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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)

Continued →

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 (May 21)

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]

Continued →

King of Fighters XII getting DLC, console-specific modes

by Majed Athab { May 16th 2009 at 1:00AM }

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

by Majed Athab { May 13th 2009 at 12:15PM }

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

by Ben Gilbert { May 10th 2009 at 11:30PM }

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: King of Fighters XII (March 16)

SNK developing King of Fighters shmup for XBLA

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 21st 2009 at 4:01PM }

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]

Doki Doki Majo Shinpan hits the beach

by JC Fletcher { Apr 15th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Great news for -- well, pervs! And also people like us who think skeezy DS games are hilarious. SNK Playmore's infamous witch-touching adventure series, Doki Doki Majo Shinpan is returning this summer with an appropriately summery sequel. Doki Majo Plus includes unspecified "new scenarios" and "new systems," as well as new characters like the demure Kanan Kiara. This time, the investigation takes place during an island vacation.

What hasn't changed is the goal of the game: to find "witch marks" on the bodies of your classmates. And the fact that this series is as unlikely as ever to see release outside of Japan -- which is probably okay. But before we condemn SNK for this stuff, keep in mind that this is what pays for those fancy new sprites in King of Fighters XII.

Ignition reveals date, details for King of Fighters XII tournament

by JC Fletcher { Apr 2nd 2009 at 4:45PM }

Ready to compete in a game you've never played? Ignition Entertainment has officially announced the King of Fighters XII tournament teased last week on the game's website.

The tournament, being held in cooperation with the EVO tournament group, will take place at Element in Hollywood on May 30th, during which 128 freakishly talented competitors will pit their stylish, high-resolution avatars against one another in a five-round tournament. If you think you're the king of King of Fighters, you can sign up at EVO's site starting April 6 at 10AM PST. Signing up at Ignition's KOF site could win you a trip to watch the event.

The press release teases "special guests and the opportunity to win one-of-a-kind KOF goods" -- not the least of which is a Japanese King of Fighters XII cabinet.

Gallery: King of Fighters XII (March 16)

King of Fighters XII tournament to be held in LA

by JC Fletcher { Mar 25th 2009 at 10:15AM }

We've come across the North American website for the console release of King of Fighters XII, which features something very exciting: wallpapers! Oh, wait, that's not it, though we like the wallpapers a lot. The website features a signup form to "win a free spot in the KOFXII tournament in LA." Awesome news for those of you confident in your Rising Tackles! That kind of confidence will be tested for most KOFXII players, by the way, because the game supports online multiplayer. We're guessing that the tournament will be held near the July release date.

Also seen on the website: potential box art for the game, showing what could possibly be a limited-edition version in a fancy slipcase. Of course, Ignition has been putting all of its games in fancy slipcases lately, so it's not necessarily an LE.