We recently had the chance to get our hands on an updated version of Namco's Soulcalibur IV, the latest entry in its popular fighting series. The latest installment features a large roster of fighters that mixes old and new characters. It will also feature some very special guest stars, Darth Vader and Yoda, who'll be exclusive to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, respectively. While Darth and Yoda weren't playable in the version we tried, we were able to check out some new characters and stages. We also got to try out some of the new mechanics being introduced in this installment and check it out on the PlayStation 3. While the game is still a work in progress, the new content has us curious to see how the game is going to come together.

via gamespot.com

Mashing together fighting-game mechanics with rhythm-game ideas sounds like one of the stranger genre combinations you're ever likely to find in a video game. Nevertheless, in Draglade, you'll be fighting to a musical beat while also enjoying some light adventure and collection aspects. However, none of these aspects--most notably the rhythm mechanics--are very robust by themselves, which leaves you with a game that is merely decent when it could have been much more.

Draglade shows you the ropes via its single-player story mode. You can choose from one of four available characters and guide him through his quest to become a major grapper, a professional fighter that uses a specialized weapon called a glade. Each of the four characters' stories follow the same basic template, which involves the same tournaments, the same optional quests, and the same generic, sinister organization bent on harnessing the power of dark glades. If you've ever seen an anime series or played an anime-themed game, you wouldn't be missing anything if you chose to skip the forgettable dialog.

via gamespot.com

All you need to do is whisper the name "Street Fighter" and folks will come out of the woodwork to see what you're talking about. Such is the overwhelming love game fans have for the Street Fighter series, which is a fact that publisher Capcom is taking to heart in 2008. In addition to being knee-deep in development of the upcoming Street Fighter IV, Capcom is putting the finishing touches on yet another downloadable SF game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. At a recent Capcom press event, we got to catch up with the game's developers to see how this version of the game is coming along and try it out for ourselves.

via gamespot.com

Our Famitsu friends just revealed a brand new character that'll making a debut in the upcoming Star Wars infused Soul Calibur IV and she (yes she) is feisty looking one.

Her name is Scheherazade (pronunciation anyone?), she sports a saber-like weapon and comes across as a scantily clad swordswoman who loves the color pink and frilly outfits. That said, we're sure she could beat us down any day. No other Scheherazade details could be lifted from Famitsu's foreign pages, but we expect good old Namco to come to our informative-rescue and announce the entire Soul Calibur IV character list before launch. Until then, we'll try our darnedest to envision Yoda and Scheherazade going head to head in a battle to the death.

via xbox360fanboy.com

Looking forward to Beta testing Street Fighter II HD Remix on your PS3? Capcom says it's not going to happen. Instead, Beta test privileges are going straight to Xbox Gold subscribers when they purchase Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. Don't feel too bad fellow PSNers, the Beta is only an eight week trial of a reworked gaming classic -- a 1080p widescreen remake to be exact. It's absolutely not a reason to storm into town with torches. Absolutely not.

But hey, everything that's got a downside has an upside. To keep you from feeling down out of luck about missing the Beta, we've got tons of media for you to check out. Such as these screenshots down below. Wow, they're sho-ryu-ken good. Yep, sure looking good, had to repeat that just in case you didn't get the play on words there. If you didn't get to see the pics from Joystiq earlier, then have a look at them now. Otherwise, check out the four gameplay vids we have waiting for you after the break.

via ps3fanboy.com

Proving that old sprites never die (they just go 3D), upstart publisher Aksys has confirmed that it will release Arc System Works' "tactical action game" Guilty Gear 2: Overture in North America this fall for the Xbox 360. The game, which takes characters from the Guilty Gear 2D fighting game series and injects them into a kind of bizarre amalgamation of 3D action and strategy, cannot help but remind us of last year's Soul Calibur Legends...and we're less than enthused to put ourselves through that experience again without some measure of alcohol.

