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Samus vs Ivy! Cloud vs Chun Li! Link vs Mega Man X!
Before your head explodes, no, this game isn't a planned release, commercial or non-commercial, for the DS. Card Sagas Wars is a homemade PC project created with M.U.G.E.N, a "freeware 2D fighting game engine." The music and backgrounds have been ripped from a variety of popular games, but it looks like the character sprites have been redrawn for a consistent (and totally awesome) look. If anything, Card Sagas Wars' developers are ambitious, setting out to include a collection of playable characters that would put even Super Smash Bros. Brawl to shame, its posted list of 995 "Blue Series" cards ranging from Killer Instinct's Cinder to Castlevania's Soma Cruz. A demo with four playable fighters is currently in the works, but no concrete date has been set for its release. You can see an older, less epic trailer for Card Sagas Wars past the break.
DS Fanboy Review: Draglade
If you've heard of Draglade, one word that may have come to mind is, "What?" On the surface, you might expect another anime-like fighter akin to Bleach: The Blade of Fate. Then, upon further reading, you might see bizarre words like "Grapping," "Glade," and "G-con," with claims that the game is a rhythm-based fighter. Whether such strange details send you running to the hills or make you want to learn more, it's important to the video game industry that unique titles like Draglade don't slip through the cracks.Draglade, in its essence, is a 2D fighter that introduces you to the world of Grapping. Combining elements of martial arts and music, Grapping is a new sport that seems to have taken the game's world by storm. The characters you can choose for the story mode all have the same ultimate goal: to become a Major Grapper. Each character has a different motive for wanting to do so, but each must go through a series of tournament-style exams to earn the coveted title. The weapons used in the game are called Glades, which can emit sounds when they strike (this is where the musical element comes in).
Go ahead, Jump! Ultimate Stars sale
As if language barriers aren't enough to dissuade would-be importers from ordering Japan-only games, the pricing on these titles often border on lunacy when compared to what new releases usually cost in the states. So while Play Asia's Jump! Ultimate Stars sale for $29.90 might not seem like much of a bargain, keep in mind that the online fighter usually sells for a staggering $48.90.It's a great game though; many have even compared it to the Super Smash Bros. series, except in 2D and with twenty hojillion playable manga characters. Since Play-Asia will be honoring the reduced price until next Monday, that gives you plenty of time to consider whether or not this discount is deep enough to warrant a purchase. We think that it is!
Virtually Overlooked Special: A bunch of NES games I get mixed up with each other
Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative. Last week, I asked for reader suggestions for this week's Virtually Overlooked. One reader suggested The Guardian Legend, and I thought that was a perfectly reasonable suggestion. The Guardian Legend was one of the biggest sleeper hits of the NES era, and something that is definitely worth checking out, especially for fans of Ys and Faxanadu.It was only later that I realized that I was thinking of Legacy of the Wizard. I get those two mixed up a lot. They both fall into that "sleeper" category, they were both published by Brøderbund, and they both have "Leg" in the title. They're practically the same game, except that one's a hybrid vertical shooter/Zelda-style adventure developed by Compile, and the other is a side-scrolling action RPG from Nihon Falcom. But other than that, the same game.Inspired by my inability to keep two similar things separate, I thought this week we could look at some more NES games I get confused about, either because they're so similar or because I'm so dumb.
Blood on the dance floor
As you've probably picked up from our coverage of Puzzle Quest's RPG/Bejewled mix and Kanji Ken's beat-em up training game, we are in love with titles that mix genres in new ways. Banpresto's Custom Beat Battle: Draglade does just that, weaving together rhythm, fighting, and RPG elements into an exciting pattern.You customize and arm your fighters with beat combos, pulling off special attacks by timing button presses with a meter that displays a rhythm sequence. You can also level up your characters and buy items for them at shops. Punch and kick your way past the post break for some Custom Beat Battle: Draglade trailers. Now that we've got rhythm fighting, rhythm action, and rhythm platforming on our handheld, what's next? We're hoping for a math-and-music-based shoot-em up where you solve equations with the beat while trying to dodge bullets. We'll call it... a logarhythm-up.
VC Friday: Beatdowns in space
Four new games up this week on the VC, and despite the fact that three of them are from Sega's Mega Drive, Nintendo still manages a fair amount of diversity in this week's selection. By diversity, we mean that they don't all involve outer space or badassery ... well, okay, you got us. These games actually are about space and/or fighting, because what the Virtual Console really needed was more beatdowns. In space. Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle - Mega Drive - 800 Wii points Shockman - TurboGrafx - 600 Wii points Virtua Fighter 2 - 800 Wii points Wonder Boy in Monster World - 800 Wii points
Gundam 0079 revealed, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core announced
We have yet to get the first Gundam game in the US, and Bandai Namco is already moving on to another one. Whereas SD Gundam SCAD Hammers used the pudgy lil' SD Gundam characters, this one is based on Gundam 0079, which is serious business. We've got a scan featuring the first images from the game after the break.Also announced, but not yet shown, was a Wii version of Guilty Gear XX Accent Core-- this is apparently 2D Fighter Announcement Week. We're a little scared to see how a precise 2d fighting game will use the Wiimote, and we're hoping that we can skirt the issue with configurable Classic Controller functionality. At least until Hori gets around to releasing a wireless joystick.
