"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.

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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. 

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.

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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.

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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.

Fused Zamasu, Vegito coming to DBFZ in May 2018

The newest issue of V-Jump magazine has revealed that players should expect the next two DLC characters for Dragon Ball FighterZ very soon.

According to translations by Eventhubs, Fused Zamasu and Super Saiyan Blue Vegito will join the game "at the end of May." The two will also have a special dramatic finish, where Vegito punches Zamasu in the face.

No exact release date was given, but the game's previous DLC character, Broly and Bardock, released on March 28. Readers can check out the V-Jump scans, from ShonenGamez, after the jump.

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Like a record: Yoshimitsu spins into Soul Calibur VI

The leader of the Manji clan and wielder of the sword Yoshimitsu makes his return to the Soul Calibur series.

According to Avoiding the Puddle, Yoshimitsu's trailer was first uploaded by an official source, in this case PlayStation Europe, but then taken down (much like Taki's trailer). He returns to the Soul Calibur series with what seems to be a new focus on soul stealing, as both his Reversal Edge and Critical Art seem to draw energy from the opponent's character.

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

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Street Fighter characters join Power Rangers mobile game

Starting on May 17, players of Power Rangers: Legacy Wars will be able to add some street fighting to their rosters.

Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile and Akuma will bring their Street Fighter V moves and appearances to the game, which allows players to build a team of heroes and villains to do battle with other users. Cammy and M. Bison will join the game later, with Cammy arriving June 1 and Bison on June 15.

Players will be able to unlock these Street Fighter stalwarts either by paying $4.99 per character or by "opening in-game Morph Boxes and collecting character shards."

Readers can check out the trailer after the jump. For more information on Power Rangers: Legacy Wars, those interested can check out the game's official website.

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Locke Cole sneaks into Dissidia as second DLC character

Final Fantasy VI's resident thief, treasure hunter and spy will be joining the cast of Dissidia Final Fantasy NT.

Locke focuses on close-range combat, using his daggers to assault foes and a boomerang chakram that can allow him to fight outside of close quarters. His unique ability is Steal/Mug, which changes depending on whether he is targeting the opposing character. When used on enemies he is not targeting, the skill is Steal and allows him to gain items that give health or bravery, but when used on targeted opponents his Mug ability takes an item that allows him to perform a powerful attack.

Readers can check out Locke's trailer after the jump. He will join the Dissidia cast in late June 2018.

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Original Guilty Gear coming to PS4, Switch, Steam

In celebration of the game's 20th anniversary, Arc System Works will be bringing the original Guilty Gear to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam.

During a stream on the official Japanese ASW channel on the game's 20th birthday, the company revealed the new version and showed some of the ridiculous combos players could perform in the first GG game.

No release date or pricing was given at this time. Guilty Gear was first released on PlayStation in Japan on May 14, 1998.

Capcom announces Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Tournament Series

In celebration of 30 years of Street Fighter and the company's release of the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Capcom has partnered with three fighting game community events to put a spotlight back on these classic games.

The Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Tournament Series will have one competition at each of three events in 2018: CEO, SoCal Regionals and Canada Cup. Each event will feature one 30th Anniversary competition—CEO will host Super Street Fighter II: Turbo, SoCal Regionals will run Street Fighter Alpha 3 and Canada Cup will fight for the future with Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike—and the prize pool of each tournament will be $7,000.

Readers can watch the series' announcement trailer after the jump. For more information on the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Tournament Series, including rules, prize breakdowns and event dates, those interested can head to the Street Fighter website.

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More details released on Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. 2

Gameplay options, modes and even playable characters are slowly being revealed for Bandai Namco's upcoming sequel to the successful Gundam arena fighting franchise.

First, Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. 2 will introduce two new types of Burst—Linkage and Mobility—to supercharge mobile suit abilities when players are in a tight spot. Activating Linkage will refill a partner's ammo and boost while also filling their Burst gauge, and Mobility will buff suit capabilities and increase movement. These will join the established Fighting, Shooting and Extend bursts already in the franchise.

Extreme Vs. 2 will also offer a "Plus Coin Mode" that guarantees a minimum of three matches so new players can get their money's worth, and will continue to offer a timed Training Mode. The game's Vs. Mobile mode, meanwhile, will now reward players with medals that can be redeemed for chances to unlock new mobile suits.

In terms of mobile suits, Bandai Namco has confirmed Gundam Barbatos Lupus Rex, Try Burning Gundam, Gundam Maxter, Gundam AGE-1 Full Glansa and Montero as playable in the game.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. 2 will have a location test in Japan on May 12-13, 2018, at Namco Osaka Nipponbashi and Namco Tokyo Gulliver Matsudo-ten, and is scheduled for release in Japan sometime in 2018.