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BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 'Makoto' DLC aims for August release
Although BlazBlue: Continuum Shift won't be out in America until July 27th, Aksys has unveiled its DLC plans. Makoto Nanaya will be available as a playable premium DLC character in August. Makoto is fast, but has a short reach, making her ideally suited for aggressive players that play a more offensive game. The DLC pack will not only add Makoto as a playable character, but it will also add a strategy guide in the Tutorial Mode, and a Challenge Mode, which will include high-level combos. Finally, there will be additional trophies and achievements unique for the DLC. According to Aksys, players that don't buy the Makoto DLC will still be able to fight against her in online matches; they simply won't be able to play as her.%Gallery-96331%
ESRB rates BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger for PC
With BlazBlue: Continuum Shift set to fight its way to the Xbox 360 and PS3 this summer, a cuter spin-off called BlazBlue: Battle x Battle coming to DSiWare and a PSP port of the original fighter due soon, no platform is safe from Arc System Works' sprite-fueled fighter. Not even the PC, according to an ESRB listing. The certificate makes no mention of when BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger will launch on PC, but it does remind us just how raunchy that game was: "includes still images of female characters -- in provocative poses -- wearing outfits that expose deep cleavage or barely cover their breasts." Remember when fighting games were just, you know, fighting games?
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift FightStick is blazing, blue
click to enter our Tournament Edition Gallery Do you want a Mad Catz Tournament Edition FightStick, but ... bluer? Mad Catz and Aksys have just announced a BlazBlue: Continuum Shift FightStick, featuring imagery from the upcoming BlazBlue sequel. Like the latest revision of the Super Street Fighter IV stick, this controller features genuine Sanwa parts and internal storage for the 13-foot cable. Only 3,000 sticks will be produced: 1,500 each for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The only place you'll be able to get one is through Aksys's online store. Pre-orders will ship in June for $199.99. With those limited quantities, if you want one, you should probably look into that soon. We're holding out for a BlayzBloo DS arcade stick. %Gallery-92122%
ESRB: Cute BlazBlue spinoff bound for North American DSiWare
If you prefer your fighting games adorable, you've probably been keeping an eye on BlazBlue: Battle x Battle, a four-player DSiWare fighter starring chibi versions of the characters from BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. The ESRB just telegraphed plans by Aksys to localize the downloadable fighter -- under the strange title Blayzbloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale. Why "Blayzbloo"? Arc System Works differentiated the DSiWare game from the original title by spelling "BlazBlue" in Japanese hiragana, rather than the English alphabet used for the main series. To preserve the change without using a different writing system, Aksys spelled it differently. It's pretty whimsical. Speaking of whimsy, the ESRB description of the arena fighting game describes the following modes: " last-man standing, hitting opponents to collect soba noodles, and capture-the-flag." We're contacting Aksys to find out when you'll be able to fight for noodles.
GameFly sale: Bionic Batman and the Brutal Beatles
Here's the good news: According to our budget-minded buddies (budgies?) at CAG, GameFly has a sale on several appealing Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 titles, including Batman: Arkham Asylum (360 / $19.99), Bionic Commando (360 / PS3 / $9.99), Brütal Legend (360 / $14.99) and The Beatles: Rock Band (360 / $21.99). We also spy some stellar deals on Red Faction: Guerrilla (360 / PS3 / under $15) and 2D fighter BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger ($19.99 / $24.99). GameFly games are guaranteed to be in working condition and include manuals and cases. And here's the bad news: The sale comes to an end on March 30. Also, our industry is woefully ill-equipped to produce a product called "Bionic Batman and the Brütal Beatles" and will succumb to creative and financial bankruptcy long before you ever get to play something of such magnificent magnitude. Oh well.
BlazBlue delayed one week in UK
Once scheduled for release in Q1 2010, or, more specifically, March 26, the UK version of BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger has been pushed back to April 2. Retailer GAME posted an updated listing for the game, and publisher Zen United confirmed the date in response to an enquiry by Joystiq. According to Zen, the UK release of both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the fighter has been moved to April 2. In addition, the PS3 version of the game will hit stores elsewhere in Europe on that day, with the Xbox 360 version still scheduled for March 26. [Thanks, Shadowman!]
