Joystiq

Metal Slug X runs and guns to iOS, Android

Mike Suszek — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:30:00 EST

SNK Playmore recently launched Metal Slug X on iOS and Android. The run-and-gun game is a remake of the Neo Geo game Metal Slug 2, and includes online leaderboards, customizable controls and local multiplayer via bluetooth.

Metal Slug X, which shouldn't be confused with Metal Slug XX, can be downloaded through iTunes and the Google Play store for $3.99.

Gallery: Metal Slug X (3/10/13)

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Metal Slug X runs and guns to iOS, Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neo Geo X production to continue, more games/peripherals on the way

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:30:00 EST

This week's reports that Japanese Neo Geo X production had come to a halt are only somewhat correct, Engadget has learned. In actuality, only production of the Neo Geo X Gold Limited Edition model has ceased, which was always part of the plan. You know, it being a Limited Edition product and everything.

"Tommo will be continuing to support the NEOGEO X format going forward with more games, peripherals and software updates, as well as more units of the console hardware," Tommo told Engadget. "The NEOGEO X Gold System Limited Edition Collection Series that includes Ninja Masters, was always planned to be a limited edition product."

Further elaborations were not made concerning what said games and peripherals might be. Considering that the original Neo Geo AES didn't really have peripherals though, save for a memory card and an adapter that let the AES play arcade cabinet cartridges, we're curious about what Tommo might come up with.

Neo Geo X production to continue, more games/peripherals on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Neo Geo X production ceases in Japan

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST

Manufacturing and production of the confusingly irresistible Neo Geo X has come to a halt in Japan, according to Siliconera's translation of Gamer's report. Shipment of the device has also ceased, meaning that Japan's existing stock of the retro gaming handheld/console is all they're going to get.

It's unclear whether this development will affect the device's availability in North America or other territories, although it has been said that the end of hardware production doesn't translate to the end of software production -- more Game Cards are reportedly on the way. We've reached out for more information and will update if new information becomes available.

Report: Neo Geo X production ceases in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neo Geo sale has PS3 and PSP games at half-off

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 21:00:00 EST

SNK is hosting a month-long half-off sale on a handful of Neo Geo games for PS3 and PSP. PSN games drop to $4.50 apiece and PSP games are $3.50; the Neo Geo Station Bundle Pack of 10 games for PS3 runs $40.

The SNK sale includes Metal Slug and Metal Slug 2, Fatal Fury, Shock Troopers and The King of Fighters '94 - '96. Check out the complete list under the big blue button below.

Continue reading Neo Geo sale has PS3 and PSP games at half-off

Neo Geo sale has PS3 and PSP games at half-off originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Neogeo X Gold' portable arrives this December for a whopping $200

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 04:40:00 EST

Despite the fact that 20+ years passed since you last played Neogeo, its portable rebirth this December will be shockingly expensive at $200. Tommo Inc. announced the handheld console's December 6 launch date for North America overnight, and put detail to the various pre-installed software it comes packed with (King of the Monsters and Samurai Showdown 2 are our personal highlights, but the full list of 20 games is below the break). The system also comes with the charging dock and joystick you see above, included in the $200 price.

Beyond being a handheld Neogeo - which, admittedly, is pretty neat -the system doubles as a home console and can be hooked up to TVs/monitors via HDMI or traditional RCA. As such, an external joystick works with the device (though we'd suggest keeping that joystick locked to your domicile rather than take it on the go).

It's unclear what retailers will carry the Neogeo X Gold just yet, but Tommo works with the usual brick-and-mortar suspects (Best Buy, Amazon, GameStop, etc.) Distribution in Europe and Asia is being handled separately, and no prices or dates are given for either territory.