The game is the latest attempt at reinventing the storied franchise, following 2004's Guilty Gear Isuka, which upped the ante by allowing up to 4 players slug it out in a chaotic battle royal. Overture instead turns its attention to the series' complicated, often convoluted post-apocalyptic storyline, with spiky-headed Sol Badguy and his rectangular sword leading the charge in large scale battles while "balancing resources and deploying troops." Frankly trying to wrap our heads around how this will all work has given us a headache, so we're just going to file this one away in our 'might be interesting' basket and go have a lie-down.

via joystiq.com

While we're sure most of us would describe Wii fanatics as the most lighthearted of the console enthusiasts, we can only imagine that being forced to wait nearly two years for the most highly anticipated game on your console, only to come home from a midnight launch to discover you cannot extract the frenzied multiplayer mayhem stored on the disc you've purchased might incite one's dander to "get up". Alas, many a brawler-to-be recently found themselves in this lamentable situation, as Super Smash Bros. Brawl has reportedly had performance anxiety in a number of Wii consoles.

Nintendo has swiftly replied with a North American repair form, explaining that the double-layer disc can only be read by a squeaky-clean disc drive lens. They implore you not to try to clean said lens on your own, and to send in your crudely adhered Gamecubes to Nintendo HQ for a thorough purging. We're sure they'll get your newly spruced console back to you in a timely manner -- which will likely offer little consolation to a Nintyfan scorned.

via joystiq.com

Given everything else in Smash Bros Brawl has been revealed on the internet, it's only fitting that a few unintentional quirks are spoiled, too. While you might argue/joke "that's not a bug, it's a feature," we're pretty sure this one is a bug. Here's your spoiler warning -- video (and explanation of the glitch) embedded after the break.

via joystiq.com

Just in case you missed these glorious shots yesterday, check out the hi-res screenshots of classic Street Fighter characters that are returning to the arena for SFIV.

Zangief, Guile, E. Honda, Dhalsim, Chun Li and Blanka are on show, if you really need to be told who they are. The characters were revealed as being present in the game earlier in the month, but at the time we only had lousy magazine scans to look at. The scans did give us a glimpse of newcomer Crimson Viper, though.

via gamesradar.com

Before the latest issue of Famitsu (via IGN), we knew Ryu and Ken were back for the "fourth" (and we use that term lightly) Street Fighter title. Now we have a confirmation that Chun-Li, Blanka, E. Honda, Zangief, Dhalsim and Guile are all returning. Street Fighter IV is now officially a 17-year reunion for the SFII lineup. Be careful, we suspect Zangief might try to spike the punch.

The magazine also provided an illustration for how the new Saving Attack system will work: Ryu blocks Ken's fireball and immediately counters, causing Ken to fall down. Street Fighter IV is expected to be playable at the Japanese Amusement Expo on February 15.

via joystiq.com

When it comes to the PlayStation 2, publisher Atlus USA is certainly not afraid to point out where its loyalties lie. The company indicated as much when we spoke to them last month, as Atlus PR front man Aram Jabbari called Sony's venerable console "a viable platform," adding that "there is no reason to abandon a veteran system just because it isn't the newest thing around."

What this translates to is that players can expect to continue to see Atlus' unique brand of niche Japanese titles coming stateside for some time. The latest to be confirmed of which is Examu's all-female fighting game Arcana Heart, which promises PS2 owners all the girl-on-girl 2D action they can handle when the game drops in North America on April 8.

via joystiq.com

With Nintendo continuing to trickle out official information about Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it seems a few early copies have leaked into the hands of gamers in advance of the Jan. 31 Japanese release. As such, there has been an absolute flood of credible images, videos and information about the game leaking onto the 'net throughout the day today.

While none of the following information has been confirmed, we're relatively confident in the veracity of everything below (unlike before). We'll continue to update as further credible information becomes available.

via joystiq.com

We'd think that at this point, even the haters have to admit that Super Smash Bros. Brawl sounds like an incredible value. But if you've got friends that are still holding out, we have the news that may put them over the top. It was announced today on the game's official blog that Brawl will ship with demos of classic games from some of the fighters' histories right on the disc.

via joystiq.com

Valentine's Day is swiftly approaching, like a bullet train made out of chalky hearts and overpriced chocolate. How are you planning on spending yours? Gents, perhaps you're taking your special lady out for a candlelit dinner and a romantic comedy, perhaps starring Matthew McConaughey, or Jennifer Lopez, or both...

via joystiq.com

We honestly believe that when it comes to SNK, they believe that nostalgia is job one. Why else would the company continue to keep one foot rooted in the past by re-releasing countless compilations of old releases in lieu of anything truly new?...

via joystiq.com