Northwest Majors likes to call itself the “Pacific Northwest’s Premier Tournament,” and considering how well last year went, it’s easy to see why! The airdasher-dominated major is returning with its ninth installment at Highline College in Seattle. NWM’s announcement is mixed with both standard big name games and hints at some surprise events.
Please join us on April 7-9 for #NWM9's featured titles Street Fighter V Guilty Gear Xrd BlazBlue Skullgirls Killer Instinct Tekken TT2 pic.twitter.com/gJhuRXUxtg
Early bird registration for the event opened at midnight on the 13th, and will only remain open for 48 hours. You can find more details for the event here. You can see last year’s results here.
In the original reveal of Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers for Nintendo Switch, the footage snuck in a brief moment of first-person gameplay. It was initially unclear if that snippet was directly related to USFII, or was instead a hint of something else down the road in Street Fighter’s 30th anniversary year. Based on this leaked image of USFII’s package art, it appears that it was indeed a peek at a Switch-exclusive first-person mode, called “Unleash! Ha-Do-Ken.” (波Do拳 instead of the iconic move’s name 波動拳, preceded by “release” or “fire.”)
As little as we have to go on here, it suggests the mode is (as was speculated) a mini-game of sorts in which we battle Shadaloo soldiers, set apart from the main USFII title–possibly more like a rail-shooter than a fighting game? Also notable as indicated–presuming this box art is genuine–are the inclusion of a Street Fighter art gallery, and that the title is running on MT Framework in some capacity.
Check out the official reveal trailer for Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers here, or read Corey “Missing Person” Lanier’s concerns about how the game will stack up to its legacy in his editorial here. While it may not prove to be a significant competitive title, it looks like USFII will still offer some interesting content to Street Fighter fans.
In the original reveal of Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers for Nintendo Switch, the footage snuck in a brief moment of first-person gameplay. It was initially unclear if that snippet was directly related to USFII, or was instead a hint of something else down the road in Street Fighter’s 30th anniversary year. Based on this leaked image of USFII’s package art, it appears that it was indeed a peek at a Switch-exclusive first-person mode, called “Unleash! Ha-Do-Ken.” (波Do拳 instead of the iconic move’s name 波動拳, preceded by “release” or “fire.”)
As little as we have to go on here, it suggests the mode is (as was speculated) a mini-game of sorts in which we battle Shadaloo soldiers, set apart from the main USFII title–possibly more like a rail-shooter than a fighting game? Also notable as indicated–presuming this box art is genuine–are the inclusion of a Street Fighter art gallery, and that the title is running on MT Framework in some capacity.
Check out the official reveal trailer for Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers here, or read Corey “Missing Person” Lanier’s concerns about how the game will stack up to its legacy in his editorial here. While it may not prove to be a significant competitive title, it looks like USFII will still offer some interesting content to Street Fighter fans.
MASTERCUP (known for its 5v5 Tekken tournament series) has given us something to think about while we wait on June 2nd! Thanks to their organizational efforts, 20 top Japanese players have partnered together to form an official tier list for Version H of Tekken 7: Fated Retribution.
This list averages the character placings from these pros into the list below. Some previous top tiers (Steve, Hworang) have dropped slightly, whereas some shiny new faces have appeared at the top (Leo, Xiaoyu). Xiaoyu, in particular, is likely benefiting from the new engine, since she’s been gifted with arguably the best Rage Drive in the game. It’s amazing what an unseeable, safe, low combo starter can do for you on a 3D game’s tier list!
After taking a look at Kuruoshiki Oni on the day after Christmas, the Shadaloo Combat Research Institute has returned, with the first set of CFN Profiles for 2017. This time, the bosses of Final Fight 2, as well as another secret character from Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter take the spotlight. As always, they are faithfully reported by the loyal Private Nakagawa.
Released in 1993 for the SNES, this console-exclusive sequel tells the story of a second version of the Mad Gear Gang, revived by a Japanese villain named Retsu, who sought revenge for their previous defeat, by kidnapping the sister and father of Maki Genryusai, Guy’s fiancee. Haggar agrees to meet with Maki in Hong Kong to search for the Mad Gear’s new hideout in Eurasia. With Cody and Jessica on vacation and Guy currently on a training mission, the two are joined by a swordsman named Carlos Miyamoto, in order to save Maki’s family and finally put an end to the Mad Gear’s tyranny once and for all.
