Tuesday, May 11, 2010

new old news?

Salutations! ( It's been a while since I've done this. About six months, to be exact? Thus, some of this entry will be old news to a lot of you. Anyway, we'll try continuing what we started at http://newchallenger.net/blog, which is also viewable / mirrored on http://six-echo.blogspot.com, shall we? Thanks for tuning in. )

  • In case you haven't seen it: a few weeks back in the wake of the news of Metal Slug XX SNK announced a July 29th release date for NeoGeo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting for the PSP, to be priced at 5040 yen. It will also include an arranged version of KOF SKY STAGE, which was released in arcades in January to much acclaim and is also planned to be available as an XBLA title this summer. The game will have a large list of playable characters making an appearance:
- Akari Ichijo (Last Blade)
- Marco Rossi (Metal Slug)
- Iroha (Samurai Shodown VI)
- Kyo Kusanagi (The King of Fighters)
- Iori Yagami (The King of Fighters)
- Terry Bogard (Fatal Fury)
- Mai Shiranui (Fatal Fury)
- Athena Asamiya (Psycho Soldier)
- Kula Diamond (The King of Fighters)
- SYDIII ( Alpha Mission / ASO: Armored Scrum Object )

Official site.
Famitsu article.
Trailer.


Monday, November 30, 2009

grandmaster challenge

it's been a while, we've been busy, etc. sorry.

  • SNK has clearly lost their minds - December 23rd in Japan will mark the release of the Neo Geo Online Collection Complete Box Volumes 1 and 2, containing the essence of their fighting game masterpieces over the years:

Volume 1: Garou Densetsu / Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 1-2, Garou: Mark Of The Wolves, Ryuuko No Ken: Ten-Chi-Jin / Art Of Fighting Anthology, Samurai Spirits: Rokuban Shoubu ( Samurai Spirits 1-5, Samurai Spirits Tenkaichi Kenkyakuden ), Sunsoft Collection ( Galaxy Fight, Waku Waku 7 ).

Volume 2: The King Of Fighters Orochi Collection ( '95-'97 ), The King Of Fighters NESTS Saga ( '99-'01 ), The King Of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, World Heroes Gorgeous, Fu'un Super Combo, Bakumatsu Roman: The Last Blade 2-in-1.

Each volume retails at http://shopncsx.com for a $118.90 preorder.

  • The new Dream Factory produced entry in the Battle Arena Toshinden series, tentatively titled "War Budokai", has a lot of content on the official site. They have yet to announce an official release date. Trailer one. Trailer two.
  • Cyberconnect2 releases Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Accel 3 as a PSP exclusive on December 10th in Japan. 4-player ad hoc wifi action is to be expected, with a massive cast of over 50 characters. 10th anniversary promo trailer.
  • Samurai Spirits: Sen releases December 10th for JP-region Xbox 360. The UK/AU tentative dates seem to be set somewhere in January 2010 with no current word of the US release. Xbox 360 trailer ( Doki Doki ).
  • In April 2010 Capcom plans on releasing a "Final Fight Double Impact" bundle for PSN and Xbox Live Arcade which will pack in the arcade versions of Final Fight and Magic Sword, including leaderboards, online play, new arranged soundtracks and the ability to switch between HD and the original arcade cab display size.
  • In two days on Dec. 3rd, Bandai's Kamen Rider Climax Heroes, previously released on the PS2 will release on the Japanese Wii. Official site.
  • There's an article here entirely in Japanese, something about the arcade machine distributor that primarily handled games like Akatsuki Blitzkampf Ausf.Achse and Goketsuji Ichizoku: Matsuri Senzo Kuyou going into bankruptcy as of November 20th but my grasp of the language is terrible; any clarification would be appreciated.
  • Kyoto's Neo Amusement Space A-Cho's next All Capcom Historical Vs Game Olympics will be held January 9th and 10th of 2010. Expected game lineup will be Street Fighter 4, Street Fighter Zero 3, Capcom VS SNK 2, Street Fighter III 3rd Strike, Super Street Fighter II X, Marvel VS Capcom 2, and Vampire Savior. Should be amazing!
  • By now you've probably heard of the inclusion of Cody, Guy, and Adon as well as T.Hawk, Juri and Deejay to the character roster of Super Street Fighter 4, with some Famitsu scans pointing out a dubious kunai heralding the imminent arrival of Ibuki of SF3 fame. New Character Trailer. New Features Trailer. Dimps/Capcom is currently planning a Spring 2010 release.
  • In just four days on December 5th, SNK launches the King Of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match Arcadia Cup, fresh off their support for the Duelling The KOF 8th Season 3 on 3. In addition to the tournament there will be a location test for the shmup-relative of the series, KOF Sky Stage, which is due for arcades in January and XBLA next year. Meanwhile, The King Of Fighters XII has gotten several DLC packs for arranged BGM for both PSN and XBLA but no word of additional characters ( outside of the supposed K' / Mai additions ) or backgrounds just yet....
  • Blazblue: Continuum Shift was released a week and some change ago in arcades. v-13 is now Lambda-11, and Tsubaki and Hazama have joined the roster, with some universal rebalancing happening across the board. Arcade intro. Official page with special poster + command list. Hazama and Tsubaki Astral Heat.
  • Blazblue: Calamity Trigger will trot out for the PSP port February 25th 2010 in Japan, with Unlimited versions of all 12 characters and ad hoc play for four players. No word on US or UK release.
  • Senko No Ronde DUO ver.2.00 has been released for Taito Type X-2 in the arcades and an Xbox 360 console release is planned for second quarter 2010. Intro. Official site. "How to play" Mika Mikli attract mode.
  • Tekken 6 is now available for the PSP in stores and for 39.99 over PSN, for a portable sibling comparable to its Xbox 360 and PS3 counterparts that has ad-hoc multiplayer and all characters and stages from the ports. Players can also transfer ghost data between each other to fight each other's characters when not connected. In addition, Katsuhiro Harada, T6's producer has publicly stated that any further DLC his team produces will be free for download from XBLA/PSN.
  • In other Tekken related news, you can vote for Tekken 6 to be added to the World Cyber Games international competitive circuit for the 2010 season in their poll here. This month, Softbank Publishing will be releasing the Tekken 6 Perfect Guide as well, with full on frame data and other useful info for serious Tekken enthusiasts.
  • Madcatz's Marvel VS Capcom 2 branded tournament stick with arcade quality Sanwa parts is available in 360 and PS3 flavors from Gamestop's site, retailing at 159.99.
  • The World Cyber Games Grand Finals came to a head last month in China, with Japan's Fuudo ( Lion ) taking top honors against some of South Korea, Singapore and other members of the international Virtua Fighter 5 community. Finals are here. Qualifiers / 3rd Place.

