Category: News

In a rather surprising turn of events, a recent post to the PlayStation Blog has revealed that Dengeki Bunko FIGHTING CLIMAX is scheduled to be released in North America later this year.

Developed by French Bread and Ecole Software of Melty Blood fame, FIGHTING CLIMAX features a cast comprised entirely of figures from various Dengeki Bunko-published light novel franchises, including Sword Art Online, Accel World, Durarara!!, Oreimo, and more. Support characters extend the representation even further to include Sega properties like Virtua Fighter and Valkyria Chronicles.

With such a vast amount of players involved, it’s a wonder the game ever left Japan, but here we are.

Dengeki Bunko FIGHTING CLIMAX is expected to launch for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, both through retail and digital platforms, sometime this summer.

Source: PlayStation Blog, tip via cinnamonpirate

We already know that BlazBlue: Chronophantasma EXTEND, which brings with it the version 2.0 changes from the arcade version, will be coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 3 this April. However, it seems that it will also launch on yet another platform, a portable one to boot.

In addition to the home console versions, BlazBlue: Chronophantasma EXTEND will also receive a release on PlayStation Vita. The handheld version will feature all the same content, including the  “Remix Heart Tour Version” story mode path that features Mai Natsume and Cajun Faycott from the BlazBlue manga, as well as all previous downloadable content.

BlazBlue: Chronophantasma EXTEND for PlayStation Vita will arrive on April 23, the same day as its counterparts on other platforms. As for North America and Europe, no word as of yet has been given regarding the release of any version of the game.

In the meantime, check out these screens of Mai and Cajun from the Remix Heart story mode.

Source: Famitsu via Gematsu

A few days ago, Bandai Namco Games’ Katsuhiro Harada and Masaaki Hoshino showed off an early version of their upcoming Pokémon fighter Pokkén Tournament on Monthly Famitsu’s broadcast.

A large portion of the segment consisted of revealing Pikachu, Suicune, and Gardevoir as well as demonstrating Pokkén’s gameplay mechanics tournament matches between the program’s various hosts. In addition to the three new playable Pokémon, however, another interesting face appeared elsewhere in the build.

After Soulcalibur producer Hoshino was demolished by the Famitsu host’s Pikachu, they were greeted with a typical “Thank You For Playing” screen common in demos, complete with a Banapass advertisement and an added layer of cuteness from Fennekin and Eevee. But while the former was shown to be an assist Pokémon during the show, the latter only appeared on this one screen, sporting an updated look common to the rest of the cast.

Of course, whether or not Eevee will be playable remains to be seen. My mind currently races with possible fighting styles based off the species’ multiple evolution lines, but it’s also possible the diminutive pocket monster will be a support character due to the company it keeps in the above screen.

What do you think of Eevee’s inclusion in Pokkén Tournament? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

For more information, be sure to visit our previous report on the title’s Famitsu showing and check out this collection of gameplay footage. Expect to see Pokkén Tournament launch in Japanese arcades sometime this year.

Source: Famitsu

NetherRealm Studios is planning to hold another special Mortal Kombat X broadcast tomorrow to reveal pieces of the upcoming title, but that doesn’t mean they’re done mercilessly teasing fans in the meantime.

A video recently sprung up via the Mortal Kombat Community channel that depicts one of the game’s signature fatalities. The thing is, there’s no visual to go along with the nasty, wet, crunching sounds of the violent act being committed.

The liquidy effects could point towards Rain finally making an appearance, but seeing as creative director Ed Boon has steered conversation away from the purple ninja in the past, this may just be wishful thinking on my part.

In any case, give it a listen and provide your best guesses in the comments below.

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

Source: Mortal Kombat Community

Last week, an interesting website was brought to our attention by Mad Catz’ Mark “MarkMan” Julio that appeared to promote some sort of fighting game event by energy drink manufacturer and burgeoning competitive gaming organization Red Bull. A short teaser video hinted that the affair would involve Ultra Street Fighter IV, but nothing indicated whether this would be a traditional tournament or some sort of high-profile “beat the pro” promotion.

Fortunately, new details have emerged revealing it to be the latter.

Red Bull Kumite will join the growing number of invitationals by bringing together fourteen of the world’s strongest Street Fighter competitors, gathered from Japan, Singapore, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and France, and allow them to do what they do best. The bracket will be supplemented by two additional players, decided the day before through an open tournament.

At this point in time, the only confirmed participant is Razer’s Ho Kun Xian, but rumors point towards Darryl “Snake Eyez” Lewis also receiving an invite.

Red Bull Kumite is scheduled for March 28 in Paris, France. We’ll be sure to pass along more information as soon as they become available, but for now, feel free to check out the official website and Facebook event.

Sources: Red Bull Kumite via MarkMan, Red Bull Events via NeoGAF

Although Famitsu provided a great look at the mechanics in Bandai Namco Games’ upcoming Pokkén Tournament last week, the stream quality left quite a bit to be desired. The game looked alright, but it was pretty obvious we weren’t receiving the fullness of its graphics through Niconico.

Fortunately, a handful of new screenshots were recently released that get up close and personal with all the Pokémon announced for the title thus far. Suicune’s upgraded fur textures, Pikachu’s electric attacks, various special effects, and more pop beautifully in the image gallery below. Give them a look and let us know what you think.

