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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Metal Slug XX, Aqua
We've got two Xbox Live Arcade staples this week. First is Metal Slug XX, which has the advantage of Xbox Live online play over its XBLA cousin, Metal Slug 3. Next, we've got yet another twin-stick shooter in Aqua. As its title suggests, Aqua flavors its twin-stick shooting antics with an extra dose of H20 (and torpedoes). Metal Slug XX will run you 1200 ($15), while Aqua is 800 ($10). Watch this week's XBLA in Brief and decide if either tickles your fancy for destruction. [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly. [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly. Xbox.com: Add Metal Slug XX trial version to your Xbox 360 download queue Xbox.com: Add Aqua trial version to your Xbox 360 download queue
This Wednesday: Metal Slug XX and Aqua launch (missiles) on XBLA
Whether it's by land or by sea, you'll have ample opportunity to make things go kaboom this week on Xbox Live Arcade. SNK is offering another side-scrolling actionfest in Metal Slug XX (1200), while Games Distillery launches a steampunk naval warfare title, Aqua (800). Not since the end of Commando has there been such a long line of dudes ready to buy their own farms. Xbox.com: Add Metal Slug XX to your Xbox 360 download queue (1200) Xbox.com: Add Aqua to your Xbox 360 download queue (800)
VC in Brief: King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo)
Fight fans get their fix this week in VC in Brief. The lone release available for download is King of Fighters '95, a mish-mash of SNK's best fighters from its most prominent franchises. KOF '95 introduces us to Iori Yagami, who would go on to be one of the series' favorite brawlers. King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo, 1 - 2 players, 900 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
King of Fighters XIII brings Mai back this summer
King of Fighters XII wasn't quite the spectacular high-definition debut the series deserved. Sure, there were problems with the netcode, but one problem with the roster irritated just as many fans: the omission of the scantily clad ninja, Mai Shiranui. So, naturally, SNK is leading with the bouncy character in its promotion for King of Fighters XIII. A teaser site for the game, opened after a preview event, features a picture of Mai with her trademark fan, along with a note that the game will be released in arcades this summer. [Via Andriasang]
SNK Playmore announces King of Fighters XIII for arcades
[Dengeki] Despite the cool reception to its last King of Fighters game, SNK Playmore has announced that it is working on King of Fighters XIII. The fighting game will be shown for the first time at an event in Akihabara on March 25. Until then, we know nothing about the game other than that it runs on Taito's TypeX2 arcade hardware -- the same board used by Street Fighter IV, BlazBlue, and, of course, King of Fighters XII. Well, we also know that it has a nice logo. And we're guessing fan favorite Mai Shiranui won't be left out this time. [Via Kotaku]
New screenshots, character art for Metal Slug XX
Atlus has released some new screenshots for Metal Slugg XX, the upcoming PSP port of Metal Slug 7. Glancing at the screens for a moment and ... yup, it's Metal Slug all right. There are dudes, tanks, giant death machines and, of course, plenty of bullets to go around. There is a handful of character art as well, with Atlus promising that each character will have special attributes. For example, Fio Germi (pictured) starts with a machine gun immediately, while Marco Rossi has 2X handgun power. You can learn about each character at Atlus' official Metal Slug XX website. Check out the new screens and artwork in the gallery below. %Gallery-83235%
Metal Slug arrives on iPhone, sort of
If you thought the DS was a less-than-ideal platform for an original Metal Slug, you're really going to be surprised with this one. SNK Playmore has released one of its cartoony run-and-guns for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Metal Slug Touch is adapted to the platform in some unexpected ways: for example, instead of putting the player in control of a commando who occasionally happens upon a vehicle, Metal Slug Touch puts you in a vehicle at all times. Controls are simplified to make use of the iPhone's features: you move with the accelerometer, and dodge enemies with an "avoid" button. Metal Slug Touch sounds like a fairly bold experiment -- and something that, we suspect, works better than simply porting a console action game over with touch controls. Metal Slug Touch ($4.99) : [Via FingerGaming]
SNK announces Metal Slug XX, three more for XBLA in Japan
There's good news and bad news about Metal Slug 7 on Xbox Live Arcade. The bad news is that we're pretty sure it's not coming out. The good news is that Metal Slug XX, the upgraded, multiplayer-capable PSP remix of the DS game, is replacing it in SNK's 2010 lineup. SNK also announced XBLA ports of two of its fighting games: King of Fighters 2002 Ultimate Match and Neo Geo Battle Coliseum. All three will join the weird King of Fighters shooting game, The King of Fighters Sky Stage, on XBLA in spring 2010. These games have, so far, been announced only for Japan, but we are sure SNK will release them all worldwide -- if only because it would be a waste of effort to develop an XBLA title just for the few people in Japan who would buy it. %Gallery-74833% [Thanks, sacra!]