We’ll begin the profiles with the man-child from the Netherlands, Bratken.
Private Nakagawa: “His torn sleeves give him a wild appearance. He comes at you with hard, frightful, attacks, exactly as you would suppose at first glance. He has a gentle heart, actually … they say.
Basic Info:
Name: Bratken
Height: 205 cm
Weight: 197 kg
Blood type: A
Birthday: October 12th
Home Country: Netherlands
Likes: Mom, Toys
Dislikes: Those who disturb him while he’s playing
Private Nakagawa: “A simple-minded thug who causes damage because he doesn’t know his excessive strength. He lives in an old Dutch castle in the Netherlands, expressly arranged for him with a room full of toys. He attacks any intruder with his Bratken Punch and Bratken Kick. His best friend is a stuffed teddy bear.
Next up is the former Marine, Freddie.
Private Nakagawa: “The absence of sleeves gives him a wild appearance. He comes at you with wild attacks, exactly as you would suppose at first glance. His Hip Attack is particularly violent and scary! He’s an upright person with a strong sense of justice, actually … they say.”
Basic Info:
Name: Freddie
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 185 kg
Blood type: 0
Birthday: January 3rd
Home Country: USA
Likes: The Smell of the Battlefield, Meat
Dislikes: Tedious Jobs
Private Nakagawa: “A former member of the Marine Corps, now living in France. When he was a Marine, he opposed a corrupt commanding officer, who wanted to use the troops as if they were his own personal force. During military operations, her murdered his commander with a gun, while making it look like an accident. A brawl ensued and he was discharged. Afterwards, he took along with him some of his team members, and founded a group 0f wandering mercenaries, who enlisted with several different separated armies and took part in various conflicts and wars throughout the world. It seems he’s tied to a certain criminal gang, nowadays, I’ve heard…”
This brings us to the mad clown, Phillippe!
Private Nakagawa: “A face painted white, and a red nose. He’s a well-known and very popular circus ringmaster. But his true face is…”
Basic Info:
Name: Philippe
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Blood type: Unknown
Birthday: November 1st
Home Country: UK
Likes: Money-making, Acrobatics
Dislikes: Paying attention to others
Private Nakagawa: “The leader of a circus that travels throughout the world. He excels with animal acts, and is an entertainer who can amuse any crowd with his juggling abilities. But his true job is being the leader of a criminal group who transports and smuggles weapons, drugs and other illegal goods across borders. He rarely actually fights, but when he does, he makes good use of his trained body and his attacks with his cane and whip are particularly ferocious.”
We’ll now take a look at the territorial ex-sailor from Hong Kong, Won Won!
Private Nakagawa: “It’s written 王王 and pronounced Won Won. [Actually 王王 Wong⁶ Wong⁶ (“King King”) in Cantonese. “Won Won” is the Japanese spelling.] He’s a renowned gourmet, and enjoys cooking himself. It seems he likes recipes made with mǐxiàn. But you shouldn’t use a kitchen knife as a weapon, you know!”
Basic Info:
Name: Won Won
Height: 225 cm
Weight: 205 kg
Blood type: B
Birthday: February 12th
Home Country: Hong Kong
Likes: Alcohol, Eating Snacks with Tea in general [An activity known as 饮茶 yǐnchá in Mandarin, jam²caa⁴ in Cantonese. But perhaps many of us already know it with its japanised spelling… Yamcha.]
Dislikes: Food with a low degree of Freshness
Private Nakagawa: “A former sailor, hearty and strong. He considers Hong Kong’s harbor as his turf. Even the local mafia, The 800 Dragons, [a reference to “The 108 Dragons”, the main enemy in the manga and movie Crying Freeman. The original name is 百八竜 and they simply swapped the first two kanjis.] acknowledges that. He attacks brandishing his meat cleaver! That’s dangerous! Beware of his violent Elbow Drops, too. It seems he supports an infamous crime syndicate nowadays.”
Now we arrive at the leader of this incarnation of the Mad Gear, Retsu!
Private Nakagawa: “A huge man constantly wearing his Kabuki makeup. It seems no one has ever seen his face without it… This Retsu has no relation with that other Retsu, also. [Written Retsu as the other one. The transliteration “Retu” came from the use of Kunrei style romanization instead of the Hepburn one. The name is actually the same, with the same kanji (“violent, furious”) to boot.]
