Everyone has a fighting chance
The folks over at VGBootCamp 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, with tonight’s stream focusing entirely on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
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: VGBootCamp
Earlier today, NetherRealm Studios provided us our very first look at how Mortal Kombat X’s next round of characters will play. While not much, we are able to glean bits and pieces of their techniques from the brief bit of footage.
Much like the rest of the cast, these newcomers will have three different variations to choose from. Leatherface appears to have a mixture of hand-to-hand combat and (obviously) chainsaw attacks, with one variant possibly paying homage to the iconic ending of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre; Triborg will have fighting styles based on the cyborgs combined within him; Bo’ Rai Cho is all about the gross-out attacks, with one variation apparently focused on staff attacks; and, finally, Alien will be able to use Baraka’s arm-blades or call in backup from others of its kind.
But we want to hear from you. Which of these characters seems most exciting to you? We’ve set up a quick poll below along with the aforementioned gameplay video, so check it out and cast your vote. Be sure to visit our comments as well and let us know why you chose the cast member you did.
Olympic Gaming returns with their second Ultra Street Fighter IV player spotlight for 2016. This time, they take a look at Florida-based Balrog player, Brian “Bri4NF” Foster.
As with all of their spotlights, the video below highlights some of Bri4NF’s standout online matches against players like BrolyLegs and Team PIE’s Integra. For more background, check out the text interview in the video’s description.
Source: Olympic Gaming
After a successful crowdfunding campaign and years of work, FGC: Rise of the Fighting Game Community is finally ready for the public. Written, produced, and edited entirely by Hold Back to Block’s Esteban Martinez, this documentary focuses its camera on our community, the individuals that make it what it is, and more.
Interested parties have a couple of options available to them. First, buying the film outright will cost at least $9.99 (though you can give more if you’re generous), with rental copies available for $4. While the latter merely opens up a streaming version of the film, the full purchase comes with a handful of extended interviews as well as more convenient viewing options. Check out the official website for all the details.
If you’re still on the fence, we’ve provided some of our thoughts below the trailer.
For some time, it felt like fighting game documentaries were a dime a dozen. That’s not to say films like King of Chinatown or I Got Next weren’t compelling, but everyone seemed to have it in their heads that they had something new or exciting to say about our scene that hadn’t been said before.
Enter the newest contender, FGC: Rise of the Fighting Game Community. The cumulative product of Hold Back to Block’s excellent tournament work, this documentary promised to answer the question, “What is the FGC?” But did it succeed?
FGC is perhaps the most personal fighting game documentary we’ve seen thus far, thanks in part to Martinez’ experience with tournament interviews. Apart from retreading familiar (and sometimes tired) motifs, the film shines when zeroed in on competitor Steve “LordKnight” Barthelemy and East Coast Throwdown tournament organizers Joe “LI Joe” Ciaramelli and John “Sweet Johnny Cage” Gallagher.
Barthelemy’s importance to the overall narrative is also an important one, as it marks one of the few opportunities these documentaries have taken to shine a light on sub-communities outside of Street Fighter or Marvel. His story of transitioning from a low-key interest in the genre to competing in Smash and then moving to BlazBlue, Persona, and beyond offers us a different perspective that many similar films gloss over.
Their struggles and triumphs are relatable, not just in a memetic fashion but a personal one. Most of us have felt the pain of working towards a goal only to fall just short of achieving victory or the loss that comes with giving up a part of yourself to pursue new accomplishments. These are stories not only of the fighting game community, but their telling through the lens of our collected experience makes them that much more tangible.
Without a doubt, FGC: Rise of the Fighting Game Community is worthy of your time, whether you’re a casual fan or attended B3. While many of our readers probably don’t need to hear another story about how awesome Chinatown Fair was, the front-row seat this documentary provides to its subjects’ journeys is going to be hard to top.
Shoryuken was provided a screener of the film in order to give this review.