  • sp00ky425 updates with Touhou Immaterial And Missing Power combo and strategy footage.
  • LordAborigineSF4 updates with Street Fighter 4 match footage.
  • Kenshuma02 updates with Blazblue Calamity Trigger match footage.
  • Rinoaru updates with Senko No Ronde DUO match footage. ( zoome )
  • iplaywinner updates with Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Street Fighter 4, Capcom VS SNK 2, and Tekken 6 footage.
  • KILF0086 updates with Blazblue Calamity Trigger match footage.
  • SkyGamerZero updates with Blazblue Continuum Shift match footage.
  • AutonomousR updates with Blazblue Continuum Shift match footage.
  • Maho1378 updates with Blazblue Continuum Shift and Melty Blood Actress Again footage.
  • Adakune updates with Blazblue Continuum Shift match footage.
  • desiredkabal updates with Street Fighter 4 match footage.
  • ArtheasWL updates with Street Fighter 4 match footage.
  • SCHeartless updates with Street Fighter 4 match footage.
  • lostinariz0na updates with Super Street Fighter II X match footage.
  • shimatuya updates with Vampire Savior match footage.
  • kouhatsu updates with Kinnikuman Muscle Grandprix 2, Blazblue Continuum Shift, Akatsuki Blitzkampf Ausf.Achse, Super Street Fighter II X, and Daemon Bride match footage.
  • ReXXXSoprano updates with Blazblue Continuum Shift match footage.
  • sibladeko updates with Blazblue Continuum Shift match footage.
  • holden1820 updates with King Of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match footage.
  • itsumobasho updates with Virtua Fighter 5R Version C match footage.
  • bustword updates with Dissidia Final Fantasy match footage.
  • FullArmorBass updates with Naruto Shippuden Clash Of Ninja Revolution 3 and Narutimate Accel 2 footage.
  • kornssbm updates with Super Smash Bros. Brawl match footage.
  • abysmalmonkey updates with Guilty Gear XX Accent Core tutorial footage.
  • ogikage updates with Virtua Fighter 5R Version C match footage.
  • canon5311 updates with Melty Blood Actress Again combo footage.
  • PlagueVFDC updates with Virtua Fighter 5 match footage.
  • tsdcs updates with Street Fighter Zero 3 / Alpha 3 combo footage.
  • Emillll updates with The King Of Fighters 2002 match footage.
  • BrettH123 updates with Marvel VS Capcom 2 match footage.
  • IHX updates with Street Fighter EX Plus Alpha match footage.
  • TheShend updates with Street Fighter III 3rd Strike match footage.
  • Soh85 updates with Vampire Hunter, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2, The King Of Fighters XI, Shin Goutetsuji Ichizoku Toukon / Power Instinct Matrimelee, World Heroes Perfect, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, Groove On Fight, and other match footage.
  • Nori438 updates with Virtua Fighter 5R Version C match footage.

