Dig in: Shovel Knight bounds into Blade Strangers

Yacht Club Games' defender of peace will be bouncing on opponents this summer, according to a new trailer.

Shovel Knight will bring shovel-fueled justice to enemies in Blade Strangers with melee attacks as well the ability to dig up jewel projectiles and bounce off the heads of other combatants.

Readers can check out Shovel Knight's teaser trailer after the jump. Blade Strangers comes to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam sometime in summer 2018.

Click to read more ...

Unbound: Isaac added to roster of Blade Strangers

The lineup of fighters in the new game from Nicalis and Studio Saizensen continues to get more diverse, as the protagonist from The Binding of Isaac has joined the fray.

Perpetually crying, Isaac attacks opponents with his body and items from the game along with some help from his mother. He is the 13th character announced for Blade Strangers.

Readers can check out Isaac's short trailer after the jump. Blade Strangers comes to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam sometime in summer 2018.

Click to read more ...

Quote, Gunvolt join Blade Strangers

The main characters from Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 and Cave Story have been added to the playable cast of Nicalis and Studio Saizensen's upcoming fighting game.

Gunvolt fights with a gun that can seemingly lock on to enemies, while Quote brings a sword and his trusty Polar Star with him. These additions to the game bring Blade Strangers' roster up to 12 playable fighters, as they join characters from Umihara Kawase and Code of Princess.

Readers can check out both trailers after the jump. Blade Strangers launches for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam sometime in summer 2018.

Click to read more ...

Training, Versus modes coming to Street Fighter 30th Anniversary

Two modes will be added to the 12-game collection of Street Fighter titles as part of a downloadable update.

According to Capcom Unity, "fan feedback" lead the company to add the modes, which will be available as a day one patch at the game's release. All 12 games in the collection will receive Versus Mode, but only the games with online play—Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, Super Street Fighter II: Turbo, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike and Street Fighter Alpha 3—will have Training Mode. Training Mode in all four games will offer damage display, input display and dummy controls as well as game-specific options.

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection releases for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam on May 29, 2018.

Balance changes, new modes coming to Dragon Ball FighterZ on May 9

A new update is coming to Dragon Ball FighterZ on May 9 for all platforms, seemingly bringing with it the balance changes that were promised by the game's developers in late April 2018.

According to patch notes posted by Bandai Namco (Facebook, BN Europe website), the biggest changes to DBFZ seem to be nerfs coming to Adult Gohan, Android 16 and Super Saiyan Vegeta. Both 16 and A. Gohan have lost hard knockdowns off Dynamite Driver and heavy Ultimate Back Attack, respectively, while Gohan's Machine Gun Kick now provides less frame advantage and Vegeta's Z assist now has reduced block stun. The patch will also tweak other characters such as Krillin, who can now always throw a rock as his assist, along with gameplay fixes to Training Mode and the seeming removal of infinites caused by beam starters.

Two new modes are also being added to DBFZ: FighterZ Cup and Party Battle. FighterZ Cup will allow players to "fight and collect points for their respective Z-Union" while Party Battle will see teams of three players fight against powerful bosses.

Readers can check out the full list of changes after the jump.

Click to read more ...

Capcom releases video on the history of Street Fighter, SF2

In anticipation of the upcoming Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Capcom has released the first in a series of videos that will talk about the history of each game included in the compilation.

The history of Street Fighter and SF2 spans roughly 16 minutes and covers each version of the blockbuster sequel. Narrated by James Chen, the video gives a broad overview of each title along with some noteworthy details about gameplay or lore.

Readers can check out the video after the jump. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection releases for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam on May 30, 2018.

Click to read more ...

Arc System Works details BBTag beta for North America

After announcing a beta test for BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle in Japan, Arc System Works has revealed that North American audiences will also be getting access to the game's demo.

The details of the North American beta are very similar to the Japanese test. It will open first for PlayStation Network preorders on May 9, with the open beta starting on May 12. During this time, the game's 20 base characters will be selectable and Casual Lobby, Tactics Mode (Tutorial and Practice) and VS CPU will be available, with preorders also having access to local VS Mode to play offline against other people. This beta will end on May 14.

