Super Smash Bros. Ultimate comes to Nintendo Switch on Dec. 7, 2018, includes every character in series history

During the Nintendo Direct presentation on June 12, 2018, the company revealed many details about the next iteration in the Smash Bros. series.

Named Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the game looks to be the definitive cast for the series by including every character from previous games. This includes past guest stars like Solid Snake along with characters like Ice Climbers that were left out of the last Smash game. 

The existing characters have all received various tweaks, whether simply visual upgrades or changed moves and properties. There are a few new faces added to the fight as well, with Ridley from Metroid, Inkling from Splatoon and Daisy joining the brawl.

Ultimate will also include new assist trophies—Bomberman, Waluigi, Pac-Man ghosts and new Pokémon were shown—and stages from across the series history. New stages shown included one based on the Great Plateau Tower from Breath of the Wild.

Readers can check out the Smash Bros. presentation after the jump. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate arrives for Nintendo Switch on Dec. 7, 2018. 

Click to read more ...

Dead or Alive 6 first playable at Evo 2018

Players will get the first chance to check out the new Dead or Alive game at one of the biggest fighting game events of the year.

Dead or Alive Evo Showdown 2018 will be a fan event taking place during Evo 2018 on Aug. 3-4. The festivities will include both a playable version of the upcoming title as well as a a DOA5 Last Round tournament taking place on Aug. 4.

No other details are available at this time but Team Ninja says to "stay tuned" in the coming weeks for more information. Evolution 2018 takes place at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug. 3-5, 2018. Players can head to the event's official website for more information.

Bandai Namco unveils Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour

A new circuit of tournaments is coming for players who are focusing on DBFZ as their competitive game of choice.

The Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour was announced by Bandai Namco on the company's official Twitter on June 8.

No details for the upcoming tour have been revealed other than the fact that it will begin at CEO 2018 and that more information "will be revealed soon."

CEO takes place in Daytona Beach, Florida, from June 29 to July 1 , 2018. Registration for the event is still currently open.

Dead or Alive 6 announced, changes coming to series

A new version of Koei Tecmo's ninja-based fighting game Dead or Alive is coming, and it is bringing a few alterations to the series.

According to IGN, the biggest gameplay changes are the new Special button and the addition of a super meter. Hitting the Special button now activates an auto-combo called Fatal Rush when a player's meter is not full, but can grant either a Break Blow or Break Hold once the meter is full. The Break Blow is a powerful attack, while the Break Hold is a strong counter.

The game is also going through visual changes, as the focus of this installment has been to change perceptions of the game. "We wanted to make a more cool and mature Dead or Alive this time, and to that end we made a conscious decision to make the characters less sexualized," DOA6's producer and director Yohei Shimbori said. This realism is extending to the overall art direction of the game, but DOA will still retain the series' "sci-fi fantasy atmosphere."

For now only six fighters have been confirmed for DOA6, including mainstays Ryu Hayabusa, Kasumi, Hayate, Helena, Jann Lee and Zack.

Readers can check out the game's trailer after the jump. Dead or Alive 6 is coming to PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One sometime in 2019.

Click to read more ...

Luong leaked for SNK Heroines

A leaked trailer has revealed another King of Fighters XIV character joining the cast of SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy.

Luong joins fellow KOF14 characters Love Heart, Zarina and Sylvie Paula Paula in making a second fighting game appearance. She joins the cast with her arsenal of moves from KOF14 as well as new costumes to fit the SNK Heroines theme.

Although the original trailer for Luong has been deleted, readers can find a mirror in several places online.

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy releases for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on Sept. 6, 2018, in Japan and Sept. 7 in Europe and North America.

Blazblue Cross Tag Battle DLC release dates listed on Switch eShop

While only three of the six DLC character packs coming to BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle have been detailed, the Nintendo eShop has seemingly given players the information on when all six will become available to the public.

According to the digital store, players can expect Yang Xiao Long and character packs two and three—Aegis, Jubei and Carmine as well as Hakumen, Vatista and Naoto Shirogane—on June 19, 2018. The first unknown character pack, four, will follow on Aug. 6, while pack five launches on Aug. 21 and the final group on Sept. 4.

While this listing doesn't include any hints on what characters will end up in the game, it does let players know that the full cast will be available by the end of summer 2018. The game's first DLC pack—Platinum the Trinity, Kanji Tatsumi and Orie Ballardiae—and Blake Belladonna are currently available.