Continue reading 'Neogeo X Gold' portable arrives this December for a whopping $200

'Neogeo X Gold' portable arrives this December for a whopping $200 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 04:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diabolical Pitch, less diabolical SNK savings on Xbox Live this week

JC Fletcher — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST

This week on Xbox Live is the premiere of Diabolical Pitch for Kinect, and, for when your arm inevitably gets tired, savings on SNK games that use the normal controller. From today through the 9th, King of Fighters '98, 2002, and Sky Stage, Metal Slugs 3 and XX, and Trouble Witches are all 50% off. Rockstar is holding a "Max Payne sale" as well, with 33% savings.

Next week will see the arrival of Fez and a Call of Duty DLC sale. We wonder how the network will handle the combination of those two events.

Diabolical Pitch, less diabolical SNK savings on Xbox Live this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: SNK releasing a new Neo Geo for your pocket

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:20:00 EST

It's not really a followup to the Neo Geo Pocket, but it is a portable device with a bunch of Neo Geo games on it. Currently known only as "Neo Geo Portable Device" (not the product's final name), the handheld is a bit bigger than an iPhone and comes packing two gigs of storage, plenty of buttons, a 4.3 inch screen, SD card slot, headphone jack and an A/V out jack, according to Japanese site Famicom Plaza.

And, thanks to official SNK licensing, it comes pre-loaded with 20 Neo Geo titles -- North American versions, no less -- including classics like Metal Slug, Fatal Fury Special, Sengoku, King of the Monsters, Magician Lord and more. Famicom Plaza provided no details as to when or where the device will be released.

That's assuming the product is real at all, of course. The select button above is labeled "menu" in a different picture, for example, which seems a bit odd. We've contacted SNK to confirm the device's existence.

Rumor: SNK releasing a new Neo Geo for your pocket originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KOF XIII 'NESTS Kyo' DLC delayed on PS3, netcode patch on the way

Jordan Mallory — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:00:00 EST

Originally slated for a simultaneous 360 and PS3 release on December 20, King of Fighters XIII's upcoming "NESTS Kyo" character DLC pack has been delayed for PS3 fighters until January 10. A fantastically vague "technical error" is to blame for the issue, according to the Atlus press release after the break. In order to make it up to you, SNK Playmore will be lowering the character's cost to $2.99 for a limited time once it lands.

In somewhat sunnier KoFXIII news, Atlus is also planning a substantial netcode patch for both versions of the game which is said to "make the game's network infrastructure more consistent for users, ensuring that the evaluation given connections is more accurate to the actual play experience." The patch will also introduce minimum signal strength requirement settings on the host side of matchmaking, so players will be able to prevent users with poor connections from joining their open match. SNK Playmore plans on releasing the patch "as soon as possible."

Oh, and if you're wondering what the hell "NESTS" means, read this.

Continue reading KOF XIII 'NESTS Kyo' DLC delayed on PS3, netcode patch on the way

KOF XIII 'NESTS Kyo' DLC delayed on PS3, netcode patch on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of Fighters XIII demo punches its way onto Xbox Live, kicks PSN next week

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:55:00 EST

With all the Street Fighters, Marvel vs. Capcoms and Mortal Kombats floating around these days, it might be hard to decide if your tough, battle-hardened heart has room for one more fighter. To make this decision a little easier, SNK has released a demo of its latest, King of Fighters XIII, on Xbox Live. The trial will also rear its head on the PlayStation Network next Tuesday, December 13.

There has to be something to it, right? After all, there have been thirteen of them.

King of Fighters XIII demo punches its way onto Xbox Live, kicks PSN next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Analogue CMVS: A $649 wooden Neo Geo for the gamer who has everything

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST

Christmas is approaching faster than three elves tapped together and ridden down a hill like a bobsled, so if you're the kind of person who truly and unconditionally loves a gamer who has everything, consider the Analogue CMVS Slim as an appropriately ~~expensive~~ classy way to convert currency into affection.

Standing for "Consolized MVS," the Analogue CMVS Slim contains the motherboard used in SNK's MVS arcade cabinets, rather than the AES (Advanced Entertainment System) motherboards used in the original Neo Geo home console. This means that the system accepts ROM cartridges intended for those arcade cabs, which are radically less expensive and easier to find than AES cartridges.

