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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.
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.
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]
This Wednesday: 0D Beat Drop, NBA Unrivaled & Encleverment Experiment on XBLA [update]
Word has come down from on high, and this week's Xbox Live Arcade release is none other than 0D Beat Drop. What's that, you've never heard of 0D Beat Drop? Truth be told, neither have we. Thankfully, the game's Xbox.com page provides us all with the crucial details. If the above screenshot didn't tip you off, OD Beat Drop is a puzzle game; however, it has a musical twist, challenging players to drop pieces to the beat. OD Beat Drop can even analyze your own songs for use in the game (Protip: It's time to break out your Tetris soundtrack). The game will be available this Wednesday for 800 ($10). Also, if Tecmo is to be believed, NBA Unrivaled will release on XBLA this week as well. It's worth noting that the game was not included in Major Nelson's XBLA announcement and that publishers are frequently mistaken about XBLA launch dates, so it's anyone's guess what Wednesday holds.Update: Major Nelson has confirmed that 0D Beat Drop will be joined by both NBA Unrivaled (1200/$15) and Encleverment Experiment (800/$10) this week on XBLA.
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.
BlazBlue punching Europe's face with 'new characters,' other goodies
Arc System Works' competent fighter BlazBlue is set to invade Europe courtesy of PQube and, aside from including the US Collector's Edition character strategy guide and soundtrack, the press release also mentions "new gameplay content not available anywhere, like new characters and moves." This may come as a bummer to some of you that already picked up the game, because, in all likelihood, these new characters will be offered as DLC outside of Europe. The European release will be localized in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish, and will grace Xbox 360 and PS3 during Q1 2010. Yes, that Q1 2010.
Review: BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Xbox 360/PS3)
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is a game that's going to immediately feel right for hardcore fighting fans. If you've cut your teeth on Arc System Works' Guilty Gear franchise in the past, or enjoyed some of the more intense Capcom offerings in the 2D fighter genre, then the principles and mechanics of BlazBlue are going to feel natural to you. [Note: If you're not one for battling through long paragraphs of words, try our casual setting, which features a much easier opponent: a video synopsis.]
Trophies: BlazBlue
1 Platinum 2 Gold 10 Silver 38 Bronze Difficulty: Very Difficult Online Trophies? Yes Time to Completion: 25 hours DLC Trophies? No View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-77138%
PS3 version of BlazBlue outselling 360 version ... and here's why
Hardcore fighting fans are all talking about BlazBlue, Aksys' foray into high-def 2D fighting. While equal numbers of 360 and PS3 copies were made, the PS3 version appears to be selling out faster than the other. Why is that? Well, it could be the system's superior D-Pad. While many players will opt for an arcade stick, those who play with a default controller generally find the DualShock layout more comfortable for 2D fighters. Or, it could be the rare implementation of Remote Play. With a sufficient wireless connection, players can play the game with the PSP system from anywhere in the world. This is one of the few retail titles to take advantage of the feature, the first being Lair (ugh). Perhaps players are taking advantage of the lack of region coding on the PS3 version. Without a European release in sight, some may look towards importing the American PS3 release. (The Xbox 360 version is region locked.) However, according to an Aksys representative, the main reason BlazBlue is more popular among PS3 owners is its popularity with Japanese gamers. Aksys' Harry Chang explained that many hardcore players want to play against Japanese players, and people know that the "Japanese players are mostly on PS3." Those that are seeking competition from Japan's best players know which version to choose. No wonder PS3 is Capcom's "platform of choice" at the EVO Championship Series.
Buy BlazBlue at GameCrazy, get a free collector's edition Mana Potion
click to Mana-size Aksys Games, publisher of the upcoming 2D fighter BlazBlue, has announced a partnership with Harcos, creators of the Mana Energy Potion energy drink (not to be confused with the Final Fantasy potion). Specifically, those who purchase BlazBlue from GameCrazy will receive a special Collector's Edition Mana Energy Potion. Judging by the picture, we'd say it's really more of a regular Mana Energy Potion in a spiffy box, but who are we to argue with a press release? Still, if you love 2D fighters and questionable energy products and live near a GameCrazy, you might as well go for it. BlazBlue releases this summer for Xbox 360 and PS3.
Aksys Games talks about the drive to make BlazBlue
The folks at Aksys Games love their jobs ... almost as much as fighting games. In this latest promotional trailer for summer's BlazBlue, the company spotlights the people behind the game, the community surrounding it and what motivates it to pour its all into this fighting game franchise. It may not have much in the way of gameplay footage (well, anything in the way of gameplay), but it'll likely be enough to tide over the crazy 2D fighting fans out there. That's, um, you.
BlazBlue confirmed for North America summer release
With its global online support, we expected that Arc System Works' console port of arcade brawler BlazBlue would eventually be released outside of Japan. Now niche publisher Aksys has quietly revealed plans to bring the elegant 2D fighter to North America for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. Like their counterparts in Japan, fighting game fans in North America can look forward to mastering super moves and combos this summer, as players beat the heat by staying indoors away from bears and tiresome physical activity. With King of Fighters XII slated for a July release as well, the only question we're left with is: How will our hands survive? [Thanks, Nick]