After the beta completes, an offline demo of BBTag will become available. This will remove the Casual Lobby, leaving only Tactics and VS CPU for players who do not preorder the game, while those who have will continue to be able to play offline VS Mode. In addition, preorders will still have access to all 20 characters from the online beta, while those who do not will only have access to Ragna, Hyde, Yu and Ruby.

Currently this beta will only be open to PlayStation 4 users; there are no details on a North American Nintendo Switch demo at this time. For complete details on the beta and demo, readers can head over to the Arc System Works website. 

New trailers offer updated look at Fighting EX Layer, Hokuto

Arika has released three new trailers for its upcoming digital-only fighting game.

The first two short clips represent the game's Standard and Light release versions, while the third is a brief character trailer for Hokuto, the game's first DLC character. She will be included for no extra charge for players who buy the Standard edition.

As previously mentioned by Arika, the Light version of Fighting EX Layer will cost players $39.99 and come with all 12 base characters and five Gougi decks, but players who purchase the $59.99 Standard version will get all characters plus Hokuto and 15 decks.

Readers can check out all three trailers after the jump.

Click to read more ...

Registration open for AnimEVO 2018, six more games added

AnimEVO has opened signups for its myriad tournaments that will take place during Evolution 2018 and has also added six more games to the field.

Samurai Shodown II, Aquapazza, Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax Ignition, Akatsuki Blitzkampf, Windjammers and Granblue Fantasy have all been added to the AnimEvo roster. In addition, the Windjammers tournament will be part of Dotemu's Flying Power League with a $3,000 prize pot and free entry for players.

Registration for all AnimEVO games can be found at Smashgg except for Gundam Versus which will open at a later date. Players interested in AnimEvo events must be a registered attendee of Evolution 2018 to participate, and BlazBlue Central Fiction, Koihime Enbu, Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code, Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] and King of Fighters XIV will not accept on-site signups.

For more information on AnimEVO and its games, readers can head to the AnimEVO website or follow the group on Twitter. AnimEVO takes place as part of Evolution 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug. 3-5, 2018.

Sylvie Paula Paula, Zarina join SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy

A new trailer released by Nintendo has revealed the two newest additions to SNK's all-female fighting game.

Zarina and Sylvie join the cast of SNK Heroines from their debuts in King of Fighters XIV, and the footage shows off the moves they retain from that title as well as their new Heroines appearances.

Readers can check out the trailer after the jump. SNK Heroines comes home for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles on Sept. 7, 2018.

Click to read more ...

New trailer unveils Taki for Soul Calibur VI

A seemingly accidental upload has revealed another one of Soul Calibur's core characters for the upcoming sequel.

According to Avoiding the Puddle, the Taki trailer appeared on Niconico but was later removed. She returns to Soul Calibur with many of her classic moves, but also some new tricks including a projectile that allows her to teleport.

Readers can check out the trailer, saved by Flying Wonkey, after the jump. Soul Calibur VI comes to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam sometime in 2018.

Click to read more ...

Nominations open for Summit of Power, broadcast talent revealed

The second phase of voting for players to join Beyond the Summit's Dragon Ball FighterZ even has started, and BTS has also announced the people who will be narrating the event.

As previously announced, the players who opted in to the nomination process have from April 30 to May 7, to garner as much support as possible. On May 7 the top 20 players in that process will move on to player voting, and from that five will be selected for the Summit.

Beyond the Summit has also announced that Yipes, Chris Matrix, Rynge, Sajam, Zhi, LI Joe and Hellpockets will be the official voices of the Summit of Power. They will be the ones commentating matches, interviewing players and analyzing the event as it occurs on June 9-10, 2018.

For more information on the Summit of Power, readers can check out Smashgg.

Come together: Vegito (SSGSS) coming to Dragon Ball FighterZ

The combination of Goku and Vegeta is a DLC character coming to DBFZ, according to a trailer posted by Bandai Namco Taiwan.

Vegito will join the cast of Dragon Ball FighterZ in his Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, or Super Saiyan Blue, form and will have his Spirit Sword, Savage Strike and Final Kamehameha as super attacks.

Much like Fused Zamasu, he also appeared in the possible DLC list created from datamining DBFZ earlier this year.

Readers can check out Vegito's trailer after the jump.

Click to read more ...

CEO x NJPW tickets on sale May 4, first wrestlers announced

More information has been announced regarding the collaborative event between Community Effort Orlando and New Japan Pro-Wrestling that will take place during CEO 2018 on June 29 through July 1, 2018.

