Now that Street Fighter IV has done series justice, Capcom is looking to expand the series with a new title called Super Street Fighter IV, reports GameSpot. In which Capcom plans on improving everything about the original, meaning more playable characters, new ultra combos, improved online features, and rebalanced characters.

However, this isn’t a downloadable add-on for Street Fighter IV. You see, when Street Fighter IV was in development, certain aspects of code weren’t laid out in a way to support the features being added to Super Street Fighter IV. As a result, SSFIV will be released as a standalone disc that won’t be sold at full price.

But, don’t get rid your copy of Street Fighter IV just yet. According to its producer, Yoshinori Ono, SSFIV offers SFIV owners a bonus content that Capcom hasn’t revealed yet. As far as what to expect from the new game, Super Street Fighter IV will be a mix of feedback by Street Fighter IV fans, and a mixture of new content that the team had originally planned to add to Street Fighter IV.

As a result, the game’s original roster of 25 characters is being bumped up by roughly eight new playable characters, including T. Hawk and Juri, as Capcom is looking to add both new and retro characters to the mix. Super Street Fighter IV is slated to ship in spring of 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

I don’t know that much about fighting games, mainly because I grow up in household filled with shooter enthusiasts, but I know for a fact that The King of Fighters series has been around for along time. So long that, if I recall, KOF series played key part as the counter to the popular Street Fighter series. However, over the recent years, The King of Fighters series has lost some of its momentum, make that all of its momentum. Fortunately, The King of Fighters XII doesn’t disappoint.

Boasting a total of 22 fighters, this King of Fighters title is a radical departure from past titles. If you played previous KOF titles, you’ll know that there’s a large amount of fighters normally featured in a game of its kind, but this installment doesn’t have a large group of fighters. The main reason being, for such a low fighter count, is the amount of time the developers spent making a fighter – because all the fighters have been drawn by hand. But, SNK, the developers, have already stated that they’ll be working on more characters as DLC. However, compared with some of the other fighting titles out there, this isn’t a bad turn out.

This hand-drawn style took a lot of man power to create. So much, in fact. That SNK had to set aside a complete team to do the visuals. By doing this, SNK insured very detailed environments and characters. But, as you can tell, this style has a questionable side to it. One, obviously, being the time it takes to create one character. However, as I stated, this is a very good turn out for any fighting game today. Another thing about the characters in the game, KOFXII features a list with character that were in the early titles in the series, this was done with the plan to please fans of the series. And it works.

Speaking of visuals, The King of Fighters XII is absolutely gorgeous – thanks in collaboration to hand-drawn visuals – the game is smooth and stunning. Basically, making up for the series’ lowest franchise count, which, for a fighting title these days, isn’t a bad turn out. However, the key issue with the characters is pixilation. As you can tell, this hand-drawn style is meant for modern day arcades, and it doesn’t play out so will on consoles. Luckily, SNK realized this and added three selectable levels of character filtering options. These filters blur the still-pixilated models making them easier to look at in high-res. But, one can only wonder why KOFXII’s sprites weren’t featured in HD. But, The King of Fighter XII finds all of its triumphs in its combat.

Losing Tactical Shift, the game introduces a Critical Counter and Clash mechanic. Critical Counter mechanics is activated when one player counters an attack with a heavy punch or kick, giving the player that activated it a small window to preform a damaging combo. Along with that, the Clash system works like this, when both fighters strike simultaneously with the same attack, the game breaks the characters up. Anyway, the reactions made by both systems are very enjoyable and entertaining. These aspects are what make the game entertaining and, like I stated, this is were The King of Fighters XII finds its triumph. That and its control scheme.

Closing Statement:

The King of Fighters XII is a mixture of both pain and pleasure. The pain being some of the very poor presentation chooses, like the repetitive menu music, boring menu screens, and a barely functional online component. The pleasure being the awesome gameplay, which is the core of the game making put for almost everything. However, when you put aside all the pains, in which I didn’t list all, you’ll find a true to the heart fighting title. But, because you have to put aside so many mistakes, this game is bitter sweet but it doesn’t disappoint at its core.

Score: B-

Ignition Entertainment has confirmed that King of Fighters XII will be coming to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 this Summer. The game has had its up and downs as of lately with one of the longest development cycles for any series title to date, but that is okay. Only if we can get a great game at the end.

But, with time we’ll be able to see how the game has been rebuild from the ground up – with an all new engine and a in-depth improved character sprites. Speaking of, you can view the trailer here.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the sewer surfing turtles, UbiSoft has announced their return to video land in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up on Wii – the first TMNT game that is not tied to a movie, TV show, or comic.

Along with the announcement they also revealed that the game is being developed by Game Arts, which you may know from the critically acclaimed Super Smash Bros. Brawl title, and that the games gameplay is just like Brawls.