Smaller than the original CMVSes we covered last spring, the "Slim" is available in your choice of walnut or "ebonized ash," and is compatible with every Neo Geo arcade stick ever made, according to the company's PR. If you don't have any Neo Geo sticks lying around, however, Analogue Interactive will make you one to match your handcrafted console.

The CMVS Slim is available at the company's store for the original Neo Geo's asking price of $649; arcade sticks are sold separately for $199 each. So! Assuming you can find an MVS cart for King of Fighters '94 for less than $50, your (exceedingly) loved one can enjoy the 90's arcade experience for just over a thousand dollars. You could also buy an actual MVS arcade cabinet for that much, but hey, what do we know.

Gallery: Analogue CMVS and Stick

The Analogue CMVS: A $649 wooden Neo Geo for the gamer who has everything originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of Fighters XIII review: Sweep the leg

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST

It's tough living in someone else's shadow. Your achievements may be numerous and impressive, but existing outside of the limelight can be disheartening after a while. Constantly fighting for relevance in a crowded genre is a consuming, arduous fight; one that SNK Playmore has waged ever since Fatal Fury: King of Fighters went toe to toe with Street Fighter II in 1991.

The result of that fight may be contentious in the mind of the fighting game community, but Joe Public and his Mortal Kombat Blu-ray feel otherwise; while series like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat invaded American pop-culture and became household names, King of Fighters continued to toil away in obscurity, releasing game after game for its dedicated cult following.

Things are different now, though. Street Fighter IV kick-started a renaissance in fighting games, reigniting the mainstream consumer's interest in the genre, which paved the way for impossibilities like Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and the incredibly successful rebirth of Mortal Kombat. In this new age of fighters, could it finally be SNK Playmore's time to shine? Will their latest entry, King of Fighters XIII, capture the minds and hearts of those unfamiliar with series?

Probably not. SNK Playmore remains so unplugged from what is happening in the rest of the genre that its latest excursion feels like an old friend, rather than a revolution. Because of this, however, King of Fighters XIII is the best KOF game ever made, despite the fact that it isn't as flashy or user friendly as its contemporaries.

Gallery: King of Fighters XIII (6/10/11)

Continue reading King of Fighters XIII review: Sweep the leg

King of Fighters XIII review: Sweep the leg originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlus continues your King of Fighters XIII video training

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST

Concentrate, grasshopper. Let these King of Fighters XIII training videos fill you mind. Breathe deep of all seven videos after the break, and let your custom Sanwa brain synapses push directional commands through your fingers, and into the hearts of your enemies.

Continue reading Atlus continues your King of Fighters XIII video training

Atlus continues your King of Fighters XIII video training originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SNK classics Alpha Mission, TNK III, Vanguard II on PS Minis today

JC Fletcher — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

SNK continues its piecemeal release of SNK Arcade Classics 0, comprising PlayStation Minis versions of the arcade games that the company sold in Japan as a UMD collection. Today, when the PlayStation Store updates, you'll be able to get three more vintage SNK arcade games for play on the PSP or PS3.

1985's vertical shooter Alpha Mission (above), the tank game T.N.K. III from the same year, and the 1984 shooter Vanguard II, will be available today for $3 each. You might know T.N.K. III's sequel better than the original if ... you happened to play a lot of NES games; it was released on that platform as Iron Tank. Other people played Iron Tank, right?

Continue reading SNK classics Alpha Mission, TNK III, Vanguard II on PS Minis today

SNK classics Alpha Mission, TNK III, Vanguard II on PS Minis today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlus offers video-based King of Fighters XIII training

JC Fletcher — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:30:00 EST

Atlus wants to teach you how to play King of Fighters XIII, one character-focused video at a time. Above, a video demonstrating how to perform Yuri's moves; you'll find eight more at Atlus's YouTube channel.

