If there’s one thing Capcom loves..it’s crossovers, and this could be the strangest yet. Take a look at the trailer above, announcing some of the PS3′s exclusive content for the upcoming fighter Street Fighter X Tekken. Yep, that’s Pac-Man and the oddest choice of a Mega Man — the original box art Mega Man. Yup, the fat one.

If a new posting on Xbox.com is to be believed, the newly announced Resident Evil 6 may be amping up its online suite to feature six player online co-op.

The listing, for whatever its worth also features a wrong release date (the game is confirmed to release on November 20 of this year) says that the game will feature 1-2 player offline co-op and 2-6 player online co-op. This wouldn’t be the first time the series would feature online co-op — the last game in the main series, Resident Evil 5 featured two player co-op while the upcoming Resident Evil: Raccoon City will feature four player co-op.

No word on whether the six player co-op will be story based or a new cooperative mode. We’ve reached out to Capcom for comment and will update this page if we hear back.

It may not come as much of a surprise, but Capcom has confirmed that Resident Evil 6 is in development — and its scheduled to release this November.

The announcement came when a teaser countdown at NoHopeleft.com ran out, announcing the latest entry in the long running action/survival horror franchise.  The game casts players in the shoes of the franchises’ two biggest names – Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield for the first time.

“Resident Evil 6 represents a giant stride forward in the evolution of the series,” commented Katsuhiko Ichii, Head of R&D and Global Marketing via official press release. “The development team, led by Hiroyuki Kobayashi, is working tirelessly to deliver the most impressive Resident Evil title ever both in terms of scope and production values. We are all genuinely excited by the title and cannot wait to share it with the world.”

Resident Evil 6 releases for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on November 20 and the PC soon after.

Dead Rising 3 isn’t even officially announced yet, but we may have our first details on the game, if a report from website Siliconera is to be believed.

Citing a source close to the game, Siliconera reports that the third installment in the zombie bashing series will star an auto mechanic named Rick (concept art to the right) from Los Perdidos, CA. When the zombie outbreak starts, Rick in unsure of himself, and devises a plan to commandeer an airplane and escape the small town with a group of survivors.

Dead Rising 3 reportedly also continues the tone of the series previous games by mixing in real issues with its humor horror. The game reportedly features a group of infected citizens who refuse to register with the government.

No word from Capcom on the rumors, but with the Video Game Awards tomorrow night, we could be seeing an announcement very soon. Look for the announcement about the eventual spinoff featuring Frank West as well.

At this point we’re used to paying for extra costumes and content, it’s sad, but it’s part of the modern gaming scene, but has Capcom gone too far with its paid DLC?

The DLC in question is the Gamebreaker Pack for Dead Rising 2: Off the Record (reviewed here). The pack, which costs 400 Microsoft points, or$5 in real people money for you PS3 owners gives gamers access to god mode, infinite weapon durability, super damage, giant heads and a bunch of other smaller points.

Yep, those used to be cheat codes. When news broke of the paid cheats, the internet came alive with talks of boycotting the game…and Capcom in general. Will you be participating?

Blast reached out to our contact at Capcom but has not received a response as of this writing.

You’ve got to feel bad for poor ole’ Chucky Green. This time last year, the former professional dirt bike rider was the star of his own blockbuster video game. Fast forward a few years and he’s sharing the spotlight with former protagonist Frank West, who as we all know has covered wars you know  (Okay, that’s the only time I’m going to do that I swear). Then it happened, with Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, Green’s role had been completely recast by the man he once replaced.

It would be easy to throw Dead Rising 2: Off the Record away as a mere cash grab by Capcom – but the truth is, it’s not. Sure, it’s basically the same game you’ve played before – same location, same weapons, same story, just with someone else in the lead role, but the new features it does pack are more than worth a look. It may not be the most original game, but Dead Rising 2: off the Record feels an awful lot like coming home, like the sequel we should have gotten in the first place.

The last few years have not been kind to journalist and zombie basher Frank West. After uncovering a breaking the scoop on the outbreak at the Williamette Mall in the original Dead Rising, Frank shot to unheard of levels of fame, but he also learned that fame soon fades. In an effort to recapture that fading glory, Frank travels Fortune City, Nevada, where he hears word of a new outbreak.  What results is your basic “What if” storyline – what if Frank West was the main character in Dead Rising 2. There are a few twists thrown in, but you’ll be talking with the same people, treading the same ground and bashing the same zombies as before – only as someone new…or old…whatever.

