Sorry about the lack of updates since May. There really has been no news worth reporting with any solid dates or anything that is news worthy honestly in the Arcade scene. Seems like there is always a huge gap between May and November until a major release as most Japanese companies release their big guns during the Holiday season and 1rst quarter of the year so they can get those great financial reports in April. Since April there has been a total lack of games released of in Japan. Some of this can also be attributed to the terrible Earthquake that hit Japan in March. Meanwhile Arcade staples like Cave are working on other projects and Capcom is busy with the usual upgrades and Crossover titles. SNK has absolutely no games in the arcade pipeline and King Of Fighters XIII on home consoles is the major release of the holidays for 2d game fans (The companies future is probally riding on this title). Here are some of the games we have to look forward to confirmed to be released on home consoles in the next 12 months.
Dreamcast Sturmwind
PS3 King Of Fighters XIII NBA Jam On Fire Edtion Soul Calibur V Street Fighter X Tekken Tekken Tag Tournament HD Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3
PSN
Mortal Kombat Kollection
Xbox 360 Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu (USA) King Of Fighters XIII Mushihimesama 1.5 NBA Jam On Fire Edtion Soul Calibur V Street Fighter X Tekken Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3
Sega has announced that Guardian Heroes is coming out for the Xbox 360 courtesy of Xbox Live Arcade. It will feature updated HD Graphics as well as Online Multi Player. There will be co operative mode as well as up to 12 player versus mode.
Super Street Fighter IV will be coming to the PC later this year. The ESRB released a rating aside the previously released Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 Versions. Expect some extras or DLC content for the Arcade Edition of Super Street Fighter IV. Release dates for both the DLC and PC edition will occur after the Capcom Captivate embargo ends at 12pm Eastern April 12th.
Strania – The Stella Machina is due on Xbox Live Arcade worldwide March 30th 2011. Below you can find more in depth info on the game title. The game will cost 800MSP ($10). It is scheduled for release also for the NesicaXLive Arcade system.
Official press release
Reminiscent of nostalgic arcade games from the 1980s, G.rev delivers an authentic robot shoot’em up to XBox LIVE Arcade with Strania. Incorporating strategic decision-making with the exhilarating action that defines the genre, Strania offers a dynamic game system and features dramatic effects plus a catchy soundtrack. Get ready for some hot arcade action as we’re bringing back true hardcore arcade gameplay!
Background Story
"The paths of two advanced civilizations cross as Strania attempts to defend its planet from the approaching Vower army. Armed in powerful mecha able to carry a variety of weapons, the Stranian special task force, the Stella Machina, set out on a preemptive strike against the artificial beings. In order to give their home planet a chance to overcome the oppressors, the Stella Machina must destroy Vower’s massive particle weapon “Gunrock” and create an opening for the fleet to attack the Vower base settling on the frontline"
Key Features
KEY FEATURES * Inspired by classic arcade shooters from the 1980s: Noted shoot’em up developer G.rev’s newest project is a tribute to old school action shooters from the days when arcades still ruled the gaming scene. A 3D-graphics based 2D vertical shooter, gamers will face curtains of enemies and bullets flying from every direction, infiltrate towering defensive structures and duel with monolithic robots. Fast paced with frantic action set above a backdrop of retro graphics, Strania will take you back to the good ole days.
* Guns and swords do mix: As a member of the elite Stella Machina, gamers pilot a high-powered mecha able to equip a lethal arsenal of weapons. Choose from a long range, destructive laser, explosive rockets, a reflective shot and more. Or, take the battle up close and pick up a couple of swords to slash your way through the robotic wave of invaders.
* 2 > 1: Going solo on Strania is great, but taking a wingman with you is better. Play Strania with a friend locally or online via LIVE!
Info on the DLC side mission SIDE VOWER.
A tale does not become an epic without multiple twists and storylines, and the epic of Strania is not limited to the chapters detailing the Stranian forces’ attempt to defend the planet they call home. In the DLC package SIDE VOWER, gamers assume the role of the intergalactic travelers who have come to Strania with a mission – to recapture the land that they hold sacred.
Work your way into the heart of the planet as you fight through newly arranged stages each capped with a Stranian boss. New music tracks accompany you as you duel with the elite Stella Machina. Break through Stranian defenses and lead the Vower army to fulfill their destiny.
Game Info
Game Title Strania – The Stella Machina – Platform XBox LIVE Arcade Publisher & developer G.rev Game Genre Shoot’em Up (2D shooter) Release Date March 30, 2011
Number of Players 1 or 2 (multiplayer available locally or via LIVE) Online Features Online coop multiplayer (maximum 2 players) Languages Japanese, English
This is a List of the NesicaXlive games confirmed for the system. The games already released are noted on parentheses.
Nesica X Live games List
Exclusive games Aquapazza Strania Blazblue CS2 (released) Exception
Type X games Battle Fantasia King Of Fighters 98 (released) King Of Fighters 2002 (released) Power Instinct 5 Raiden IV Senko No Ronde DUO(released) Spica Adventure (released) Trouble Witches AC
Neo Geo Art Of Fighting Brikinger / Iron Clad Fatal Fury King Of Fighters 94 Metal Slug Samurai Shodown World Heroes
Taito Classics Elevator Action Puzzle Bobble Rainbow islands Extra Rastan Space Invaders
SNK Playmore announced at the amusement show that several Neo Geo Classic games and a few of their Type X2 games will be released on the NesicaXlive Arcade System in Japan. Neo Geo titles confirmed include Iron Clad / Brikinger which was originally supposed to be released in 1996. Also Metal Slug , Samurai Shodown, World Heroes , Art of Fighting and more are scheduled. Also updated versions of Type X2 releases of King of Fighters 98 Final Match and King Of Fighters 2002 Unlimited are due for release. This could signal a second coming of the Neo Geo if this system proves to be successful. There was no world of a USA release.