“We’re really excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first TMNT comic and we have a number of radical ‘Shell-ebration’ events planned for 2009,” said Gary Richardson, CEO of Mirage Studios. “The awesome new video game that Ubisoft will release in 2009 is an important part of celebrating this Turtles milestone with fans around the world.”

Also, in the Nintendo Power magizine, were the game was first revealed, it slated the game for a ‘September 09′ release. And just to get off up topic, they also say that ‘the visuals may even surpass the bar set by Brawl.’ They also revealed that the game will have interactive levels, which they had demoed to the magazine.

They also revealed that every character has different moves sets, like regular moves, special moves, trows and combos. And just like Brawl, the game uses multiple control options and taunts will be indexed into the game.

If you will, take a trip back with me to 2001 and, would you kindly, try to remember all the gaming related rumors that were revealed in that year. I know that it’s hard to recollect, but there was one very interesting rumor that I will never forget, and that was the Capcom vs. SNK 3 rumor.

In an interview with Jeux-Actu, Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono commented on the possibility of Capcom reconsidering the development of Capcom vs. SNK 3. In the interview Yoshinori Ono recalls Capcoms firm focus of unwavering fans of fighting games.

He even goes back far enough recalling being asked about Capcom considering the development of Street Fight IV. With that, he goes into there being a demand for Street Fight IV saying, “because fans demanded it they got it,” or something along that road. And he says that the same may go for Capcom vs. SNK 3, that if fans demand it.

It’s truly one of the greatest things about making a video game, when you make a game that is great, and people like an aspect of the game, you are going to see someone make a game with that same style, or something like it. Now, it seems that the video game adaptation of ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ with be taking a page out of the book from God of War.

When speaking to EGM, developers Raven opened up about their upcoming project ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’.

“God of War was an influence. Devil May Cry, even Super Smash Bros., to a point. When we play [games like that], we just like the simplicity. Every character has their basic set of moves — that’s simple. People get that, and mass market gets that, so we’re making sure we bring that to Wolverine,” said Raven.

“People are going to play Wolverine and then be annoyed with how slow other action games are. We’ve gone back and played highly touted action games we all love, and you’re in these attacks forever. And it’s not just the speed — it’s the ease in which you’re able to [break] out of your attacks at any time.”

This is an interesting experiment that seem to be giving fans mixed feelings, but that’s okay because all the experimentation is finally over. Today, Miday announced that Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe has gone gold and is scheduled to be available in retail stores throughout North America on November 16, 2008, and throughout Europe on November 21, 2008.

“We are proud to release to manufacturing Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, the culmination of two years of effort and a rewarding collaboration with our friends at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics,” said Ed Boon, executive producer and co-creator of the Mortal Kombat franchise.

“So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic, and I can’t wait to get this into the hands of MK diehards and DC Comics fans alike when the game becomes available on Nov. 16 in North America and Nov. 21 throughout Europe! “

Street Fighter wasn’t the only fighting franchise making big waves this year because Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe has been making waves as well. Today, Midway announced that the next episode of the Mortal Kombat franchise will be making it’s way onto the PS3 and Xbox 360 on Nov. 16. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe will be the first time that Mortal Kombat makes an appearance on the next-gen systems. The whole narrative of the game has to do will the choices you make as both a DC Universe Super Hero/Villain or Mortal Kombat Hero/Villain.

Confirmed last month in an issue of Famistu, Capcom has now confirmed in update on the official Japanese website for their upcoming video game, Street Fighter IV, that the game will be receiving two new protagonists. You can bit to see new video game of the game soon showing one or not if both of them in action soon. We also have gained some more information on another upcoming character, we learned that Cammy should joining the cast after being chosen by the community to be part of the remaining characters.

While the fourth version, Street Fighter IV, has only just landed in the land of the Rising Sun, and that version does emerge at home until this winter. The producer of Street Fighter IV, Yoshinori Ono, already mentioned the next episode of the series in a brief interview.

In an interview with MTV’s Multiplayer Blog, he told them that “It’s really early to be thinking about that because “IV” just came out in the arcades,” he said. “I don’t really think anyone at Capcom is thinking about “V” just yet. What we might see happen, depending on feedback from the arcade and what players think of this version of “IV,” we may or may not see upgrades to “IV” before we ever take the next big step to “V.” It’s really is just too early to tell, to be honest.”

In a scan from a Japanese magazine revealed that Star War’s R2-D2 will be a playable character in the upcoming Soul Calibur IV, which will release on PS3 and Xbox 360 on July 29.

At this time we are not sure if this is a console specific character that will be added to the game seeing the Xbox and PlayStation are very different from each other featuring two different character’s from the Star War’s Universe.