I couldn’t help but feel that the game would be served better not as a “what if” type story, but rather an alternate take on what was going while Chuck was trying to clear his name.  There are plenty of story points in the original Dead Rising 2 that Capcom could have introduced Frank West to expand on the story, not just re-hash it.  Things get really weird when Chuck actually shows up in the game; complete with his Terror is Reality bike and daughter from Dead Rising 2 proper; so in the context of the game, certain parts of the story had to happen to Chuck.  The only real explanation is that Dead Rising 2: Off the Record occurs in some sort of weird Paradox where both Chuck and Frank’s versions of the stories are going on but never really intersecting. Mind blown.

Core mechanic wise, Off the Record plays just as you’d expect it to; run around, pick stuff up, smash zombies with it and repeat. There are a few new weapons, and a few new combo weapons that you can craft together in Fortune City’s workbench areas, and there are also a few new psychopath boss characters as well as a new area –The Uranus Zone. All that aside, Off the Record does tend to feel very familiar; and just how big a fan you are of the franchise will determine whether or not that’s enough.

Of course, with the return of Frank West comes the return of his trusty camera. Now digital (yep, no more searching for film), the camera mechanic adds a lot to the game, and I found myself using it even more than I did in the original Dead Rising game. Even in the face of imminent danger, I found myself reaching for the camera to take shots. One of my favorites was in the utility corridors of Fortune City, with a slew of zombies barreling down the steel steps at me. I brought out the camera and got a horror rating for the growling undead and a humor rating…for the ones falling down the stairs. Taking great pictures awards you more prestige points, which in turn allows you more health and the ability to carry more weapons.

By far though, the most exciting addition Off the Record brings is the fan demanded sandbox mode. Free of time, ringing cell phones and expiring missions, sandbox mode allows players to run around the majority of the game’s map and simply have fun bashing zombies. There are challenges spread throughout the map, but they’re completely optional.  I’ve always described Dead Rising to people as an interactive playground with zombies, and sandbox mode makes the game truly live up to this title. Perhaps the best thing about sandbox mode is that it allows the game to truly embrace its goofiness. In the mode Frank’s portrayed not as a guy looking for his next big break, but rather as a guy who simply loves bashin’ him some zombies.

The Blast Factor: In the last year, Capcom has kind of gone Dead Rising crazy, releasing no less than four different titles in the series. Off the Record could have easily been the entry that jumped the shark, the one that fans realized they just didn’t care anymore – but it’s not. Sure, it’s not completely original, but thanks to a few tweaks and new modes, this is the definitive Dead Rising experience and a great starting point for those who have yet to experience it.

Check out these brand new videos straight from GamesCom featuring Dr. Strange and Resident Evil’s Nemesis in Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3.

Capcom has released the final box art for Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, the alternate take on last year’s Dead Rising 2 which casts original Dead Rising protagonist Frank West (he’s covered wars you know) in place of Chuck Greene. Poor Chuckie Green.

In adition, Capcom also confirmed that those who preorder the game at Gamestop will receive the Cosplay Warrior Skills Pack to bring out Frank’s inner nerd. Those who have save data on their consoles from Dead Rising 2 will also have access to Chuck’s Jacket in off the Record.

Dead Rising 2: off the Record hits Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on October 11.

In a move that should surprise pretty much no one; Capcom confirmed today that they’ll release Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3, the disc based update for their critically acclaimed and best selling fighter this November. The game will feature combat tweaks, eight new stages and twelve new fighters — four of which were revealed today.

On the Marvel side, Ghost Rider and Hawkeye of the Avengers will be joining the fray, while Firebrand and Strider will represent Capcom. Capcom’s whole idea was to reveal more of the new roster as we approach the release date, but pshhht…this is the internet, and nothings secret, as in almost record time, what looks like the entire new list has leaked on to the web in the form of character sketches found deep within Capcom’s press site. Looks like we’re getting Vergil, Phoenix Wright, Nemesis, and Frank West for Capcom, and Doctor Strange, Rocket Raccoon, Nova, and Iron Fist for Marvel.