ESRB rates Metal Slug XX for US release
Hey, look, it's Metal Slug ... er ... oh, right, Double X. (Sorry, had to study the sprites.) Anyway, earlier this month we brought you first word of the game -- now it's been rated by the ESRB (T for "Teen," specifically) which, as we all know, is a prelude to games being announced for domestic release.The game's publisher is listed as SNK Corporation of America itself, seemingly indicating a digital download-only future for the title. That's fine by us -- as long as it doesn't go the way of the M.I.A. PSP minis. Seriously, where are they? Metal Slug XX hits Japan in December, so we'd expect it to roll ashore here in early 2010.%Gallery-74833%
Metal Slug XX rolls onto PSP this December
SNK Playmore has announced that it's bringing Metal Slug XX ("double X") to the PSP. The title is set to release on December 23 in Japan, with an asking price of ¥5,040 ($56). A remixed version of Metal Slug 7, the game includes ad-hoc cooperative play, over 70 mini-games and, as is tradition, lots of bullets. SNK was kind enough to release a trailer for the game, so you won't have to imagine how chaotic the game will undoubtedly be. If you just can't handle all that action, we have some nice, quiet screenshots too. %Gallery-74833%
King of Fighters XII patch fixes online play
To put it lightly, online play in The King of Fighters XII sucks. It's broken, regardless of which platform you play it on. Weeks after the game's release, SNK Playmore has finally released a patch for the PS3 version. According to the press release, the update "fundamentally changes the way game data is processed and synchronized during online matches, placing greater importance on the game's response time and allowing for much smoother play." Online battles should be improved, especially for those with less-than-ideal internet connections.An Xbox 360 version of the patch is also in the works and should be available "very soon." SNK Playmore issued an official apology with the release, promising it will "strive to improve their system of quality control for future titles," but we're wondering how the fighting community will response. For some, this patch may be too little, too late.%Gallery-63875%
Review: King of Fighters XII
SNK sticks to the KOF series' roots with King of Fighters XII, the latest 2D installment in its popular fighting franchise. It's been years since we've seen a King of Fighters game and you'd think SNK had some cards hidden up its sleeve but, to be honest, King of Fighters XII is short on the surprises. [Editor's note: This review also features a video walkthrough.] %Gallery-63875%
Free-to-play 'KOF World' to dropkick Asian market
If you've been enjoying SNK's latest, King of Fighters XII, you might be interested to learn that SNK and Shanda Games are teaming up to offer a version of that game for the PC. It's going to be called KOF World, a free-to-play game for the Asian market. Aside from the usual 2D fighting, this new version will also incorporate "MMORPG features by adding a complete multiplayer role playing game (RPG) mode," though exact details on this new mode were not provided. Oh, and if you don't live in Asia, sorry for making you incredibly jealous.