SNK bringing Art of Fighting Anthology to Wii?
Our network of crow spies have reported to us that the mountain pass is blocked, enemy troops are amassing at our eastern border, and Art of Fighting Anthology for the Wii has been spotted on the ESRB's list of future releases. Eager to learn more about any possible wartime advantages, we've consigned a scout to gather more information on SNK's 2D fighter.The Art of Fighting Anthology collects the entire Neo Geo trilogy of releases (Art of Fighting, Art of Fighting 2, and The Path of the Warrior: Art of Fighting 3). 33-characters strong, the anthology will feature series hallmarks like spirit gauges, desperation attacks, and a graphical-scaling camera system. It hasn't been revealed yet how the Wii's unique controls will be used, but we hope it won't turn out to be a debacle like Metal Slug Anthology's implementation.With hints of a Wii port accompanying Art of Fighting Anthology's PS2 and PSP releases, could this also mean that SNK's Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 1 might have a version for our fair console too? And how long will it be until we see some Neo Geo games like Garou: Mark of the Wolves and Neo Turf Masters on Nintendo's Shopping Channel? Jump past the post break for a showcase of super moves from Art of Fighting 2. [Via Siliconera]
Here come two new VC challengers from Capcom
Two superb Capcom fighting games are headed to the Virtual Console. Final Fight and the inevitable Street Fighter II Turbo Hyper Fighting have been spotted on the ESRB's list of rated Wii games. The SNES version of Final Fight lacks co-op play and Guy, but has plenty of "Oh! My car" to satisfy us. Street Fighter II Turbo is just like Street Fighter II, but sped-up, with more moves, more characters, and some bizarre changes made to the color scheme. We aren't sure why we're explaining this, because everyone in the world has played enough Street Fighter II to know the different versions.Oh, also new on the list was Tecmo's Mighty Bomb Jack. As obscure game advocates, we feel like we should be most excited about this one, but ... yeah, Final Fight is really, really awesome.[Via Siliconera]
Def Jam Icon demo heads to the PlayStation Store
On Thursday (tomorrow), Sony will be updating the PlayStation Store with a new playable demo that (shock!) isn't a racing game: Def Jam Icon. EA's music-inspired fighter hasn't earned the greatest critical praise, but at a price of "free," it'll probably be worthwhile to check out the demo. Also available on the store will be videos of the already-released Resistance: one trailer and three behind-the-scenes features that cover gameplay, concept art and level design. [Via 1UP]
Take this! New Dragon Ball Z footage
Take this! Take this! My playthrough of the upcoming Dragon Ball Z game didn't really have sound, and maybe that was a good thing. No matter how fun the game may end up being, the repetitive voiceovers in this new gameplay video will certainly irritate anyone. Watch the video, and tell me: don't you want to punch Trunks in the face?
Today's flight simmiest video: Vulcan - BlackBuck raid test in Falkland/Malvinas flight sim
Anyone else heard anything about this flight sim? It looks PC-based, but it just got us to thinking that we really need to see some flight simulator goodness on the next-gen consoles. I'd even settle for a low-grade graphics version on the Nintendo Wii. Back in our college days, we spent hours and hours flying around in LucasArts' Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, and Wing Commander III, and we want to keep doing it. Build us a good, quality, realistic (and fun) flight simulator, and the masses will come. Is that too much to ask for? In the meantime, enjoy the footage, and pray for something good to come down the pipeline. Our wallets are ready and willing.
A very merry Virtual Console Christmas [update 2]
Hold on to your mistletoe, folks, Nintendo is dropping all kinds of radiological bombs come Christmas morning. Let's skip the preamble and just head right on in: Super Mario Bros. (NES) - Finally, is all we have to say. The defining "retro" title in video gaming history is finally up for grabs, and you might not have a soul if you don't pick it up. Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (SNES) - One of the most influential titles in the 16-bit era, Street Fighter II is revered by millions of angry, violent gamers worldwide. And Chun-Li is still hot. Super Castlevania IV (SNES) - The beginning of the modern Castlevania games, this title features more hot whip action than your mistress on Friday night. And unholy werewolves, too. Toe Jam and Earl (Sega Genesis) - We've been raving about this funkotronic title for weeks, and it's finally here come Christmas morn. Get your groove on and ignore your holiday dinner ... that's what we're doing, anyway. R-Type (TG-16) - An apparently famous shooter that we ourselves have not played. We hear it's quite the hit, though. Any takers? This is gonna be one hell of a Monday. Who said presents needed to be encased in paper and under a tree?[Thanks, Benny!][Update 1: Also, on January 1st, Nintendo will be releasing both Baseball (NES) and Urban Champion (NES). Not that it'll matter. We'll be too busy playing these games to bother.][Update 2: And no, none of these games are free. Cheapskates.]