The title will hit Xbox 360 and PS3 this November for the budget price of $39.99. Check out the first screens below.

You can’t say you didn’t see this coming. After a serious lack of updates and the departure of series creator, Capcom has officially canceled it’s upcoming Meg Man 3DS title; Mega Man Legends 3. Citing that the title did not meet the established criteria to continue development, the announcement was made via the Capcom-Unity blog this morning.

“We’d like to thank you for your ongoing loyal support of Mega Man Legends 3. Today, however, we must regrettably announce the discontinuation of this project,” the blog posting started off. “Unfortunately it was not felt that the Mega Man Legends 3 Project met the required criteria, and it is with regret that we must announce that the Mega Man Legends 3 Project has been cancelled, meaning that Capcom will not be releasing the Prototype or the full game. Additionally, updates of the Mega Man Legends Developer Room will cease as of today, though the North American Developer Room and its forums will remain open indefinitely.”

So just how is the community taking the news? Not too well. In fact, Andreas Asimakis, Managing Editor of GamesAbyss.com proclaimed that the move marks the death of the Mega Man franchise. “You see, Capcom and I have a special relationship, so much so that our frequent email chats and phone calls have christened me as ‘that Mega Man guy.’ So with great trepidation and knot in my stomach, I asked aboutLegends 3 to the multitude of on-hand reps that were running Capcom’s busy station. What I was met with, was a number of ‘I don’t knows’, ‘no comments’, and ‘we’ll get back to you’s’. Capcom had no interest in discussing anything Mega Man related, least of all Mega Man Legends 3.  And while the veteran game developer had a strong presence at this year’s E3 with titles like Operation Raccoon City, Asura’s Wrath,Street Fighter x Tekken and 3rd Strike HD , its lack of a certain blue hero all but confirmed the beginning of the end of Mega Man.”

Asimakis may have a point, as the cancellation of Mega Man Legends 3 marks the second game in the franchise to be canceled this year, following Mega Man Legends getting the axe earlier this year.

“With its cancellation, Capcom has collectively pissed in the eyes of all its fans, and has deeply let down the Mega Man community.  For it was a gaming endeavor such as Mega Man Legends 3 that unequivocally proved that if fans were vocal enough, their voices would be heard,” Asimakis said. “It challenged traditional game development and with the inception of the Dev Room (which was immediately axed upon Legends’ demise) bridged the gap between developer and gamer.  All that now remains of Mega Man is Rockman Online, a Korean MMORPG that is being developed by Neowiz Games. But given that we haven’t heard much from RO aside from an occasional piece of concept art – a fact that reassures me of nothing as Mega Man Universe and Legends 3 also received similar updates just days before Capcom tossed them both into the fire of its Mega Man purification rite – it is only a matter time before Rockman Online is effortlessly canned, taking with it the entire Mega Man franchise.”

Fans of Marvel VS Capcom 3 were a bit disappointed when the developer announced that no future DLC plans were scheduled for the title only months after it was released. Capcom may be making up for it with news that some sort of reveal is coming for the game at next week’s Comic Con in San Diego.

Capcom will be holding a panel at the event and Ryota Niitsuma is expected to make the annoucement as well as show of the first look at whatever they’re announcing. Though it’s not known exactly what will be revealed, it’s expected to be a Super Marvel VS Capcom title to be due out in 2012.

So yes, this is an announcement that an announcement will be coming. Excited yet?

The PlayStation Network has been back up for over a month now, but that hasn’t done much to ease people’s fears about their personal data getting stolen in another crippling attack — so much so that sales of prepaid cards for the service are reportedly up.

Well, at least that’s what Capcom Europe head David Reeves says . “We have seen on PSN, and probably Sony are in a better place to tell you this, that there is a resurgence in people buying the generic PSN cards in retail stores rather than putting up their credit card details,” said Reeves.”People are playing it a bit safe at the moment because the hackers will be back [laughs], that’s my personal opinion. I mean … they will right?”

So have you stopped using your credit card on PSN?

Welcome to a new feature here on Blast, the Community Debate, where we all debate the hottest stories in gaming. To start us off, Capcom’s somewhat shady tactics with it’s new 3DS title; Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D. the background:  It was discovered this week that the game features undeletable save files. So, once you start a game, you can no longer start over.

