Kan-Ra Kicks Ice, Takes Souls in Killer Instinct Reveal Trailer

Microsoft Studios has just given us our first look at Killer Instinct’s next fighter, Kan-Ra, in action courtesy of a special reveal trailer.

A Babylonian sorcerer cursed with an eternal rot, Kan-Ra will be bringing his magical arsenal to Iron Galaxy Studios’ season of content next week. While not a mummy in the strictest sense of the word, this soulstealer definitely doles out his fair share of damage by way of his numerous wrappings and notably sandy attacks.

According to previous details, Kan-Ra will play dual roles as both a trap character and a grappler, with a repertoire that also includes interesting zoning tools and a variety of movement options, as displayed in his fight against Glacius below.

But enough talk! Give the trailer (and its accompanying screenshots) some of your time and let us know what you think. Stay tuned until the end for a special sneak peek at series veteran Riptor.

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Kan-Ra will be available on November 24 for owners of Killer Instinct’s Ultra Edition, while players who decided to go with the Combo Breaker package will have to wait until November 30. For a closer look before his official release, be sure to check out Microsoft’s special live broadcast later today, which will show off even more gameplay for this upcoming character.

Source: Xbox via NeoGAF

Super Arcade Thursday Weekly feat. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Killer Instinct, and Capcom vs. SNK 2 Streaming Live

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The folks over at Super Arcade have just gone live with their Thursday night weekly. This is another installment of their brand new tournament series, marking yet another chapter in the venue’s history as they strike off on their own.

Similar to The Runback, tonight will see competition in both Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Killer Instinct, along with Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax should there be enough interest.

Also, a special treat, they will be running a tournament for Capcom vs. SNK 2 in preparation for 37 Reloaded this weekend. Fighting game legend BAS is reportedly in town, so it should be quite a show!

The stream has been included below, but you can also visit Twitch if you prefer to chat with other viewers. Full brackets have been made available through Challonge.

Watch live video from SuperDojo on www.twitch.tv

Source: Super Dojo

Get to Smashing! Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Now Available on Nintendo eShop

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Yes, the time is finally here: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is now available in North America through the Nintendo eShop. While the handheld version served as a great warm-up, tonight’s release is sure to serve as the main source of competition.

If you took advantage of Nintendo’s pre-download program, you should be able to patch Super Smash Bros. for Wii U with the last bit of unlocking data you need to play it. Those of you outside that camp, however, will need to purchase the game digitally or wait until tomorrow morning to pick up a physical copy.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will continue its release campaign into Europe and Japan on November 28 and December 6, respectively.

Are you among those already playing this new installment? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Churning the Butter #14 feat. Ultra Street Fighter IV Streaming Live from San Francisco, California

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Over the past few months, Northern California has been stepping their collective game up with regards to consistent events, and one of the big groups behind all this is competitive gaming organization ShowDown. Their weekly Churning the Butter tournament has only been running for a couple weeks, and yet they are garnering a player base on par with other local tournaments around the country. And, as we highlighted in videos from their second outing, some fantastic talent is showing up to throw down and improve their own game.

Tonight, they have once again taken over Folsom Street Foundry in San Francisco, California to put on an Ultra Street Fighter IV tournament for the regional players. If you’re interested in seeing what the NorCal cats have up their sleeves, be sure to check out the stream below and show your support. You can also head on over to Twitch if you prefer to chat.

Watch live video from showdowngg on www.twitch.tv

Want to check these tournaments out for yourself? Well, you’re in luck, because even if you missed out this week, Churning the Butter is held every Thursday at 8 PM PDT during ShowDown’s game night at Folsom Street Foundry. The group also plans to eventually get a ranbat series off the ground at the same venue, so stay tuned for more.

Source: ShowDown

Ultra Street Fighter IV’s 3rd Strike Representatives Gaining Parries, Counters, and More in Omega Mode

Another Thursday night means another round of Omega details from producer Tomoaki Ayano. Similar to past breakdowns, his latest post provides us a quick look at the interesting changes coming to a handful of characters in Ultra Street Fighter IV’s unique remix mode.

This time around, the game’s Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike characters get in on the action, receiving parries, counters, feints, and more in the process. Massive grappler Hugo has even been given a Shoryuken-esque move that can be FADC’ed into his Ultra 2 for huge damage.

Check out the full list of updates below and let us know what you think.

Ibuki

Kagenui: Throw a kunai at your opponent’s feet to stop them in their tracks.

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Since Ibuki is a character that specializes in attacking on the ground using her command normal and target combos, I feel that Kagenui will give her another viable option for her ground-based attack game.