"Character Select" aims to teach more about Tekken 7

A new "character analysis podcast" series from Dean "PepperBeef2Spicy" Medina is trying to help players better understand Tekken 7 with the help of specialists.

"Character Select" brings Medina together with veteran tournament players to talk about the characters they play, discussing strengths and weaknesses along with personal experiences.

The third episode will focus on Steve Fox and take place on June 7, 2018, at 5 p.m. PDT on Medina's Twitch channel. Guests for this episode will include MYK and Shea.

Readers interested in the previous episodes of "Character Select," which feature Asuka and Alisa, or more of Medina's content can find it on his YouTube channel.

Fighting EX Layer to release on June 28, 2018

Arika's new fighting game featuring characters from Street Fighter EX and Fighting Layer will be arriving at the end of June 2018.

Fighting EX Layer will release on June 28, 2018, and start selling "sequentially in 68 countries and regions around the world," according to a statement on Arika's website. The game will at first only be available digitally through the PlayStation Store, and sales will determine whether further DLC or a physical version of the game is produced.

Fighting EX Layer will be available to buyers either as the Standard version of the game, which costs $59.99 and includes 15 Gougi decks and DLC character Hokuto, or the Light version, which comes with the 12 base characters and five decks for $39.99.

Fighting EX Layer will only be available on the PlayStation 4.

Dragon Ball FighterZ to be announced for Nintendo Switch?

A leaked image has lead to speculation that the newest Dragon Ball fighting game will be coming to Nintendo's console.

The image, first posted to 4Chan and later at ResetEra, contains a short list of titles purported to be shown at E3 2018 for the Switch. It lists DBFZ, Fortnite, Killer Queen Black and more as well as previously announced titles like Mario Tennis Aces and Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate.

While the image on its own means nothing, both Kotaku and Destructoid have separately posted belief in the veracity of the information, with Kotaku citing a source that said DBFZ was "planned for the system."

If true, it will be interesting to see how Dragon Ball FighterZ works on Nintendo's system and if the game's DLC offerings will be included as part of the package. Either way, it looks like an official statement will likely be on hold until E3 on June 12-14, 2018.

Talk like a pirate: Maxi returns in Soul Calibur VI

The master of the Fatibal nunchaku is the next character joining the cast of Soul Calibur VI.

Maxi has appeared in every iteration of Soul Calibur, and fans will be happy to see many of his classic attacks return.

Readers can check out his trailer below. Soul Calibur VI comes to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam sometime in 2018.

Click to read more ...

Veil Off: character guides break down UNIST strategies, information

Players interested in learning more about Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] now have additional resources at their disposal.

The Under Night community has written and compiled character guides for all characters as well as for the game itself, hoping to give new players more information to use when trying to improve at the game. Links to these primers, along the overview of the game itself, can be found on Google Docs.

While the guides do vary in length and appearance due to the different authors, each is based on a universal outline to help make it usable to any player.

For those looking to purchase the game, UNIST is available for PlayStation 4 and is currently on sale for $29.99 at the PlayStation Store for PS Plus members through June 5, 2018. 

Japanese release of Street Fighter anniversary collection moved to fall

While players in North America and Europe have gotten their hands on Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Japanese fans will be waiting for a few more months.

According to a post on Capcom's Japanese website, the game's release has been moved to a "fall 2018" timeframe, with no other details listed at this time. This comes after the title was delayed due to some backlash from fans who were unhappy that the collection—which is being titled Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection International—would only include English titles, voicing and text.

It is unclear what changes Capcom will make to the game before its Japanese release, but according to translations from Siliconera the company said that "additional new information besides the release period" will be forthcoming.

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is currently available in North America for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC.

French Bread-focused Climax of Night event coming in November 2018

During Combo Breaker 2018, Ben "Shinobi!" Robinson announced a new event designed for fans of the fighting game developer named after baked goods.

Climax of Night: many breathe forfeit to champion's birth will be a two-day tournament taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, sometime in November 2018. The event will see French Bread games as the featured titles, with Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code, Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] and Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax Ignition in the spotlight. They will be joined by the new BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle to make up the main roster.

No other details about the event have been revealed at this time, but Robinson said on Twitter he hopes to have preregistration open in June before CEO. For more information on Climax of Night, readers can follow the event's official account and Robinson on Twitter.

