Soul-Calibur
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Schizoid, Soulcalibur pages appear on Xbox.com
Our frenemies at Xbox 360 Fanboy have noticed an interesting trend: Pages appear for games at Xbox.com, then they're the next XBLA games released. Seriously, it's happened twice. If we're in for a repeat performance, you can expect fighting classic Soulcalibur and former XNA title Schizoid to appear on the service next week, as pages for both have been discovered on the site. As developer Torpex has already said Schizoid is due next month, which would lend a little credence to the rumor, though Soulcalibur remains a wild card. The the suspense is all but unbearable, but at least we know it will end Monday when the real additions are revealed. Source -- Schizoid Source -- Soulcalibur %Gallery-1947% Gallery: Soulcalibur (XBLA)
Xbox.com pages appear: Soulcalibur & Schizoid
It happened this week. And a while before that too. Hows about next week? Well if the trend continues as it has next week's XBLA releases will be dictated by this week's newly arrived xbox.com pages. The twin appearances in this case are Soulcalibur and Schizoid, the classic weapons-based fighter and the neon-colored co-op shooter, respectively. While Soulcalibur didn't ever really have much of a rumored release date to help corroborate this thing, Schizoid is set to release sometime in July, so we could definitely see the pattern continue next week. And as always, thar be screenshots! %Gallery-26192% %Gallery-14316% [Source, Soulcalibur] [Source, Schizoid]
Rumor: Kratos may be in Soulcalibur IV
If 1UP's mysterious Quartermann is to be believed, the PS3 version of Soulcalibur IV may be a rather dark, broody, angst-ridden fighter. Not only will the PS3 version exclusively feature Star Wars' Darth Vader, it may also feature God of War's always-angry Kratos. The character would make an excellent and logical addition to the Namco Bandai fighter, thanks to his over-the-top weapons-based moves. If he's not included in the upcoming fighter, we can only blame one thing: his chest is clearly not large enough.Soulcalibur IV is coming out next month, so all will be revealed in due time.[Via Joystiq]
Soulcalibur IV Limited Edition Fighting Stick available for pre-order
We've reported on this before, but those of you who are impatiently waiting for Soulcalibur IV can curb your anticipation slightly by pre-ordering this official Soulcalibur Limited Edition Fighting Stick 3 by Hori. This limited edition peripheral will be released on June 24th and retails for $49.99, which is the same as the regular ol' Fighting Stick, so if you are a fan of Soul Calibur IV or fighting games in general, we'd say this is a must-have. Though you are going to have to play other fighting games with it for now, since Soulcalibur IV itself won't be released till a little over a month later, on July 29th.
Hori bringing Soulcalibur arcade sticks to US
In preparation of Namco Bandai's upcoming fighting game, Hori is set to release an arcade pad in the US. There are a few things of note of this peripheral, as noted by Siliconera. Firstly, the PS3 pad is only $50 (as opposed to the Xbox 360's $60 controller). Secondly, Hori hasn't announced plans to bring this to Japan. Could the tables have finally turned? Strange!Hardcore fighting fans swear by arcade pads, opting not to use standard controllers. We'll see if Soulcalibur IV dominates the competitive fighting scene when it releases at the end of next month.
'Dark Apprentice' shows some moves in Soul Calibur IV vid
We knew Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed would join the fight in Soul Calibur IV, and here he is in all his Dark Side-ian glory. Unlike the console exclusive Star Wars characters in SC IV -- Darth Vader for PS3 and Yoda on Xbox 360 -- the Secret Apprentice will be a playable on both consoles.Oh, and if you care, the video also shows a tiny bit more of the actual non tie-in Soul Calibur cast.%Gallery-6043%
Another Star Wars character in Soul Calibur IV
Yay! More cross-property marketing maneuvers! Truthfully, we could stand Yoda and Vader in Soul Calibur IV. They are well known, iconic figures of their brand, and something could be said of their inclusion for the purpose of bringing fanboys from one thing to the other. Not this time. This time it's an entirely self-serving move that has roots in promoting the relatively unknown (to the the mainstream) The Force Unleashed.The newest announcement is that the main character from TFU, Vader's "Secret Apprentice", will be a playable character in both the 360 & PS3 versions of Soul Calibur IV. Y'know, we just might've actually bought the inevitable DLC that will be made available for this game, but this move just really leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Just so long as The Force Unleashed doesn't end up using Ivy to showcase its physics systems we'll remain sane. Given the way things are going, we fear for our sanity.