While Capcom states that the move was not meant to stop second hand gaming, they it seems awfully fishy and retailers are showing mixed plans on how to deal with the game. UK retailer HMV will not be taking any trades on the game whatsoever. Gamestop originally said they wouldn’t be taking the game in, but has since changed their mind. “”GameStop did ask the US store base to stop accepting trades on Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D as we evaluated the save system for the game,” said the company. “Upon further review of the process with our publisher partner, Capcom, GameStop will resume taking trades on the game effective Wednesday, June 29.”

So, what do you guys think? Is Capcom playing fair? Or are they merely protecting their bottom line? Is the industry over reacting to the used games community?

We want to hear you — debate!

Poor ol’ Chuckie Green. First his daughter was bitten by a zombie and he was blamed for the out break, then he was forced to share the spotlight with Frank West, the hero from the original Dead Rising and now it looks like he’s being written out altogether.

Today, Capcom announced Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, a re-imagining of sorts of last year’s zombie action title. What exactly is being re-imagined? The game follows the same events of last year’s game, but as if they happened to Frank West (he’s covered wars you know). Set for release this fall, Off the Record also employs new areas, psychopaths and combo weapons, and of course — a camera.

“Frank’s come back means the return of his trusty camera, with players able to earn Prestige Points (PP) for specific photo opportunities that are graded against criteria such as horror, drama, erotica and brutality,” said the Capcom press release.

According to the release, Off the Record will also feature a slew of improvements under the hood including a more optimized network and better load times.

Here’s the kicker though, the game is going to be fully disc based, and a digital version for those who bought the original is not planned.

Look, I liked Dead Rising 2 as much as the next guy, heck, I even gave it a solid B rating, but did I like it enough to buy it all over again? I’m not sure. I hope I’m wrong, but check out the debut trailer below anyways.

Via it’s Japanese blog, Capcom announced today that it has officially canceled Mega Man Universe.

The ambitious project, which was set to release on Xbox Live and PSN allowed players to create and customize original Mega Man content using assets from the already released games. So yeah, kind of a Little Big Planet meets Mega Man. Little Mega Planet.

Though no specifics were given, the blog writing translated says that Capcom cites various reasons for the cancelation.

In celebration of Resident Evil’s 15 anniversary, Capcom has announced that they will release HD versions of Resident Evil 4 and Codename Veronica this fall as downloadable titles for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

According to the publisher, both games have received new visuals and will support trophies and achievements respectively.

Originally released for the Nintendo Gamecube, Resident Evil 4 has had numerous ports and stands as one of the most well reviewed games of all time.

Twisted Pixel’s ‘Splosion Man is a favorite here at Blast Magazine. You know who else likes it? Well, apparently Capcom.

This morning Capcom released MaXplosion on the iOS, and don’t kid yourself, everything from the settings to the characters and even the gameplay is ripped directly from the Xbox game.

The similarities aren’t lost on ‘Splosion Man’s creators. Twisted Pixel programmer Mike Henry tweeted “MaXplosiongameplay video makes me sad. If you’re going to outright steal a game, you should at least understand what makes it fun … Borrowing is great. Hell, we do it all the time. But that game is a complete theft.”

It gets more interesting though as Twisted Pixel CEO Michael Wilford commented that the game was originally pitched to Capcom who passed on the idea. Wilford also said that the indie developer won’t be suing Capcom, regardless of how much they have the right. “While I think the similarities are pretty nauseating, we’re too small to take on a company like Capcom. That, and we owe them one for inventing Mega Man, so we’ll let them slide.”

A Capcom statement is expect later today.

Meet Mike Haggar. Mike Haggar is a complicated man; he’s a fighter, a mayor and he hates shirts. He’s also one of the newest reveals for the upcoming and highly anticipated Marvel VS Capcom 3.

The reveal comes via a new and reportedly leaked trailer posted by VideoJuegos, which shows the Final Fight character as one of the last reveals for the game.

But wait, there’s more! Another, completely seperate trailer shows that X:Men’s fiery Phoenix as yet another roster reveal.

Stick with Blast Magazine for more on Marvel VS Capcom 3 until the game’s release next month.

So you’ve saved Fortune City and cleared your name — what’s there left to do in Dead Rising 2? Well, cover wars apparently.