The EX version of Kagenui uses two bars of super meter and turns into Yami Shigure!

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This was a major part of Ibuki’s 3rd Strike arsenal, and it’s finally making a return in Omega Edition!

Ibuki has also received sweeping changes to her command normals, regular moves, and special moves, and her target combos have been changed up too.

My inspiration: More bang for your buck!

Dudley

Sway: We’ve changed Dudley’s Short Swing Blow into a follow-up move, and in return we’re giving him Sway and Sway Back. Sway is done with the light attack. He has upper-body invincibility while he’s posing.

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The medium and fierce versions will give him Sway Back. It’s a much bigger Sway with throw invincibility! Press a punch button during Sway for a new move, Cutting Upper, or press punch during Sway Back for Short Swing Blow.

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Pressing a kick button during Sway or Sway Back will give you Step In. It has projectile invincibility and is better than Ducking for really getting in there.

It’s not easy to tell from looking at the pictures, but we really wanted to emphasize Dudley’s boxing skills in Omega Edition, so we’ve added feint moves, which I think will make him more fun to play.

My inspiration: A very technical heavyweight champion!

Makoto

In Omega Edition, we really wanted Tanden Renki to be used more offensively, so Makoto can now do it with two or more bars of super meter! The startup time and duration will change depending on how much meter she has when she activates it.

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While active, all of her special moves (with the exception of Karakusa) will be modified for offensive use, and even her basic movements will change!

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Performing a Focus Attack during Tanden Renki will give her the Kumoharai, armor that protects her from damage and eliminates block and hit stun when receiving an attack. It’s a parry-like move similar to Ryu’s Hanagashi.

Isana: Makoto steps in and delivers a powerful headbutt. It doesn’t have a lot of reach but it can be used in combos. It breaks armor and is faster than Oroshi, so it should be useful for keeping your opponent in check.

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For Omega, we wanted to make Makoto into a character who unleashes her true potential once she’s in Tanden Renki, like Hakan does when he’s oiled up. Her new offensive moves mean that she can be really scary once she starts to put the pressure on! Omega Makoto is one character that won’t be afraid of getting all up in her opponent’s business!

My inspiration: This homegirl is so angry, she’s turned beet-red.

Yun

Shukuchi Rimon Chochu: Press F, F, Punch for this unique quick elbow strike.

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Although the commands make this move look like a command normal, it’s actually a special move and can be canceled into accordingly. This move works well with Yun’s Genei Jin super, and it should be fun integrating it into his combos.

During the EX version, press two punch buttons after it hits for Renkan Shoko.

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It uses an extra bar of meter, but it’ll launch the opponent, leaving you set up to perform some prime follow-up attacks.

I feel like this move might become the basis of Yun’s combos and offense. His existing moves have changed as well, so you’ll have new ways to play whether you’re on the ground or in the air.

My inspiration: A freestyle kung fu artist!

Yang

Rengeki Tourouha

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EX Tourouzan uses two bars of meter and on hit becomes a powerful multi-hit striking move! It deals a lot of damage and can be comboed into, making this a move you’ll definitely want to use.

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Honshin: A counter move. The attack changes based on the strength of the button pressed, and the EX version also has another variation. If you get a good read on your opponent’s attack patterns, you can use this move to turn the tables in an instant! It feels great to make a good read and get a solid counter-attack in, don’t you think?

My inspiration: Yang reading his opponent’s every move!

Hugo

Victory Column: We weren’t quite sure what we wanted to do with Hugo in Omega. So the first step, naturally, was to give him a Shoryuken. The EX version is completely invincible.

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This can be FADC’ed into his Ultra 2!

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Time for a royal smackdown!

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Diamond Body: A counter move with armor properties, similar to a parry. Like Ryu’s Hanagashi, it eliminates any hit or block stun, and Hugo will be able to perform moves afterwards with additional inputs.

Hugo’s huge body makes it difficult for him to put up much of a defense if his opponent goes into rushdown mode, so in Omega we wanted to expand his defensive options so that he can be menacing even while standing still.

My inspiration: A titan hovering above us.

Elena

Sylph Amulet: A super combo that calls upon the power of nature!

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The power of wind draws the opponent in…

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…and an explosion of force sends them flying! It doesn’t do a lot of damage but it’s completely invincible, so it’s sure to be useful in close-range battles. There’s something else to this move…but I think I’ll let you figure out what that is on your own.

Giraffe Neck: Elena goes into a handstand and performs a downward-angled kick with both feet.