Soul Calibur IV: Yoda video and new screens
When it was announced that Soul Calibur IV would play host to guest characters from the Star Wars universe, the collective fanboy meltdown concerning everything from the storyline to the balance was absolute music to the ears. Unfortunately, they may have been right on one point: Yoda's size does seem to give him an advantage. Watch the clip and decide for yourself. Also, thanks Ubisoft being the publisher for the game in the PAL territories, Ubidays brings us a ton of new screens for the game, including shots of a new character who is actually, get this, male. The new shots show everything from special attacks to moments from cutscenes and everything in between, so get clicking.%Gallery-23933%
First shots of Soul Calibur XBLA
click to enlarge In all of our Spring Showcase excitement, it looks like we managed to overlook some major items not related to Microsoft Game Studios titles. For example, we missed these super sexy shots of Soul Calibur, Namco's seminal fighter that will soon arrive on Xbox Live Arcade. Anyone who played the game way back in the Dreamcast days will be right at home. The port isn't quite up to the original's quality (the character models look like they might not be sporting as many polygons), but overall the game looks solid and faithful. Check out the images in the gallery below, and just remember that Mitsurugi is the best, hands down. [Via Joystiq] Gallery: Soul Calibur (XBLA)
First screens: Soul Calibur for XBLA looking sharp
click to enlarge Been wondering what Namco's classic Sega Dreamcast fighter (and, as many would say, system seller) is going to look like when it hits Xbox Live Arcade this summer? So have we! Fortunately, before we had to storm down to Namco Bandai HQ, faux plastic swords in hand, they hit us up with these shiny first screens highlighting what to expect. We've laid down our arms, but our anticipation level has certainly picked up. The screens show a port that looks decidedly crisper than the original, although featuring the same poly-count for the models and backgrounds. And what's with that "Insert Coin" stuff? Shouldn't it be "Insert Microsoft Points?" More on this odds-on, must-download (sure to take up a good chunk of your HDD or memory unit) as it breaks. %Gallery-22978%
Soulcalibur IV gets another big-breasted, scantily clad character
A new female character wearing a horned-skull and a thong has been revealed for Soulcalibur IV. The new character named Shura, seen in blurry magazine photos, is yet another collaborative design by non-Namco anime artists. The creator of the manga series Gantz, Hiroya Oku, sculpted this new vixen's noticeable curves. The only other thing we know about this new character is that it appears she'll be wielding two katana blades for her Soulcalibur debut.With Soulcalibur IV aiming for a July 29 release in North America, we're wondering if there will be anymore new character reveals to come. And if so, then which anime artist will be called upon for the design? Can we please have Osamu Tezuka for an Astro Boy-esque character?[Via N4G]
Soul Calibur IV's Premium 'tournament kit' explained
Remember when we told you about all the goodies available in Soul Calibur IV's $79.99 "Premium Edition?" Surely you recall the self-explanatory collector's tin, the comic slash artbook and the "extra customization content." But what of the "tournament kit," that nebulous bonus which we, after several heartfelt attempts, simply could not explain to ourselves? Clearly sensing the many sleepless nights prompted by this enigma, Siliconera has revealed just how the tournament kit will, according to Namco Bandai, "give fans the opportunity to document the battle amongst friends." It's ... it's ... (highlight to read) a tournament bracket card!Oh.
Soul Calibur IV special edition includes Yoda threads
Another game release, another special edition. The Soul Calibur IV special edition has recently been detailed by Namco Bandai and includes your standard special edition trinkets.Over-sized tin? Check. Art book? Check. T-Shirt? Check. Also included is a "Tournament Kit," a rather grandiose way of saying a reusable blank tournament bracket card. Interesting note to Star Wars fans, the Xbox 360 special edition includes a white t-shirt with Yoda/Siegfried art while the PS3 version includes a black Darth Vader/Mitsurugi tee (all versions are XL). We'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not the collection warrants the $80 price-tag.[via Silconera]
Vader and Yoda battling in new Soul Calibur IV trailer
After watching the above, almost uncomfortably rad trailer for Soul Calibur IV, we're ready to make a proclamation. If you can watch Darth Vader and Yoda killing dudes and you don't melt, even just a little, then your heart is made of iron and we're revoking your geek badge. Please, just go. Leave your Cheeto-dust-stained Battlestar Galactica T-shirt with Beverly on your way out.For those of your still with us, isn't it a little unnerving to see someone hit with a lightsaber and not be turned into person fractions? We hope the game includes a "Real World" mode where the fight begins, Yoda casually mentions that he's a Jedi and Mitsurugi puts his own sword in his belly just to save time. ...And yes, we just referred to a world including Yoda and Mitsurugi as the "real world." Please keep the snickers to a minimum.
