Category: Fighting Games

Since his emergence during Evo 2010’s Super Street Fighter IV tournament, AVerMedia’s Bruce “GamerBee” Hsiang has been a dominant force in the global fighting game scene. Hsiang, who performs at high levels with the fairly underutilized Adon, can be counted on to bring intensity to any competition he decides to enter.

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of Hsiang in the United States after last year’s Evolution, where he placed just outside of top eight after losses to Keita “Fuudo” Ai of Razer and HORI’s Sako Naoto, but that’s all about to change.

This weekend, the Taiwanese competitor will once again make a return to the United States, kicking off a tour whose itinerary sees him taking part in SXSW Gaming’s Fighters Invitational (streaming live now!), Final Round 18, and NorCal Regionals 2015. While the former is all about the cash and prestige, the two latter events give Hsiang the opportunity to qualify outright for Capcom Pro Tour 2015.

But he won’t just be bringing his incredible fighting game prowess with him. AVerMedia plans to run promotions for their Ultra Street Fighter IV Live Gamer Portable (check our review here) during Hsiang’s stateside visit, the first of which is scheduled to take place during Final Round. Stay tuned for more details.

With the tournament season at full steam, it’s great to see international talent once again making their way across the globe to compete against the United States’ cadre of high-level players. Let us know how you think Hsiang will fare in the comments.

(Special thanks to AVerMedia’s Kelvin Jeon for these details.)

Mad Catz’ Ultra Street Fighter IV-branded Tournament Edition 2 arcade stick isn’t the only peripheral to come up for pre-order on Amazon recently; players in the market for a brand new controller can now snatch up one of the company’s basic models as well.

This variant of the stick comes with blue sides and blue art, similar to the Japan exclusive Tournament Edition 2 Yellow. Unlike that version, however, this one comes with a black balltop and Dark Hai buttons from Sanwa.

Aside from these changes, this Tournament Edition 2 comes with all the same features as the other, game-themed variants, such as the opening top panel and easy-to-change art.

The arcade stick, which is compatible with both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, can be pre-ordered on Amazon for $199.99. It’s expected to start shipping on May 30.

Source: Amazon

Ever since it was first announced, players have been patiently anticipating the next arcade revision to Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-. Fortunately, it looks like they won’t have to wait much longer, as Arc System Works recently announced the patch will be applied on March 19.

Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-‘s ver.1.10 update brings with it the three previously console exclusive characters–Sin Kiske, Elphelt Valentine, and Leo Whitefang–as well as a plethora of system and balance changes.

Our previous report covered a handful of adjustments that were present during location tests, but details on what will be included in this final release have yet to be divulged. Similarly, there is still no word on when this update will arrive on consoles.

Source: Arc System Works via Ho-chan

The previous generation releases for Mortal Kombat X will be delayed to this summer, according to reports from VideoGamer.

While we received some exciting news regarding a playable Jason Voorhees earlier this morning, these unfortunate details regarding the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the upcoming title creates a weird inversion on the “every cloud has a silver lining” idiom.

NetherRealm Studios’ Ed Boon made sure to point out soon after Mortal Kombat X was revealed that his team is focusing solely on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One releases, and today’s statement mentions that development on older consoles is being handled by High Voltage Software. This studio was previously responsible for bringing Injustice: Gods Among Us to PC.

These details come shortly after the Amazon listing for these past platforms was updated with a June release date.

Mortal Kombat X will still release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on April 14.

Source: VideoGamer via GameSpot

Jason Voorhees, star of the classic Friday the 13th horror movie franchise, will be playable in Mortal Kombat X as a guest character.

NetherRealm Studios has revealed that the machete-wielding killer will be one of four downloadable characters included in the game’s Kombat Pack, which will include another guest fighter and two classic cast members from the Mortal Kombat franchise.

This bundle will also include the Samurai Pack, consisting of three new character skins–Ronin Kenshi, Samurai Shinnok and Jingu Kitana–as well as costume packages with each additional playable character. Those who buy the Kombat Pack will also gain early access to future content.