( aaand that's all the news that ain't - if i don't catch you before the holidays, happy new year )

Monday, August 17, 2009

vitamins + minerals?

Street Fighter IV
Gosho (Rufus), Kyabetsu (C. Viper)

Virtua Fighter 5R
Yutenji (Lau), Joseph (Akira), Gorgeous Eileen (Eileen)

Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion
E Honda (Lili), Jun-chan (Julia), RAUM (Wang)

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Charge Man Ken (Ryu/Ken The Eagle)

Fate/Unlimited Codes
138 (Lancer)

Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike
Boss (Yun), Momochi (Makoto), Rikimaru (Chun-li)

Blazblue
Fumo (Arakune)

Sugoi! Arcana Heart 2
Kasumi Love (Akane), Shin Konoha 12P Color (Konoha)

Guilty Gear XX A Core
Shonen (Testament), Yoshige (Millia), N Otoko (Venom)


Sunday, July 26, 2009

calamity trigger

For the umpteenth time, my sincerest apologies for the lack of consistent updates.


The King Of Fighters XII ( as studied by Gaakun and Kameten ):
S Rank: Kyo, Iori
A Rank: Terry, Andy, Joe, Shen Woo, Kensui, Ralf, Kim, Ryo
B Rank: Robert, Ash, Chin, Raiden, Daimon
C Rank: Benimaru, Duo-lon, Leona, Athena
D Rank: Clark

Street Fighter IV ( as studied by Umehara Daigo ):

Overall Tier Rank
S Rank: Sagat
A Rank: Ryu, Akuma, Zangief
B Rank: M.Bison, Rufus, Balrog, C.Viper, E.Honda
C Rank: Abel, El Fuerte, Dhalsim, Chun-li, Ken, Blanka
D Rank: Guile, Vega

Ryu Match-up tier
4:6 Disadvantage: Sagat
5:5 Neutral: M.Bison, Balrog, Dhalsim, El Fuerte, Blanka
6:4 Advantage: Akuma, Zangief, C.Viper, E.Honda, Abel, Chun-li, Ken, Guile, Vega, Rufus

Virtua Fighter 5R ( as studied by Yanaga ):
S Rank: Taka-arashi, Wolf, Lion, El Blaze, Pai, Vanessa, Lei-Fei
A Rank: Goh, Akira, Jeffry, Lau, Eileen, Sarah, Jean, Aoi, Jacky, Kage
B Rank: Brad, Shun

Melty Blood Actress Again ( as studied by Hato ):
S Rank: TATARI Shion (H), Mech-Hisui (C)
A Rank: Nrvnqsr Chaos (ForH), Akiha Tohno (HorC), Kohaku (CorH), Arima Miyako (CorF), Nanaya Shiki (C), Koha & Hisui (C or F)
B Rank: Aozaki Aoko (ForH), Red Arcueid (C), Akiha (F), Koha (H), Haku Ren (F), Satsuki (C), Shion (C), Arcueid (F)
C Rank: Ciel (C), Kishima Kouna (F), Riesbyfe (F), Warachia (C), Tohno Akiha (CorH), Roa (H or F), Ren (H), Neco-Arc (C)






Tougeki Super Battle Opera is next month!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

get ready for the next battle

....omitting the news for the moment, here's a big ol' heaping helping of vids.

Friday, April 3, 2009

long time no see

Long time, no updates. Apologies....