Atlus offers video-based King of Fighters XIII training originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order The King of Fighters XIII, get The King of Soundtracks

JC Fletcher — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST

Atlus customarily includes soundtrack discs with the first printing of its games, in a program it calls "Atlus Spoils." But for The King of Fighters XIII, Atlus has gone beyond its normal initiative, bundling a four-disc soundtrack with pre-orders from "participating retailers" including Amazon and GameStop.

The soundtrack is a collection of music from throughout the whole King of Fighters series. Dare we hope for "Allegory of the Wind," the slow, pensive song by the blue flame-wielding Iori Yagami, from the KOF '97 Arranged Soundtrack? Whatever's on there, there will be hours of it.

Pre-order The King of Fighters XIII, get The King of Soundtracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions advances to PSN this week

JC Fletcher — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:15:00 EST

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions was delayed until sometime late this month on iPhone. We don't know exactly when that is, but we do know you'll be able to download the game as soon as tomorrow ... on PSP.

The PlayStation Blog revealed that the PSP version of the strategy remake will be available on PSN tomorrow, July 19. It has new cutscenes, characters, and items not seen in the PSOne original.

In other retro-ish PSN news, you'll also be able to download a bunch of "Mini" versions of old SNK games that were all released as part of a single UMD in Japan, as well as a PSOne Classics version of Kyuiin, a shmup starring a kid on a flying vacuum cleaner.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions advances to PSN this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The King of Fighters XIII makes a royal appearance on PS3 and Xbox, escorted by Atlus

JC Fletcher — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EST

In an email sent to its "Faithful" fan mailing list, Atlus revealed plans to localize SNK's PS3/Xbox 360 fighting game The King of Fighters XIII, for a North American release "this holiday season."

Originally released last year in Japan, the latest release in SNK's fighting dynasty includes over 30 characters, a significant step up from the 20 included in the last game. "Back by popular demand, your favorite fighters rejoin the roster including K', Vice, Kula, Maxima and more," the website says, in front of an image of Mai, Yuri, and King -- none of whom appeared in KOF XII. In addition, the sequel promises a "rebuilt online mode" for enhanced stability.

Atlus linked to Amazon's pre-order pages on the website, both of which have KOF XIII arriving in October for $50. That's not exactly as trustworthy as a royal decree, but it's encouraging.

The King of Fighters XIII makes a royal appearance on PS3 and Xbox, escorted by Atlus originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESRB: SNK classic 'Marvin's Maze' coming to PS3 and PSP

JC Fletcher — Tue, 24 May 2011 07:05:00 EST

With the PlayStation Network functional once again in many territories, and the PlayStation Store coming back soon (possibly tomorrow), Sony will soon be free to return to the very important work it was undertaking earlier this year. We're speaking, of course, about the sale of obscure SNK games.

The ESRB just provided a clue about the next game from the publisher to hit PS3 and PSP, and in a surprise twist, it's not a Neo Geo game. Marvin's Maze is actually a 1983 arcade game about a cute character trying to collect dots in a multi-layered maze, while avoiding or destroying "Robonoids."

In addition to this apparent PS3/PSP release, Marvin's Maze is part of the PSP SNK Arcade Classics 0 collection, which has yet to be officially announced for North American release.

[Image: The Arcade Flyer Archive]

ESRB: SNK classic 'Marvin's Maze' coming to PS3 and PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 May 2011 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trouble Witches Neo sweeps XBLA April 27 in Japan, SNK hints at global release

Randy Nelson — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:59:00 EST

We've always said that if there's one thing Xbox Live Arcade is lacking, it's more side-scrolling shmups starring pre-teen witches on broomsticks. Thanks goodness, then, that SNK has heard our plaintive cries and plans to release an Xbox 360 port of its coin-op descent into horizontal bullet hell, Trouble Witches Neo, as a downloadable title on April 27.

Right now, the release is only official for Japan -- where the game will run 800 Microsoft Points ($10) -- but in describing the title, SNK makes specific mention of global online co-op and leaderboards. Given the publisher's track record of releasing its XBLA games in the West soon after their Japanese debuts, it shouldn't be long before we find out which Wednesday these witches will be stirring up trouble on US consoles.