Capcom has confirmed that Dead Rising 2′s upcoming DLC, Case West, which allows players to team up with Frank West, the hero of the original Dead Rising will be released next month. The DLC begins shortly after the events of the second game.

Stick with Blast for a definite release date as it becomes available.

Capcom officially announced this morning that the highly anticipated fighter Marvel VS Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds will hit store shelves on February 15 of next year for the PS3 and Xbox 360. So yeah, prepare to try to convince your sweetheart to spend the later portion of Valentine’s Day at a midnight release event.

Capcom also released the game’s official box art, which is that pretty little image right there, as well as a special collector’s edition featuring a prequel comic, one month subscription to Marvel’s digital comics service and instant access to characters Jill Valentine and Shuma Gorath, both of who will be available as paid DLC to those who buy the normal game.

Legendary producer Keiji Inafune has announced that he will be leaving his role of Head of R&D Management Group, Consumer Games R&D Division and Contents Management Division at Capcom at the end of the month. He’s been with the company for 23 years.

Inafune, most known for creating Mega Man and serving as producer for titles like Dead Rising announced his departure this morning in a blog post (heads up, it’s all in Japanese)simply titled “Sayanora.” Translated, a portion of the note reads: “A manager’s work means evaluating your subordinates and speaking your dreams. Anyone who can do both of those can be a manager. I thought that when I came here, and I still think that now.” Reportedly, Inafune didn’t think he could do both anymore.

The producer has drawn a lot of heat recently for his comments recently stating that the Japanese gaming industry is “finished” and was quoted in a recent interview that he wants to retire. “It’s the opposite,” he replies. “I hate it! I want to retire early and take it easy,” Inafune said recently when asked how much he loves his job.

So just how will Capcom go on without Inafune? According to an official statement given to Kotaku — easily.

“”Capcom has been working hard on restructuring its operations over the past few years in order to build a development organization that is not dependent on any single individual,” a Capcom spokesman said. “Therefore, we do not believe Mr. Inafune’s departure will have an effect on our business operations. Regarding specific titles, we have already assigned new and talented Producers to those titles which have already been announced and their further development is progressing smoothly.”

Capcom makes the Street Fighter games, but they also make a ton of zombie games like Dead Rising and Resident Evil, Ever  wonder what would happen if they mixed the two?

Manuel Augusto Moura, a Brazilian illustrator has, and he’s conjured up these images of some of the Street Fighter cast with a case of the human flesh munchies.

Hey, what do you want? It’s a slow news day.

On my desk, I have the following: World War Z, the book about the after effects of the zombie apocalypse, The Zombie Survival Guide, a figurine of the zombie from Plants VS Zombies and even a Zombie translator. Yes, it’s safe to say that I’m a fan of zombie culture and lore. And yes, it’s safe to say that I loved the original Dead Rising. Sure, it had its issues — like a frustrating save system and a few control issues, but damn it was fun to run around a mall using whatever you can find against a never ending horde of zombies.

The game’s sequel, cleverly titled Dead Rising 2 is along the same lines, its issues are clear, but it’s easy to forgive these mistakes when you’re having this much fun. Everything you loved about the first game is back, but this time in a much larger and much more expansive universe. If you’re able to ignore the small design flaws found in the game, Dead Rising 2 is simply a must buy for action gamers, fans of zombies, and those who just enjoy a fun bloody romp.

Dead Rising 2 plays much like the original, you have 72 hours to survive a zombie outbreak, using whatever you can find as a weapon. Here though, you’re in the Las Vegas inspired Fortune City rather than the Dawn of the Dead inspired Williamette Mall and you’re playing as motocross star Chuck Greene rather than photo journalist Frank West (he’s covered wars you know). When Capcom announced Fortune City as the setting for Dead Rising 2, I wasn’t that impressed, but my fears were proven to be null once I got my hands on the title. Not only is Fortune City massive, but it’s also incredibly fun to explore. People call Vegas a "playground for adults," and that’s definitely the case here as there’s plenty to explore and do in the city and each play through of the game led to even more fun discovery.

