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King of Fighters XII getting DLC, console-specific modes
It looks like SNK is already preparing to outfit King of Fighters XII with DLC. The upcoming fighting game will have additional purchased content available on the Xbox Live Marketplace (as uncovered by Siliconera) and, presumably, on PSN as well. What that content is exactly, we don't know just yet; however, we assume this means more costumes and game modes a la Street Fighter IV. Maybe it means more characters ... like all the ones missing from the roster screen.In addition to DLC, KoF XII has console-specific online modes. The PS3 version features a "Clan" mode which is not found on the 360 version (check out the image above); however, the 360 version has a "Ranked Match" option while the PS3 version does not. Hmm ... you don't think SNK would charge for these modes as paid DLC now, would it?[Via Siliconera]
Fight like a king with these SNK fighting sticks
You'll need to wield a sturdy fighting stick if you ever plan on becoming a champ in the fighting genre. Everyone knows that; Capcom knows it, Namco Bandai knows it, and SNK Playmore knows it, too, which is why the latter will be releasing two, brand-new controllers alongside King of Fighters XII in July. The first is a King of Fighters XII USB Stick featuring character artwork of series favorites Iori, Athena and others plastered on the topside. The second fighting pad is the Neo Geo Stick 2, a throwback to the classic controller, which will finally be available for PS3 (It's already out for Wii). They retail for ¥6,279 ($65) and ¥5,229 ($54), respectively.Now, why are those prices in Japanese currency? Well, unlike the game itself, these sticks haven't been given a worldwide release date. They hit Japanese stores on July 16th and hopefully we'll get them in time for launch date, too.
Two new characters for King of Fighters XII coming home
In addition to the ultra smooth (and likely quite sophisticated) King of Fighters XII anti-aliasing graphical update, it appears as though the home version of the game will be coming with two new characters. Elizabeth Blanctorche and a character known only as "Mature" will be joining the ranks of the already 20-character strong roster as a result of the move to console from arcades.1UP claims the game's Japanese language website also teases, "the art of K' and Mai Shiranui in the style of KOFXII," though it remains unconfirmed whether or not the console release will see more exclusive characters. The game releases this July, and in the meantime, we'll be over here looking through the beautiful gallery full of artwork we already have.[Via 1UP]%Gallery-47801%
SNK developing King of Fighters shmup for XBLA
We've always enjoyed SNK Playmore's long-running fighting franchise (the aptly named King of Fighters series), though we often find ourselves stuck with an inexplicable desire to see the series' adroit brawlers fly effortlessly through the air while shooting bullets out of their hands.... No, you know what? We're not going to lie to you. We've never thought that. Nobody has, ever. Until now, that is -- Famitsu recently outed SNK's latest, and arguably most bizarre project ever: An Xbox Live Arcade shoot 'em up based in the KoF universe, tentatively titled King of Fighters Sky Stage. Based on the early screenshots we've seen, we're still trying to decide whether the game is going to be awesome or too awesome. Maybe you haven't heard: People. Flying. Shooting. Bullets. Out. Of. Hands.[Via Kotaku]
King of Fighters XII hits PS3, 360 worldwide this July
Ignition Entertainment has just announced a July 2009 worldwide release for King of Fighters XII, the impossibly gorgeous first HD entry in SNK Playmore's long-running 2D fighting series, on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The fighter features 20 playable characters, all of whom appear as newly redrawn sprites, fighting in equally impressive 2D backgrounds.According to the press release, preview footage and images for this unbelievably hot game are included in the PS2 release of King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, itself a fairly nice-looking KOF -- which happens to be out today. Prepare to be burned by the Orochi flames of a searing hot trailer after the break.[Screen via KOF XII's official website]
TGS 08: Metal Slug 7, Arkanoid, Space Invaders, R-Type and KoF '98 to XBLA
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Metal_Slug_7_Arkanoid_Space_Invaders_and_KoF_98_to_XBLA'; On the Xbox Live Arcade news fronts, Microsoft just announced that Taito's Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid (with 120 stages and online play) will release to the XBLA this Winter. Also announced was old school racer R-Type and that SNK Playmore's The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match will release Spring of 2009 and Metal Slug 7 will be releasing to the Arcade at a time yet to be determined. Now those, friends, are a few nice Xbox Live Arcade titles to look forward to.