According to the CEO website, the wrestling event will be held in the Daytona Beach Ocean Center Arena. Tickets will be on sale starting May 4—May 3 presale for registered CEO attendees—with a price range from $20 to $100. The capacity for the arena has not been announced, but the Wrestling Observer puts it at 8,400.

In addition, CEO has named two of the wrestlers who will be performing at the show. Kenny Omega, who has attended CEO in the past, and legendary junior heavyweight Jushin Thunder Liger will be on the card as part of June 29's show. For more information, readers can check out CEO Gaming on Twitter and look for an official press release on the show on April 27.

Additional changes from recent SFV: AE patches detailed

The April updates to Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition apparently brought more changes than originally listed, as a new post by the developer indicates.

While Capcom listed the original changes that would be part of the balance update on April 3, some alterations were left off the list. Fifteen characters are affected by the omissions, with those changes now being listed in a PDF on the Capcom website.

However, according to datamining of the newest patch that was released with Falke on April 24 there are still unlisted adjustments for Akuma, Abigail, Blanka, Laura, Ryu, Sakura and Zeku. These changes, which include a buff to Abigail's crouching jab, can be found along with all the other changes in a handy color-coded format on Google Docs.

Blade Strangers coming summer 2018 for PS4, Switch, Steam

The collaboration fighting game from Nicalis and Studio Saizensen will soon be coming to consoles.

Blade Strangers brings two original characters into battle with those from Cave Story, Code of Princess EX and Umihara Kawase. According to Nicalis, the game "offers easy-to-learn four-button controls and simplified inputs for special moves, placing the focus on skill and strategy rather than button memorization."

Blade Strangers will be coming to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam digitally this summer, with PS4 and Switch also receiving physical versions. Readers can check out some of the title's in-game action after the jump.

Click to read more ...

Balance update coming to DBFZ, Fused Zamasu trailer released

A gameplay-changing patch will be coming to Dragon Ball FighterZ, and an official trailer for the game's most recently revealed DLC fighter has been uploaded.

During a recent Japanese stream for the game on OpenRec.tv, it was announced that a patch will be coming to DBFZ with changes to many members of the cast. Not only that, but according to Jiyuna the developers will also be tweaking the game's system mechanics. No insight was offered into what the developers will be altering with the update or when players will be able to expect its release.

In addition to this news, Bandai Namco has released the gameplay trailer for Fused Zamasu. As with all other character trailers for DBFZ the footage focuses on showcasing the character's intro and supers, leaving players to speculate on how he will play once he is released.

Readers can check out the trailer after the jump.

Click to read more ...

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R coming to Nintendo Switch

During a presentation at the Nexon Developer's Conference 2018, Arc System Works announced that the final iteration in the Guilty Gear XX series will be coming to the Switch.

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R currently has no release date for the console, but ASW announced that the game will include the Korean soundtrack from Guilty Gear XX #Reload.

There is no other information available at this time. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R is currently available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC and PS Vita consoles.

Degica Games titles on sale at The Humble Store

Publisher Degica Games is offering savings of up to 80 percent during a sale of its Steam offerings through The Humble Store.

The sale includes Koihime Enbu (now $15.99), Blade Arcus from Shining: Battle Arena ($11.99) and Senko no Ronde 2 ($19.99). Other games seeing discounts include several Cave shoot 'em ups, Dariusburst Chronicle Saviors, RPG Maker titles and the Umihara Kawase trilogy.

Readers can check out the sale, which runs until April 30, at The Humble Store.

Dekillsage joins Echo Fox

Esports teams continue to increase their rosters and depth as Echo Fox has signed Jon "dekillsage" Coello to its fighting game team.

Coello first made his name in Skullgirls, where he won events such as Northwest Majors 7 and Summer Jam 9 in 2015 as well as Frosty Faustings 8 in 2016. Since the fall of 2017 Coello has broadened his focus, first to include Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, coming in third at NorthEast Championships 18 and fourth at Frosty Faustings X. Then as 2018 started he added Dragon Ball FighterZ, coming in fourth at Winter Brawl 12.

He will make his debut as part of Echo Fox at Naptown Clutch 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 21-22.

"I'm very excited to be a part of the team," Coello said in a statement, "and I'm ready to reach even grander heights alongside my friend SonicFox!"