BlazBlue throws a beatdown on PS3, Xbox 360

by David Hinkle { Mar 5th 2009 at 2:27PM }

Arc System Works, the folks behind popular 2D fighting franchise Guilty Gear, are planning on bringing their high-def 2D fighter, BlazBlue, to the Xbox 360 and PS3 IGN reports. Currently only available in Japanese arcades, the title is being ported to home consoles in the region, with release aimed at this summer.

Notable additions to the console port include a story mode, with individual stories for each character available. This story mode will offer branching storylines based on the battles you win, as well as the choices you make while playing. Director Toshimichi Mori says the story mode easily offers 30 hours of gameplay.

On top of that, gamers can look forward to online support for battling folks around the globe, as well as DLC, which Arc has planned, yet no specific items were mentioned. The console version of the game will also provide all characters with Astral Heat special moves, which were only given to a select few boss characters in the arcade version of the game.

Tags: 2d, arc-system-works, blazblue, fighter, fighting, guilty-gear, import, imports, japan

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DeathroW @ Mar 5th 2009 2:33PM

2D FIGHTER OVERLOAD$£"*(&$(

Chibi @ Mar 5th 2009 2:42PM

30 hours of a story gameplay..on a beat em up? i hope that doesnt mean one character else that would be get boring

Professor Lario @ Mar 5th 2009 2:45PM

Yea - that number seemed high to me as well. For those of you with SFIV - about how long does that story mode last?

DeathroW @ Mar 5th 2009 2:53PM

Around 15 minutes, minimum.

Zertoss @ Mar 5th 2009 2:58PM

Depends on how many times you retry on Seth.

Jampirow @ Mar 5th 2009 2:58PM

The story mode works like a japanese text-based adventure game, with fights and multiple endings. It's going to be awesome.

zuburi @ Mar 5th 2009 5:37PM

Fuck. Watch it get cut or not released outside of Japan.

acefondu @ Mar 5th 2009 2:41PM

I want it, but not for $60. I'll wait and see what they price it at.

Lars @ Mar 5th 2009 5:07PM

I agree. I can't bring myself to pay $60 for SF4 either.

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 5th 2009 2:41PM

I played this a few months ago. It's pretty good...very similar to Guilty Gear (for obvious reasons). Not as good as Tatsunoko vs Capcom or SFIV, but still definitely going to be a first day purchase for me.

...I just hope I can find a friggin' arcade stick by 6hen. I'm counting on all the SFIV scrubs to sell theirs on eBay once they've gotten tired of the game in about another month or so.

jorojoserojas @ Mar 5th 2009 2:59PM

If you find the SFIV Tournament Stick, jump on that! You'll be very, VERY pleased.

Noshino @ Mar 5th 2009 3:17PM

samfish would be happy with any stick v_v

SirFishouse @ Mar 5th 2009 6:31PM

I don't like hori sticks... The buttons always get muddy after a while. I do know people that are very happy with theirs though. I guess it depends on your technique. If you are handy, It's better to just make your own. The parts are easy to find and if you can solider, then why not.

travis @ Mar 6th 2009 1:46PM

want

Zertoss @ Mar 5th 2009 3:08PM

Knowing nothing of this game other than what is in the article, I'm left wondering which character (or characters) will be a trap. Perhaps there's even one or two in the screenshot above.

tom @ Mar 5th 2009 3:23PM

when i went to the akihabara district of tokyo in december, the kids were all over this game and the street fighter IV cabinets were empty. couldn't even get near them but judging by the popularity the gameplay must be fairly solid.

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 5th 2009 4:10PM

I found it to be the exact opposite when I went there. The SFIV machines had a line (except one, where people were watching some dude was just playing the CPU, presumably because he kicked everyone else's ass)
The BlazBlue machines were empty, though. Literally not a single soul on any of the machines the entire time!

Jampirow @ Mar 5th 2009 6:43PM

This game has been beating SF4 in japanese arcades. It's one of the most successfull arcade fighters currently in Japan.

Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 5th 2009 3:54PM

I'm down for this and the new KOF depending on the price point.

Crusty Magic @ Mar 5th 2009 4:17PM

Same.

I can't see myself paying over $15 though.

Jampirow @ Mar 5th 2009 6:46PM

Just because it's 2D? This game cost as much effort and resources (if not more, 2D HD sprites are WAY more expensive than 3D rendering), gameplay is slick and has a lot of content.

nazomeku @ Mar 5th 2009 3:58PM

@David Hinkle: Just so you know, this game is not only available in Japanese arcades. Aksys Games publishes the U.S. releases of many of Arc System Works's games (including this one). There was a domestic arcade release of BlazBlue. Point in case, I was playing it at a very American arcade this past Saturday. o.o;

evilkoala @ Mar 5th 2009 4:20PM

Yay, another reason to justify my future purchase of Tournament stick :)

darthjayson @ Mar 5th 2009 4:27PM

That looks cool as hell!

cinders @ Mar 5th 2009 4:30PM

Oh please please please bring to NA...I loved Battle Fantasia

GearSecond!! (Gamertag: xGearSecondx ) @ Mar 5th 2009 6:24PM

WHAAA??? Someone else that bought that game too?! Heres me thinking I was the only one because theres hardly EVER anyone playing that online when I try to get a match going

LunarAura @ Mar 5th 2009 4:50PM

Glad they confirmed a 360 version, not that it's surprising. Gorilla fay is turding

Epyon83 @ Mar 5th 2009 5:03PM

I dont know why ppl are so excited about these 2d games. Dont get me wrong, ive grown up with the c64 and snes and stuff and i liked guilty gear but nowadays.... SF4 is quite ok for a quick play but whats the hype on these 2d games like this one here and Battle Fantasia? I just dont get it