions, such as anger, are the dark energies it’s composed of. He was once a hero who saved his village, before becoming a demon himself.

NIN: Anyhow, he has blades hidden all over his body. Cool! That was the impression we had about his concept. Initially focusing on the blades, I believed one hit would be “crushing!” since it was something I felt was trivial, which I hated, but once we decided to test out his multi-hitting super, I started to feel more comfortable with him.

That wraps up all of the Profiles for the characters who debuted in the first Street Fighter EX. You can check out our coverage of the other EX character profiles here.

Source: CFN Portal; [thanks to Miðgarðsorm and bakfromon for translations]