Trouble Witches Neo sweeps XBLA April 27 in Japan, SNK hints at global release originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'SNK Arcade Classics 0' for PSP goes deep into the back catalog

JC Fletcher — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:20:00 EST

SNK Playmore has officially announced a new PSP compilation of classic games for Japan, to be released on April 21. Unlike most SNK collections (like Metal Slug Collection and SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1) that offer games exclusive to Neo Geo, SNK Arcade Classics 0 is a collection of 20 games made by the company before the release of the Neo Geo hardware.

Yes, finally, you'll be able to get Ikari Warriors and Athena on the same disc, along with Psycho Soldier, P.O.W., and a lot of vintage SNK games we've never heard of. Find the full list after the break, as transcribed by Andriasang. Many of them were originally released in vertical format, a setup emulated on PSP by holding the device sideways.

An ESRB rating for SNK Arcade Classics 0 has been online since late 2009, suggesting that SNK has plans to release this collection stateside. Of course, the rating occurring that long ago also means SNK has had plenty of time to change its mind.

Continue reading 'SNK Arcade Classics 0' for PSP goes deep into the back catalog

'SNK Arcade Classics 0' for PSP goes deep into the back catalog originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match also on XBLA this Wednesday

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:40:00 EST

You'll be doing much more than courting intense card battles with this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases -- you'll also be punching, kicking, and ... uh ... jumpkicking fools with the release of King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match. The fighter gets a facelift and an audio upgrade, alongside an "extensively redesigned" character balance. If that weren't enough, KOF 2002: UM features "the most playable characters ever in the KOF series," with 66 fighters in total.

The game will run you 800 MS Points ($10) this Wednesday when it arrives on Xbox Live Marketplace. And hey, for a game that evidently features unlimited matches, that's a heck of a price.

[Thanks Brandon!]

King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match also on XBLA this Wednesday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metal Slug RC LEGO tank will kill all of your henchmen

David Hinkle — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST

Luckily Metal Slug henchmen aren't in short supply, right? Zoom past the break for video of the Slug-inspired "Metal Grudge" tank in action, or hit up the Flickr link below for some detailed images.

Continue reading Metal Slug RC LEGO tank will kill all of your henchmen

Metal Slug RC LEGO tank will kill all of your henchmen originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match coming to XBLA in 'Autumn 2010'

David Hinkle — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

SNK Playmore has announced via its Facebook page that an updated version of the arcade fighter, King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, is headed to Xbox Live Arcade. The game was announced for Japan late last year and is due in "Autumn 2010" here in the US. SNK promises "a high-quality conversion" of the original game, including "all characters from the NESTS CHRONICLES, numerous game modes, along with updated stages, new moves, BGM and graphics."

The game will include 66 playable characters -- match and character balances will follow the Arcade version of the game, while the presentation of menus and number of characters and game modes will follow the expanded PS2 version. There's no price currently set for King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match, though the "Ultimate Match" version of King of Fighters '98 is currently set at 800 MS Points on Xbox Live.

King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match coming to XBLA in 'Autumn 2010' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KOF Sky Stage shoots up Japanese XBLA on September 15

David Hinkle — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

SNK's oddball bullet hell shmup, KOF Sky Stage, has finally been dated for Xbox Live Arcade -- in Japan, at least. Masochists can check it out on September 15 for 800 MS Points ($10). That's a small price to pay to see Terry Bogard and company fly around and shoot stuff. And, y' know, play a super-tough game.

The game originally launched in Japanese arcades back in January. PSP users can also access KOF Sky Stage right now in Neo Geo Heroes, while those of us in the US can likely look forward to a localized release, so says an ESRB listing. If you're looking to get an early start at finding all of those sweet hiding spots to take refuge from the impending bullet swarms, head past the break for a new trailer.

