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Punch Out, Virtua Fighter and Bonk hit the Virtual Console
Today's Virtual Console releases all have one thing in common: a love for violence to the head. Whether it be Bonk using his noggin as a weapon, Mac delivering that eleventh uppercut to Glass Joe or Akira Yuki landing three extra backfists on the nose of his opponent, these releases are sure to spark violent tendencies in children under the age of two and one-third.Punch Out!, already out in Europe, is Nintendo's entrant for today's triumvirate of releases. The full serving, available on US Virtual Consoles at 9 a.m. PT, includes: Punch Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream (NES, 1 player, 500 points) Bonk's Revenge (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 points) Virtua Fighter 2 (Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 points) [Image Credit]
Alex Kidd, Wonder Boy, and 2D Virtua Fighter 2 slated for Virtual Console
Sega continues to throw its support toward Nintendo's Virtual Console by announcing three new titles that will likely be coming in the next few weeks: Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Wonder Boy in Monster World and a 2-dimensional version of Virtua Fighter 2.Unfortunately, it is not the Virtua Fighter 2 that one might hope for. While the title was made originally for the arcade and Saturn, Sega is bringing the Genesis version to the Virtual Console. This far inferior version did not have an 3D engine and instead opted to approximate the renderings in 2D. It also excluded new characters Shun Di and Lion. Is this perhaps what spawned that Sega Saturn on Virtual Console rumor?It was around this time last month that Sega announced its releases for March, so expect to see these titles arrive within the coming weeks.
Namco Vs. Sega -- the future of fighting is in your hands!
Haruki Suzaki, director of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, sat down for an interview with IGN recently. While we'd love to talk about that game, there's something else of greater interest in the interview. Something called... beautiful. By a show of hands, who here would like to play the hell out of a "Tekken vs. Virtua Fighter" title? Would they call it Namco vs. Sega? Either way, that would be a fantastic crossover idea. But is it possible?Suzaki said this about the idea: "I had the opportunity to speak with the director of Virtual Fighter on many occasions in the past and actually talk of collaboration came up again recently. Being from the same industry, this is something we definitely would like to try at least once. Looking at it from another perspective, we began to realize that it would actually be more difficult to make this happen than we first thought. More than anything, we believe this decision greatly lies in our fans. So, we would actually like to ask for our fans' opinion on this."He wants to know what we think, guys! IGN wants you to send your request for a T vs. VF to their email address and they'll forward it to Sega and Namco. I did it and you guys should too! If they did a two-man tag team style, what would your dream team be? Go, go, go! This is our chance to be heard![thank you very much, Joe!]
IGN developing content for Sega? 1UP contributing too?
As much as you might cherish pummeling IGN-created Virtua Fighter 5 character 'Ryuutoushi,' the unprecedented pairing of press and publisher warrants investigation. A Sega-sponsored contest in which an IGN reader is selected to design a game character would be one thing, but IGN editors contributing content for Virtua Fighter 5?Digging deeper, we discover that 1UP's James Mielke has also created a VF5 character, writing on his 1UP page, "I'm pretty sure I can die happy now, knowing that no matter how many additions there are to the series, that I am part ... of Virtua Fighter history." As it turns out, Mielke and presumably IGN, along with other members of the gaming press, won their right to design for VF5 by placing high enough in an "editor's tournament" hosted by Sega last year.Sure, it hurts deeply that Sega neglected to invite us; knowing that Kietzmann would have mopped the floor with Mielke and his editor ilk. Of course, Sega would have rejected his poorly disguised efforts to bring back Hornet (from Fighters Megamix), but still...In all seriousness, should we be concerned that critics have contributed, however casually, to Virtua Fighter 5? Can we really trust the opinions of those who have been charmed by thoughts of immortality within the game? There is certain danger in crossing this line.Note: the press-created characters are not playable, but will appear as opponents in various modes throughout the game.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 Virtua Fighter 5 is gold
Game delays have relegated PlayStation 3 to lesser uses for the immediate future, but Sega is making good on its promise, with Virtua Fighter 5 now just a disc-press away. The fighter will meet its target release date, February 20, retailing for $59.99.Sadly, Virtua Fighter 5 will lack online support (including basic leaderboards). But amidst the current software drought, come February, Sega's old standby will be as good as it gets for PS3. Good thing MotorStorm will be just around the corner...Virtua Fighter 5 is also being ported to Xbox 360 for release this summer.