BlazBlue Continuum Shift trailer blazes appropriately
With the Japanese console release of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift approaching, publisher Arc System Works sent out a new trailer of the HD fighting followup. Instead of uninterrupted footage of giant sprites brawling, Arc has presented what looks like the game's intro, a hyperkinetic anime clip featuring dramatic poses, exciting fight sequences, and ... the Earth being shot from orbit? At the end of the trailer, after the release date, is a brief reminder of the new character added to the console version of Continuum Shift: the new character μ-12. Aksys Games has yet to announce a localized version of Continuum Shift, but if you absolutely have to buy a new BlazBlue disc, the company released the PSP port of the first BlazBlue this week. [Via GameVideos]
BlazBlue follow-up shifts into Japan in July
BlazBlue enthusiasts eager to try out the new characters in the updated version, Continuum Shift, will be able to get their hands on the home release as early as July. That is, if they're playing it on the PS3 or have a Japanese Xbox 360. Arc System Works announced the Japanese release date, July 1, at a BlazBlue fan event. In addition to the previously announced beginner mode, legion mode and extra characters, Continuum Shift adds 300 new challenges in a "Challenge Mode." In addition to the ¥7,140 ($78) regular edition, Arc is releasing a ¥9,660 ($106) limited edition including an art book and a Nendoroid figure of BlazBlue's Noel. [Via Andriasang]
European BlazBlue pre-orders to be rewarded with limited edition
Pre-orders for the European release of BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger will get an "upgrade" to a limited edition package at no extra cost. The LE contains a 100-page art book and a bonus DVD with two hours of "detailed tutorial guides." The LE is available for pre-order at Amazon, GAME, Gamestation, HMV, and Play.com with an official release date of "mid-March." The non-monetary cost for all these extras: the covering of the European box art with a plain slipcover. The art for the regular edition was painted by Daniel Lam, a fan who won an art contest held by Arc System Works. While that art will still be on the case, it'll be obscured by the outer box. A shame. %Gallery-85695%
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift gaining a character in console port
As we heard from Famitsu leaks, Arc System Works' arcade Blazblue followup is coming home to consoles. Blazblue: Continuum Shift will feature the three new characters added to the arcade release -- Tsubaki Yayoi, Hazama, and λ-11, as well as one new console-exclusive character, the cyborg μ-12. According to Siliconera, the new home release will also include a beginner mode, and the strategic Legion Mode introduced in BlazBlue Portable. So you'll be able to randomly mash buttons as usual, but you'll win territory by doing so. No time frame or consoles are known at the moment, but the original BlazBlue was released on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Rumor: BlazBlue Continuum Shift on leaked Famitsu cover
Like a villain from some cheesy show back in the '70s, you haven't seen the last of BlazBlue. The latest issue of Famitsu (via Andriasang) confirms that BlazBlue Continuum Shift -- presumably a home console installment of the recently released arcade game of the same name in Japan -- is currently in the works. What was a one-off fighting game in the summer of 2009 has grown into a full-on franchise, with a PSP port and DSiWare spin-off already out mixing it up amongst fight fans, so the safe bet is that Continuum Shift is a new retail game. However, the info is coming from a leaked Famitsu cover on Enterbrain's site -- which has since been pulled, but can still be seen on Andriasang -- that only mentions the title of the game, so that's all we have to go on right now. We'll be sure to keep you posted as information becomes available.
Japanese Nintendo downloads: Ogre Battle 64, BlazBlue Battle x Battle
Ogre Battle 64 is a rare release on the Japanese Wii Shop, in that it's an N64 game. Remember those? It's also a good one! It's the sole new game on the Virtual Console this week, with the lineup bolstered a bit by Phoenix Wright's sequel and a rock-paper-scissors game. The weird (but cute) Blazblue DSiWare fighter is out this week, ready to delight all the, uh, DSi owners looking for a four-player online fighting game. They're out there somewhere! Also on DSiWare: Burning Puzzle Flame Tail, a very odd, but interesting-looking vertically scrolling puzzle game from Mindware. Essentially, you control a structure with (of course) a flaming tail, snaking through rectangular structures and burning them. Ogre Battle 64 (Nintendo 64, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All (WiiWare, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) Janken Party Paradise (WiiWare, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) ACT Series: English translator (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points) ACT Series: Korean translator (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points) Nari-chara Hitman Begins (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points) Blazblue Battle x Battle (DSiWare, 1-4 players, 500 DSi Points) Burning Puzzle Flame Tail (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
BlazBlue: Battle x Battle out this week on Japan's DSiWare store
Like many fighting game fans, you really enjoyed BlazBlue last year, but you had this irking feeling that the game would be just perfect if the characters were only a little more ... kawaii. Good news! Your wish has come true. Arc System Works says that its DSiWare version of the acclaimed fighter is ready to go. BlazBlue: Battle x Battle, which features big-headed cutesie versions of the full game's fighters battling it out Power Stone-style, will be available on the DSi's downloadable store this Wednesday. It looks, erm, interesting. Unfortunately, even if you were waiting to see a 2D franchise go 3D with hideously deformed versions of its characters, Battle x Battle is only available in Japan for now, so you'll either have to have a DSi from that region, or you'll have to wait until Aksys decides to release it here. If it keeps that 500 DSi point price, it might be worth a try.