Here’s a Translation of the Profile of R2-D2 according to the scan.
Age: Unknown
Race: Astromech Droid
Place of Birth: Industrial Automation
Height: 96cm
Weight: Depends on add on gear
Birth Date: Unknown
Blood Type: None
Weapon: Stun Arm, Saber Launcher
Style: J Type Defense Program

[CNG4U] [N4G]

What can’t they do these days. According to this photo, the people over at Media Molecule are making a Kratos Sackboy that should appear, and will be playable, in LittleBIGPlanet. This will most likely be true since they already confirmed that Killzone Sackboys will be playable in the game.

Kratos was also recently rumored to appear in the latest PlayStation 3 version of Soul Calibur, Soul Calibur IV. The rumor was then shot down by a message in a 1up podcast.

According to Kotaku, Mortal Kombat’s co-creator Ed Boon was speaking about an eighth entry into the Mortal Kombat franchise. The game was described as “very dark, serious” and a “gritty” take on the series, a back to basics reboot that was free of “vibrant, saturated colors.” It was said to be heavily inspired by the look of Gears of War. Boon goes onto say why the game was scrapped, MK8 was scrapped when the DC Comics deal solidified. Meaning that if DC Comics didn’t “solidified” the deal we would have gotten a “gritty” and more “serious” Mortal Kombat game.

There was a rumor going around that Kratos would be testing his blade against Darth Vader and his secret apprentice from the Star Wars universe in the upcoming PlayStation 3 version of Soul Calibur IV. The rumor wasn’t so far fetched, mainly because in other Soul Calibur games featured players for different universe’s like Link on the GameCube version and Heihachi on the PS2 version.  However thanks to a podcast made by 1UP the rumor was quickly smashed , stating that Kratos will be absent from Namco’s upcoming game. But, there still is the strong possible that he could be included in future planned downloadable content.

Let’s just hope that they do included Kratos in upcoming downloadable content for the game because i know there alot of people who can’t wait too play as him.

Your favorite whip-carrying burglar makes her return in the upcoming Mortal Kombat game, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Thanks to a character render revealed by TotalMortalKombat (seen on the left), Catwoman is set to make a return in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. The image was given to TotalMortalKomat by an source that would like to remain unknown. Because the image was exclusively given to TotalMortalKomat there are some very big but very faded watermark on the image.

THQ has named the UFC-based fighting game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and mobile devices they’ve been developing.In today’s press released the game will be called UFC 2009 Undisputed and promise to stay a 100% UFC fighting game and the best mixed martial arts fighters in the world.

UFC 2009 Undisputed will ship to retailers by spring 2009.While that was the only details released today Be to comeback for more updates.

[View Press Release]

Capcom has now confirm given us a firm date for the beta: June 25. The official blog has the news, and the instructions for how to grab this game the day it goes live.

1) Buy Commando 3 on XBL. Play it, love it.

2) In the Commando 3 menu, you’ll notice an option for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta (insert long name joke here). If you hit that option, you’ll get an error. Why is this? Because the SSF2T HD Remix Beta isn’t live until June 25th .

3) If you hit the Beta menu option on or after June 25th , 2008, you’ll be taken to an XBL blade offering to let you download the new SSF2T HD Remix Beta.

4) Download the Beta, and then you can find it under your "Games Library" under "Demos."

5) Start it up and commence dragon-punchery.

If you have a PS3 then your left for now for the Beta. Remember you must buy Commando 3 on XBL in order to particapaite in the Beta.

There is a rumor going around that Mega Man 9 maybe on it’s way to Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network. Capcom is yet to give confirmation about the rumor.

It is also rumored that Mega Man 9 will introduce new characters into the game with online multiplayer and leaderboards.

"The series will introduce new characters, provide online multiplayer, and will have leaderboards. The game will be hitting the Xbox 360 on Live and the PlayStation 3 on PSN. For those of you in Japan, don’t worry. The series is coming to you also in the form of Rockman. Oh no! They see me. I have to go now."

[Mega Man 9 in the works? Spacecat tells all via Destructoid]

New images pop up on the website for the new Mortal Kombat game, Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is an upcoming crossover fighting game from Midway Games in the Mortal Kombat series, which will contain characters from both the Mortal Kombat franchise and the DC Comics Universe.

[Text Source via Wiki]

In an interview with GameTap, Ed Boon told them that finisher will appear in the next Mortal Kombat game, MK vs. DC Universe. Heres what he had to say “There was never any statement on our part that fatalities will be gone or that finishing moves will be gone.”

“We did acknowledge that we won’t be able to do the same kinds of outrageous moves, like tearing someone’s head off and the spine being attached to it.” he added “But there are a lot of assumptions that there will be no blood in the game, that there are no fatalities in the game. It’s an assumption that, because the DC characters will be in there, those features will have to be dropped. My response is that, no, we’re modifying fatalities,”

[“Finishers” will appear in new Mortal Kombat via Videogaming 24/7]