Basic Info:
Name: Retsu
Height: 225 cm
Weight: 205 kg
Blood type: B
Birthday: May 10th
Home Country: Japan
Likes: Power
Dislikes: Bushinryū
Private Nakagawa: “He always sports his Kabuki makeup. A man of many mysteries. It seems he’s a Mad Gear member, and is using Japan as his base to run every criminal activity in all of Asia. His specialties are kidnapping, intimidation and sabotage. It would appear that in his past something happened between him and a Bushinryū-related person… His special move is a violent Kaiten Senpūkyaku!” [回転旋風脚 kaitensenpūkyaku, “rotating whirlwind kick”. He did the move on the ground, instead of being airborne as all the shotos.]
Finally, we have another Secret Character from 1997’s Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter making their official debut into SF lore, P. Mecha Zangi-F!
Private Nakagawa: “The P. stands for “prototype.” A refurbished Monitor Cyborg specifically developed to contrast Zangief. It’s an experimental model made by Shadaloo. It has a steel body, and it’s studying various throw techniques and grappling moves!”
Basic Info:
Name: P. Mechazangi-F
Height: 214,1 cm
Weight: 1810 kg
Blood type: Vodka
Date of manufacture: June 1st
Home Country: Made in Shadaloo
Likes: Rotating
Dislikes: Projectile attacks, anyway
Private Nakagawa: “It’s translucent, shining, grey body was covered in Light Certanium, [A Megaman reference. Already encountered in Shadow Lady‘s profile. Love it when they keep it coherent.] and was thought able to repel any attack. Its special technique was Vodka Fire, in which it spewed a super-heated blue flame, making use of the vodka that ran into his body as fuel. Because the info was obsolete, its distinctive trait was that it still lacked the nozzles in the palms of its hands, whence subsequent models emitted Vanishing energy. [Yup, it’s Vanishing, not Banishing.] Several upgrades were added to the next released model “Mechazangi F”. Lord F.A.N.G, who has inherited these studies, is currently guiding us in the development of “Mechazangi F Mark 3”! (This is a Parallel Setting)
Though the artwork depicts his most recent appearance as one of Zangief’s alternate costumes in Street Fighter IV, this profile describes the character’s original appearance as a secret character in Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter. This mechanized version of the “Red Cyclone” gave up the ability to block, as well as his signature Banishing Flat special. These were replaced with a new technique, the Vodka Fire–also known as the Siberian Breath–which functioned similarly to Dhalsim’s Yoga Flame. He could also not be put into hitstun whatsoever, on top of having permanent Hyper Armor, making him the ultimate tank. Gief would retain these traits as a transformation called Iron Body in Marvel Vs. Capcom 1 and 2.
For those who may not remember him, here’s a quick look at how he played in MSHVSF!
That puts the first set of CFN Profiles for 2017 in the books! Could our next set be a look at the Andores or Retsu’s underlings from Final Fight 2, or something else entirely? Only time will tell, so stay tuned to Shoryuken, where we’ll bring you more CFN Profiles as soon as they’re released! Do you have any fond-or unpleasant-memories of these characters? Let us know in the comments below!
Special Thanks to Midgardsorn for Translations and Footnotes.
At the conclusion of the NicoNico stream for Tokaigi’s 2017 2on2 Tournament, Pokkén Tournament producer Masaaki Hoshino made two bombshell announcements.
The first was a video treat showing off the latest patch for Pokkén Arcade, highlighting a wide variety of changes. Briefly from the video, there was some wild new stuff: Machamp roll cancel 2X, Blaziken Divekick followup to Field Phase j.Y, Rotating Latios Beams, and more. As soon as a official video is made publicly available by Namco, we will update it here. Patch notes were shown and have now been translated by pentaoku, with version 1.5 scheduled for February 14th, 2017.
Outside of the the final championship itself being held in Anaheim, CA, details are currently scant. Even what version of the game WCS 2017 intends to be on is currently a mystery. It would seem particularly cruel to announce a World Series for the Japan-only arcade game, after all. Perhaps there’s another announcement in the near future for Pokkén fans around the world?
The Battlerite Steam page has been updated with a brand new developer post to give players some information on what the team has been working on recently. Stunlock is preparing the game for its free-to-play launch in forseeable future.