Dragon Ball FighterZ, Tekken 7, other Bandai Namco titles on sale on PC

Two different sales are cutting prices on popular fighting from the big publisher.

For starters, Bandai Namco's own web store is offering steep discounts to titles like Tekken 7 for PC. Steam, meanwhile, is running a Midweek Madness sale that is bringing the cost of Dragon Ball FighterZ down by 30 percent until June 1. The Bandai Namco's direct sale seems to have originally included DBFZ as well, but the website does not currently reflect that offer.

Several other Bandai Namco titles are also involved in the company's sale, including Dark Souls III, Naruto Shippuden titles and more. For the full list of sale items, readers can head to the BN website. 

Cody coming to Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition on June 26, 2018

At the end of Street Fighter V at Combo Breaker 2018, Capcom showed off the first gameplay footage of Cody in the title.

The trailer contains a variety of moves from Cody's past Street Fighter appearances as well as Final Fight. His first V-Trigger, Sidearm, is all about his knife: it adds range to his punch normals as well as making them safer. His second V-Trigger, Dirty Coach, gives Cody access to a pipe item that dramatically increases the range of several attacks and allows him to toss rocks like he could in Street Fighter IV.

In addition to the in-game footage, Kenny Omega of New Japan Pro-Wrestling stars as Cody in a live-action segment.

Cody will be available separately as well as through the season three character pass on June 26, 2018. In addition to his main outfit, he will also have additional outfits such as his nostalgic prison garb from Street Fighter Alpha 3 and IV and his iconic Final Fight clothes.

Readers can find out more information about Cody at Capcom Unity or watch the trailer after the jump!

Click to read more ...

YUYU joins UYU

UYU has announced that a new Tekken player has joined the team.

YUYU, one of the strongest Ling players in Japan, will join upcoming events as part of the esports team. Orginally potrayed as an opponent for Tanukana in the Kemonomichi tournament series, YUYU showed her strength in high-level play.

She will be part of team UYU when they compete at Combo Breaker 2018 on May 25-28, 2018.

Free update bringing costumes, customizations to Tekken 7 on May 31

To mark the anniversary of Tekken 7's console release, Bandai Namco is releasing a large DLC pack of costumes and other customizations for free.

The upcoming content has been pulled from previously arcade-only updates to the game, which will now be shared with console users. Players will gain access to more New Japan Pro-Wrestling shirts, the Tanahashi costume and HUD alterations; the Story Mode costume set; Christmas swimsuits; metallic costumes; new looks for Kuma, Panda and King; new hair options and more.

Readers can check out an image containing all the new feaures, posted by Tekken Project Leader Katsuhiro Harada, after the jump.

Click to read more ...

Love Heart sails into SNK Heroines, Japanese release date confirmed

Famitsu is reporting that the pirate captain originally hailing from SNK's pachinko title Sky Love will be joining the cast of its new tag battle game.

Love Heart joins SNK Heroines in her second fighting game appearance, first making her debut in King of Fighters XIV.

Famitsu also revealed that SNK Heroines will release on Sept. 6, 2018, in Japan, one day ahead of its scheduled North American release. SNK Heroines will release for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles. 

Dragon Ball FighterZ adds Vegito, Fused Zamasu on May 31

After the newest issue of V-Jump magazine revealed that the two upcoming DBFZ DLC characters would launch before the end of May in 2018, Bandai Namco has now provided players with a date.

Bandai Namco Europe revealed that Vegito (SSGSS) and Fused Zamasu will be available to players on May 31, 2018. The characters will both be available separately or as part of FighterZ pass. If bought separately, each character will cost players $4.99.

Readers can check out the short trailers for both characters after the jump.

Click to read more ...

BBTag gets European release date, beta, special edition

Fighting game fans in Europe who have been waiting for more details about the upcoming BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle have gotten their wish.

According to a press release from European publisher PQube, BBTag will release in that region on June 22, 2018. There will also be a beta test for PlayStation 4 much like the ones delivered in Japan and the United States from May 18-20, with 20 selectable characters and online play. After May 20, a four-character offline demo will be available until the game's release.

The game is also receiving a special edition from the UK's Rice Digital. The Phantom Field Edition will be available for both Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 for £79.99 and will include a "high-quality messenger bag," four posters of the main characters, the soundtrack and official artbook.