Continue reading KOF Sky Stage shoots up Japanese XBLA on September 15

KOF Sky Stage shoots up Japanese XBLA on September 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESRB rates KOF Sky Stage for Xbox 360

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:43:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

[GAME Watch]

You have to be just a little curious about a vertical scrolling shooter, starring a bunch of flying King of Fighters characters. According to the ESRB, those of us in North America will soon have the opportunity to experience the bizarre KOF Sky Stage for ourselves -- the ratings board has evaluated the Xbox Live Arcade port of the arcade shmup, making an American release likely.

Meanwhile, in Japan, SNK released a PSP game containing the entirety of KOF Sky Stage as just one mode of another shooter. The XBLA version's compensation? A "still-frame image of a female character" wearing "a revealing outfit that accentuates her buttocks and displays large amounts of cleavage."

ESRB rates KOF Sky Stage for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modern Warfare 2 glitch unlocks five SNK XBLA games

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In a stroke of exceptionally bad luck for SNK, a glitch has been discovered that unlocks free access to the full versions of five of the publisher's XBLA games for users who already have the demos on their hard drives. To make it worse, the glitch occurs within Modern Warfare 2 (a game that bajillons of Xbox 360 owners already have) -- or its recent demo (which is freely available).

Somehow, running Modern Warfare 2 coincidentally fools the system into thinking it's authorized to temporarily unlock full versions of Garou: Mark of the Wolves, The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug XX, and Samurai Shodown II. Joystiq tested the exploit with Garou and KOF '98, and can verify that it works. For now, at least.

We're certain this issue will be patched by one of the three affected parties -- SNK Playmore, Activision, or Microsoft -- in the near future, now that it's known. In the meantime, just because you can get these games for free doesn't mean you aren't a major jerk for doing so.

[Note: This doesn't permanently unlock the games; only if you launch them directly from inside MW2. If you launch from the Dashboard, they'll behave just like plain ol' trial games.]

Modern Warfare 2 glitch unlocks five SNK XBLA games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NeoGeo Battle Coliseum fights WAREZ on XBLA in Japan on June 9

JC Fletcher — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST

Like The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, another classic SNK fighting game is headed to XBLA. SNK Playmore announced that NeoGeo Battle Coliseum, a 2-vs.-2 fighting game starring characters from various Neo Geo games, will be released on XBLA in Japan on June 9 with newly upscaled sprites.

NeoGeo Battle Coliseum gives players even weirder character choices than the usual KOF fare (though plenty of KOF and Fatal Fury mainstays appear), like Cyber Woo from King of the Monsters 2 and Athena from the abysmal SNK "classic" of the same name, all in the fight against "WAREZ," a personification of software piracy.

The release is for Japan only for now, but Siliconera notes that a German USK rating has been spotted for the game, suggesting a Western release.

[Via Siliconera]

NeoGeo Battle Coliseum fights WAREZ on XBLA in Japan on June 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Metal Slug XX, Aqua

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: X3F TV

We've got two Xbox Live Arcade staples this week. First is Metal Slug XX, which has the advantage of Xbox Live online play over its XBLA cousin, Metal Slug 3. Next, we've got yet another twin-stick shooter in Aqua. As its title suggests, Aqua flavors its twin-stick shooting antics with an extra dose of H20 (and torpedoes). Metal Slug XX will run you 1200 ($15), while Aqua is 800 ($10). Watch this week's XBLA in Brief and decide if either tickles your fancy for destruction.

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Xbox.com: Add Metal Slug XX trial version to your Xbox 360 download queue
Xbox.com: Add Aqua trial version to your Xbox 360 download queue

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Metal Slug XX, Aqua originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metal Slug XX rolls out on Japanese XBLA May 19

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:25:00 EST

After SNK announced the game way back in December, it looks like Metal Slug XX has an official release date on XBLA ... in Japan at least. According to Xbox.com Japan, Metal Slug XX (an upgraded port of Metal Slug 7) is set to arrive next Wednesday, May 19. It's important to note that release dates are not always worldwide, so it's possible that the game will be released later in other regions. At the very least, it appears that the game is ready to go, so hopefully we'll be seeing it sooner rather than later.

