Author: Sam "Trilby" Foxall

Production on the Smash Box is progressing well and Hit Box have just released a video update, detailing some of the new additions and features that the controller will launch with next January. The biggest change has been a shift in button layout, moving the eight button column as well as the C-Stick buttons for maximum comfort. The Smash Box now also has two extra buttons, bringing its button count to 32.

For dedicated players who want to save the perfect angles for recovering back to stage or DIing, the Smash Box now allows you to save custom angle profiles via in-built software. When combined with button remapping, Smash Box users can totally customize the experience to fit their play-style. There are even plans for players to be able to download angle and button profiles from other Smash Box users, if you want to try out someone’s settings.

The specter of tournament legality continues to hang around the Smash Box, so Hit Box have created special tournament verification software which can check the custom settings of each controller. TOs can then check that each Smash Box is following the regulations of their event, and stop any funny business that could be happening under the hood.

Source: Hit Box

Bandai Namco are looking to strengthen their grip on the anime world, as a new teaser site looks to be hinting at a new My Hero Academia game. At the moment, the teaser site simply shows an animation of an egg in a microwave, and then a countdown to December 4th.

Now before you ask, there is a link between this seemingly random animation and the new top dog of shonen anime. First off, My Hero Academia protagonist Izuku Midoriya uses the image of an egg not exploding in a microwave to regulate the power of his Quirk, One for All. If that’s not enough, the page URL is “mhaoj” which more than likely stands for My Hero Academia, and then a two word subtitle starting with the letters O and J.

The next question you’ll no doubt ask is how does this link to fighting games? Well, one of the only My Hero Academia games on the market is a 3DS title called My Hero Academia: Battle for All, which is a 3D beat ’em up/arena fighter in the style of the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm games. Battle for All was a Japan-only title and seeing as My Hero Academia has become very popular in the West, it stands to reason that Bandai Namco could be porting or upgrading this fighter for Western audiences.

When you also factor in the massive hype around Dragon Ball FighterZ, bringing out another fighting game based around another immensely popular anime is a license to print money. In any case, expect an official reveal for this My Hero Academia game on December 4th — with the possibility of it being shown off in full at Jump Festa two weeks later.

Sources: Bandai Namco Japan; Jump Festa

Bandai Namco are looking to strengthen their grip on the anime world, as a new teaser site looks to be hinting at a new My Hero Academia game. At the moment, the teaser site simply shows an animation of an egg in a microwave, and then a countdown to December 4th.

Now before you ask, there is a link between this seemingly random animation and the new top dog of shonen anime. First off, My Hero Academia protagonist Izuku Midoriya uses the image of an egg not exploding in a microwave to regulate the power of his Quirk, One for All. If that’s not enough, the page URL is “mhaoj” which more than likely stands for My Hero Academia, and then a two word subtitle starting with the letters O and J.

The next question you’ll no doubt ask is how does this link to fighting games? Well, one of the only My Hero Academia games on the market is a 3DS title called My Hero Academia: Battle for All, which is a 3D beat ’em up/arena fighter in the style of the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm games. Battle for All was a Japan-only title and seeing as My Hero Academia has become very popular in the West, it stands to reason that Bandai Namco could be porting or upgrading this fighter for Western audiences.

When you also factor in the massive hype around Dragon Ball FighterZ, bringing out another fighting game based around another immensely popular anime is a license to print money. In any case, expect an official reveal for this My Hero Academia game on December 4th — with the possibility of it being shown off in full at Jump Festa two weeks later.

Sources: Bandai Namco Japan; Jump Festa

Ahead of Capcom Cup next month, Team Allegiance are entering the Street Fighter scene by signing top US Laura player, Gustavo “801 Strider” Romero. Strider just made it into Capcom Cup following his performance at Canada Cup, earning him a chance to show the strength of Matsuda Jiu-Jitsu on the big stage.

Our FGC team is growing as we welcome the amazing Street Fighter player @801_Gustavo to Allegiance!! #ALGFam ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/AT9mSfcLyo

— Allegiance (@TeamAllegiance) November 26, 2017

This will be Strider’s second Capcom Cup appearance; he made it into the final 32 for Capcom Cup 2015 with the grappling Frenchman Abel. Hopefully Laura’s electrifying offense will see Strider making it further into the bracket. He also has the bonus of currently being the only Laura at Capcom Cup 2017 — unless Idom or Wolfkrone make it through via the Last Chance Qualifier.

Fun fact about the Allegiance team, all of its three FGC members (Strider, Evo 2017 and ELEAGUE champion Dragon and Canada’s best Captain Falcon None) play characters who have electric/lightning-based attacks. Lighting apparently strikes thrice for Team Allegiance.

Source: Allegiance

Looking to splash out on some Street Fighter merchandise this holiday season? Well, Japanese jewelry store U-Treasure has recently come out with their own line of Street Fighter-themed jewelry and skateboards. Don’t go reaching your Fight Money just yet though, as you’ll need to have won Capcom Cup just to afford some of the products on offer.

The skateboards are Street Fighter V themed, with one showing Akuma, the other Rashid and F.A.N.G, and the last one depicting Ryu and Chun-Li. The most expensive pieces in this line are 18-carat gold necklaces, earrings and rings, inspired by characters from Street Fighter: there are gold versions of Guile’s dog tags, Chun-Li’s spiked bracelets, Ryu’s gloves, Dhalsim’s skull necklace and Zangief’s belt. An 18-carat gold ring in the shape of Blanka’s head takes the cake though — costing 756,000 yen (around $6770).

For Street Fighters on a budget, you can plump for the silver version of each item, with each one costing about a tenth of the gold version. Personally, I’ll stick to spending my hard-earned cash on the next 50 Chun-Li costumes.

Source: U-Treasure

Killer Instinct is still thriving in Brazil, with the KI Brasil League seeing top players fighting to prove the country’s best player. After eight ranking tournaments, the inaugural league will come to a close with one final bracket, made up of eight of Brazil’s best players.

This Saturday (november 25th) Don't miss the finale for the Killer Instinct Brasil League! 8 players battle it out in this grand conclusion to the KI Brasil League! 7 PM EST on https://t.co/ryyu5lx22e pic.twitter.com/Rw6nFqwuPN

— ST Lemon ? (@ST_LemonHunter) November 20, 2017

The finals are going to be a showdown between Brasil League TOs ShameTeam and rival faction FX, to see which group is the dominant force within Latin America. The qualified players are as follows:

• ST|LemonHunter
• ST|Veronezi
• ST|AlphaDengeki
• FX|Kurama
• FX|Lengalenga
• FX|Alielton
• FX|Kaikss
• FX|Alighelton

All the action will be streamed over on the ShameTeam Twitch channel, starting this Saturday at 8pm EST. If you’re looking to see more top-level Killer Instinct from an under-represented region, make sure to tune in!

Source: ST_LemonHunter