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Elena’s specialty is mid-hitting attacks, and this is a move that’s very difficult to get a good read on. A good fit for Elena, I’d say.

Omega Elena is good at getting past the opponent’s defenses using mid and low attacks. We’ve also adjusted her existing moves to give her more flavor. We really like the balance job we’ve done with our energetic, stretchy friend!

My inspiration: Godlike feet.

 

Source: Capcom-Unity

Skullgirls Encore Arcade Location Tests Scheduled for November 28-30 in Japan

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Last year, it was revealed that Skullgirls would appear in Japanese arcades courtesy of Taito’s NESiCAxLive network. While it was originally scheduled to release in August 2013, that month and those that followed came and went without any updated information about the title. Fortunately, news broke today that should definitely reignite the hopes of the indie fighter’s eastern following.

According to a recent announcement, Japanese publisher M2 will be holding special Skullgirls Encore location tests at Osaka’s Taito Station and Akihabara Hey in Tokyo the weekend of November 28. This will allow fans to get their hands on the port and provide feedback on how well it has transitioned from consoles to arcade.

While no word has been given as to when Skullgirls Encore will officially release in arcades, this is definitely a huge step towards achieving that goal.

Source: M2 via Skullheart, tips via JJK and Zid

UltraChen TV Streaming Live – Community Happenings, Classic Game Primers, and More

UltraChen TV is back with yet another broadcast, and a whole new slate of topics to discuss. Tonight, UltraDavid and James Chen will be discussing Absolute Battle 5, CACOMP Arena 7, Level|Up Series’ most recent online Killer Instinct tournament, the latest Super Smash Bros. for 3DS patch, and more.

They will also be devoting time to teaching the basics of Capcom vs. SNK 2, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, and possibly Marvel vs. Capcom 2 in preparation for 37 Reloaded this weekend.

If you’re interested in this topic, be sure to tune in and check the show out. The stream will be live in this article, but you can also visit Twitch to join the chat.

Watch live video from ultrachentv on www.twitch.tv

Source: UltraChen TV, featured image courtesy of Kara “Karaface” Leung

Smash @ Xanadu feat. Project M Streaming Live

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The folks over at VG Bootcamp recently went live with another installment of Smash @ Xanadu from Xanadu Games in Baltimore, Maryland. These weekly broadcasts provide a great look at the region’s Smash community, and tonight’s installment will feature competition in the latest version of popular Super Smash Bros. Brawl mod Project M.

If you’re interested in some Smash Bros. action, be sure to tune in. The stream is live below, but you can also head on over to Twitch to join the chat.

Watch live video from VGBootCamp on www.twitch.tv

Source: VG Bootcamp

Latest Super Smash Bros. for 3DS Patch is Now Live

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With its Wii U counterpart readying to ship later this week, Nintendo has launched the latest patch for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS.

This is the fourth such update since the game’s release, and also the fourth to tout changes to its balance without further details. A few reports are already starting to come in that Rosalina & Luma’s spawn time has been increased, Yoshi’s teleport has been removed, and Greninja can no longer charge his side special during down-air, among others, but nothing concrete has yet to find its way online.

You can download this update by visiting the Nintendo eShop, but be aware that your replays from earlier versions will no longer work after the patch is applied.

Source: Nintendo via Reddit

Indianapolis Colts Player Does His Best Dhalsim Impression for Touchdown Celebration

Apart from fighting games, American football is probably my longest-running interest. It was nearly impossible not to be in my household, full of excited family members cheering on teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Minnesota Vikings, and that passion has stuck with me for the past two decades.

That’s why when Indianapolis Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo scored a touchdown and immediately broke into a special dance during his team’s losing effort to the New England Patriots last night, I was stunned. Something about it was incredibly familiar but for some reason I could not place where I had seen it before.

Fortunately, not everyone is as absent-minded as me. As archival footage began to find its way online through official National Football League sources, word began to spread that a football player had imitated Dhalsim during a scoring celebration. I was equal parts embarrassed that my many years of playing Street Fighter hadn’t ingrained the yogi’s iconic dance into my mind and relieved that I finally had my answer.

If you’re not much of a football fan, you’ll find a quick look at Castonzo’s celebration below. The full play can be found here.

YES THAT JUST HAPPENED! #NEvsIND #BringTheNoise

A video posted by Indianapolis Colts (@colts) on

How do you think he did?

Sources: Colts (1, 2) via Bleacher Report, tip via Buddha’s Weapon, feature image courtesy of The Indianapolis Star