SNK considering Metal Slug HD makeover
SNK may soon be trading in its "rocket lawncher" for a high-def upgrade, as IGN reports that the company is considering bringing an HD version of Metal Slug to consoles. If true, the move would echo recent efforts by the company, such as with the forthcoming The King of Fighters XII, to abandon stale sprites for delicious eye candy.Nothing else is known of SNK's future plans for the franchise, and considering that the company merely looks forward to announcing something "someday soon," we are not holding our breath just yet. However, fans itching for a retro fix can pick up Metal Slug 7 when it rolls on to the DS in November.
An XBLA Threefer: RocketBowl, Samurai Shodown 2 and Shotest Shogi
For the second week in a row, we're being treated to an Xbox Live Arcade threefer. Because, you know, XBLA twofers are so 2007. And heading to the XBLA this Wednesday, September 10th will be D3Publisher's RocketBowl, the SNK Playmore 2D sword fighter Samurai Shodown 2 and AI Factory's chess-inspired Shotest Shogi. All games will cost 800 Microsoft points except Samurai Shodown 2, which will be available for the oh so nice price of 400 MS points.
See Metal Slug 7 explode on DS
Is there some sort of global law that states SNK must make a new Metal Slug every year or face certain doom? We kid, but it seems that way, what with the series hitting its seventh installment and there being a larger proliferation of ports out there than Starbucks in Seattle.Proclaiming that it is the "ultimate game," this trailer for the Nintendo DS version of Metal Slug 7 is all business. Loud, hot lead business. It's the first entry in the very action-packed series on Ninty's dual-screener, which seems from this video to be more than up to the sprite-pushing challenge it presents. There's nary a hint of slowdown, which tells us either the programmers are ace or the video is sped up. Surely it's the former. We'll know for certain when the game hits – nay, demolishes – shelves in November.
Nintendo and others file suit against flash cart sellers
Nintendo is finally taking aggressive action against piracy, as the company is suing five Japanese firms over flash cart equipment. The Big N is just one of many plaintiffs in the case, though, with fifty-three others joining in to aid the fight -- just a few companies that you may have heard of, like, oh, Square Enix, Sega, Level-5, Hudson, Pokemon, Capcom, Namco Bandai, SNK Playmore, Koei, and so forth.While details are scarce, we can imagine a lot of popular carts (like the R4), if not all carts, will be affected. Should Nintendo and friends win the suit, selling and importing such carts will be illegal, meaning that people would have to resort to the black market to get their hands on one.We understand why Nintendo and other companies would want to fight the good fight against piracy, but we can't help but fret over the impact on our precious homebrew hobby. At any rate, we'll give you more information as this case unfolds. [Via Joystiq; Thanks, Kimiko!]
Debut footage of Kimi no Yuusha
SNK Playmore unleashed footage from their recently-announced Kimi no Yuusha, an RPG slated for Japanese release this winter. The good news? The battles look three billion times better (we counted) in motion than they did in the recent scans. We still don't know a lot about what's going on here, but we do know there is violence of the roleplaying variety afoot ... and that's pretty much all we need.
Kimi no Yuusha comes to life in Famitsu
The latest issue of Famitsu revealed a new game for the DS, which releases in Japan this winter. Called Kimi no Yuusha, we don't know much about the title other than it looks absolutely adorable. It was also revealed that SNK Playmore is the developer behind the game, and it's some sort of light novel and RPG combination. The two main characters are a blue-haired girl named Wanda (pictured right) and a blond-haired girl named Tio. The 2D battle graphics in the scans aren't all that pretty, but the rest of the art seems very pleasing. When we find out more details about this cute-looking game, we'll be sure to let you know.