Street Fighter II headed to Virtual Console?
1UP is stating that Street Fighter II: The World Warrior will soon be available via the Wii's Virtual Console service, allowing players to toss hadoukens and smash grills with flash kicks on the new system. 1UP believes this based on a recent ESRB rating approval, which you can view here, causing us to believe that it could be possible for us to get our hands on the game as early as this coming Monday.If this turns out to be true, the game would more-than-likely cost 800 Wii Points ($8 USD) and offer no online play, widescreen support or new game modes. Obviously, this causes one to compare and contrast the Street Fighter offering on Microsoft's Xbox Live service, but at least we can say playing it on the Wii won't be as tough as it is to use that d-pad on the Xbox 360.[Via Joystiq]
Phoenix Wright cast in SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters
With the steady coverage that SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters has received, as well as deserved, we cannot believe it's taken this long for us to find out that a few of the fine folk from our absolute favorite DS game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, are to be featured in the game. So far, the only PW characters we know to be in the game are Miles Edgeworth and Mia Fey. In speaking with the game's producer, Famitsu reveals a lot on the battle system, art direction and story of the game.See also: Capcom vs. SNK Card Fighters screens and info galore SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters screenshot explosion
Japanese model poses with Guilty Gear
It was absolutely hilarious to read your reactions to Moegaku. Whether or not you'd like to admit it, gamers love seeing the female form, and nothing gets them more excited than seeing a girl actually play games (shock!). ArcSystemWorks understands that, so in order to promote their upcoming PSP Guilty Gear game, they had Japanese model Kaori Manabe not only pose with, but play with the game. The press got a glimpse of her battling through PSP's exclusive beat-em-up mode, which looks absolutely fantastic. Go to Game Watch to see more pictures of the game in action. The game hits US shores in one week: September 5th.[Via PSP-Vault]
On Wii: Fatality! Mortal Kombat confirmed
With all the Midway love for the Wii lately, it's no real surprise that they've announced another title for the console. However, the spine-ripping action of Mortal Kombat raises several other speculative possibilities. Will MK hit the other next-gen consoles? Will it use the Wiimote? How many of us will be jumping around in our living rooms screaming, "Fatality?" In an odd twist, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is being released first for the original Xbox and the PS2, with the Wii version to follow several months later. This seems like a strange move, considering it will lead to inevitable comparisions to the similarity of the Wii, spec-wise, to the current gen systems. Of course, the Wii isn't designed to be an expensive powerhouse that brings slightly better graphics into our gaming experience, but intent and purpose don't always matter, after all. The comparisons will be made. On the other hand, however, as this is the first Nintendo Mortal Kombat since 2004, its presence, along with hyper-mature games like Sadness, point to Nintendo's dedication to support games that really are for everyone, from kid's titles on up. Way up.
Guilty Gear Judgment website is the new hotness
Guilty Gear Judgment is little over a month away for us PSP owners, but it's been a long wait. We were supposed to get our hands on a Guilty Gear game last year, in fact. Because of the unreasonably long delay we've had to suffer, the new videos and details posted on the new Japanese website for the game make me want to have the game now. A little navigation will get you access to a plethora of beautiful widescreen movies of this 2D fighter. It's not just a remake of Guilty Gear X2 #Reload: it features a new beat-em-up mode where you can get all Streets of Rage over 18 levels. Sweet!While you check out the site, don't forget to check out Bridget's character profile and find out why he's responsible for making certain gamers turn gay. The game releases September 5th and amazon.com is offering pre-orders of the game for $40, shipped.[Via QJ]
Street Fighter II gets Down Under date
The world's most anticipated -- and most delayed -- 2D fighter has a new date Down Under. Xbox Australia shows Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting due July 30. Meanwhile, back in the northern hemisphere, the US site still lists the original long gone March release date. Can we get an update Microsoft?Whichever direction your toilet flushes, spend less time worrying about exactly when this game hits Xbox Live Arcade, and more time hoping Capcom managed to fix the gameplay issues that led to less than hyper early reviews.
Street Fighter II not so hyper
GameVideos.com and the guys from 1up offer a guided tour of the test version of Street Figher II: Hyper Fighting video also availabe after the jump). Lots of gripes about lag. Sample quote: "There's nothing hyper about it." I don't remember the last DOA game getting quite this much nit-picky attention, but people demand the best from their nostalgic 2D throw downs. Hopefully, Capcom will make some last minute fixes so that the world's largest online street fight lives up to the...er..hype.[Thanks xGWx Egon]