The story of Dead Rising 2 deals with Greene and his search for Zombrex — a new wonder drug that slows down the zombiefication of victims — in order to save his daughter who was bitten by her infected mother. It’s an interesting enough tale, but Dead Rising 2 works best when you treat it like it is — 72 hours in a zombie filled playground. Call me sadistic if you want, but it’s incredibly fun and rewarding to grab a chainsaw and take it to a group of the undead. It’s even more fun to hit them with a donkey lamp or clay pot. The core experience of Dead Rising 2 is filled with "can I do this?…Yes I can" moments.

These moments are made even cooler by the new combo weapon system which lets you combine certain weapons and objects into even cooler weapons. Find a baseball bat and a box of nails? Take them to a workbench and combine them. You can make everything from makeshift Molotov cocktails ( newspaper and a bottle) and a flamethrower (gasoline and a super soaker) to some more creative weapons like the boom stick (a combination of a pitch fork and shotgun that literally blows a zombie’s limbs off one by one) and a paddlesaw, which combines a boating paddle with a chainsaw at each end. The little cinematic and rock song that play each time you combine weapons can get old quick, but it’s a minor complaint when there’s so much fun destruction to be had.

Even more so than the original, Dead Rising 2 is a game that’s meant to be played through numerous times. It may sound clich©, but there’s no way to experience all that Fortune City has to offer. From the weapons to the costume changes and all of the little things in between, the game is just too large for one playthrough. Luckily, much like the original game, you’re going to be able to bring your level and moves from your previous playthroughs into your new game. It’s a genius system really, as you’ll be able to explore much easier and therefore find much more each time you play.

New to the Dead Rising franchise is the addition of multiplayer. The heart of Dead Rising 2′s online experience is the co-op gameplay, which lets you and a buddy take on the zombie horde together. It’s not without its quirks, like the fact that you can’t stray from your teammate, but it’s still tons of fun to dress in ridiculous costumes and bat around (quite literally) a few zombies. There’s also the competitive mode which puts you in American Gladiators-esque challenges with zombies. It’s really a lackluster mode and though you’ll want to experience it once or twice, it’s unlikely that you’re going to want to go back much after.

Dead Rising 2 isn’t a perfect game though, there’s a few design quirks that are sure to irritate a few, like the horrid vehicle controls and the fact that the game still uses the timer and that it’s very easy to miss a mission that would have kept the story going. Really though, these complaints are minor, and most will be able to look past them.

The Blast Factor: There’s no doubt about it, Dead Rising 2 is not only the natural progression from the original, it’s a damn fun experience. There’s tons to explore and if you want the entire Dead Rising 2 experience, you’re sure to enjoy multiple playthroughs. If you’re looking for a fun game that you’re going to be able to invest a lot of time in, you can’t go wrong with Capcom’s zombie slashing simulator.

Gamers looking for more of a core experience with Microsoft’s upcoming and highly anticipated, controller-less motion camera Kinect got some good news this week as Microsoft announced five new titles from different developers for the peripheral. The titles, all being helmed by legends in the Japanese video game industry are clearly aimed at helping Kinect and Microsoft in Japan, which has been considered a troubled region for the publisher.

The announcements were made by Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft’s games division, Phil Spencer, who proclaimed the importance of the Japanese gaming industry to the future of the Xbox 360.  ”Japanese games are the games that the world loves to play,” Spencer said, as he noted that many of the world’s favorite video games, including Donkey Kong, Mario and Pac-Man were born in Japan. “We’ve seen the industry move to a place where we’re trying to engage more and more people to play games, and that plays to the strength of what Japanese game design history is all about.”

The most interesting of the game announcements comes in the form of “Codename D” a new thriller from GrassHopper Studios, most famous for Killer7 and the No More Heroes series. Codename D places players in an eerie abandoned amusement park as they fight off fiendish creatures. The game is expected to feature real time destruction as the official press release states that “With “codename D” for Kinect for Xbox 360, you are the controller as you unleash devastating effects to destroy enemies and objects.”

Fans of the Panzer Dragoon series are sure to be pleased as Microsoft also announced “Project Draco.” The series acclaimed Director Yukio Futatsugi promises players an “epic 3D flying-shooter” that lets players get even closer to their dragon through Kinect. Xbox Live support in also confirmed.