Developer RCI will be releasing Shin Koihime Musou Dream Arcade Edition later this year in Japanese Arcades. The game features a all female cast. The game is displayed in 16:9 widescreen and have high resolution sprite animation.
Aquapazza is coming to arcades later this year for the Taito Type X2 NesicaXlive arcade system. Aquapazza is new 2d fighter from Examu and Aquaplus! You should remember Examu for their work on the Arcana Heart series.
Sega showed off a new build of Chaos Code at the amusement show last month. The game will be released on Ringedge hardware in Japan this summer. The game was first put on location test in 2009. It features a 4 button fighting system and has easy combo input to allow players to better enjoy its fighting system.
5pb will be releasing Bullet Soul Tama Tamashii a original Xbox 360 shmup April 7th 2011 in Japan. It may be released as a region-free title.The game features vertical scrolling gameplay on a 2d plane. Character designs are from Akio Watanabe. Music composition is from Kenji Ito, with arrangement work from Kouta Takahashi.
G.Rev announced that Seisou Kouki No Strania will be released on Xbox Live Arcade March 30th 2011 worldwide. The price will be 800MSP. They also announced that it will also be released on the Taito Type X as a NesicaXlive title. The game will feature online co op as well as leaderboards.
Game developer Qute will be releasing their first next generation shmup Eschatos on the Xbox 360 March 24th in Japan. The game features vertical shmup gameplay in high definition. The game also includes as a bonus ports of the Wonderswan games Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins. The game producer also mentioned that Eschatos will be region free release as well.
Konami will be releasing Otomedius Excellent March 24th 2011 in Japan for the Xbox 360. The game is a sequel to Otomedius G which was released on Xbox 360 in 2008. The game features horizontial gameplay reminiscent of Gradius and includes many selectable characters including guest appearance from Castlevania / Dracula X series. Some features include online play featuring 3 players at once. There is also a offline mode which you and a few friends can play together as well.
Cave will be releasing a Adventure game for presumably for Xbox 360 (Kinect Maybe) later this year titled Instant Brain.The game is centered around a camera which you use to progress through the story. The game is set in the near future. You can view the official site here.
Cave announced that Akai Katana Shin! coming to Xbox 360 May 26th 2011. The game will have 16:9 widescreen support as well as new gameplay systems and extra stages. There will be a LE and Standard edition releases.Visuals are updated for high resolution with redrawn sprites. The first print will include DLC for add on for newly recorded voices.
Cave has announced Nin Nin Jump for Xbox 360 Live Arcade / XBLA due out in 2011. It is a Ninja Scroller with Vertical and Horizontial stages. There will be 50 stages in adventure mode. Score attack will have some specific stages. The game will also have online score boards.
Cave announced that Deathsmiles will be coming to Iphone / Ipad / Ipod touch Spring 2011. The game will be released Internationally. It will feature Arcade mode as well as Iphone mode.
By now you are reading this and Christmas is one week away. You are saying to yourself it is a little late to be buying something for that someone special who happens to love Japanese Arcade games. Well fear not because it is never to late!
I am going to be covering some of the games that are released this year and the consoles which they are sold.
NOTE this does contain some games that were published in the USA and are not Arcade related but are worth picking up.
PS3 Blazblue Continuum Shift NBA Jam Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Super Street Fighter IV Time Crisis Razing Storm
PSN Afterburner Climax Sodner X2 Xmen
PSP Blazblue Metal Slug XX Tekken 6
Wii Donkey Kong Country Returns Golden Eye 007 NBA Jam Mario Sports MIX (Due in USA Next Year)
Xbox 360 Blazblue Continuum Shift Deathsmiles Deathsmiles 2X Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu Espgaluda 2 Black Label Ketsui Mushihimesama Futari 1.5 (BEST) NBA Jam Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Super Street Fighter IV
XBLA Afterburner Climax Earthworm Jim HD Guwange King Of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match King Of Fighters Sky Stage Metal Slug XX Neo Geo Battle Colisieum Xmen
Any of these games make a great gift and are a excellent purchase in my opinion. Do yourself a favor and play any of the awesome titles above.
Redspot games has announced a new horizontial shmup for Dreamcast called Sturmwind. The game features 16 levels as well as unlockable trophies and a hybrid 2/3d game engine. Sturmwind is planned for release sometime in 2011. More info can be found on Redspotgames website.
Along with Fast Striker we now have 2 Dreamcast releases to look forward to. Some gameplay video can be seen below.
Mile-Stone Shooting Collection 2 was announced for Wii. It features 5 ports from the Sega Naomi Arcade system on 1 disc. Chaos Field, Illvelo, Karous ,Radirgy , and Radirgy Noah. The planned release is December 30th 2010 for 4,800 Yen. This will probally get a USA release sometime next year as I would find it hard for a publisher to pass up. If you like Mile-Stone shmups this is the definitive collection of their catalogue.