Original Soulcalibur coming to XBLA
With the release of the highly anticipated Soul Calibur IV now confirmed to be July 29, and another fourth iteration fighting game likely hitting near the end of the year or thereabouts, what could fuel the single combat genre until the fall? Well, if you're going to be picking up SCIV it might be worth your time to see how the series started off, and Namco Bandai looks to be making that even easier when they bring the original Soulcalibur to Live Arcade later this year. Regarded by some as a near-perfect weapon based fighter, this 1999 Dreamcast title will be upgraded to run in HD, though that's where the upgrades really stop. Leaderboards will be featured for the single player, but there are currently no plans to include online multiplayer, local only. We're not sure about this particular port, our purchase will likely depend on the amount of ambient nostalgia upon release (and of course upon the quality of Soul Calibur IV).
Namco Bandai to bring original Soul Calibur to XBLA
While July 29 will finally let us settle the age old question asking who would win in a fight, an undead pirate or a Sith lord, Namco Bandai's plans for fighting game enthusiasts do not end with Soul Calibur IV. The company confirmed plans this evening to re-release the original Dreamcast fighter over Xbox Live Arcade this summer as well. Namco Bandai has shed little light on what we can expect from the port, revealing only that it will include all of the original cast, with Arcade, Training, and Survival modes on top of the obligatory local Versus mode. Additionally, the company has only confirmed leaderboards, leaving us to wonder if the release will let us take the Dreamcast classic online as we party like it's 1999.
Soulcalibur IV video displays prowess of Vader, Yoda
You know, we haven't seen a new video for Soulcalibur IV in a long time, so even though this one isn't exactly "official", it does offer a first-time look at gameplay footage of both Darth Vader and Yoda -- the extra characters mysteriously added to the game. Let's not forget that Vader is exclusive to the PS3 version (while Yoda is exclusive to the Xbox 360).What can we say? They seem like they'll fit in nicely, and we hope to see more weapon-based fighter action in the near future. New images of the game can also be found at Jeux-France.
We Got It 4 Cheap: 38 Wii sales at Amazon
The thrifty kids at Cheap Ass Gamers have compiled a list of Wii games currently on sale at Amazon, digging up almost 40 different deals. Of course, most of them are junk -- pet sim shovelware and titles based on movie licenses -- but there are a few marked down that you'll likely find interest in: Alien Syndrome - $19.99 ($29.99) Battalion Wars 2 - $23.31 ($49.99), read our review Bust A Move Bash - $29.99 ($39.99) Nights: Journey of Dreams - $29.99 ($49.99) Nitrobike - $19.99 ($29.99) No More Heroes - $33.99 ($49.99), read our review Soul Calibur: Legends - $18.90 ($39.99) Sonic and the Secret Rings - $20.99 ($29.99) We can't guarantee how long these bargains will last, so jump on them now while you can, or you'll end up having to settle for Chicken Shoot. Bring your cart past the post break for the full tally of discounted games.
Soul Calibur IV's Amy, Cervantes and Zasalamel revealed in screenshots
While Soul Calibur IV's trio of Amy, Cervantes and Zasalamel were first revealed this week in the pages of Famitsu, we find that we're often far too busy to be bothered with flipping through a magazine looking at pictures, let alone one we can't even read. That's why we're thrilled that Namco Bandai has sent out some screens showing off the characters as they make the high-def leap from the PS2-exclusive Soul Calibur III to this summer's sequel. Still, as fearsome as Cervantes is (just look at that pirate scowl, you know he means business), we still wonder how even he will handle dealing with Jedi. %Gallery-6043%
Latest Soulcalibur IV scan reveals new character, returning cast
A new Famitsu scan, a new Soulcalibur IV character revealed. This time, one more fresh female face joins the roster; her name is Angol Fear. She sounds frightening, doesn't she? Angol Fear is said to be a character from the Keroro Gunsou anime. It's an odd choice for a guest character if you ask us. Seems a little too niche. It begs the question: is this character even going to make it in the North American version? A second question comes to mind: why are there no Namco guest characters? We'd love to see more Tekken cameos, or even Kos-Mos from Xenosaga -- that is, if there are no business complications on that end.Anyway, Soulcalibur fanatics will love this info: Cervantes and Zasalamel are returning. Amy from Soulcalibur III will also be returning. With the news of this latest revelation, the majority of Soulcalibur alumni have now been confirmed. We're still missing the likes of Setsuka, Talim, Yoshimitsu, and Rock. Talim, deary, where are you?