For more information on Pokkén Tournament’s gameplay, head back to our original report on the Famitsu broadcast. Replays for each of the matches played on the show can be found here.

Pokkén Tournament is set to launch in Japanese arcades sometime this year.

Source: Siliconera

Tekken Crash…wow, it’s been some time since we’ve heard that name. As Tekken Tag Tournament 2’s tournament support dwindled over the past few years, programs dedicated entirely to the popular series went the way of the buffalo as well, but that’s all going to change thanks to Tekken 7.

Later tonight, Tekken will once again find a home on television via the aptly named Tekken Crash Returns. Twelve of South Korea’s strongest competitors (split into four teams of three) are set to make appearances at Nexon Arena in Seoul to compete in the seventh mainline installment of Bandai Namco Games’ long-running franchise.

Some of the players you can expect to see include Knee, Help Me, Chanel, JDCR, and Saint.

Not only will Tekken Crash Returns give the greater community its first look at high-level Tekken 7 play, the show will also mark the debut of newcomer Shaheen, the Saudi Arabian cast member revealed by Katsuhiro Harada last month. Very little has been divulged regarding the character besides his appearance, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to see what he’s all about.

Tekken Crash Returns is scheduled to begin at 4 PM KST (or 11 PM PST, 1 AM EST tonight). Fortunately, access to Korean airwaves won’t be required thanks to an official online broadcast through YouTube. Bookmark the stream below and get ready for the next battle!

Source: Avoiding the Puddle

Similar to previous character releases, Omen’s Killer Instinct debut will becombined with a number of changes to both the core gameplay mechanics and balance adjustments for the rest of the cast. Iron Galaxy Studio’s Kraig “Klaige” Kujawa recently took to the Ultra-Combo forums to share these tweaks with the players who congregate there, providing a nice look at how the title will change later this week.

While a number of bugs are addressed in the patch, it also includes quite a few interesting updates, including a new way for Jago to earn a bit more Instinct meter, increases to the Potential Damage doled out by Fulgore’s Devastation Beam, and more. The full list can be found below.

Killer Instinct will be updated to ver.2.3 this Friday, January 30. Season 2 Ultra Edition owners will be able to play Omen on the same day, but folks who stuck with the Combo Breaker pack will have to wait until February 5.

Source: Ultra-Combo

The upcoming PC version of Dead or Alive 5 Last Round is a boon to 3D fighting game fans on a platform traditionally devoid of them. That said, it seems that those who’re looking to get the game on Steam will have to wait a bit longer than expected.

Originally slated to arrive on the same day as the console versions of the game, Last Round for PC will now launch on March 30, a little more than month later. A statement made on Steam mentions that the delay has been applied to ensure “the best experience possible,” though no concrete information was provided past that. Netplay will be added within three months of this new release date.

To make up for the delay, Team NINJA will be giving away the Halloween 2013 costume pack, which is priced at $25 USD on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, for free.

Dead or Alive 5 Last Round will be available for home consoles on February 17 in North America, February 19 in Europe, and February 20 in Japan.

Source: Steam via Free Step Dodge

Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman (right) with Empire Arcadia’s Isaiah “Triforce” Johnson (Image c/o Robert Paul)

Sound the trumpets, alert the people, Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman has parted ways with Empire Arcadia.

This news comes from the man himself, posted via Reddit and describing the circumstances that led to this decision. “I told [Isaiah “Triforce” Johnson] I was leaving [Empire Arcadia] because I wasn’t paid on time (and much less than promised when I was),” he describes. “I consider myself a very nice person (although also a very misunderstood one) but even I have my limits on patience and fairness. I guess he didn’t think I would keep my word.”

Details of the split first surfaced last night courtesy of a tweet from Empire Arcadia themselves. Zimmerman notes in his story that he was planning to announce the news himself after Apex 2015, but had his hand forced by what he sees as a public relations move on the organization’s part.

Zimmerman first joined Empire Arcadia back in 2009, sticking with them over the years and accepting additional sponsorships from groups like CLASH Tournaments and Play-4-Keeps periodically, though the latter was less than beneficial. “[Play-4-Keeps] was also a total scam,” he mentions later on in his post. “I never got anything from them. I have definitely learned some life lessons from all of this. Unfortunately, my bank/wallet paid the price for my being too nice/dumb.”

As one of the most dominant players in Smash history, with tournament victories in every game the series offers, Zimmerman has long been thought of as one of the scene’s “gods,” comprising the upper echelon of competition alongside Joseph “Mango” Marquez, Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma, Kevin “PPMD” Nanney, and former Empire Arcadia teammate Adam “Armada” Lindgren.

While each of those aforementioned players have found homes at prominent competitive gaming organizations, Zimmerman has continued to flounder even though his skills are far from diminishing. The most recent exhibition of his strength came from Kumite in Tennessee 15, which saw the veteran take home first in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Project M.

Of course, no one can say for sure what Zimmerman’s future entails, but this is obviously a very important first step in achieving the same success as his contemporaries. We expect he won’t stay a free agent for long.

Source: Mew2King