Next, NanaOn-Sha, and Microsoft Game Studios announced “Haunt,” which seems like a mystery party title similar to that of Disney’s Guilty Party for the Wii. “Gather friends and family to delve deep into a haunted house dripping with mystery – you’ll need every ounce of your wit and cunning if you hope to unravel the veil of rumors that hide its darkest secret. Dodge traps and outwit ghosts, ghouls and frights that lurk with glee around each and every corner. Take a deep breath and immerse yourself in ‘Haunt,’ spooky fun for Kinect for Xbox 360.”

Horror fans are sure to be pleased as Microsoft announced a partnership with Sega to announce Rise of Nightmares. “”Rise of Nightmares” (SEGA). “Rise of Nightmares” offers a spine-tingling horror experience that uses the innovative new controls of Kinect for Xbox 360 to give players the ultimate fright. Using their whole body, players will experience fear and tension as never before in this exclusive Kinect for Xbox 360 horror adventure.”

Capcom also confirmed the rumor that they’re reviving the long loved Steel Battalion series on Kinect with Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor.” With the support of Microsoft, Capcom and From Software join forces to bring this groundbreaking collaborative project to Xbox 360. Manhattan, 2082: In a world where computers and almost all modern technology have been lost, the greatest nations of the world continue to battle for supremacy. The American army lands in New York to begin its first big offensive of a long ground war. Soldiers fire from the trenches as
scorched bunkers belch black smoke. As comrades continually fall to the unrelenting crossfire of bullets, the Vertical Tanks make their relentless advance. Experience the battlefield as never before with Kinect for Xbox 360.”

Each game reveled during the panel is expected out sometime in 2011. Stick with Blast for more on these games and Kinect as we approach it’s November 4 deadline.

Okay, so here’s the bad news; Capcom’s highly anticipated fighter Marvel VS Capcom 3 won’t be out this year. The good news is that it’s coming in the first quarter of next year, before April to be exact.

Capcom made the semi-announcement in a revised fiscal report where it confirmed that the title would see release in the company’s financial Q4, typically between the beginning of January and the end of March.

In other Marvel VS Capcom 3 news, Spider-Man and Albert Wesker from the Resident Evil series have been confirmed for the game. Who would you like to see when the game launches?

G4tv.com  and Capcom will be bringing fighting game fans some serious love this weekend when they stream EVO 2010, the premiere fighting game competition in the world, offering over 45 hours of coverage of the event. Fighting games are experiencing a renaissance with the recent success of Street Fighter IV/Super SF4 and some other notable titles like Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, and the Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 re-release for XBLA/PSN. The exclusive stream from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas will feature tournament matches between top players from around the world with live crowd audio and expert commentary to explain all the onscreen action.  The stream will run from the start of the tournament on July 9th through the finals on July 11th.

EVO featured tournaments include:

Super Street Fighter IV

Tekken 6

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom

Marvel vs. Capcom 2

Melty Blood: Actress Again

To follow up, On Tuesday, July 20 X-Play will air ‘X-Play vs. Capcom:  EVO 2010 World Fighting Finals’, which will delve into the legacy of Capcom’s legendary fighting games, and give viewers an all-access look at the history of EVO as it has developed from a fledgling format to a mega-successful fighting institution.

In the interest of full disclosure before I get into this review, you should probably know that I’m a Street Fighter fanboy/dork who literally skipped my semi-formal as a freshman at Melrose High School, in order to play Street Fighter 2 all night at a random arcade up at Salisbury Beach. So needless to say, this review is slightly biased.

Super Street Fighter IV takes everything from last year’s amazing Street Fighter 4, and spit shines it. First, the roster got beefed up. Added to the roster of now thirty-five (!) playable characters this time around are Guy and Cody from Final Fight, Adon from the original (and terrible) Street Fighter, Makoto, Ibuki and Dudley from Street Fighter III: Third Strike, the worst characters in the franchise’s history, T. Hawk and Dee Jay from Super Street Fighter II Turbo and newcomers Juri, who’s like a Tae Kwon Do expert, and the oil’d up Turkish wrestler Hakan.

Next, Capcom added some much needed depth to playing online. New are the the “Team Battles”, “Endless Battle” tournaments, and “Ranked Match” options. To me, the Team Battle is the best of the lot, as it allows for two teams made up of four players, which then go head-to-head in lobby tournaments.

Last but not least, there’s a new addition to the game’s core mechanics, and that’s that every character now has a second “Ultra attack” that you have the option of choosing at the character select screen. Now, that might not seem like much, but I happen to think it’s a pretty cool way to beef up your character if you prefer one “Ultra” over another.