  • Not quite thoroughly done for its July arcade release, April 4th and 5th at Sega Gigo marks the next location test for G.Rev's Senko No Ronde DUO: Disunited Order.
  • Sugoi! Arcana Heart 2 will release for import only PS2 on April 9th ( with all the 2.6 patch stuff intact, presumably ).
  • Million Knights Vermilion goes on sale in Japan on April 26th at most distributors of doujin titles.
  • May 14th marks the release date for Bleach: Heat The Soul 6 for the PSP.
  • In case you hadn't seen them, there's a lot of cool wallpaper featuring Street Fighter IV artwork here at http://www.capcom.co.jp/sf4/download.html.
  • June 25th, 2009 marks the PS3 and 360 console release of Arc System Works's Blazblue in Japan, with a US release currently scheduled for third quarter.
  • Good news for fans of this under-appreciated classic; Sega is bringing Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram Ver. 5.66 ( the last NAOMI build ) onto Xbox Live Arcade, complete with online play, color edit and HD display support. Cost will be 1200 Microsoft points ( 15 bucks ), game is out later this month in Japan.
  • Atlus's new HD fighter Shin Gouketsuji Toukon 2 / Power Instinct Festival: Ancestors' Ritual adds four new characters to the existing roster from Matrimelee and Bonnou Kaihou and is due to begin location testing today through April 10th at locations listed on its official site.
  • Signups begin at 10AM pacific standard time on April 6th at evo2k.com/koftournament for a 128-man single elimination tournament event for The King Of Fighters XII, sponsored by Ignition Entertainment and Evolution Championship Series, to take place May 30th in Hollywood California. Hit the link for more details. The game's console release will be in June.
  • April 30th, 2009, the official DVD boxset of the Street Fighter IV Japanese Nationals goes on sale. You can preorder the disc at Play Asia here.
  • This month's Arcadia magazine's current power rankings for the most popular titles:
  • 1. Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion - 365.4 (-)
    2. Blazblue - 274.2 (-)
    3. Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs Gundam - 260.3 (-)
    4. Sugoi! Arcana Heart 2: Tenkousei Akane to Nazuna - 217.2 (UP)
    5. Melty Blood: Actress Again - 184.7 (DOWN)
    6. Virtua Fighter 5R - 115.6 (-)
    7. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core - 111.5 (UP)
    8. Street Fighter IV - 83.4 (DOWN)
    9. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike - 76.1 (UP)
    10. Death Smiles Mega Black Label - 52.4 (-)
  • Tekken 6's update is certainly doing the rounds.....also, Arcadia's Tougeki Spirits Vol.12's character rankings info, as of last month:
  • Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion - Character Ranking

    S: Steve
    A: Lars, Lili, Lee, Law
    B: Asuka, Armor King, Eddy, Ganryu, Xiaoyu, Julia, Jin, Devil Jin, Hwoarang, Feng Wei, Bryan, Bruce, Heihachi, Baek, Marduk, Roger Jr.
    C: Anna, Alisa, Kazuya, King, Kuma/Panda, Christie, Jack-6, Dragunov, Nina, Paul, Bob, Lei, Leo, Wang
    D: Zafina, Miguel, Yoshimitsu, Raven

    Street Fighter IV - Character Ranking

    SS: Sagat, C. Viper, Akuma, Zangief
    S: Ryu, Boxer (US Balrog, JPN M. Bison), Rufus, Blanka
    A: Chun-Li, Dictator (US M. Bison, JPN Vega), Ken, Dhalsim, Abel, E. Honda, El Fuerte
    B: Claw (US Vega, JPN Balrog), Guile


Recommended viewing:

Sunday, January 25, 2009

now loading


  • Rockeits updates with Tatsunoko VS Capcom match footage.
  • darksydephil updates with Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix match footage.
  • puyo432343 updates with Street Fighter IV match footage.
  • newuche1234 updates with Tekken 6 and Virtua Fighter 5R match footage.
  • ForceoftheWiLL updates with Naruto Gekito Ninja Taisen 4 match footage.
  • geesendou updates with Blazblue match footage.
  • DarkGeese updates with King Of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, Samurai Shodown II, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, The King Of Fighters XI and The King Of Fighters 2000 match footage.
  • StriderZer0 updates with Marvel Vs Capcom 2 match footage.
  • gipson123 updates with Street Fighter Alpha 3 match footage.
  • xtmnx updates with Touhou Scarlet Weather Rhapsody tutorial footage.
  • JCaesar007 updates with Super Smash Bros Brawl match footage.
  • PurifiedKasumi updates with Dead Or Alive, Dead Or Alive 2 and Dead Or Alive 3 match footage.
  • HardEdgeOfficial updates with Blazblue match footage.
  • konqrr updates with Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe combo footage.
  • aKINGttt updates with Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion match footage.
  • siouya777 updates with Touhou Scarlet Weather Rhapsody match footage.
  • BoyUzi updates with Marvel VS Capcom 2 match footage.
  • pier21kodaira updates with Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion match footage.
  • Saiyanjin2 updates with Dragonball Z Infinite World match footage.
  • meattofu updates with Virtua Fighter 5R match footage.
  • nicenature updates with Virtua Fighter 5R match footage.
  • Soh85 updates with Fatal Fury Special combo footage.