My Smash Corner has been bringing the community high quality Super Smash Bros. for Wii U strategy videos since the game released back in 2014. In their latest, the Smash mastermind packs in loads of useful information surrounding how to best wield Cloud’s buster sword.
The video below covers approach and recovery options along with plenty of combos. These include everything from short hop fast fall up air followers to low percentage kill combos to methods for using up special to meteor opponents.
If you’re looking to give Cloud a swing or just strengthen your sword arm, give this guide a watch.
Source: My Smash Corner via Smash Boards
In a brand new Street Fighter V video, Avernaus shares a strange interaction with Zangief’s aerial spinning pile driver, the Borscht Dynamite. While the command throw in question should only hit opponents in the air, it seems that the EX version of said move can also grab crouching opponents on wakeup.
Take note that, as this is from an unlicensed version of the beta, it may be an unintended glitch or bug. Still, it’s interesting enough to keep in mind, so feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.
Source: Avernaus via Brown Leather Guy
Yesterday, the folks at NetherRealm Studios released a small teaser for the upcoming Kombat Pack 2: a simple screenshot of Triborg impaling Sub-Zero with chest-fired harpoons. While this glimpse at the upcoming addition to the game’s cast certainly whet the appetites of those awaiting the Kombat Pack’s release, it offered nothing in comparison to the gameplay trailer that just dropped.
Moments ago, NRS unveiled a first look at how all four upcoming DLC characters–Leatherface, the Xenomorph, Triborg and Bo’ Rai Cho–will go about beating their opponents to a bloody pulp. To take a first glimpse at the new fighters, be sure to check out the video below.
Mortal Kombat X’s Kombat Pack 2 updates will release periodically throughout 2016. Stay tuned for more info.
Source: Mortal Kombat
Last summer, Arc System Works announced that it was releasing a localized version of Lab Zero Games’ Skullgirls 2nd Encore for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in Japan. Originally set to release this January, the port has now been delayed.
According to the publisher, the release date has been moved back from January 28 to March 10. No specific reason for the delay was given other than “quality improvements.”
Design director Mike “Mike Z” Zaimont, however, has stated that they are still addressing bugs in the PlayStation Vita version. He also confirmed that the handheld port will go global sometime after it lands in Japan.
While Skullgirls 2nd Encore for PlayStation 4 is already prevalent in other parts of the world, Arc System Works’ publishing will mark the first time the game’s additional content has been playable in Japan outside of arcades. Sadly, those eager to check out the impressive localized voice cast will have to wait a bit longer.
Sources: Arc System Works, Skullheart
When Street Fighter V’s last beta phase ended last December, many assumed that this would be their last chance to play the game before release. However, it seems that there is another way to get your hands on it–provided you live near a GameStop, that is.
According reports from both r/StreetFighter and our own forums, a demo version of Street Fighter V is now playable at select GameStop locations around the United States.
The demo itself is running on the PlayStation 4 and only allows for one player to fight against the computer. Additionally, only six characters are currently playable: Ryu, Karin, Necalli, Zangief, Nash and Birdie.
NeoHeir, who originally passed this information along on Reddit, has shared a video showing the demo in action.
Take note that not all GameStops will have the demo. If you know of one near you that does, feel free to share its location in the comments.
Sources: r/StreetFighter, Shoryuken forums
When Street Fighter V’s last beta phase ended last December, many assumed that this would be their last chance to play the game before release. However, it seems that there is another way to get your hands on it–provided you live near a GameStop, that is.
According reports from both r/StreetFighter and our own forums, a demo version of Street Fighter V is now playable at select GameStop locations around the United States.
The demo itself is running on the PlayStation 4 and only allows for one player to fight against the computer. Additionally, only six characters are currently playable: Ryu, Karin, Necalli, Zangief, Nash and Birdie.
NeoHeir, who originally passed this information along on Reddit, has shared a video showing the demo in action.
Take note that not all GameStops will have the demo. If you know of one near you that does, feel free to share its location in the comments.
Sources: r/StreetFighter, Shoryuken forums