BlazBlue Portable confirmed for US retail, PlayStation Store
Confirming an earlier GameFly listing, Askys Games has announced that BlazBlue Portable will be hitting, juggling and then pulverizing the US in a succession of 673 extra-dimensional laser punches this March. The PSP version of the frenetic fighter will be available via UMD at first, and then the PlayStation Store approximately two weeks later. Thankfully, fans of the console game's bold, 2D artwork need not worry about a calamity being triggered (hnngggghhh) in the miniaturization process. According to Aksys project lead Michael Manzanares, "Every frame of animation and hit box is painstakingly replicated from the original game, so all of your combos work without a hitch. And new Unlimited versions of your favorite characters don't hurt, either." BlazBlue Portable will also support multiplayer battles via Ad-Hoc mode, so you can punch all your friends -- right in their foolishly unprotected hit boxes.
BlazBlue Portable heading to US, GameFly listing shows
One of the best fighting games of the current generation has to be BlazBlue, the latest from Guilty Gear creators Arc System Works. A PSP version is currently in the works, and as is typical of many Japanese games, no US release has been announced. That's likely to change, as Siliconera has discovered a GameFly listing for the PSP version of BlazBlue. According to the rental site, the publisher is none other than Aksys, distributors of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game. Considering Gamefly's penchant for leaking releases, this should come as good news to PSP fans.
Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009
Resident Evil 5 I've long been a fan of the Resident Evil series, and while the campaign here has problems and should never be played solo, the Mercenaries mode is what kept me coming back. Those action-packed levels spent trying to survive while running low on ammo and health were some of my most chaotic, yet highly enjoyable, experiences of 2009.
Arc System Works has 'full intention' of doing Guilty Gear on 360, PS3
Arc System Works has built a legacy of fighting games with its Guilty Gear franchise. Recently, the company introduced a new fighting franchise in BlazBlue, and even though it was very well-received -- it's almost at a 90 on Metacritic and we certainly enjoyed it -- fight fans want to know when they'll get more Guilty Gear. Well, based on comments made by series producer/creator Daisuke Ishiwatari to NowGamer, an Xbox 360 and PS3 installment may already be under consideration. "I have the full intention to create Guilty Gear for PS3 and 360." Ishiwatari said. There was even some talk of a BlazBlue/Guilty Gear crossover, though Arc System Works business development director Tomo Ohno avoided any definitive commitments. "BlazBlue is a new thing, and there might be some crossover but at the moment we don't have any plans." [Via Kotaku]
BlazBlue PSP fires up a new trailer
One of the best fighting games of this generation is coming to PSP. After watching this new trailer for BlazBlue, we were surprised to see how well the game's HD visuals have been translated for Sony's handheld. It appears the handheld version of the game will add a few new features -- Legion and Shop modes -- but most importantly, we'd want the gameplay to work on PSP's admittedly restrictive control setup. Check out the new trailer after the break. [Via PSPHyper]
First legion of BlazBlue Portable screens deployed
Famitsu has posted the first screens of BlazBlue Portable, the PSP adaptation of Arc System Works' stunning high-definition 2D fighting game. The game has made the transition to the PSP pretty well, at least from what we can tell in still images. The sprites are a lot less smooth, but still detailed, and the screen is still covered with flashy effects. The screens also show the new Legion Mode, in which territory you capture by winning fights is represented by connected nodes. BlazBlue Portable supports ad hoc multiplayer for up to four players, and can be played online with the PS3's Ad Hoc Party mode.
Arc System Works porting BlazBlue to PSP
The giant HD sprites of Arc System Works' fighter BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger will be shrunk down a bit. Famitsu has announced that Arc System Works is preparing a PSP port of the fighter. The portable release, out in Japan on February 25, will feature all the characters from the console game, and ad-hoc multiplayer for up to four. It'll also include a new Legion Mode in which players fight to gain territory on a game board. No screens or scans have been released yet. Considering the prolific nature of Blazblue's predecessor, the Guilty Gear series, and the fact that there's already an updated version of the original game on the way to arcades, don't expect this to be the only port of Blazblue.