King of Fighters XII patch to address online play
Lag can be a real buzzkill when you're trying to maintain million-punch combos -- unfortunately, those who got their hands on early copies of SNK Playmore's King of Fighters XII reported some "minor performance issues" during online matches. Fret not, fighting fanatics -- according to a recent email from SNK, the game is receiving a patch today on the PS3 (and " very soon" on the 360) which "should help improve the overall quality and stability of online play."Day-one patches are usually frowned upon, but hey -- at least you won't have to suffer "issues" during your online bouts. Unless you're playing on 360, that is -- you lot will still have to wait for the patch to clear Microsoft's intimidating Certification Gauntlet of Death.
New King of Fighters XII trailer includes punching, also kicking
SNK Playmore has dropped a new trailer in advance of the King of Fighters XII release later this month. The trailer focuses on the series' fifteen year history, spanning all the way back to 1994. It also has a long montage of people beating the crap out of each other, all set to decidedly dramatic music. It's all very exciting.King of Fighters XII hits Xbox 360 and PS3 on July 28.
XBLA in Brief: King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, Worms 2: Armageddon
Another twofer this week, as XBLA adds a fighting game and a turn-based strategy game to its ever-growing ranks. From SNK's huge library of fighting games, we have King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match. The XBLA version includes online play and will set you back 800 ($10). Meanwhile, Team17 has dropped the sequel to the XBLA version of Worms, which is titled, appropriately enough, Worms 2: Armageddon. The game brings lots of new features to the table -- as well as some old favorites -- and also costs 800 ($10).Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see which one is screaming for your hard-earned cash.Download the trial version of King of Fighters '98 Ultimate MatchDownload the trial version of Worms 2: Armageddon [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly.[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
This Wednesday: Droplitz and Garou: Mark of the Wolves hit XBLA
It's a twofer on XBLA this week, with a new puzzle game and an old fighting game. The puzzle game would be Droplitz, which has players twiddling dials and collecting small, "dinky little balls of indeterminate stuff." We can't help but be reminded a bit of Pipe Mania. Keep in mind that Droplitz is a single-player game only, with the full game running 800. The second game is Garou: Mark of the Wolves, also known as Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves, which was announced for XBLA by SNK late last week. The game is a port of the original arcade title -- also remembered as one of the last good Dreamcast games -- and features online play for two players. It can be yours for 800. %Gallery-49990% %Gallery-66348%
Garou: Mark of the Wolves marks XBLA next week
SNK Playmore has announced that Garou: Mark of the Wolves is headed to Xbox Live Arcade next week on June 24. Those unfamiliar with the fighting game may remember it as Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves, the title given to the North American Dreamcast release. You might not remember that either, as it was released during the console's dying days.Whether or not you've heard of it, you should keep an eye on the XBLA release, as the game was reviewed very well in its day. The XBLA version also includes online play, a nice plus. Garou: Mark of the Wolves will be priced at 800 ($10).%Gallery-66348%
King of Fighters Online proves you can kick butt in short skirts, literally
Throughout all of the countless MMOs that we've played, we've always asked ourselves one important question: "Where is Mai Shiranui and why can't I be her?"Today, fellow online gamers, is when that question is finally answered in four words: King of Fighters Online.Yes, the iconic fighting game is making its way to the online stage in the form of a multiplayer brawler. Players will be able to take on not only one another, but also team up for cooperative missions and boss battles. While it's unclear if a "create a fighter" mode will be introduced, the full roster of KoF characters will be available to play. Furthermore, players will be able to jump from character to character during battle by "poofing" into the next character on their roster, much like the team switches from the offline games.Interested in seeing the game in a preliminary demo before it goes into service next year? Why then all you have to do is hit "continue reading" as we've cleverly embedded the first gameplay trailer after the break!
Latest King of Fighters XII trailer is a history lesson
With the release of King of Fighters XII drawing near (or, if you live in LA, you can play it early tomorrow!), SNK sent out a trailer to remind people why this franchise is so revered and why the latest installment should be worth your time. You know, thinking back on all of these games, we've realized something: King of Fighters has been around for a long time. No, seriously, it has! Grossly obvious statements aside, we will say this: Them's some pretty sprites.