[Via Siliconera]

Metal Slug XX rolls out on Japanese XBLA May 19 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 May 2010 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of Fighters shooter expanded for PSP

JC Fletcher — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST

KOF Sky Stage

SNK's odd shooter spinoff, KOF Sky Stage, hasn't even made it out of the arcade and onto XBLA yet, and SNK has already announced a sort of sequel. Neo Geo Heroes is a new vertical shooting game for PSP containing the original Sky Stage as one mode, but also adding even more characters from SNK fighting games.

Kyo, Athena, Iori, and Kula from the KOF series, Terry and Mai from Fatal Fury, Marco Rossi from Metal Slug, Iroha the maid from Samurai Shodown VI, Akari from Last Blade, and even the pilot from Alpha Mission can fly now, apparently, as they're all selectable characters in the game.

Neo Geo Heroes will fly into Japanese retail in July. No plans have been announced outside of Japan for this nor Sky Stage.

King of Fighters shooter expanded for PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VC in Brief: King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo)

David Hinkle — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:45:00 EST

Fight fans get their fix this week in VC in Brief. The lone release available for download is King of Fighters '95, a mish-mash of SNK's best fighters from its most prominent franchises. KOF '95 introduces us to Iori Yagami, who would go on to be one of the series' favorite brawlers.

King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo, 1 - 2 players, 900 Wii Points)

Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.

VC in Brief: King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NintendoWare Weekly: King of Fighters '95, Scrabble Slam

JC Fletcher — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:07:00 EST

There is a lot of stuff on the Wii and DSi Shops this week, but no obvious standouts. The most potentially exciting games are a Lemmings-like thing about dodo eggs, a DSiWare version of a Scrabble card game we didn't know existed, and a fighting game of which you might already have three or four copies. Head past the break to see more assorted stuff.

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: King of Fighters '95, Scrabble Slam

NintendoWare Weekly: King of Fighters '95, Scrabble Slam originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of Fighters XIII brings Mai back this summer

JC Fletcher — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:05:00 EST

King of Fighters XII wasn't quite the spectacular high-definition debut the series deserved. Sure, there were problems with the netcode, but one problem with the roster irritated just as many fans: the omission of the scantily clad ninja, Mai Shiranui. So, naturally, SNK is leading with the bouncy character in its promotion for King of Fighters XIII.

A teaser site for the game, opened after a preview event, features a picture of Mai with her trademark fan, along with a note that the game will be released in arcades this summer.

[Via Andriasang]

King of Fighters XIII brings Mai back this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SNK Playmore announces King of Fighters XIII for arcades

JC Fletcher — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

[Dengeki]

Despite the cool reception to its last King of Fighters game, SNK Playmore has announced that it is working on King of Fighters XIII. The fighting game will be shown for the first time at an event in Akihabara on March 25.

Until then, we know nothing about the game other than that it runs on Taito's TypeX2 arcade hardware -- the same board used by Street Fighter IV, BlazBlue, and, of course, King of Fighters XII. Well, we also know that it has a nice logo. And we're guessing fan favorite Mai Shiranui won't be left out this time.

[Via Kotaku]

SNK Playmore announces King of Fighters XIII for arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XSEED now publishing Samurai Shodown Sen

JC Fletcher — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:40:00 EST

The odd swapping of games between Ignition Entertainment and XSEED continues. First, Ignition obtained the rights to Marvelous's Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Arc Rise Fantasia, both initially to be published by XSEED. Now, XSEED has announced that it will publish Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny on Xbox 360 -- a game that we played at Ignition's E3 booth.

XSEED is publishing the fighter under the name Samurai Shodown Sen, with a release planned for sometime this spring. Along with Atlus's announcement that it's publishing Metal Slug XX, this move provides evidence that Ignition's co-publishing deal with SNK has ended.

