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ESRB rates Metal Slug XX for US release

by Randy Nelson { Oct 15th 2009 at 6:15PM }

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: Metal Slug XX (PSP)

Behind the horrifying scenes of the King of Fighters movie

by JC Fletcher { Oct 9th 2009 at 10:30AM }

King of Fighters fans would probably really appreciate a live-action movie that deals with the series' surprisingly detailed storylines faithfully, while bringing their favorite characters into real life in a recognizable way. Those are the exact people who should never, ever watch the King of Fighters movie.

Disclosure: if we weren't watching this behind-the-scenes trailer (after the break) for work, we would have turned it off as soon as the narration said that the fighting took place in another dimension. But then we would have missed being introduced to the white guy playing Kyo Kusanagi! And to Iori Yagami's hockey getup.

Don't worry, the movie's actually in good hands: the actress playing Vice has heard of King of Fighters.

[Thanks, Doug]

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Metal Slug XX rolls onto PSP this December

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 6th 2009 at 3:15PM }

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: Metal Slug XX (PSP)

Review: King of Fighters XII

by David Hinkle { Jul 31st 2009 at 2:45PM }

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: King of Fighters XII

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Free-to-play 'KOF World' to dropkick Asian market

by David Hinkle { Jul 31st 2009 at 3:00AM }

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.

New King of Fighters XII trailer includes punching, also kicking

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 16th 2009 at 1:15PM }

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.

King of Fighters XII punches through with a new video

by David Hinkle { Jul 10th 2009 at 8:45PM }

If you had told us five years ago that 2009 would be a year to remember for 2D fighters, we would've called you a crazy person and erased you from our buddy list. Sure enough, with solid releases Street Fighter IV and BlazBlue already dropping this year, and Marvel vs Capcom 2, Tatsunoko vs Capcom and, as the above video shows, King of Fighters XII awaiting release, we would've been the crazy one. If you're a fan of the occasional bout of two-dimensional fisticuffs, then you've got a lot to choose from this year.

It's as if millions of piggy banks suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced ... by giant hammers.

XBLA in Brief: King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, Worms 2: Armageddon

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 1st 2009 at 6:15PM }

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 Match
Download the trial version of Worms 2: Armageddon

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This Wednesday: Droplitz and Garou: Mark of the Wolves hit XBLA

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 22nd 2009 at 4:15PM }

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: Droplitz

Gallery: Garou: Mark of the Wolves (XBLA)

Metal Slug 7 ain't shooting up XBLA until 2010

by Majed Athab { Jun 19th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Metal Slug 7 on XBLA was originally slated as a 2009 title; however, the latest reports say it'll be pushed back to 2010. Speaking to Siliconera, Ignition Entertainment's acquisitions manager, Robert Macchiaverna, says the side-scrolling shmup won't make it out this year.

"It is still happening," said Macchiaverna. "But, I believe that's scheduled to be a 2010 title." Instead, Ignition will be working on The King of Fighters Ultimate Match '98. On the bright side, you can play Metal Slug 7 right now ... just, unfortunately, not on your 360.

Garou: Mark of the Wolves marks XBLA next week

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 19th 2009 at 1:00PM }

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: Garou: Mark of the Wolves (XBLA)

Hands-on: Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny

by JC Fletcher { Jun 8th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny, the latest in SNK's long-lived weapons-based fighting game series, feels totally different from its predecessors. The K2-developed fighter doesn't just add 3D graphics to the series more successfully than the version on the short-lived Hyper Neo Geo 64 system -- it adds some 3D movement as well, in the form of a dodge move.

During our quick match, Ignition's Shane Bettenhausen described it as "Samurai Shodown meets Soul Calibur meets Bushido Blade," a classification that aptly encapsulates some of the changes in the game.

Gallery: Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny (Xbox 360)

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Latest King of Fighters XII trailer is a history lesson

by David Hinkle { May 30th 2009 at 4:00AM }

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.

Watch this King of Fighters XII footage and pretend you're winning

by JC Fletcher { May 21st 2009 at 9:45PM }

We never get tired of staring at King of Fighters XII. We were pleased, then, when Ignition sent over this new video of a match featuring Elisabeth Blanctorche, a recent addition to the KOF XII roster, facing off against SNK mainstay Joe Higashi.

Confession time: when it comes to fighting games, even though we adore them, we're used to experiences like what the Joe player here is going through -- crushing defeats. Over and over again. At least with KOF XII, we'll get to lose online to a variety of opponents, which is somewhat novel for KOF. We like to mix it up, you know? Lose in the arcades sometimes, then lose at home with friends, then lose a few online matches. Maybe we'll try losing a couple of rounds with an arcade stick.

Gallery: King of Fighters XII

Help choose The King of Fighters XII box art

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 20th 2009 at 4:00AM }

Ignition Entertainment is asking for the community to decide The King of Fighters XII's box art for North America. Currently there are polls open on the company forums to decide between the four different covers -- two for each system -- of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. In both cases, "Option 1" is the Japanese box art and "Option 2" is the originally-intended North American box art.

The fans will decide which graphic the McCountry will be forced to gaze its eyes upon. We know it's supposed to be a battle and all, but wouldn't this be the perfect time to make the argument for reversible covers? Anyway, the PS3 choices can be found after the break.

Source -- Rock the Box Round 2 [PS3]
Source -- Rock the Box Round 2 [X360]

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