All of this is included with the various special editions of Mortal Kombat X or as a separate purchase for $29.99.

Mortal Kombat X launches on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on April 14. In the meantime, check out the quick teaser for Jason below.

Source: NetherRealm Studios via Test Your Might

While official confirmation that Johnny Cage will be playable in Mortal Kombat X arrived just this morning, we already have some great gameplay details regarding his variations courtesy of Polygon, who sat down with the game at Game Developers Conference 2015.

First up, A-List Johnny Cage is able to charge a variety of both normal and special moves, increasing their damage while at the same time lengthening their start-up.

The Fisticuffs fighting style, on the other hand, outfits Mr. Cage with a pair of brass knuckles. A power-up unique to this variation pushes the damage of certain attacks higher and grants access to different combo opportunities.

Finally, Stunt Double gives the veteran a spectral image that performs his signature attacks for him, perhaps similar to the way Kenshi handled in 2011’s Mortal Kombat, and limits him to one horizontal fireball instead of the arcing duo for which he’s come to be known.

But don’t worry, Johnny’s iconic slide and groin-punching attacks will be available across all three variations.

For a deeper look at how the story begins, be sure to give some love to Polygon’s original article.

Mortal Kombat X is scheduled to release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on April 14.

Source: Polygon via Test Your Might

With the competitive season now in full swing, multiple tournament weekends are starting to arrive and complicate already busy schedules. In order to help spectators at home get the most out of their viewing experiences over the next few days, we’ve decided to break down two upcoming events, along with streams and adjusted schedules for folks outside of the regional time zones.

Nine States Tournament 2015 – Fukuoka, Japan

Hosted by Fukuoka Gamers Club, this year’s installment of the Nine States Tournament has received some added spotlight thanks to its inclusion on the Capcom Pro Tour. As a ranking event, high placers will be rewarded with points towards their overall circuit position, giving them an early edge in the standings.

This has, as you would guess, brought a ton of Ultra Street Fighter IV talent out of the woodwork, including Infiltration, Poongko, BIGDANMUL, Pugera, NISHIKIN, Akimo, Amiyu, MIzoteru, Michael-tan, Dunhill, and Fukuoka Gamers Clubs’ own Pepeday.

While all of the main tournament action is scheduled for Sunday, the event will also be home to a special 5-on-5 team tournament the day before. The full schedule can be found below.

Folks watching at home should be sure to tune into Tough Cookie TV, as they will be the main and only broadcast for this event.

SXSW Gaming Fighters Invitational – Austin, Texas

Here in the states, however, the action is scheduled to begin a day earlier with SXSW Gaming’s Fighters Invitational. The first of its kind, this high-stakes competition will bring together sixteen of the world’s top Ultra Street Fighter IV players, all of whom will be vying for a portion of the $20,000 prize pool.

The players invited to compete in this event include Kun “RZR|Xian” Ho, Hajime “MCZ|Tokido” Taniguchi, Darryl “Snake Eyez” Lewis, TSC|Sanford Kelly, Eduardo “EG|PR Balrog” Perez, Long “pH|LPN” Nguyen, Kenneth “EG|KBrad” Bradley, EG|Yusuke Momochi, Du “TL|Nuckledu” Dang, Ryota “Kazunoko” Inoue, EG|Ricky Ortiz, Ryan “Prodigal Son” Hart, EG|Justin Wong, DL|Hamad Akbar, Bruce “AVM|GamerBee” Hsiang, and MCZ|Daigo Umehara.

With such a refined group of players gathered from all across the globe, this event is sure to provide some ridiculously hype moments. You’ll find a full schedule below and, if that’s not deatiled enough, a down-to-the-match timeline can be found through the event’s official website.

Spectating this tournament in person is completely free of charge if you register for a guest pass, and a stream will be provided through Twitch.

With these stacked tournaments on the horizon, how do you think they will play out? Let us know in the comments!

Sources: Fukuoka Gamers Club, Beast of the East, Capcom Pro Tour, SXSW Gaming