ARMS is coming very soon on the Nintendo Switch, and the FGC is still abuzz with curiosity about the combination shooter and fighting game. With an impending Spring 2017 launch, Nintendo of Japan has released two new trailers for the game that should give players more information about the upcoming title.
In the first trailer, we see the six different types of punches that can be used against your opponents. The types are fire, thunder, boomerang, revolver, salamander and big punch.
The second trailer goes over the five playable characters in the game: Spring Man, Ribbon Girl, Ninjara, Master Mummy and Mechanica. They each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, on display in the trailer. If your Japanese is still a little rusty, you can read our thoughts on ARMS when it was on display at Genesis 4 last month.
The second location test for Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 is going on this weekend, and with it, there’s a new wave of fairly substantial changes for almost every character. The translated patch notes cover the mechanical nitty-gritty, and they have been officially provided by Arc System Works in Japanese. Most of the changes from the first location test still apply.
What’s interesting is that the changes, even if they are subtle, introduce new routes or even new styles of play entirely for some characters. For instance, Raven received somewhat of a makeover to his excitement mechanic that should affect his gameplan a lot. Now, most special moves increase his gauge, while using one of the Overdrives depletes it.
While taking footage of gameplay isn’t allowed at location tests, Japanese players tweet out their impressions which reveal intriguing implications that aren’t easy to see from patch notes alone. A few English speakers kindly have been translating the tweets.
Baiken – azami followups yrc removed – both Kabari are now air unblockable – you can perform azami by holding either S or HS buttons
Kuchinashi is the dragon-punch like counter that Baiken has. It seems that there’s a different way to perform Azami, which is the move she uses before her counters come out. Holding affects certain timings. And hey, good-sounding voice actresses are important too (Baiken’s in-game voice got added in this location test).
You can get a corner knockdown with May if you don't let Ensenga wallbound
May doesn't ride hoop dolphin till hitstop is over so ride hits late. 41236K [4]6S fastest cancel jKH works. [4]6S cancel j2H lands slower https://t.co/d5k4xL2LUc
Jam buffs: Better dmg for parry PK/grab RC/max ryuu RC corner carry. 2D longer. No more backward knockback on ryuu; 236K->623K->214K easier https://t.co/7WgSMMbw4J
A lot of May’s special moves work a little bit differently, and Jam received a lot of big buffs alongside a few nerfs.
Jackpot item chance way down. Almost never appears. SERi felt he was lucky to get 3 giant meteors in one run through arcade mode https://t.co/3TUfyGNpe0
One of the more interesting changes in Faust’s toolset is the low probability of getting super versions of his items. The tweet indicates about how often you could expect that.
I'm sure I'll hit something doesn't cancel into eat, so it feels hard to use. Gets kd + oki but no chance to eat + you're down 5k calories https://t.co/FyHH81ut2n
Midscreen air combo can end with jKD for kd but situation after not good; no eat. End with beak to knock away might be better even with tech https://t.co/RGwBfXKltZ
Sin’s combo flow is changing a lot, especially when deciding when to eat. jD is a new way to get an air knockdown, but since Sin will be still in the air, he won’t get that much time to get lunch. “I’m Sure I’ll Hit Something” is the stabby follow-up to Beak Driver.
Elphelt 5H knocks down on grounded but opponent can tech out on air hit https://t.co/WR0IEnULCe
Sol and Ky have received new 6HS attacks. The combo properties of Sol’s seem very similar to his current 6HS, but no one can tell much about actual frame data.
That’s the majority of translated impressions at this time, though there are some more tweets if you want to check out @HiagoXYZ and @MurderofBears’ timelines.
New Omron microswitches are the primary draw for this redesigned lever from Seimitsu.
Just revealed at Seimitsu’s JAEPO show: the new LS-300 joystick. It’s based on their prior LS-32 model, but features new custom-designed proprietary Omron microswitches. Initial testing suggests this lever feels very similar to the widespread Sanwa JLF.
This new lever is expected to arrive mid-March 2017, and costs $19.95 USD; head to Arcade Shock to place your pre-order. It is available in both 5-pin and faston connector versions:
Note that the stick will include a black (LB-35) balltop, not the pictured clear red one. The LS-32 series is still in production, and will gradually also transition from the Panasonic switches to the new Omron switches.