Virtua Fighter 5, gameplay videos galore
Virtua Fighter is not for everyone. Outside of Japan, it's never gotten the attention of a Tekken or a Soul Calibur or, to a lesser extent, a Dead or Alive. Some will argue that it's a critical darling, but critical success doesn't necessarily translate to high sales numbers. As old school SEGA fans, we have a soft spot for the series (in fact, I prefer it to Tekken or DOA), so we're going to pimp it all we can. GameTrailers has unleashed several new videos of the game in action (PS3 version). Two things are evident from these videos. One, it's real purdy. Two, it's painful to watch people that don't really know how to play (something that's true of all fighting games). Still, these videos should give hopeful fans an idea of what to expect when the game hits the Xbox 360 this summer. Check out three more videos after the break.
Rumor: Virtua Fighter 5 is 1080p
True HD, if you ask some people, is only 1080p. It's a shame, then, that few PlayStation 3 titles have yet to push resolution that high. Virtua Fighter 5, then, would be a great addition to the small library of 1080p games.According to a scan at IGN, the latest edition of Sega's flagship fighter might support 1080p resolution. However, the scan of the back of VF5's box is very fuzzy and could easily be just a Photoshop job by those abusing the Internets. Not only that, but we're pretty sure Sega or Sony would be mentioning 1080p as often as possible.We should know definitively by February 8, whenVirtua Fighter 5 lands in Japan.See Also:Virtua Fighter 5 smacks PS3, heads to 360
Virtua Fighter 5 moves to 360... so that explains it...
Remember when we said the screens for the PS3 VF5 looked fairly underwhelming? Now we know why. Making the game into a multi-platform title, SEGA probably had to cut a few corners. Not saying that's a bad thing -- good job, Microsoft, on acquiring a huge Japanese title -- but it kind of knocks out the "what could have been" for the PS3. The game is due out for the 360 some months after the US release and probably closer to the European release of the game. But if you've a PS3, why wait?The funny thing is, SEGA always denied the 360 rumors and yet, here we are. With that in mind, are other "exclusives" that have been denied time and again actually true? Stupid PR. Metal Gear Solid 4 is an exclusive, but it'll probably be one in the same sense VF5 is -- for a good number of months. Other games who've rumored moving multi-platform, like Devil May Cry 4... should remain purely PS3-exclusive. Look at the history of the games for some fairly good insight. Leave us your theories, rants, complaints, hoots of joy, hollers of rage... whatever, in the form of a comment![via xbox360fanboy]
Virtua Fighter 5 smacks PS3, heads to 360
Exclusive content has been slowly moving away from the PS3. Mostly, they've been fairly minor, like Koei titles. However, an arguably bigger title is making the jump to the Xbox 360. Sega has announced that Virtua Fighter 5 -- a former PS3 exclusive -- has moved over to the Xbox 360. Sega also offered a few more bits of information; The PS3 will still be getting a timed -- albeit short -- exclusive with the PS3 launch in Europe. The Xbox 360 version will be hitting Europe and North America in Summer 2007. The exodus of PS3 exclusivity should start worrying Sony. Microsoft has been doing a better job of tying down exclusive content and Sony doesn't want to wage the console war utilizing in-house studios exclusively. It could be the already declining interest in the PS3 and questionable production capabilities that are convincing companies to move the the already established Xbox 360 platform. [Thanks to all who sent this in]
PS3 Virtua Fighter 5 in North America on Feb. 20, European launch title
Sega's bringing Virtua Fighter 5 to PlayStation 3 in just two short months. The newest installment will arrive in North America on February 20 and will be boxed and waiting for PS3's launch in Europe (presumably in March). The next round of Virtua Fighter features 17 fighters (two new) with customization dress-up options. Unfortunately, Sega's franchise will still be restricted to offline-play.In Japan, Virtua Fighter 5's debut (February 8) will be followed by the release of Sega's 'Virtua Stick High Grade' on February 15. The USB arcade stick has not been confirmed for release outside of Japan, but is available for import. (For the thrifty: Hori is pushing a 'cheaper' alternative.)
Sega wants YOU for Virtua Fighter 5 character player data
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a part of a video game? Sega is giving you that chance with Virtua Fighter 5, so long as you reside legally in Japan. Hold on, though! It's not you that can get into the game... it's more like... your player data/records/ring name/level/etc. Basically, you submit your best records via the VF.net service and if Sega chooses your character, all the aforementioned statistics will be added as rival players -- the people you fight against in 1P mode. How fun would it be to have your introductory text, "Want to get smashed like a college freshman? Come get some, little girl!" show up in the home version of Virtua Fighter 5? Pretty fun. So, if you're residing in Japan and absolutely love Virtua Fighter, go for it.