Metal Slug 7 bombarding Europe this year
The unsourced rumor of a 2008 European Metal Slug 7 release date must be acknowledged. It turns out that Europeans will not only get Metal Slug 7 in 2008, but they will also get it pretty much the same time as everywhere else. A press release has come through and announced an "Autumn 2008" release. Yes, that means Fall -- Autumn is for those lame Europeans and non-lame Australians.To accompany this timely news, five new screens of the kill-o-rama have been updated in our gallery. With seven brand new missions six playable characters and apparently the biggest SLUG vehicle ever, this is exactly what hardcore Metal Slug fans need. %Gallery-16835%[Via press release]
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 7/7/08
This week sees the Virtual Console receiving only one game, but, thankfully, it's a good game. Never played King of the Monsters before? Well, hit up the video above for some gameplay footage, then head past the break for more.
Metal Slug 7 rescues North America this fall
Ignition Entertainment has finally offered some hint as to when Metal Slug 7 will be released stateside in a press release sent out today. The company specified a fall release for the SNK Playmore-developed (and co-published) run-and-gun sequel. "Truth be told, I have a pink DS and was embarrassed to play it in public," said Ajay Chadha, Ignition president. "Now with Metal Slug 7 loaded, I have no qualms," said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment. Good thing this was a textual release and not an audio announcement, because it would have been really hard to say that with his tongue that far in cheek.Along with the release window, Ignition sent out the American boxart, which, we are happy to say, isn't completely different from the great Japanese art. The contrast has been increased, and the logo has been moved into a more prominent position and framed by explodies, but we fully approve of those minor changes.%Gallery-16835%
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/16/08
Only one Virtual Console release this week, but it's a good one. We won't waste any more time talking about the game, so hit up the video above. If that's not to your liking, head past the break for more.
More Samurai Shodown on the way to XBLA
Interesting. Very interesting. When it was first revealed via the ESRB that XBLA would be seeing a version of Samurai Shodown II, it was absolutely good news. This time the ESRB revealed that the original, Samurai Shodown, will be coming to XBLA as well. Given that XBLA has seen original games and sequels released separately, this likely means that both Samurai Shodown games will get separate release, but we can certainly hope in vain for some sort of compilation and upgrade, can't we?
Slew of SNK titles, along with Dig Dug, get rated by ESRB
Fans of SNK and the Virtual Console, you'll be happy you're reading this post today. A couple of titles, Fatal Fury 2 and Art of Fighting 2 both popped up on the ESRB website with Wii listings, as well as Samurai Shodown and Samurai Shodown 2. Not only that, but classic title Dig Dug also popped up. Now that's what we need! Some new, non-shooter titles on the Virtual Console are a welcome addition to the Wii's catalog.[Via Codename Revolution]
Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo forgoes nipples
Since Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo is risqué in its essence, we're not surprised that the boxart would also be rather ... bold. The blue bar that wraps its way around the cover lets perusers of the box see through the girls' clothes, hence the assaulted looks on their faces.The girl on the left used quick reflexes to cover herself up, while the girl on the right only had a sliver of indecency exposed. The girl in the middle, though? Not so lucky -- not even because her breasts were displayed for gaming consumers to see, but because she has no nipples. Maybe she's related to the guys in Duel Love? Or, maybe that's how you go about proving she's a witch.In all seriousness, we don't expect SNK to put nipples on the front of the box. Maybe they should have gone with a different design, though, so that the girls wouldn't look like ... well, freaks. Still, we know most guys aren't too picky when it comes to this kind of thing, and will enjoy the opportunity to stylus-poke the ladies of the game nonetheless. Oh, and the little pointing hand in the bottom right says "touch," lest your forget your task.
Ignition, SNK to co-publish Metal Slug 7 in North America
Mercury Meltdown publisher Ignition Entertainment has announced that the company has inked a deal with SNK Playmore to co-publish titles in North America, the first of which will be Metal Slug 7 for the DS. The pair are not exactly strangers, having been cozy together for quite some time on the European side of the pond. Beyond Metal Slug 7, which represents the retro shooter's first outing on Nintendo's handheld, no other titles have been announced, though considering SNK's pedigree we expect the fruits of this union, whatever they are, to be decidedly 2D.