There are some issues that even I, the admitted Street Fighter disciple, have problems with. The intro movies and endings for all of the character’s in Arcade mode are still corny as hell, and that prick Seth, who’s not only the worst named boss in fighting game history, but also the most unbalanced and cheap, makes his return.

But my petty complaints aside, this is a phenomenal game, and one of the best in the franchise’s history. If you liked the last game, you’ll LOVE this update. And if you didn’t bother to even purchase the last game (and shame on you if you didn’t) then you owe it to yourself to buy this version. That is unless you just don’t like 2D fighting games. I mean, if that’s the case, you should just seek professional help.

The Blast Factor: It’s Street Fighter IV, but with just more bells n’ whistles, and at the sweet price of just $39.99, it’s easily one of the best bargains for your fighting game dollar.

Note: A copy was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

When Capcom released Lost Planet: Extreme Conditions a few years back, I was immediately a fan. It took me back to the 8-bit days, with it’s perfect level of difficulty, and truly epic boss battles.

However, I feel like I was in the minority, as most gamers I knew of couldn’t deal with Lost Planet’s odd control scheme, therefore never really giving the game a fair chance.

If you were one of those aforementioned gamers, don’t make the same mistake with Lost Planet 2. Sure, the oddball control scheme returns, but this game is bigger in scope, graphically beautiful, features some of the most absurdly huge boss battles I’ve ever seen in a video game, and has the most bang for your buck in regards to it’s online co-op modes.

Taking place ten years after the events of the first game, Lost Planet 2 sends you back to the fictional planet, E.D.N. III. However, the planet’s ecosystem has changed dramatically from the last game to this one. The snow that covered E.D.N. III has apparently melted (but not all of it), and given way to lush tropical landscapes, deserts, and full-on cities. As I mentioned before, graphically, this world is flat out stunning. It’s truly one of the high points of this title.

And if the level design doesn’t wow you, the encounters with the giant, alien Akrids throughout Lost Planet 2 most certainly will. Seriously, Capcom has taken the size of the alien beasts in this game (specifically, the “bosses”) to the absolute extreme. Many battles are incredibly difficult (more on this in a bit), and will provide the player with at least a few “HOLY SHIT!” moments.

OK so everything looks awesome, and the bosses take up the whole screen, but how’s the story and the gameplay?

Well, the story is kind of confusing (but basically is just “kill everything, try not to die”), and the single-player campaign is, at times, outrageously difficult. I’m talking couch punching, controller smashing, Ninja Gaiden for XBOX kind of difficult. There’s no checkpoints during gameplay, your AI partners are often completely useless, and you can’t pause the game. No, seriously. You can’t pause, ever. Dumb, right?

While I for one welcome a difficult gaming challenge, there’s a point where a game can go when that level of difficulty can make a game decidedly less fun. Unfortunately, if you’re playing Lost Planet 2 by yourself, things tend to start to feel this way, fast. Especially as you progress further into the game.

Really, this all comes down to one simple fact, and it’s this. Lost Planet 2, is absolutely NOT designed to be played alone. Capcom has not shied away from this selling point, almost forcing you to play this game using it’s four player co-op mode. Wether it’s a localized split screen game, or via online, this is really the only way to make it through the hoards of Akrids, and the colossal boss battles. Without doing so, is simply an exercise in futility, and those of you without the ability to play online (or those of you without any friends) should consider yourselves warned before you purchase.

That said, I do think that Lost Planet 2 is worth your gaming dollars. The online play is tremendous, with both the campaign mode and the six other modes available (such as Team Elimination, etc.) one could potentially have months worth of fun before boredom sets in. Plus, if you’re one of those gamers that prides loves hoarding trophies, you’ll be happy to know that there’s loads to be had while playing Lost Planet 2.

The Blast Factor: Do I wish that Lost Planet 2′s one player, campaign mode was more accessible, and that the story wasn’t so, well, dumb? Absolutely.

Still, if you’re looking for a 3rd person shooter that you and your friends can enjoy together, no matter what mode you’re playing, Lost Planet 2 is deep, challenging, and fun as hell to play.

Lost Planet 2 is available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for $59.99. A copy was provided by the publisher for review purposes.