Sega does what Nintendon't on your PSP
If you're into classic games like me, you're probably eagerly awaiting the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console feature so that you can play not only some Nintendo games, but some Genesis games as well. For those of you Sony fanboys that'll avoid the Wii like its a smelly grandmother, there's finally an alternative: Sega Genesis Collection, a compliation of nearly thirty Genesis games is heading to the PSP. The disc will not only come loaded with the games, but exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. PSP owners can rejoice in knowing that an exclusive wireless multiplayer mode is being created just for them. Maybe it'll even support Game Sharing? (I hope so!) Here's the list of games: Alex Kidd Altered Beast Bonanza Bros. Columns Comix Zone Decap Attack Ecco the Dolphin Ecco: The Tides of Time Ecco Jr. Eternal Champions Flicky Gain Ground Golden Axe Golden Axe II Golden Axe III Phantasy Star II Phantasy Star III Phantasy Star IV Ristar Shadow Dancer: Secret of Shinobi Shinobi III Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Super Thunderblade Sword of Vermillion Vectorman Vectorman 2 Virtua Fighter 2 Whoa... out of breath just reading that list. Visit 1up to see details about all of these classics.
Virtua Fighter 5 in playable state
According to an interview at IGN, Virtua Fighter 5 is running in an advanced state on PS3 hardware as we speak. All that's missing are home specific features and tweaks. This is an update from the last post on this exciting next-gen fighter, slightly due to its near completion, but what was interesting were the comments the developers had about the PS3.Hiroshi Kataoka, president of SEGA-AM2 was quoted as saying "considering its abilities, it's not expensive ... if that hardware was released not as PlayStation, but under the Vaio brand, and you got a Blu-Ray drive, a cell chip and the latest NVIDIA GPU for under 100,000 yen, you'd definately call it cheap." He makes sure to say if consumers consider it just a game machine, the price can seem pretty daring.The rest of the interview talks about how while a multi-platform release would have been possible, it would have decreased parameters, so they decided to stick to a PS3 exclusive for that reason.So there you have it! For fighter fans out there, especially of the Virtua variety, there is a fantastic game coming to PS3 alone ... and at the rate it's going, we may even see it earlier than we expect. We hope.
New screenshots for Virtua Fighter 5
Here are some images to check out from Sega's famous brawler which is due out next year. The aesthetics are shaping up to that next-gen feel, especially with the environments. Apparently gamers will be able to deck these characters out in different clothes and accessories purchased from an in-game shop. Makes you wonder if they plan on adding any support for micro-transactions over the internet as well.
Screenshot roundup: Virtua Fighter 5
Here are a handful of screens from Virtua Fighter 5, slated for a spring '07 release. If you haven't been following the title and want to sink your eyeballs into some more images, check out this link to find some from earlier last month. So far it's shaping up to look like a winner (but how will the new controller interface with it?).
Virtua Fighter 5 only for PS3 next spring
There was a time when Virtua Fighter 5 was considered a strong candidate for an arcade port to the Xbox 360, but that multiplatform hope's been dashed with the official announcement that VF5 will appear only on PS3 in the spring of 2007. Sega's technical fighter is a Sony exclusive once more.While home-console online play remains doubtful at this point, next-gen PlayStation owners can now securely look forward to facing off as El Blaze and Eileen (the new luchador and monkey kung-fu artist, respectively) along with the other 15 fighters, decked out in all sorts of items purchased in the in-game store with prize money earned through in-game matches.VF5 will support up to 720p HD resolution and will be featured in game footage in the SEGA booth at E3 (South Hall, Booth #946) later this week.[Thanks, Matt; also via Joystiq]
PS3 Games: Not 1080p
We'll have to wait until Sony's conference later today and the rest of E3 to get more details about their upcoming console but from the Pre-E3 announcements we're already getting a few tidbits. Sony has been touting their ability to output 1080p via dual HDMI ports while some have claimed most games won't be able to use that resolution. Checking out Sega's announcement that Virtua Fighter 5 will be a Playstation 3 exclusive and Epic's interview regarding Unreal Tournament 2007 reveals one common thread, that both are targeting 720p. Obviously these will be early titles in the systems lifespan so we may see later games kick it up to 1920x1080 and with few having HDTVs that display or accept a 1080p signal this is of limited importance. Still one has to wonder if Sony will even call these games high definition, since the only True HD is 1080p at least according to Phil Harrison.Check for more live E3 coverage from Joystiq.