XSEED now publishing Samurai Shodown Sen originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samurai Shodown Sen out in Europe this spring

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST

Click to sho' more screensThe publishing status of Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny in North America is somewhat up in the air, given Ignition's recent silence about the game and Atlus' announcement that it's publishing SNK's Metal Slug XX (leading to speculation that Ignition's deal with SNK is over). There's no doubt, however, that the game's coming out in Europe.

European publisher Rising Star Games has announced that it will publish the 3D Samurai Shodown sequel on Xbox 360 this spring under the name Samurai Shodown Sen. The game features classic Samurai Shodown fighters, like Ukyo and Nakoruru, with a weird mix of international characters -- like, in our experience, a Viking.

Gallery: Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny (1/22/10)

Samurai Shodown Sen out in Europe this spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metal Slug arrives on iPhone, sort of

JC Fletcher — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:25:00 EST

If you thought the DS was a less-than-ideal platform for an original Metal Slug, you're really going to be surprised with this one. SNK Playmore has released one of its cartoony run-and-guns for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Metal Slug Touch is adapted to the platform in some unexpected ways: for example, instead of putting the player in control of a commando who occasionally happens upon a vehicle, Metal Slug Touch puts you in a vehicle at all times.

Controls are simplified to make use of the iPhone's features: you move with the accelerometer, and dodge enemies with an "avoid" button. Metal Slug Touch sounds like a fairly bold experiment -- and something that, we suspect, works better than simply porting a console action game over with touch controls.

Metal Slug Touch ($4.99) :

[Via FingerGaming]

Metal Slug arrives on iPhone, sort of originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SNK announces Metal Slug XX, three more for XBLA in Japan

JC Fletcher — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:55:00 EST

There's good news and bad news about Metal Slug 7 on Xbox Live Arcade. The bad news is that we're pretty sure it's not coming out. The good news is that Metal Slug XX, the upgraded, multiplayer-capable PSP remix of the DS game, is replacing it in SNK's 2010 lineup. SNK also announced XBLA ports of two of its fighting games: King of Fighters 2002 Ultimate Match and Neo Geo Battle Coliseum. All three will join the weird King of Fighters shooting game, The King of Fighters Sky Stage, on XBLA in spring 2010.

These games have, so far, been announced only for Japan, but we are sure SNK will release them all worldwide -- if only because it would be a waste of effort to develop an XBLA title just for the few people in Japan who would buy it.

Gallery: Metal Slug XX (PSP)

[Thanks, sacra!]

SNK announces Metal Slug XX, three more for XBLA in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESRB rates Metal Slug XX for US release

Randy Nelson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST

Hey, look, it's Metal Slug ... er ... oh, right, Double X. (Sorry, had to study the sprites.) Anyway, earlier this month we brought you first word of the game -- now it's been rated by the ESRB (T for "Teen," specifically) which, as we all know, is a prelude to games being announced for domestic release.

The game's publisher is listed as SNK Corporation of America itself, seemingly indicating a digital download-only future for the title. That's fine by us -- as long as it doesn't go the way of the M.I.A. PSP minis. Seriously, where are they? Metal Slug XX hits Japan in December, so we'd expect it to roll ashore here in early 2010.

Gallery: Metal Slug XX (PSP)

ESRB rates Metal Slug XX for US release originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Behind the horrifying scenes of the King of Fighters movie

JC Fletcher — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST

King of Fighters fans would probably really appreciate a live-action movie that deals with the series' surprisingly detailed storylines faithfully, while bringing their favorite characters into real life in a recognizable way. Those are the exact people who should never, ever watch the King of Fighters movie.

Disclosure: if we weren't watching this behind-the-scenes trailer (after the break) for work, we would have turned it off as soon as the narration said that the fighting took place in another dimension. But then we would have missed being introduced to the white guy playing Kyo Kusanagi! And to Iori Yagami's hockey getup.

Don't worry, the movie's actually in good hands: the actress playing Vice has heard of King of Fighters.

[Thanks, Doug]

Continue reading Behind the horrifying scenes of the King of Fighters movie

Behind the horrifying scenes of the King of Fighters movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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